Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The maidens kick us off. UMABETT (6) resumes here but the form she has shown in previous preparations is good enough to feature in a race of this nature. Placed around this circuit last time out before being tipped out for time to furnish. Can return a winner. FLYING ANIMO (2) is at the races for the first time but won't need to be a superstar to be competitive against this lot. Looks to have plenty of ability based on the trial efforts and any market moves must be noted. CHARGIN' (1) is knocking on the door of a maiden victory placing in all four efforts this campaign. Top-three candidate again. URIS (3) has been thereabouts in both starts to date and looks one for the exotics players. SECRET BOOM (5) next in line.
RACE 2 - KEEP ON RUNNING (6) was a dominant winner here before the spell and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Steps out over this shorter trip here first-up and should be hitting the line with gusto. GABBY'S READY (8) has hit a purple patch this campaign with a win and four placings from five starts and it's hard to knock mares in form. Can continue the solid run. SUPER FAST (5) has a handy record over this track and trip with a win and three seconds from seven attempts. Top-three aspirations. Former NSW galloper BELLA ACE (7) is having her first run for the new stable but should find this easier than what she faced down south. A strong showing while fresh would not surprise. SPIRIT OF GIVING (4) has hit the top-five at his past nine starts and is a must for the multiples.
RACE 3 - SATISFIED MUGS (1) didn't measure up in the rich QTIS Jewel last time out but did string three wins together on the bounce prior. Has two wins and a placing from three attempts over this course and distance and should find this assignment much more to his liking than the latest outing. Expecting a bounce back to form. The well-related CAROHVIC (4) (half to Listed winner and G3 placed My Khalifa) broke the maiden status over this track and trip last time out and will be ready to go on with it with that win now under the belt. Looms as the main danger. WHISKEY RIVER (5) is another to shed the maiden tag at the latest effort and gets the services of Stanley in the irons. In the mix. BANG STICK (3) resumes here but has revved up for this with a recent trial victory and a good first-up showing would not shock. NOSEY NEO (2) is a three-time winner around this circuit and gets plenty of weight relief with the 3kg claim. Keep safe.
RACE 4 - ACCLIMATISE (3) is racing very consistently of late with two wins and two seconds from his past four starts and is yet to miss the top two in three attempts over this track and trip. High on confidence of late and should be going very close again. OUR TURN NOW (7) is a last-start winner who draws low and gets in well at the weights with the 3kg claim. Ticks a few boxes. STRATHCONA (1) is two from two over this course and distance and will be rock-hard fit for this. Cannot be discounted. FROM THIS MOMENT (6) has won three from four over this mile journey and will strip fitter second-up from the break. Shapes as a leading contender. The well-related I SAY BOOM (9) (half to 6xG1 winner Chautauqua) rounds out the selections.
RACE 5 - Cracking contest. ASTRA STAR (2) is on the doorstep of another victory placing in five of six starts this preparation and is one from one over this track and trip. Rider Cormack has been in the saddle for the past three efforts and stays on top here. Should be right there when the judge calls a halt. BETTER THAN WORDS (3) didn't measure up in Listed company last time out but is sure to find this assignment much easier. Can bounce back without surprising. LONHY'S FABRE (7) is lightly-raced but looks the galloper in this field with the most upside. Forward showing likely. HEAD HONCHO (1) gets Wiggins on board and looks one for the multiples. TIME TO PROPHET (6) next in line from the low draw.
RACE 6 - BEAU RAIN (10) saves his best form for his home circuit here with six wins and five placings from 14 starts and is has a handy first-up record with two wins and a second from five attempts. Capable of playing a major role while fresh. RUBUNKAR (8) has won four of his past five starts and is racing with a lot of confidence. Has to be included in calculations. GO GETABOY (1) is a two-time winner over this track and trip and gets some weight relief with the claim. Top-three credentials on best form. TURBEAU (5) strips fitter second-up from the break and gets Wiggins on board to navigate from the wide draw. Keep safe. STATS (2) is a last-start winner who shouldn't be slept on.
RACE 7 - Open race to close out the card. Former Victorian READY TIGER (5) is having his first run for the new stable but should find this task easier than what he has been facing down south. Worth watching for any market confidence. LOOMING ONE (4) doesn't win out of turn but has only missed a drum once in seven starts around this circuit and is usually up in the firing line. Rates a genuine top-three commodity. TYMON (8) resumes here but the form he showed when last in work was good enough to feature in the finish. Can run a race while fresh. BUBBLES'N'FROTH (1) is a bit hit or miss but is more than capable on his day. In the mix. SEVENTIES HIT (7) is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and may earn some minor money.
