Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ORISKANY (6) resumes and has switched from a Victorian yard. He has trialled well, and his provincial form is good enough for this. Has a handy 2kg claim, and the market will be key. ZURICH (4) is another ex-Victorian who resumed for the new barn with a solid effort from a wide barrier. He'd been off the scene for an age and is sure to be improved. SEND ME GOLD (14) debuts with the leading jockey booked. His trials have been good enough, and he's likely to run well. EXPOSTAR (1) resumed on the synthetic and needed the outing. There was merit in his debut run, and he maps well. Quick improvement is on the cards. SOMMERREGEN (8) is a former Victorian who will offer more second-up. Draws well, and the 2kg claim also benefits.
RACE 2 - HIGH TAIL EAGLE (1) spiked his figures, winning an Open 3 here over a mile at healthy odds. He sits handy and looks to have turned the corner. Just needs to hold the form to go close. ALPINE TROUT (5) has been going well, and there was only a nose in it last time on the synthetic. He deserves another chance over a middle distance. SHAMUS EAGLE (3) has been disappointing but may be looking for the longer trip. RAGING WATERS (6) hasn't been far away since switching from a Victorian barn. Fitter again, but he has to manage a sharp rise in distance. Ditto RED ROWIE (2), who is another former Victorian having his third start in Tasmania.
RACE 3 - MANHATTAN NIGHTS (5) is busting to win and is back in grade off a sound effort here two weeks ago. Maps for a soft run and gets his chance in this lineup. LORD HEAR US (4) fought on behind a dominant winner here over 1400m and will be better for it. Jumps from an inside barrier and should be right in it. KING ZEUS (3) ran okay resuming on the synthetic. The former Victorian has been placed second-up, and the step-up to the mile suits. TOORAK TREASURE (11) was outgraded last time but went close here prior. Darmanin is a key jockey switch, and the filly arrives at peak fitness. MAY WE ALL (6) runs along and two back missed here by 1L over 1400m. He will be in it for a long way.
RACE 4 - FIORENTE DE LEGEND (12) has come back to racing much improved. Just missed here last time, and the step-up to the mile is ideal. Just needs average luck from an awkward barrier. OPALSON (5) easily won a 68 here over this distance and then was close-up back to a 64. Maps well, and the leading hoop is reunited. A live chance. MATEUS (7) has been freshened off a big CL1 win here over 2150m. She placed this trip prior and is versatile enough to manage the distance drop. WILLINGLY (4) has been racing well since winning a CL1. Didn't have the best of luck behind the above last time, and draws wide again. The 2kg claim is useful, and she can make the finish if things go her way.
RACE 5 - SNOWDONIA (1) resumes off two narrow defeats in Open 3s. She goes fresh and owns a trial win at the track. Darmanin will use the low barrier, and the filly will be naturally improved. The one to beat. FIRST LINE (4) has been knocking on the door in Open 3s. Has a handy 2kg claim and will push forward. She's been kept on the fresh side and is a chance. RED FOX (5) peaks and has been racing well at this level. She can use the inside barrier and is sure to give a sight. SMIFFY (9) has been plainer in his last two on firm tracks. The wet form prior was good, and he should get conditions to suit. THE LAST HURRAH (3) has a handy 2kg claim and went well here last time. She's also in the mix.
RACE 6 - STARDARMUS (4) was quickly back on track, narrowly beaten here in an Open 4. He has been kept on the fresh side and finds easier with a handy 1.5kg claim. Ready to go one better. ALPINE THUNDER (3) brings strong form to resumption and flies fresh. He will ride the speed and has plenty of scope for improvement. He's a threat. FURNEAUX (5) went close here first up in a CL4 and is further improved. Darmanin sticks aboard and will push forward. He has each way claims. EASTCOAST MISS (8) tackled stronger last time and folded up from the front. His win at 60 level prior was good, and he can bounce back into the money. ETOSHA (2) is a leader going well. Has the rail and 3kg claim and is sure to give a sight.
RACE 7 - SH'BOURNE MIDNIGHT (3) was straight back into the winner's stall delivering a 64 over a mile. Coming back to the 1430m shouldn't be an issue, and the leading hoop is reunited. Maps well and can go on with the job. ROYAL DISPATCH (9) is lightly raced and promising. Races forward and has plenty of weight relief at this level. Peaks and has winning claims. JUST A NEEDS (5) was quickly back to his best beaten a nose in Open grade over a mile. Flies this course/trip and will be fitter again. A hope. GLOBAL AWARENESS (10) sits down in the weights and is going well enough to consider.
RACE 8 - ZULU ANGEL (1) just missed at Moonee Valley three back this distance range and came back home last time and was okay over a mile. Has a class edge and is suited stepping back up to a staying trip. Maps well, and the 1.5kg claim is handy. Sets the standard. ASHFALL (2) capped a strong run of form, comfortably winning a 74 over 2200m. Keeps the top hoop and he's the danger. HAPPY CLAN (3) didn't manage the wide gate last time but just missed prior in a CL6. Maps well and is in light this grade with a 2kg claim atop. Expect him to manage the longer trip. PENNINE (4) may be a run short but likes this trip and should be around the mark. DOONICAN (5) needs to find more, but may be the best of the rest.
RACE 9 - ARAYA SUNSHINE (8) also finds easier and was tracking well before her latest. She can sit closer today and make the finish. FLUFFY'S GIRL (6) led and faded in better grade a month ago, but she was a big winner prior from the front. She will run along and with Darmanin on for the apprentice, is a chance to bounce. BAYBOUGG (1) has plenty up her sleeve and will be sharper second-up. May need longer now, but is worth consideration. WEDNESDAY'S BOSS (5) peaks and is racing solidly. Has an awkward gate, but is in the mix.
