Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - It's hard to fault the form of ITALIAN RIVIERA (1) who has won three of four starts to date including one around this circuit last time out. Gets 3kg off with the claim and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Ticks plenty of boxes. PROMINENT LAD (2) has just missed the placings in town at the past couple of efforts and should find this assignment easier. Looms as the main danger. PROPOSE (3) has placed over this mile journey and is another to get some weight relief. Top-three candidate. BANKSIA BEACH (4) is one from one over this trip and is a must for the multiples. BOLD BLAZE (7) shed the maiden tag at the latest outing and is sure to have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. In the mix.
RACE 2 - ICED CHOCOLATE (6) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up at her past three outings and strikes a very winnable contest here. Revved up for this with a recent trial and gets Maloney on board from the inside marble. Should prove very hard to toss. MERCIAN (2) disappointed before the spell but the second at Doomben on debut was full of merit. Worth another chance. MIDNIGHT MADNESS (3) has placed over this sprint journey and may run a race while fresh. MODISTE (8) has placed over this track and trip and will strip fitter third-up from the break. In the mix. Former NSW galloper STRIKE THE HEART (11) gets in light with the claim and can trouble the judge with any luck from the draw.
RACE 3 - SKORPIOS ISLE (5) was well in the betting over this course and distance on debut and didn't disgrace when a handy third. Is sure to have taken benefit from that race day experience and can go a couple better against this lot. CLICK CLICK BOOM (2) went down by the narrowest of margins when resuming and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Looks a serious threat. The well-related BREAK FREE (8) (half to G3 winner Snapped) is facing the starter for the first time but looked good winning a recent Deagon trial and any market confidence should be noted. SHEDRIVESABENTLEY (12) just ran into one better over this track and trip on debut and rates a genuine top-three contender on that effort.
RACE 4 - The regally-bred I AM CAVIAR (8) (son of unbeaten champ Black Caviar) wasn't too far off them at his local debut for the new stable and will have taken a lot from that hit-out. Should sit right on speed and can give this a mighty shake. PINK THUNDER (12) has been thereabouts in recent efforts and is drawn to get a gun run in transit from the inside alley. Should be fighting out the finish. DIVINE OKAY (1) resumes here but has won first-up before and gets 3kg weight relief from the favourable draw. Ticks a few boxes. CHAKRA BOY (3) rounds out the selections.
RACE 5 - WANDA'S OUTLAW (5) got the job done over this track and trip last time out and is sure to have taken a bunch of confidence from that well-deserved victory. Winning hoop Stewart sticks in the irons and should be right there when the judge calls a halt. ULTIMATE OUTCOME (2) was a touch plain in town at the latest effort but the form prior was good enough to feature in a race like this. Can bounce right back here. APERITIVO (6) is improving with racing this preparation and may earn some minor money. CENTAUR (1) has been racing well in lesser grade and looks one for the exotics.
RACE 6 - GOSPEL GIRL (6) is a very honest conveyance who is yet to miss the top-four in four career outings to date. Will strip fitter second-up from the spell and gets the deadly Gollan/Jones combination. Looks a strong winning hope. CHANGE THE DEEL (2) is yet to miss a drum in three efforts over this course and distance and doesn't know how to put in a poor one. Gets plenty of weight off with the 3kg claim and should be going very close. CRYPTIC PRISM (10) has placed three from three around this circuit and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Cannot be underestimated. PINK CASHMERE (9) next in line in a race with plenty of chances
RACE 7 - STATE A FACT (15) will strip fitter second-up from the spell and has hit the top-five in four of his past five starts. Rates a serious contender. SNOW SHOW (6) wasn't disgraced when a close-up fifth over this track and trip on debut and will take a lot from that day at the races. Top-three hope with natural improvement. CAESAR CAKE (10) resumes here but tuned up for this with two recent trials and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. READY LIGHTLY (5) next best from the astute barn.
RACE 8 - LAVONI (13) is a very honest mare who is yet to miss the top-five in nine career outings. Respect from the Bruce stable and shapes as the hardest to beat following a few key scratchings. ZHUANG SHI (1) strips fitter third-up, gets 3kg off with the claim and draws the inside alley. Ticks a few boxes. CHARLIE'S CASE (8) has been solid enough in recent efforts and finds a suitable contest with the added aid of the claim.
