Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MARACOURT (7) doesn't win out of turn but has been knocking on the door throughout this prep, beaten narrowly in his last two. Gets a nice drop in the weights for the rise in grade and gets a key jockey booking in Holder. Expecting him to be charging hard at the business end. SLANE (3) knuckled down gamely to get the verdict last start at Pakenham. Not too much tougher this time and stays at the winning trip with the benefit of some slight weight relief. Main danger. SOARING EAGLE (2) was far from her best when resuming last time at Flemington. Drops back in grade for this and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Sharp improvement is anticipated. NOT USUAL GLORIOUS (1) is yet to find the frame this time in but has tackled some tough assignments. Has his share of ability but has to lug the big weight. ANNIHILATE (6) is ticking along nicely this campaign and is worth keeping safe.
RACE 2 - HALLIWELL (6) is a filly by Niagara stepping out on debut for Michael Hickmott. Stylish winner of three trials and has a nice draw. Can make an immediate impact. RICHE D'AMOUR (2) also steps out on debut and is a Rich Enuff gelding for the Roslyn Day camp. Is another that has shown good ability at the trials, winning both. Promising type that can play a major role. GRINT (1) has chased gamely to the line in both resuming efforts. Should be nearing his peak now. Expect him to drift back from the draw and be saved for the final shot at them. JURA VAUDOIS (8) only warmed to his task late when finishing fourth here on debut three weeks ago. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt and is drawn much kinder. Warrants a lot more respect this time. ESTICON (14) went to the line alongside Jura Vaudois last start. Has to be included.
RACE 3 - ALCHIAN (1) made light work of his opposition last start at Cranbourne when letting down stylishly. No tougher this time and goes well over this journey. Leading player. TIPPA (3) came with a strong run in the lane to finish over the top of them at Murray Bridge. On the short turnaround and can continue on his winning ways. DUO PERNA (6) never looked likely last start at Geelong when always well back. Doesn't win out of turn but his best figures have him very competitive. Don't dismiss. FOX GEM (10) is another on the quick back-up that warrants safekeeping.
RACE 4 - MERCHANT BOSS (2) went on with the job in great style in the lane last start on the Parks track when putting over 4L to his nearest challenger. Has struck winning form and can go on with it. CHIPSON (3) missed by the barest of margins two back at Murray Bridge and then followed it up with another solid chase into the minors last start. The rise in trip suits and he's aided at the weights with the 3kg claimer reuniting. Right in this. NICAJON (6) doesn't win out of turn but has been turning in some solid displays. Goes well at this venue and is among the winning hopes. WILLYBEAFACTOR (4) rarely turns in a poor one but is often missed by the market. Don't underestimate.
RACE 5 - HYPEMAN (3) has returned in strong form this campaign, with one win and three narrow defeats. Has enough early dash to offset the wide alley and should give bakers a very bold sight. Will take plenty of reeling in for his rivals. DERBY DOWNS (5) put the writing on the wall last start when finishing quickly in second. Rise in trip suits and he's ready to land the winning blow. DUNLOE (2) bounced back sharply last start when driving hard to get the verdict on the Ballarat syntho. Yet to be tested over this journey but is from a sharp Vic stable gets a key jockey booking in Tourneur. Don't take lightly. BURNING BRIGHT (10) couldn't finish it off in a plain effort here last start but had been racing much better prior. Holder sticks and is drawn favourably. Can bounce back to form.
RACE 6 - JAYKAYANN (4) is yet to strike through this campaign in his three Vic runs but has been finding the line nicely. Should be hitting is peak now. Expect her to head back from the outside alley and be climbing over their backs over the concluding stages. THE GENIUS (7) was no match for an impressive winner last time out at Flemington but did run on soundly into fourth. Was an eye-catcher the start prior when charging home hard from a long way back to just miss the placings. Fitter again and gets a key jockey booking in Holder. Ready to play a major role. HOOPS (6) also comes across the border and carries some solid form. First time at this journey but suspect he will see it out and is a winning hope. DIXIE WHISTLER (5) course and distance winner who last start finished second over 2250m at Morphettville Parks. Worth including.3
RACE 7 - LET'S GET DOWN (3) picked up in great style to work over the top and score last time at Murray Bridge. Likely to find himself towards the rear from the wide draw and have it all to do when turning for home. FASHION DOG (4) was a handy maiden winner here last start when unwanted by the market. Tougher this time but that win is hard to ignore. PRICILLA'S CHOICE (10) resumes and is a chance fresh. OUR SHINING STAR (8) settled back but kept coming to finish sixth over 1100m at this track last start. Ready to peak after two runs back and looks one of the chances.
RACE 8 - BEWS (11) was denied a whisker from resuming a winner at Caulfield and has since followed it up with two solid displays at the same venue. Gets some weight off with the slight rise in grade and only has to hold his form to be very competitive. Will just need some luck from the poor draw. EPISODIC (14) has returned in career-best form this campaign, just missing bringing up her fourth win on the bounce last start when flashing home to miss by a long neck at Caulfield. Will go back from the draw and be taking big strides late. KEEP READING (1) was a nice winner when resuming on the Parks track. Not as effective last start when sent out favourite at Caulfield but was far from disgraced. Strips fitter third-up and is 2/3 over the track and trip. Bold showing anticipated. Can also make smaller cases for last-start winner KEITEL (9) and LOSESOMEWINMORE (13).
RACE 9 - SPORTSBEAT (1) followed up his handy fresh effort at Flemington with a barnstorming win here last start. Fitter again and is drawn to take closer order. Can repeat the dose. SACHEM (5) is yet to strike through this campaign but continues to threaten. Gets some slight weight off his back as he drops back in trip with 28 days between runs. Main danger. STARTIDE (6) embarrassed himself last start when finishing towards the tail but was in a different league the start prior when making a mess of his rivals. Mixing his form but her best is good enough. AZTEC DANCER (15) caught the eye last start when closing off strongly into the placings. Deserves more respect this time and warrants safekeeping.
