Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - PRIVATE STORM (1) is a former Victorian who was beaten a lip here first-up. He was heavily bet and fitter should be making amends. Has the rail and a gun hoop stays aboard. SUPER CUTTER (7) peaks and is along along well enough to make the finish. Maps well. STEEL RAIDER (6) was beaten 1L at Hobart at long odds and then led here and folded up. Back to the shorter sprint should suit and he can stick on better. MAKARSKA SUNSET (4) is a Victorian resuming for the new barn. May need it but has shown enough to consider.
RACE 2 - Competitive. STARS IN THE NIGHT (5) was quickly back on track placing here. Winning rider Newitt is reunited replacing the 2kg apprentice. Races forward and will be hard to beat. VOLKANOVSKI (8) went close here 7 days ago in a return to form. Gets in light with the 3kg claim and draws for the run of the race. GUNSHIP (4) has been within range without winning. He's a hope in this line-up. BIG JOHN (1) resumes and is proven fresh. He will race over further but has the rail and can't be ruled out. GEE GEE CAN WIN (3) resumes and is also proven fresh. Worth consideration.
RACE 3 - NIGHT ACTION (1) led and bounced back beaten a nose this track/trip. Peaks now and uses the rail. The one to beat. GEE GEES MOONLITE (5) placed at Hobart first-up and then led winning the Maiden here. Fitter and a gun hoop stays aboard. He looks capable of taking the next step. MANDATE (2) needed the first up outing. He is proven second-up and gets in well with the 2kg claim. Fitter and in the mix. NEED TO THINK (6) will race forward from an inside barrier and measure his ability on the spacious Hobart Maiden win two back. The 2kg claim brings him into it.
RACE 4 - Tough. JOHNNIE PINCH (1) won here and then missed a nose in a 68 over a mile. Has an awkward gate but keeps Pires and can bounce back with average luck. METAVERSE (2) was beaten a whisker here in the same grade/trip 7 days ago. Keeps the handy 2kg claim and can go one better. SOUTHERN WIND (3) was close up over this distance in a 68 off a near miss over longer at Hobart. Needs a good ride but Newitt stays aboard and that's a positive. COPPLESON (5) ran on to win two back and may be looking for this longer trip now.
RACE 5 - BINE (3) was heavily bet again winning an Open 3 and resumes today with two tidy trials under the saddle. She's won 2/2 fresh and is likely to be further improved. Has the first-time blinkers applied signalling intent. DURAZZO (4) seeks the hat trick off the big CL1 win here first-up. She will lead or trail from the inside barrier and can keep improving. Uses the rail and is feared. RED SPHERE (5) resumes and has trialled well. Proven fresh and has trialled well. He would be right in it at best. PHILOSOPHERS STONE (1) is racing well and is in the mix.
RACE 6 - SHARMA'S LAST (1) resumed in stronger and took it out. He has more up the sleeve and is proven second-up. Has the handy 2kg claim and fitter can go on with the job. CORNELIAN BAY (6) resumed this grade in good order and then was back to his best nudged out in a 60. The longer sprint is a slight niggle but he will be fitter again and is on a quick back-up. THE SPIRIT OF ZERO (4) made good improvement winning the 64 this track/trip. Finally draws a low barrier and can't be ruled out. CHICANE (8) is also a last-start 60 winner and the 2kg claimer can use the inside barrier. He has claims as well.
RACE 7 - MISS VIVACE (5) placed here over this distance quickly back on track. Hard fit and maps well. She's suited in this line-up. Stablemate SUN HALO (3) raced forward and won the Maiden here easily over a mile. He will enjoy a soft run and can go back-to-back without surprise. SPRING BEAN (8) resumed in the same race beaten 2.3L but covered the others. Newitt is a key jockey switch and the former Victorian and more to give. PUMA (2) showed improvement to place last start and while freshened since could play a role in the finish again.
