Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The babies kick us off. GOLD CLASSIC (3) broke the maiden status by the narrowest of margins over this track and trip on debut and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Meets a few similar gallopers here and winning hoop Murphy sticks in the saddle. Can go back-to-back to start the career. SATISFIED MUGS (1) finished third in that same race when heavily supported in the betting. Where there's smoke there's fire and can feature with natural improvement. ROYAL PROPHECY (6) is another to come out of that race when just missing the placings in fourth. Draws the inside alley and can play a role in the outcome. CASCIA (5) will be better for that first time at the races and gets Wiggins on top. In the mix. BANG STICK (2) is facing the starter for the first time but has shown ability at the trials and a watch on betting is advised.
RACE 2 - LOOMING ONE (3) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up in three of his past four outings and strikes a very winnable contest here. Has placed three from three with Morrison in the irons and should get a cosy run in transit from gate two. Rates the testing material. BUBBLES'N'FROTH (2) wasn't too far away when facing the starter for the first time and will have derived a bunch of benefit from that race day experience. Looms as the main danger. Former Victorian BRAMBLE (5) has placed two of three since joining the new stable and looks to be nearing a maiden victory. Top-three candidate. FAITH OVER FEAR (4) has been thereabouts in recent efforts and is one for the multiples.
RACE 3 - CINQUE TERRE (7) got the job done here two back before just running into one better at Innisfail last time out. Winning hoop Morrison reunites and will be at her peak fourth-up from the break. Looks the one they all have to run down. The well-related TURBEAU (1) (half to G3 winner and G2 placed Thames Court) has been right there at the past couple of outings and gets Wiggins back in the stirrups. Rates a serious threat. TAVISTEEL (5) has placed two from three over this track and trip and draws the inside marble. Top-three aspirations. MEDAL (3) has been racing very consistently of late and cannot be discounted. THE DRILLER (2) best of the rest.
RACE 4 - COSMIC ATOM (6) shed the maiden tag over this course and distance at the latest effort before being tipped out for time to furnish. Tuned up for this with a recent trial placing here and looks the galloper in this field with the most upside. Should be right there at the business end. The penny has dropped for OBLIGATED (3) who has strung two wins together on the bounce and is racing with a lot of confidence now. Cannot be underestimated. TIME TO PROPHET (2) loves this circuit with three wins and a second from just five outings and may run a race while fresh. ITHINKBETTA (9) doesn't win out of turn but has placed two of three here and can earn some minor money. HEAD HONCHO (1) strips fitter second-up from the break and has strong claims on best form.
RACE 5 - READY TO PARDON (3) has placed two from two over this course and distance and goes well for Wiggins who has a win and three placings from just five steers. Should be rock-hard fit for this and can give backers a sight. SPECIALTIE (1) got a well-deserved victory here at the latest effort and Sheargold stays in the irons. Can easily make it back-to-back victories. DICKIN MEDAL (8) has been thereabouts at the past three starts and looks to be nearing another win. Include in calculations. STRATHCONA (5) is a two-time winner here and has hit a bit of form of late. Top-three hope. FROM THIS MOMENT (4) has won her past couple and you can't ignore mares in form. In the mix.
RACE 6 - JEMELDI (3) was well in the betting when having his first run for the new stable and didn't disappoint with a solid win around this circuit. Semmens stays in the saddle and gets the benefit of her 2kg claim. No reason why he can't go back-to-back to start the campaign. YOUR TOO GOOD (4) has hit a rich vein of form stringing three wins together here including one over this distance range. It's hard to knock mares in form and she has to be included. FLYING SHAMUS (6) is another to hit a purple patch with two Mackay wins on the trot and also gets some weight relief. In the mix. The consistent BATTLE CRY (1) has remarkably hit the top-five at his past 26 starts and doesn't know how to run a bad race. A must for the multiples. MISS SEATTLE (5) strips fitter second-up and rounds out the selections in a cracking contest.
RACE 7 - CANDLELIT (1) has been racing very consistently this time in work with a win and five placings from seven starts and will be rock-hard fit for this. Boasts a win and a second from two outings around this circuit and should be playing a major role again. Former Victorian SAVEE (10) is having her first local run but the form she showed down south was good enough to feature in a race like this. Keep very safe while fresh. TALONS (4) has a win and three seconds from just five starts at this track and strips fitter second-up from the spell. Best figures measure up. VIBURNUM (5) gets 2kg off with the claim and can make his presence felt with any luck from the sticky draw. WINNING SAGA (11) has put three wins together this campaign and cannot be discounted.
RACE 8 - Looks an open affair to close out the card. WIN AND TONIC (4) is first-up but has tuned up for this with two winning trials here and has placed three of four over this track and trip. A strong showing while fresh would not surprise. WICKLOW LASS (12) has won over this course and distance and strips fitter second-up from the spell. Could provide some value. THE WALLET (15) bounced back to the winners' stall at the latest effort and will derive a stack of confidence from that victory. In the mix. Former Victorian BORNEO (3) has been right there in both local outings and looks one for the exotics players. COLD POWER (1) next in line with the 2kg claim.
