Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky race to kick off the card with many of these babies facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade CUDDLES FOR KIMMY (1) couldn't have been more impressive winning at Doomben on debut and will have derived a stack of confidence from that first-up victory. Has race experience on her side and should be going very close again. The well-related LOCKYER (3) (full to G2 winner Strasbourg) gets the deadly Gollan/Maloney combination and any market confidence must be noted. MADDIE'S COMET (8) looked handy winning a recent trial here and gets 2kg weight relief from the favourable draw. Has to be included. STRAWBERRY SMASH (9) showed improvement at the most recent trial and a betting watch is advised. LOVEBUG (7) next in line.
RACE 2 - NIKAU SPUR (1) was a dominant winner here at Listed level at the latest effort and looks to be back to his best. Gets some weight relief with the 2kg claim and can make it back-to-back victories. ARTFUL GIRL (7) just missed the placings in that same race and will be rock-hard fit for this. Has won two from four over this staying trip and can make her presence felt. KIRKEBY (3) has gotten better with each run this time in and gets the deadly Waller/Maloney combination. Top-three hope. FLEUR DU MONDE (4) has a handy record around this circuit and is drawn to get a cosy run in transit from the inside alley. Looks well placed. STUCK WITH YOU (2) is a two-time winner here and strips fitter third-up from the break. Can trouble the judge.
RACE 3 - It's hard to fault the form of CARTWHEELS (8) who is yet to miss a drum in six career starts to date. Has a win and a placing from two attempts around this circuit and will strip fitter second-up from the spell. Rates the testing material. AERIAL DANCER (7) was a touch plain at the latest effort but the two runs prior were full of merit. Stewart sticks in the saddle and can bounce right back to form here. ICHIBAN (6) has hit the top four in eight of his past nine starts and is usually thereabouts. Top-three commodity. POSEIDON RULER (3) has placed two of three over this mile journey and can fill the frame with some luck from the wide draw. MY PINS (1) has placed over this course and distance and gets 2kg weight off with the claim. Worth serious consideration.
RACE 4 - APUNTAR (1) got the job done around this circuit at the latest effort and looks to have turned the corner now. Will be rock-hard fit for this, draws low and gets 2kg off with the claim. Ticks plenty of boxes. PROMINENT LAD (2) won here two back before just missing the placings last time out. Must be respected from the Vandyke barn. CHAMIERRO (3) has been right there in all three runs this campaign and will be at peak fitness now fourth-up from the spell. Top-three candidate. OUR BENEFACTOR (4) hails from a handy family (half to Hong Kong star Lucky Sweynesse) and shed the maiden tag last start at Ipswich. Steps up in grade but cannot be discounted. PROPOSE (6) doesn't know how to run a bad race and can trouble the judge again.
RACE 5 - The well-related APPIN GIRL (4) (half to G2 winner Sesar) returned in fine fashion with a fast-finishing victory over this track and trip and is sure to have come on now with that run under the belt. Winning hoop Thornton sticks and will get a gun run from the inside marble. Should be right there at the business end. SAFEWORK (3) has been thereabouts at the past couple and drops back in trip here. Sure to be hitting the line hard. RALPHIE (2) disappointed last start but go on the solid win two back. Worth another chance. RELIABLE RUBY (5) next in line.
RACE 6 - PAYLINE (3) has a handy record around this circuit with a win and three placings from just five outings and will strip fitter second-up from the spell. Doesn't know how to run a bad race and should be right there when the whips are cracking. TRANSATLANTIC (2) didn't measure up at Group 2 level before the spell but is sure to find this assignment much easier. Revved up for this with a recent Deagon trial victory and gets some weight relief with the 2kg claim. Can run a race while fresh. EPIC PROPORTIONS (1) is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and must be respected from the Maher barn. Genuine top-three candidate on best form. WONDERFUL RAYRAY (11) is one from one over this course and distance and cannot be underestimated.
RACE 7 - NAVAL SEAL (10) placed over this track and trip last time out and is drawn to get a soft run from gate three. Cannot be discounted. WAIRERE FALLS (2) has been right there of late and draws low with the 2kg claim. Ticks a few boxes. KERCHAK (3) has a solid winning strike rate and a strong showing would not surprise. KORUTO (1) has been about the mark in small fields of late. Last start finished third at this track over 1830m. Worth plenty of thought.
RACE 8 - ANYTHINK GOES (4) has been plying his trade in harder Sydney metropolitan races and will appreciate the drop back in grade here. Gets Maloney on from the favourable draw and a sharp spike in form would not shock. OUR MAGNUS (6) has just run into one better in both runs this preparation and looks to be building up to another victory. In the mix. OCEAN ZAR (9) loves this course and distance with three wins and a second from just five outings. Fitter now and has to be included. STARRY EYES (7) also looks a hope.
RACE 9 - Looks an open race to close out the card. It's hard to fault the form of MANHOOD (3) who has a win and four placings from five runs this time in work. Is a three-time winner around this circuit and must be respected from the Neasham/Archibald camp. Can put in another solid performance. SUBSTANTIAL (6) got the job done over this course and distance at the latest effort and gets in well at the weights with the 2kg claim. Don't ignore. EXOTIQUE MISS (10) has a win and a second from two efforts over this track and trip and will strip fitter third-up from the spell. Top-three conveyance. FLYING TRAPEZE (11) wasn't too far off them in Group 3 company when resuming and will find this assignment much easier. Worth another chance. THE DROVER (9) draws the inside alley and may earn a cheque.
