Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Former Victorian LINAS REEL (2) is having his first run for the new stable but should find this easier than what he faced down south when last in work. Tuned up for this with an easy Doomben trial and has placed two from three when fresh. Rates the testing material. CASTERLY ROCK (1) is consistent without winning, hitting the top-four in six of seven starts this preparation and strikes a very winnable contest here. Looms as the main danger. REVEILLON (12) hasn't been too far off them in harder NSW contests and is sure to find this assignment more to her liking. Draws the inside marble and must be respected from the Waller barn. WIMOWEH (13) has placed five of eight overall and is one for the exotics players. ARGERICH (6) strips fitter second-up, draws favourably and gets 1.5kg weight off with the claim. Ticks a few boxes.
RACE 2 - DEEP VEGAS (9) just ran into one better at Eagle Farm on debut before being tipped out for time to furnish. Has since returned with a strong Doomben victory and will have derived a stack of confidence from that win. Gets the reliable Gollan/Lang combination and can go back-to-back to start the campaign. CASSIERE (8) resumes here but the form she has shown in previous preparations is good enough for a race of this nature. Only needs some luck from the wide draw to be playing a role in the finish. PRO FORMA (7) strips fitter second-up from the break and must be respected from the Munce yard. In the mix. Former NSW galloper RED HOT LIZZIE (10) is having her first run for the new stable but will find this easier than what she faced down south. Respect any push in betting. SWITCHBLADE (4) best of the rest while fresh.
RACE 3 - ENUFF PILLS (4) loves this course and distance with three wins and four placings from just seven attempts. Has hit a purple patch of late and it's hard to knock mares in form. Expected to be right there when the judge calls a halt. RAN NA LADY (6) saves her best form for this sprint journey and will strip fitter third-up from the spell. Top-three aspirations. FEMME FATALE (5) maps well from gate two and should give backers a sight. MAGURO (2) grows a leg for hoop Wheeler who has four wins and a placing from seven steers. Worth serious consideration. GYPSY TRICKS (7) next in line from the inside alley.
RACE 4 - Looks a nice race for KING BOOM (2). Has a handy record around this circuit with a win and a second from just two spins and will be at peak fitness for this fifth-up from the spell. Gets plenty of weight relief with the 3kg claim and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Ticks a stack of boxes. Stablemate SIX MORE SONGS (3) has won two of three this campaign and is another to get some weight off. Looms as the main danger. PALEFACE RINGO (1) is a consistent commodity who has only missed a drum once in eight career outings and that was a close-up fourth over this track and trip. Has to be included in calculations. ESPRIT DU JOUR (10) is knocking on the door of another victory with two runner-up finishes from her past three outings. In the mix. ALLY (8) rounds out the selections in a competitive affair.
RACE 5 - READY FOR THE TRIP (1) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up at the past couple and this is not an overly strong affair. Has placed three of four over this distance range and draws perfectly for Thornton in gate two. Should be going very close to breaking the maiden status. VALENCIA ROC (3) is another to run into one better at the past couple and will strip fitter third-up from the spell. Rates a genuine top-three candidate. SATURDAYS GIRL (8) has been thereabouts in all four runs this time in work and looks to be building up to a maiden victory. Respect from the gun barn. MY MISCHKA (14) has placed one from one around this circuit and may earn some minor money. PAPAL WARS (5) next best with the claim.
RACE 6 - LARUSSO (6) hasn't done much wrong to start the career with two wins and a placing from just three outings and looks the runner in this field with the most upside. Only needs some luck navigating from the sticky draw to be playing a major role in the finish. HEMAN (5) was a touch disappointing last time out but the form prior was good enough for a race like this. Will be ready to peak now fourth-up from the break and can make his presence felt. EL PENSADOR (4) is one from one over this distance range and looks to be working up to another victory. Top-three credentials on best form. WARRANT (8) has been thereabouts in all three efforts this preparation and must be respected from the Vandyke stable. In the mix. VICTORY COMMAND (7) strips fitter third-up, draws low and gets 2kg off. Plenty to like.
RACE 7 - TALTARNI FIELDS (1) was a touch plain at the latest effort but the two wins to start the campaign were full of merit. Has two wins and a second from just four spins around this circuit and gets 3kg weight off with the claim. Can bounce right back to the winners' stall without surprising. SIMBU (5) loves this distance range with four wins from six attempts and will be high on confidence following that last-start victory. Hard to beat in this suitable contest. REMLAPS ANGEL (9) certainly wasn't disgraced in Listed company last time out and will find this assignment much easier. In the mix. The very well-related EMPEROR (2) (half to 3xG1 winner Joliestar) was a solid Doomben winner at the most recent effort and winning rider Vitler sticks. Again gets the benefit of his claim and should be right there at the business end. REJOICED (3) will be rock-hard fit now and may earn some minor money.
