Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - HALLIWELL (8) keeps racing well and this could be her race. She comes out of a good form race last start. She drops back to 900m and gets her preferred wet track. Not sure where she gets to from the barrier but she's got the class to win. MISS KANIMBLA (10) was placed on debut then wasn't far away last time. She's open to further improvement and may be a threat. DISCO TALK (6) hasn't run badly in her career, including two placings this campaign. Doubt she will be far away and could be a good each-way bet. LONG HILL LADY (9) and COMME CI COMME CA (3) are two of the first starters that can run well.
RACE 2 - Several stables with multiple runners that could hold the aces in this race. One of them is the Alexander yard from Murray Bridge who may finally get a result with SO GRAND (13). She's an 18-start maiden but she's been placed in two of her last three starts. Importantly, one of those was on a heavy track at Mt Gambier and she gets those conditions again. The claim and the drop back to 1400m both look positives as well. BACK OF THE BOAT (10) has had three runs back and is hitting peak fitness. He looks a top-three chance. MISS MAVERICK (12) is capable of improvement and looks well placed in this race. Including THE NOBLE STEED (18) and VICTORY QUEEN (14) in wider plays.
RACE 3 - SWANNY DEE (4) put in a below-par run last start but his Victorian form before that was solid. He looks well placed in this race and he handles heavy track. Don't mind him drawn out. Think he's the one to beat. THE MOUNT (3) is a progressive type that hasn't been beaten far in two runs this preparation. He's drawn to stalk the speed. BURTON STREET (2) bolted in last start and gives every indication he can go back-to-back on a wet track. LOOSE LIP LLOYD (7) is a winner of both his starts at the track and distance. Forget last start and include him in exotics. Throw in the toppie BIG SUE (1) for wider plays.
RACE 4 - BLISSFUL BAY (1) has less convictions than most of his rivals and he is topweight for a reason. His two most recent runs have been good enough to win this. He's drawn wide but he's in well after the 4kg claim. He's the horse to beat. THEY CALL ME DUSTY (6) only boasts a lone win to his name but it was at this track, which counts for something. Forget last start and trust his prior form. RIPPA BUDDY (3) was a winner at the track earlier in the campaign and he's sure to be a top-three chance again. HEADSMART (5) hasn't won for a long time but is capable of better, while INTERFERING (9) did enough first up to suggest a win isn't far away.
RACE 5 - ARTISSI (14) looks a good each-way chance back to this track, trip, grade and conditions. She was an impressive winner here last month and her run in town after that was just as good. Happy to forgive last start and back her to bounce back. GOPHER FRANK (4) did enough over this trip first-up has a bit of upside. He looks one of the main threats. IMMORTAL SHIELD (8) ran a big race on the heavy track last start and is open to further improvement at only his second start for the new stable, while GRASSMERE DIAMOND (1) doesn't run poorly and she only needs to reproduce her recent performances to be right in the finish here. Including SIOUX WARRIOR (5) in the quaddie.
RACE 6 - AMMO AMOR (4) is dropping sharply in grade after racing OK in stronger metropolitan races recently. He's been kept up to the mark with a nice trial. He gets in well with a claim and, if he brings his best form, he's the one to beat. It's been a while between wins but this is the easiest race he's tackled in some time. LITTLE OUTLAW (7) has also been freshened for this and his form earlier in the campaign was very consistent in similar races. He's a winner at the track and he will enjoy the rain-affected going. MATTHEW MARK (1) looks a genuine each-way chance as he nears peak fitness after two satisfactory runs. Including PUNCHIN (3) and FLYING ASSASSIN (5) in exotics.
RACE 7 - EXALTED RUTH (1) looks well placed back in grade in a race that lacks depth. Her recent form doesn't inspire a lot of confidence but she's been tackling much stronger races. She's an eight-time winner and her best is good enough. She's drawn well and has a 4kg claim. TEKAPO (7) did it from the front when winning last start and will get his chance to do it again. He's the only last-start winner in the race and there's little doubt he can handle most of these. SACRED KENSHI (4) and FIORENTE SPRITZ (12) are others that can finish in the money if they bring their better form while HIS ZEDNESS (2) could be ready to show more third-up.
RACE 8 - Tough race to finish. ZIPPITY DOODAH (7) has mixed his form since an impressive maiden win earlier in the campaign. He'll enjoy the rain-affected conditions and is suited back in distance. He can settle handy from a good draw with the claim and be fighting out the finish. PALENTINE'S DAY (1) was poor last start but if he turns up in his prior form, he's a definite winning chance. ALPINOVA (10) is knocking on the door for another win after a string of minor placings and again looks a top-three chance in this line-up. Including AHVEJAY (2) who is capable of better and can fill the minor money if he finds a length or two on recent form.
