Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - Tricky race to assess with a stack of first starters engaged. ISLA'S FURY (9) is an Exceedance filly stepping out on debut for the smart juvenile stable of R & C Jolly. Impressed in a Murray Bridge trial earlier in the month when lengthening nicely over the concluding stages to take it out. Booking of gun hoop in Toeroek adds to confidence. Bright start anticipated. NEXTONIXS (12) looks best of the raced few. She gave a bold sight on debut at Halidon, only to be caught on the line. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt and is expected to give another great look. KIKKULI (3) is a son of So You Think on debut for the Clarken & O'Shea partnership. Crowther sticks off a handy trial in readiness and is drawn well. Win won't shock. LITTLE PRINCESS (10) looked to be nearing her breakthrough, before turning in a poor one at the latest. Was too bad to be true and can bounce back sharply. Don't overlook. GOOCHEE GAL (8) is another debutant who can make her presence felt.

RACE 2 - CALL ME VEXATIOUS (4) went desperately close to making it two on the bounce here at the latest. Gets weight relief with the rise in grade. Can play another major role on short turnaround. EUREKA'S VICTORY (3) was a dominant winner in a similar grade two back. Nowhere near as effective last start but willing to forgive. STORMSARRIVED (5) shocked punters when leading pillar-to-post two weeks ago against similar opposition. Deserves more respect this time. CHOSEN MISS (6) continues to leave herself with too much to do. The form around her reads nicely and gets a key jockey switch in Crowther. Need to include. DIXIE WHISTLER (2) is as tough as old boots. Will be thereabouts again.

RACE 3 - KLABEL (4) has barely put a foot wrong this campaign and is racing in great order. Brings the superior formlines and will appreciate Toeroek reuniting. Only has to hold his form to prove very hard to beat. MARBLE ARCH (6) returns for the smart Hayes trio. Is yet to score fresh but likes this trip and the form around her last prep stacks right up here. OCEAN REWARD (5) doesn't do a great deal of winning but has been running well against some quality opposition. Could be in the finish if they can utilise the inside draw. MASTER EIGHT (1) was solid first-up in the Listed W H Wylie, finishing midfield. Improvement to come and has the 3kg claimer on to offset the top weight. Don't take lightly.

RACE 4 - JEAN VALJEAN (2) was below his best last start at HQ when failing to finish off. Drops back in trip off a 28-day break. Expect him to be climbing over their backs at the business end. HOWL (1) also disappointed last start but was much better first-up behind the progressive Lingani. Is another that has been kept fresh for this and steps back to a pet trip. Can give this a big shake. SIOUX WARRIOR (8) doesn't win out of turn but is going better than his form reads. Put the writing on the wall last start and is well placed to feature. ZUFASTA (5) got the nose down last start when resuming. Tougher this time but is drawn to get all the favours. THE GOV (3) is yet to strike through this campaign but is knocking on the door. Usually runs well here and is a must for exotic players.

RACE 5 - EIGHT ON THE DOT (5) doesn't do a great deal of winning but is ticking along nicely. Strikes another nice assignment here and is drawn well. Ready. SAVSONIC (6) was denied narrowly from bringing up the hat-trick last start. Carries more weight this time but is a key chance if she can hold her form. BACK ME UP BENNY (7) has returned in great order this campaign and is knocking on the door. Versatile type, expecting him to charge forward from the wide draw and give a bold sight. AUTUMN COLOURS (9) warmed to her task nicely late when resuming at Hamilton. Improvement to come second-up and gets a key booking in Holder. Watch for her to get back again before letting rip. RAW GRUNT (11) went amiss last start and is capable of a much better run this time.

RACE 6 - STRATUM PRIDE (7) has turned into a bridesmaid of late but is well-placed to rid the tag. Added trip suits and claimer stays on to keep her low at the weights. Ready. SASQUALAH (3) chased gamely into a midfield finish in good time at Geelong last start. Steps out to a winning trip and gets a key booking in Toeroek. Bold showing is anticipated. THEODOR (5) picked up very late in the piece to rip a stack of ground off his rivals when resuming at Balaklava. Rise in distance suits second-up. Can make his presence felt. NEW YORK SCANDAL (8) is ticking along nicely and deserves respect.

RACE 7 - AIR ASSAULT (1) was a brave winner of the Balaklava Cup last start, heading straight to the front and fending off all rivals. Will look to do the same from the wide draw and is unbeaten over this trip. Tough to knock. JACK THE LAD (4) returned with a bang at HQ when launching on his rivals to arrive just in time at long odds. Has his share of ability and deserves a lot more respect this time. PUDDING (3) hasn't offered a yelp in his two runs back but has tackled some tough opposition. Strips fitter third-up and is 2/2 over the track and trip. Don't underestimate. RIVERPLATE (7) wasn't given much of a chance last start in the Balaklava Cup but his form prior was solid. Better showing anticipated. AIGUILETTE (10) is going well and can get involved at a nice price.

RACE 8 - BURNING BRIGHT (10) doesn't win out of turn but is knocking on the door. Gets some slight weight off and has Holder sticking. Leading player. PROVEN CORRECT (2) returns and is a noted fresh performer, scoring first-up at Murray Bridge last campaign. Trial in suggests he can produce a similar effort. COLD CASE (1) has gone better than the form reads in his two runs back. Nearing peak now and has Toeroek sticking. Bold showing is anticipated. I CATCHEM FOX (4) has progressed nicely in his debut prep and deserves respect. DAWNBURST (12) returned to form last start with a barnstorming win at Murray Bridge. This is tougher but she can play a role.

RACE 9 - FALANGHINA (9) was too bad to be true last start when tailing right out. Has been freshened with a 28-day break and drops back to a winning trip. Blinkers on first time should have sharp. Bold showing anticipated. GUMERACHA CRACKER (12) shed the maiden tag in fine style here three weeks ago. Full of confidence and can go on with it now. Holder sticking another positive. EVEN SHARPER (6) was an eye-catcher here last start when flashing home into the frame. Will drift back again from the ugly draw and be saved for the final crack at them. VOLTAGE POINT (4) is ticking along nicely and is aided at the weights with the 3kg claimer going on. Can make his presence felt. RISING LEGEND (3) is 1/1 over the track and trip and will be nearing his peak. Keeping safe.