Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - HOT ONE (2) has hit the line hard in both of her starts to date. Should be peaking now and is drawn softly. The one to beat. PUSSYFOOT (6) is knocking on the door. Left herself with too much to do last start at Benalla but did make solid inroads. Carries a fitness edge and is sure to be very competitive. RASLOC (7) was shown no love on debut and while she couldn't place, she wasn't beaten that far. Is sure to have come on with that run under the belt and deserves a lot more respect this time. CANNY DEFENSE (1) next best.
RACE 2 - FIFTY FIVE MUSTANG (1) is ready to make his return after enjoying a successful time of it last time in. Has continued to improve each time he steps out on track and is sure to be very competitive again. Deserves to carry the top weight and is a leading player. BOY FROM TENNESSEE (2) knuckled down gamely to get the verdict and shed his maiden tag last start over the track and trip. Has more improvement to come and draws well again for hot-hand hoop in Heywood. No reason he can't go on with it now. MAJESTIC AFFAIR (6) made a solid return on the Riverside surface at Wagga but couldn't quite follow it up last time. Strips fitter third-up and gets in low at the weights again with the 3kg claimer sticking. Can give this a shake on the short turnaround. APPLE CIDER (4) is a likely improver in his second start for the Cameron stable.
RACE 3 - GOLDEN RACER (5) has been thereabouts in his first three starts. Has shown enough early dash to offset the wide alley and could prove tough to reel in with added fitness. MO CENT (2) looked to be nearing his first win before turning in a flat performance here last start. Has been kept on the fresh side with four weeks between runs and is drawn much kinder. Can bounce back sharply. ALL EXCEED (4) steps out on debut for the Nick Olive stable. Showed fair ability in a recent trial win at Canberra. Keep safe. TI TREE ROYAL (6) wasn't far away on debut here but couldn't follow it up last time. Fitter and has Cahill sticking is a positive. Don't underestimate.
RACE 4 - LEICA TROOPER (2) is yet to strike through this campaign but is busting to break through. Was topped off nicely last start when closing hard into the placings. Peaking now and will appreciate reuniting with a gun hoop in Heywood. Will take some stitching. TAUMATA (4) got off the mark in this grade two back at Wagga. Couldn't quite go on with it last time at Wagga when sent out favourite but was still solid. Is drawn softly from the inside alley as he steps back in trip. Could prove tough to hold out if the gap appears. MY FRIDAY BEAU (11) is from a sharp stable and will be looking to bounce back quickly off a flat performance at Yarra Valley. Looks better suited back in distance and is among the key chances. CHECK SIDE (1) has hit the line hard in both runs back. Will drift towards the tail again from the draw and be saved for the final shot at them.
RACE 5 - FUMIKO (5) has savaged the line in both runs back, only to just miss. Peaks now and gets considerable weight off. Huge chance to break a long run of outs. ARTHUR THE GREAT (7) was less than a length away from Eamonn's Memory here last start. Cherry-ripe now and gets a nice pull at the weights this time over a few of these. Main danger. Last-start winner EAMONN'S MEMORY (2) has been up for over a year but continues to put his best foot forward. Is as true as the day is long. No reason he can't get involved in the finish again. CLEVER ART (6) found it too tough last time in town. Is much better suited back on the country circuit and loves this track and trip. Great chance to make amends. SHOOTING FOR STARS (8) is a four-time winner over this trip and has a good record here. Can't overlook.
RACE 6 - WARUI (8) gave backers a bold sight when resuming at Moe last start, only to lack a fitness edge late. Is a two-time winner second-up and is unbeaten over this track and trip. Bold showing anticipated. KEYSBOROUGH (2) makes his stable debut for the Donnelly team off a 26-day break. Will appreciate dropping back to the country circuit and has enough early dash to offset the outside draw. Expect him to find the front and take some catching third-up. TEETOTAL (5) returns and is another that possesses tactical speed. Has won fresh before and can give this a good shake on best figures. FEAR THE STING (3) took advantage of the good draw and was there to win it before tiring to finish fourth at Bairnsdale. Cannot be underestimated with added fitness.
RACE 7 - BANNOCKBURN (1) bounced back sharply to form last start when getting the verdict here. Winning hoop sticks and there's no reason he cannot salute again. DYNAMIC ONE (3) couldn't go with Bannockburn over the concluding stages last start but wasn't beaten far. Meets the winner with what could prove a pivotal weight swing now and is drawn low. Big threat. COMANCHE NORTH (9) has been out of the winner's circle for quite some time but is a more than capable type on his day. Keeping safe. Similar story for CONNEMARA QUEEN (8) but she has been better in her last two and is worth some thought on the quick back-up. Could add some juice to the exotics.
RACE 8 - FUTURE FUND (2) made very light work of his rivals here last start when putting 3L to the nearest chaser. Strips fitter third-up and has been kept on the fresh side with 27 days between. Will take some stopping. ELLESSTHREE (8) went better than her form reads last start at Wodonga. Is another that will appreciate the added trip and she should be nearing her peak now. Worth serious consideration. KAIDA BLAZE (4) capitalised on a good start to the prep last start when arriving just in time to get the nod at Wagga. Capable of another strong showing. DAZE OFF (5) also deserves respect and is a winning chance.
