Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - YOURAWAY (11) peaks and has been threatening in Victoria. Raced favourite last time and can make amends with 20% stable striker Kersley going aboard. WANNABE ZIGGY (9) won a trial and then missed a whisker here on debut. Maps for the run of the race and fitter will go close. NEED TO THINK (4) resumes and brings sharp trials. Rates best and has a handy 2kg claim. Likely to be more forward this time around. WEDNESDAY'S BOSS (10) resumes owning a trial win. He will push forward and has shown enough to consider.
RACE 2 - Tricky and the race day market will be instructive. Of the raced GEEGEES LEGACY (2) has placed 4/6 and should be much sharper third-up and back to the turf. He can ride the speed today and sets a decent standard. SILVER DAGGER (7) debuts and brings two big trial wins. She'd be a live chance bringing that form to the race track. EXPOSTAR (1) debuts and has also trialled well. Has the outside barrier but Newitt is a key jockey booking. FORTYFOUR MAGNUM (5) debuts for a strong Victorian barn with Kersley booked. The Magnus filly maps well and will be well prepared.
RACE 3 - MISTER MANIHI (2) has disappointed his last two and was a firm favourite last time. He had been threatening prior and Pires is a key jockey switch. Giving him another chance. THE LAST HURRAH (14) resumes and has trialled well. Brings two narrow defeats and they more than stack up. She should be naturally improved but the outside gate is the niggle with her. CROWNED DECEIVER (7) switched from a Victorian barn and disappointed here first-up heavily bet. Has a wide gate but he must have been pleasing and Kersley is a positive jockey booking. Worth another chance. PUZZLE MISS (12) maps well and will be around the mark.
RACE 4 - SCARLETTI (5) resumed much improved beaten a half-length here over 1450m. He will push forward and will be better again. Newitt goes aboard and that's a decent push for his chances. ALL ABOUT LUNA (9) did enough first-up and then spiked his figures narrowly beaten. Gives every indication the mile will suit and she's a chance. RAFAEL'S RAID (3) placed in the same race second-up and can build on that. Expect him to push forward from the wide gate and give a sight. RIPPEN GOLD (4) brings two near misses with the latest in the SCARLETTI Race. Has the rail and also has claims.
RACE 5 - JOHNNIE PINCH (1) resumes and two back placed at Listed level over 2100m. He owns a recent trial win here over 1400m and Pires rides suggesting he's pleasing. Maps well and he gets the nod. ROW ROW POWER (3) won the Maiden here first up and then went close this grade. Drew an outside gate last time and prepared to forgive. He's been kept on the fresh side and will be every chance from an inside draw. BOUNTY BAY (9) resumed on the synthetic with a solid effort and is proven second-up. She may be looking for a bit longer now but rates strongly at best. DIABLO (2) has switched to the Lindsay Smith yard and brings a 3L defeat at Warrnambool. Risks getting bottled up from the rails gate but gets Kersley and has plenty up his sleeve.
RACE 6 - FIORENTE DE LEGEND (5) was spelled off two tries at Listed level over 2100m. She had been threatening over this distance prior and was quickly back on track winning the Maiden over 1450m. She has more to give and can go on with it. RESTRICTED ACCESS (2) spiked his figures second-up blitzing the Maidens by almost 5L. Keeps the handy 2kg claim but has the outside gate today and that will need managing. ROWING POWER (3) also presents owning an easy Maiden win. Has been kept on the fresh side and can also keep building. SH'BOURNE MIDNIGHT (1) darws awkwardly but is another last-start Maiden winner with a chance.
RACE 7 - The Blacker yard has accepted with a stack of runners. STARDARMUS (1) is likely the best of them. Went back-to-back here in a 60 improving again. Maps for a soft run and the 2kg claim remains handy. He can go on with it. LIGHT OF ROSE (9) is Victorian-trained and brings strong form. Improved again beaten 2L at Ballarat two back and Kersley sticks from that. A live chance with average luck in the run. PEROLA (10) was narrowly beaten first-up and has more to give. Draws awkwardly but Newitt stays aboard and she's also a winning chance. VERBANO (3) was nudged out first-up in better grade. The 3kg claim benefits and she will be further improved. Needs luck from the wide gate.
RACE 8 - D'ORO STAR (8) resumes and has trialled well. He is proven second-up and can control the race from an inside barrier. He promising and will be naturally improved. TURK WARRIOR (2) just missed first up on the synthetic. The well-performed galloper flies second-up and Newitt rides for the first time. Hasn't won for a while but is a live chance. KING ISLAND (7) needed the first-up outing but is proven second-up and is up to this at best. Maps for a soft run and will get every chance. ALPINE WOLF (3) resumed with a near miss in the TURK WARRIOR race and has more to give over the longer sprint. In the mix.
RACE 9 - PAGE (7) has been busting to win and is holding her form. Maps for a soft run and Carr is aboard replacing the 3kg apprentice. Well-weighted and gets her chance. HELLOT (3) beat the above home last time as a $3 favourite. He can enjoy a soft run again and Pires sticks. Feared. YARRA MASTER (1) was plainer in the HELLOT race but was beaten a nose in a 76 three back and that would give him a chance. The 3kg claim brings him into it.
