Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - HIGH GARDEN (6) returns and makes her stable debut for the Bain & Taylor partnership. Hasn't been seen at public trials in lead-up but did show glimpses of ability last campaign and gets a key booking in Holder. Can make a bright start. OPPORTUNE CHANCE (8) was better last start when warming nicely to her task late. Strips fitter and can play a major role under the light weight. TWO PERCENT ICE (2) is another that returns. Hasn't quite been able to put a full race together yet but looks to have come back in good order on the back of a lead-up trial. Has enough gate speed to offset the wide alley and can give backers a bold sight. RADIANT KNIGHT (13) next best.

RACE 2 - MYSTICAL WISDOM (10) lengthened nicely to get close to the winner when resuming in town at the latest. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt and now gets the services of gun hoop Jake Toeroek. Deserves a lot more respect this time and is a leading player. STIRRUP CUP (11) has savaged the line in his last two and should be ready to peak now. Draws to settle closer and carries a feather on his back with the 3kg claimer on again. Main danger. MAHENO (5) finds the maiden win elusive but has shown some positive signs. Carries a fitness edge and Holder sticking reads favourably. Can give this a shake. CAPE SIZE (1) has gone back to the trials after failing to threaten first-up. Wary of sharp improvement with the rise in trip.

RACE 3 - PAINTED PONY (5) put the writing on the wall last start when beaten a neck at Balaklava. Has shown plenty of ability but has just lacked the killer blow. Drawn sticky but rates the leading chance. LADY SKYLLA (2) was an eye-catcher first-up when rattling home from the rear. Not as impressive last start but went better than the beaten margin suggests behind a smart debut winner. Expect her to settle back early and be climbing over their backs late. PERILOUS LASS (6) couldn't live up to market expectation first up when left flat-footed. Has gone back to the trials between runs and can put forward a much better showing. MOFFERNO (4) was solid on debut and can improve quickly. Certainly one to consider.

RACE 4 - CUBAN LORD (3) made very light work of his rivals' last start in C1 company. Not much tougher this time, if at all. Only needs to hold his form to be very competitive. MR TRAFFICANTI (2) doesn't win out of turn but has turned in some solid performances of late. Steps out slightly in trip on a short turnaround and is one of the key chances. JAYWICK (4) is yet to strike through this campaign but is knocking on the door. Has spent over a year out of the winner's circle but strikes a nice assignment the break the run of outs. MUFFLA (5) once again got too far back last start but did make some late inroads. Will drift back again from the draw and be saved for the final shot at them. Keeping safe.

RACE 5 - PRETTY RELIABLE (5) improved nicely at the latest when going on with the job to score at Balaklava in this grade. Carries more weight this time but has struck winning form and can repeat the dose. CHARM SLINGA (3) is going better than his form reads. Only warmed to his task late in the piece last start and hit the line hard. Sure to drift back again from the draw but can give them a big scare late. PRANCING COUNTESS (12) has been better in her last two, her most recent effort in particular when closing off solidly into fourth. Cherry-ripe now but has another tricky draw. In the mix. BONJOUR (1) next best.

RACE 6 - CHOSEN MISS (3) is going better than her form reads and will appreciate the drop in grade. Gets help at the weights with the 3kg claimer going on and is more than capable of taking this out if she brings her A-Game. TEMBU BOY (6) was much better last start without threatening, closing off solidly into fourth over a similar trip. Has more to over third-up and is drawn much more kindly. Bold showing anticipated. SACRED KENSHI (1) has been well below his best in his last last two stars in town, so he should appreciate the drop in grade. Steps back to a winning trip and gets help under the big weight with the 3kg claimer engaged. Watch for a sharp bounce back. AMERICAN TROUBLE (11) is knocking on the door and should be nearing a peak now with the three runs under her belt. Shoulders a handy record over this track and trip. Has to be taken seriously.

RACE 7 - SOUTHERN SHOOTER (7) returns and has run well fresh without winning. The form around him last campaign reads well for this and he should be forward enough off the recent trial. Low draw assists his chances. Big chance to break a long run of outs. JIVE BABY (11) came from a long way back to savage the line for second when resuming at Balaklava. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt but doesn't possess much tactical speed so expect her to be making her charge late again. MR WHITACRE (10) was in a league of his own last time at Penola when scoring with a bit up his sleeve. Tougher this time but deserves serious consideration. QUINTILLION (2) next best.