Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BUNKER BOB (1) resumes here with a nose defeat over 1200m and is further improved. He rode the speed off a wide gate and he jumps from the rail today. Fitter the 1400m shouldn't prove an issue. FOREIGN LEGION (2) has been busting to win and was beaten 1.3L here last time over this trip. Has a key gear switch and is worth another chance. BILLIE THE GREAT (13) missed 1L here having her second race outing and can build on that. She has the advantage of an inside barrier. AFFAIROFTHEHEART (6) resumes with a 2kg claim. Will race over further but has ability and has to be kept onside.
RACE 2 - TUSKEGEE (12) trialled well and missed a whisker on debut (synthetic) and then came here and did a good job when beaten 1L. Has a 2kg claim this evening and can win with the extra fitness. WITHIN SIGHT (8) is also third-up and has switched from a Victorian barn on a 41-day return. Has trialled well and has pieces of form good enough for this. Has a cruel barrier but Pires is a positive jockey booking DIESEL'S SUNSHINE (3) was an easy trial winner and found a place here on debut racing forward. She should keep improving and can't be ruled out. HEART OF PARIS (5) resumed in solid order and has more to give. Has a handy 2kg claim and maps for the run of the race. MASTRETTA (14) showed enough on debut to suggest she'll win races.
RACE 3 - AZONTO (12) looked good at the trials and then won on debut (synthetic ) before a near miss here. She will be fitter again and maps well. A bounce is likely. SIR JAG (7) resumed and was only beaten 1.6L in the same contest. He has plenty up the sleeve and a 2kg claimer goes on. A chance with average luck in the run. DIOS (3) is a former Godolphin galloper resuming for the Carr yard. Hasn't placed in three first-up runs but they have been in better Maidens. Owns a trial win here suggesting she will be forward this time around. Easily good enough and the betting will be key. PRIVATE STORM (1) brings a Maiden win from the synthetic heavily bet. He's still well shy of his Victorian peaks and Pires goes aboard. He can go on with it. BLONDE STAR (4) has more to give and also deserves consideration.
RACE 4 - A small field but competitive. NIGHT ACTION (3) was back in the winner's stall when delivering a CL1 easily on the synthetic. Back to the turf shouldn't be an issue and the Savabeel gelding can go on with the job. ASVA (1) rates well off the near miss here but that was over a mile. He sprints today following a 61-day freshen and this is his pet trip. Deserves plenty of consideration. WINNING WITNESS (5) just missed here in a 60 over 1400m improving again. She's on a 7-day return and the inside gate is there to use. BLOOMTIME (6) gets in light this grade with a 2kg claim atop. Maps well and is going well enough to feature..
RACE 5 - SPRING BEAN (4) is a former Victorian and he returned in solid order on the Devonport synthetic before belting a CL1 field there by 3.5L over 1880m. Was heavily bet and is just as good on the turf. Gives every indication the longer trip will suit him. PINANDI (8) improved again narrowly beaten here over a mile. She has a 1L defeat at Hobart this distance in the CV and the inside gate is there to use. Byrne Burke stays aboard. AQUAFAN (5) is still a Maiden but was good here last time behind The Prayer and Pires will use the inside barrier. LINDRUM (2) has a 2kg claim and will race forward. Comes back to the turf and may show more.
RACE 6 - ZULU ANGEL (1) brings strong constant form and missed a nose here last time over 2100m, bet yours for theirs. On that effort, he should run the 2450m right out making him hard to beat. GARCON D'ESPOIR (7) resumed over a mile in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley beaten 5L. He raced well in Open 2s last campaign and has the ability. Steps up 850m and that's the query. The betting will be key. METAVERSE (2) won the Zulu Angel race by a nose and led them up. Pires goes on and he again benefits from a low barrier. He will get every chance to see out the trip. GOLDEN PROPHET (3) is going well enough to consider.
RACE 7 - A small field but competitive. BINE (7) resumed on the synthetic and didn't have the best of it. Looked in need of the outing regardless and with weight relief and extra fitness the promising mare will be much sharper today. She can race forward and wins at best. BOLD INSTINCT (6) resumes and has won 2/5 fresh. Gets in light this grade with a 2kg claim atop and rates a chance. CARTOON GRAVEYARD (2) resumes and is also proven fresh. He has a tidy record and owns a recent 850m trial win at the track. ROYAL AND TOUGH (5) presents fitter but may be looking for longer now.
RACE 8 - KENSINGTON DIVA (5) switched from a Victorian barn and hit the line hard beaten just 1.5L. It was a tough effort from the wide barrier and she will be better for the outing. She's likely to sit handier today and looks well-placed. DAY PERFORMER (7) missed a nose at Hobart first-up spiking her figures. Looks to have turned the corner and Pires is a positive replacement for Baker, who sticks with Kensington Diva. Has the early speed to clear the awkward barrier and will be fitter. CREATIVE LICENCE (1) resumes in easier and should be ready to go. Races forward and enjoys the track and trip. DID YOU DECIDE (2) resumes and is better than the form line suggests. Flies fresh but will need a good ride from the awkward barrier.
