Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The babies kick us off. BOURBON COUNTY (1) is facing the starter for the first time but was a dominant Doomben trial winner and won't need to be a superstar to be competitive against this lot. Trust he will be well-educated from the Freedman barn and finds a nice race to commence the career. Looks very hard to toss on debut. ANGEL'S TRUMPET (8) put in a career-best performance when a close-up second over this track and trip last time out and may have turned the corner now. Looms as the main danger. SECRET SCOUT (5) is another at the races for the first time but has been thereabouts in recent trials and any market support must be noted. VAREJAO (7) returned in good order with a handy placing at Ipswich and Wilson-Taylor sticks in the saddle. One for the multiples.
RACE 2 - UNDER ARREST (8) just missed the placings at Ipswich on debut before running into one better there at the latest effort. Looks to be improving with racing and strikes a very winnable contest here. Rates the testing material. PREFER TO DANCE (4) has hit the top-four in six of seven starts to date and is knocking on the door of a maiden victory. Rates a genuine contender. MISSILE AWAY (1) wasn't too far away when resuming and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Top-three aspirations. SHUBMAN (5) strips fitter second-up and draws low in gate two. May earn a cheque.
RACE 3 - JIDAYUBORI (7) is unlucky to still be a maiden placing at his past couple of efforts and this is not an overly strong affair. Strips fitter second-up from the break and should give backers a great sight up on speed. The well-related EQUINE ART (6) (half to G2 winner and 2xG1 placed Glenfiddich) has been thereabouts in all three runs since joining the new stable and will be better for that first-up hit-out. Solid top-three candidate. BIT OF GRUNT (1) resumes here but is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. CHIARO DI LUNA (5) has placed over this track and trip and gets some weight relief with the 2kg claim. In the mix. HE IS THE KISS (3) rounds out the selections from the favourable draw.
RACE 4 - KING YOSHI (4) has been heavily suuported in all four outings this campaign and where there's smoke there's fire. Placed around this circuit last time out and should be going very close again. The well-related LIMERO (9) (half to 2xListed winner and G2 placed Ef Troop) is a consistent conveyance who has hit the top-five in 11 of his past 12 starts. Has to be included in calculations. ULTIMATE OUTCOME (6) resumes here but the form he showed when last in work was good enough to feature in a race like this. Can run a race while fresh. RUBY CHICKS (5) should appreciate the easier grade today and is worth including.
RACE 5 - Former Victorian PARO (4) has hit the frame in all three starts since joining the new stable and looks to be on the doorstep of a maiden victory. Hoop Dempsey has been in the irons for all three of those placings and sticks. Should be right there when the whips are cracking. JUST WALTER (2) has been in the mix in both career starts and is drawn to get across easily from gate two. Can give a sight. TOTALLY UNDERRATED (11) stuck on well in heavy going at Beaudesert when fresh to fill the placings and she gets back onto a firm deck today. Can be thereabouts if she runs up to her latest figures. PEE BEE NOIR (9) showed good improvement first-up at Ipswich and is not to be discounted with further improvement in store.
RACE 6 - Former NSW galloper SIR MAURICE (2) may have suffered from the dreaded second-up sydnrome last time out but go on the strong first-up victory when having his first run for the new stable. Is one from one over this distance range and gets some weight relief with the 2kg claim. A bounce back to form would not shock. REVITUP CHARLIE (9) resumes here but the form she showed prior to the spell was very consistent. Only needs some luck navigating from the wide draw to be playing a role in the outcome. INTEGRITY LANE (1) is another first-up but has a win and a second from three fresh attempts and tuned up for this with a recent trial. Top-three commodity. CIRCLE OF LOVE (5) is having her first run for the new yard and any market confidence must be noted. ASHILLA (7) doesn't win out of turn but may earn some minor money from the low draw.
RACE 7 - OUT OF ACES (10) resumes here but the form he has shown in both previous preparations was of enough quality to be competitive in this line-up. Revved up for this with a recent trial win and looks the galloper in this field with the most upside. Draws low and can launch this campaign with a victory. MAYNE (6) just ran out of puff when resuming but will strip fitter for that hit-out and Maloney sticks in the stirrups. Cannot be discounted. ITALIAN RIVIERA (2) is two from two over this seven-furlong journey and may run a race while fresh. BECAMO (9) is yet to miss a drum in four starts around this circuit and is a must for the multiples.
RACE 8 - Victorian raider CHARMING NIC (1) shed the maiden status in impressive fashion two back before not being disgraced in much harder company at Caulfield last time out. Drawn to get a gun run in transit from gate three and should find this task much more to his liking. Will be right there when the judge calls a halt. CHAPARRAL CHASE (3) boasts a victory over this seven-furlong journey, strips fitter second-up from the spell and gets some weight off with the 2kg claim. Ticks a few boxes. KETTLEBELL (11) didn't measure up in much harder grade at the latest effort but the form prior was full of merit. Worth another chance. WAR TOO ALL (10) was good here last start and has claims off that effort.
