Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - AL'S BOY (2) is racing well without winning, recording three minors on end, the latest hitting the ground running with a fast early sectional but finishing in the minors again when second (25.12) over 440m at Goulburn. Key chance in this line up. ZIPPITY ZEAL (5) failed to threaten on debut finishing fourth (19.98) at Bulli over 340m. Expected to do much better this time. TO THE STATION (1) was safely held last time out, finishing eighth at this track over 365m behind Katie's Champion (22.15) in a Maiden. Form from his last run is proving to be solid. Key runner on best form. GIGGLES (3) cannot be written off despite a miss here at his latest outing.
RACE 2 - CUMBRIA MISS (2) was below best at her last couple, the latest finishing fourth at Wentworth Park, but was among the placings at Wentworth Park three back. Has the ability and can find winning form this time. UNCLE DOUG (1) was hampered for a run last time but worked home into the minors when a 5.5 lengths third (21.35) in a NG at this track. Harder here but expected to measure up. CUMBRIA KID (5) has a strong record here with 13 wins and 12 placings from 39 starts. Scored by half a length last time (30.57) in a Mix 1/2/3 over 520m at Wentworth Park. Looks well placed here and among the chances. CUMBRIA MAL (7) boasts a solid strike-rate from this box.
RACE 3 - NICKO JACK (1) has a strong record this track and trip with eight wins and seven placings from 20 starts. Hit the frame latest (21.09) when second at this track in a NG. Has the ability and looks a key chance here. ASTON ELENA (4) is a consistent runner who is lining up for her first start here. Impressive winner latest at Wagga in Grade 4 in quickest time of the program (22.93). Yet to win out of this box but has been in the placings two times from three starts. Deserves serious consideration again. INDEFATIGABLE (2) has a strong overall record having 11 wins and 12 places from 33 starts including a last start success (20.98) over 365m at this track. Has a strong record from this draw. Meets a moderate line up and should run well. LOCO EXPRESS (8) scored by 2 lengths last time (18.37) in a Grade 4/5 over 320m at Richmond. Has already won out of this draw.
RACE 4 - MENDOCINO (3) was speedy out of box 1 on debut to score by 6 lengths (20.89) at this track over 365m. Can make it two on the bounce. LITTLE DONATION (1) shows ability but remains a maiden after seven starts. Was in the placings again last time finishing second (21.36) at this track. Expecting another good run. BORN LITTLE (6) was impressive last time, posting a swift 20.74 win and a new Best time this course and distance. In form and must include in calculations. FIRE FLY JEWEL (2) can run a bold race on best form.
RACE 5 - ARCHIE LUXE (2) hasn't been far away here at the last two, finding the frame both times, most recently when second beaten 1.5 lengths (30.01). Ran one of the fastest times on the program last start despite finishing in the minors. Well placed and gets his chance. MOUNT PARNIS (1) box seated early before forging to the lead turning and lifting to score (35.06) at Dapto in a Mix over 600m. Yet to score from this box but has never missed the frame in five starts. One of main contenders. OSTI EMPIRE (4) turned spotting a big start finishing eighth (36.25) last time in a Mix at Dapto. Has ability and a bold showing is expected. ANY MORE COINS (3) has ability and can feature with the right run after missing a cheque here most recently.
RACE 6 - NOTHIN' BUT CASH (5) is better than last start when fourth (23.13) from Box 4 at Richmond over 401m. Has a strong record from box 5, including two wins. Better than the latest run and deserves another chance. SWIFT GETAWAY (1) was in winning form two back (20.99) at this track but ran below best last time at Goulburn, finishing 7th. Should be about the mark. BLACK LIMIT (7) comes off an average performance last start when sixth at Dapto over 297m behind Norma Said (17.85) in a Grade 5. Bold showing expected. FORTUNE FAME (2) is likely to have admirers.
RACE 7 - SLICK ANGEL (2) is an honest type who is lining up for her first start here. Scored in one of the quickest times on the card (30.51) latest, winning by 0.8 lengths at Wagga in Grade 5. Recorded one of the quickest times on the card in scoring last start. Well placed and can measure up. GLIDE ON BYE (1) was checked in the run and safely held when fourth (21.39) in a Grade 5 over 365m at this track. Expected to feature on best form. CATCH A COBRA (4) was narrowly beaten when placing two back but missed the frame latest finishing sixth (21.07) in a Grade 5 at this track. Well placed here and can atone this time. DON'T BE SILLY (6) is a last-start placegetter at this track and distance – sure to have admirers.
RACE 8 - ASTON HEINEKEN (1) turned in a plain run last time when eighth at Shepparton over 390m behind Daintree Pedro (23.27) in a Mix 6/7. Was in the money the start prior. Rates on top in this line up. SHADES OF ROSE (2) has missed the placings at her last couple but was in the money three back when third (20.96) at this track in a Grade 4/5. Can hit the frame this time. ME SPOOK (8) was in the money last start when second in a Grade 5 in 20.81, clocking one of the quickest times on the card and a personal best this course and distance as well. Looks a leading chance again. LICKING MARVEL (3) was out of the money at this circuit last start but can make amends.
RACE 9 - MARVEL ZOMBIE (1) is generally an honest type in the frame at 27 of 50 starts but missed the placings last time when sixth (30.25) over 520m at this track. Solid record here at the distance winning three races. Drawn the fence and expected to go close. PEPPER KADE (2) dropped out early but hit the line hard, charging into second and beaten 0.9 lengths win (23.13) at Warragul in Grade 5. The form from her last run is stacking up nicely. Expected to feature again. ASTON MIKAELA (6) finished well back at Wagga last time when a 12 length eighth (31.37) but recorded second best time of the card when winning three back. Bold showing expected. CUMBRIA PETE (7) can play a role coming off a short let-up.
RACE 10 - ZIPPING NEYMAR (3) turned in a fair 4th placed finish last time at Goulburn over 440m (25.31). Has a good winning strike rate at this journey. Looks the one to beat on his best form. SLICK OREO (7) finished well back at Goulburn last time when a 8 length sixth (25.49) but recorded second best time of the card when winning three back. Form from her last run is proving to be solid. Bold showing expected. OH SO CLASSY (5) has been a little hard to follow, finishing out of the placings latest but was in winning form two back scoring in a Grade 5 at this track. Expected to do much better this time. IVY'S GIRL (4) can play a role in the finish without surprising.
RACE 11 - SHAWSHANK RED (1) has been mixing form lately, hitting the frame two back before finishing fourth (21.27) at this track in a Grade 5. Can make amends this time. TICK RETURNS (3) has an excellent record here having never missed the placings in eight starts, including four wins and four placings. Was out of placings last time (19.01) at Dapto in a Grade 5, finishing eighth and beaten 27 lengths. Looks one of the chances. GOLD TIE ANNIE (2) has a terrific record this track and trip with two wins and two placings from four starts. Comes off a (17.10) win last time, scoring by one length in a Grade 5 over 297m at Dapto. With even luck and a clean start can sneak into the finish. COLD HARD CASH (5) has ability and can find the frame.
RACE 12 - ASHBY FLASH (1) wasn't far away at the finish when 4th and beaten only 1.75 lengths (20.87) at this track. Returns to a course where he has performed well. Has ability and looks hard to stop. CUMBRIA SWIFT (2) clocked a new course and distance PB last time, finishing a 3.5 lengths third behind Spring Tesla in 30.13. Rates a leading chance if runs up to latest. HAZEL'S STAR (7) has been settling off the speed lately, finishing sixth (30.30) last time in a Grade 5 at this track. Solid record here winning three races. Warrants plenty of respect. DYNAMIC DRUMMER (4) won in smart time most recently. Must include.
