Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - I'LLTELLYOUGO (1) was a touch disappointing at the latest effort but the form prior was red hot hitting the top-two on six occasions in a row. Gets plenty of weight relief with the 3kg claim and can bounce right back to form against this lot. HAND GRENADE (2) returned to the winner's stall at Cairns last start and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Looms as the main danger. BETTER SHOW (3) has a win and a placing from three attempts over this track and trip and should be at peak fitness for this. In the mix. VALENTINO MISS (5) resumes here but showed enough in her first preparation to warrant consideration in a race like this. Can return in winning order. COACHMAN (4) is facing the starter for the first time and any market moves must be noted.
RACE 2 - YAMABUSHI (1) has gotten better with each run this time in and will be near his peak now fourth-up from the spell. Looks a serious threat. HARTSHORN (5) resumed in good order with a strong Cairns win and will have taken confidence from that victory. Top-three candidate. CALM IS POWER (7) is first-up here but showed enough when last in work to warrant consideration in a race like this. In the mix while fresh. WIN AND TONIC (4) has placed two from three over this course and distance and may trouble the judge.
RACE 3 - MR GRUMBLER (3) is first-up here but showed ability placing over this track and trip on three consecutive occasions before the spell. Should be ready to run a big race while fresh. Former Victorian CITY OF BOULDER (8) is having her first run for the new stable but will find this easier than what she faced down south. Keep very safe. MORE THAN YOU (11) has placed at the past couple and only needs some luck from the tricky draw to be prominent in the outcome. HARDTOCRACK (10) is improving with racing and looks one for the multiples. CARE TAKER (2) best of the rest in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 4 - DEER HUNTER (1) put in a career-best performance when second here last time out and the extra furlong should suit. Gets the services of Wiggins in the irons and will give this a mighty shake. RATALOUIE (4) will strip fitter third-up from the break and is drawn to get a cosy run in transit from gate two. Right in the mix. KAISA (6) showed improvement in her first run for the new stable at the latest effort and rates a definite top-three contender on that form. SIRENE ROUGE (11) has placed two of three this time in and cannot be discounted.
RACE 5 - ZOUHOPE (9) has a handy record over this track and trip with a win and a placing from four attempts and will be rock-hard fit for this. Gets the services of Stanley in the stirrups and should give backers a sight. PRINCE AKEEM (7) goes well around this circuit with two wins and seven placings from 12 outings and will get across easily from gate three. Right in this contest. VICTORY BAY (2) was a touch disappointing at the latest effort but the form prior was full of merit. Can bounce right back to form here. MOKTAFFY (4) has a handy second-up record and may play role in the finish. NEVER CRY (5) rounds out the selections.
RACE 6 - ARTIE'S LAD (2) is a very consistent conveyance who has only missed a drum once in seven career starts and that was a close-up fourth at Cairns. Has two wins and a second from three first-up attempts and should be right there when the judge calls a halt. STORMY LEGEND (4) is another resuming but goes well for Wiggins who has two wins and a placing from just four steers. A strong showing while fresh would not surprise. VIBURNUM (10) has won over this track and trip and should get a soft run from the favourable draw. In the mix. SINGLE MEMO (3) has been racing in good form this campaign and has to be included.
RACE 7 - The penny has dropped for NORTHERN PRIDE (12) who has put two wins together to commence the campaign and is racing with a lot of confidence. Hard to leave out. MISSILE THUNDER (6) loves this course and distance winning six from eight and always has to be included in the multiples. Respect. GO GETABOY (2) has won three of his last four and is sure to give another sight. ACROBATIC (4) got the job done here last time out and will be hitting the line with gusto.
RACE 8 - UNDER THE LIMIT (1) is an honest commodity who has only missed the top-five once in his past 15 outings. Is always thereabouts and has to be considered. KING SAMUEL (5) is having his first run for the new stable and any market support should be noted. LAST ROYAL (12) saves his best form for this distance range with a win and two placings from four attempts. Hard to ignore. FINSCEAL (4) next in line.
