Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CHISHOLM (9) is an exciting filly resuming from a sharp Victorian yard and brings serious form to the table. She made an immediate impression last spring, finishing second in the LR Inglis Banner at Flemington. Two slick jump-outs have her primed for a bold return. ESHA (10) is royally bred, by Extreme Choice out of G1 winner I Am A Star, and has shown real potential in her jump-outs. With a soft draw and big expectations, she could make a statement on debut. CALADAN (2) showed promise in his only start, placing in a strong maiden at Murray Bridge. A solid trial and a key booking in Toeroek suggest he is ready to run well fresh.
RACE 2 - PARTY CRASHER (3) is building a strong resume and took the next step with an impressive front-running win last start in town. That followed a narrow defeat at Oakbank, and she looks to be going from strength to strength. Drawn to control the tempo again, she is well placed to go back-to-back. DIXIE WHISTLER (1) is a consistent performer who loves this track and trip. She drops sharply in grade here and gets welcome weight relief with the 3kg claim. Expect her to be right in the thick of it. THERE GOES MY HERO (5) has been knocking on the door this prep and looks ready to peak now, deep into the campaign. A win would not surprise. HIGH SOCIETY GIRL (4) got the better of There Goes My Hero last start and continues to improve. If she finds another gear, she could be right in the finish again. LAKE'S FOLLY (2) is inconsistent but has the ability to feature on his day. Keep an eye on him.
RACE 3 - EVEN SHARPER (2) bounced straight back to form last start, going down narrowly over this trip at Balaklava in a gritty performance. Building momentum and from a lovely draw, should enjoy a soft run. With his strong record over this distance, he is well placed to notch another win. FALANGHINA (5) has been flashing home with intent in her past couple of starts. While the inside draw could see her buried, she has a sharp turn of foot and only needs clear air to launch late. NOVELA (4) broke through with authority at Balaklava, leading from start to finish in a commanding display. Freshened with a recent trial, she will roll forward again and take catching. SEE YA LATER BABY (8) has been around the mark and can feature late if the pace is on. I TELL YA WHAT (6) was warming up nicely when resuming and is suited stepping out over further. Worth keeping in the mix.
RACE 4 - THINKHARDANDFAST (7) returned in style at Kerang and backed it up with a solid placing at Geelong, closing strongly to the line late. Peaking now and from a favourable draw, he can settle closer and be right there when it matters. Shapes as the one to beat. BURNING BRIGHT (8) has been tackling stronger company and hasn't been disgraced. Back to a more suitable trip and grade, he has the ability to threaten late, though the wide alley might force him to do plenty of work. ANDREW'S MEMORY (6) continues to knock on the door and looks ready to put it all together. The booking of Neindorf is a positive sign. GODZILLA (2) makes his South Australian debut and brings some solid Queensland form. A good draw and market support could be telling. THERMODYNAMIC (3) is a proven fresh performer and looks well in with the claim. Keep safe. IT'SBRUCE (5) could sneak into exotics.
RACE 5 - STARTS NOW (4) resumes over a trip short of his best, but his recent trial win was dominant. He looks forward enough to strike fresh and maps for a dream run under Toeroek. Expecting him to prove tough to get past. SYNCHRO (6) made light work of maiden company on return and, while his next two efforts were just fair, he's been freshened and tuned up with a handy trial. Can bounce back and be a serious player. CHEVAL CHIC (1) rarely wins but has measured up in strong Victorian company. With the 2kg claim from Johnstone, she gets in nicely at the weights and is a genuine winning chance if she finds her best. KATIM'S CLUB (7) is flying this prep and was narrowly denied a hat-trick last time out. She drops in weight and gains the services of Neindorf. Danger. FOLLOWING SEA (2) is one to watch on stable debut and rounds out the chances.
RACE 6 - RICHE D'AMOUR (4) was out of sorts last start when finishing tailed off at Morphettville. His prior form reads strongly and he thrives at this track and trip. With Opperman taking over, expect a sharp rebound. BIG BRUTE (9) resumes after showing promise during his debut prep and looks ready to go off a solid trial. Drawn to advantage on the inside, he's poised to make an impact fresh. PROVEN CORRECT (3) might be short of his preferred trip first-up, but he has run well over this distance before. Johnstone's claim helps at the weights, and his recent trial suggests he's forward enough to give this a shake. MERCHANT BOSS (2) has not yet scored at this trip but tends to produce his best at this circuit. Worth including on that alone. ZESTIMAN (5) is racing well and deserves respect in this company. Keep safe.
RACE 7 - COLMAR (9) resumes and comes right to the fore with rain around. He loves getting his toe into the ground and the 1300m looks an ideal starting point. Expect him to push forward and take control early with Murtagh in the saddle. He's a leading player if conditions turn soft. I AM VELVET (6) had excuses last start at Flemington and is better judged off her strong return win. She draws to get the run of the race with Neindorf aboard and looks well placed back at this trip. Major danger. ROGUE ROCKER (3) is the model of consistency and caught the eye late at Flemington first-up. While yet to win at this distance, he's well suited and Opperman knows how to get the best out of him. PRINZERRO (5) doesn't win often but is always honest and steps out to a suitable trip with a handy weight claim. VOLTAGE POINT (7) looks to have come back well and is suited rising in distance. SAN LUCIDO (13) worth considering for wider exotics.
RACE 8 - DEEPFLOAT DIVA (11) has returned in good order, finishing off strongly last start at Moonee Valley to grab third. He loves this track and trip, and now third-up, looks ready to produce his best. VINTAGE STAR (7) resumes after going two from two last prep and looks a promising type. No public trials, but the Toeroek booking speaks volumes. SIR NOW (12) has disappointed his backers of late but strips fitter and relishes this course and distance. With a light weight and the benefit of a quick backup, he's a genuine winning chance. COOL MAGNUM (9) is going better than his recent figures suggest and gets weight relief in a big drop in grade. Don't be surprised if he sneaks into the frame at long odds.
RACE 9 - NURYS (6) tackled a much tougher field last week in the G3 Proud Miss Stakes and briefly looked a threat before the class rise told. Her form prior to that stands up strongly and this drop back in grade should suit perfectly. Expect her to be storming home late. TOSEN WATER (4) has been close without winning in both runs this prep and looks ready to strike. She drops back to a more suitable trip and gets every chance to snap her winless run. SHISUTA BO (1) was narrowly denied when resuming and is unbeaten over this track and trip. She draws well, gets weight relief with the claim, and can play a major role. AMELIA VALENTINA (14) is next best and worth keeping in mind for wider exotics.
