Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MISS PEBBLES (8) has had plenty of tries but brings the best form. Pires goes aboard today and she arrives on a 7-day return. ALL ABOUT LUNA (5) resumed with a solid effort at Hobart. She has more to give and Newitt replaces Pires. DON'T GIVE UP (4) debuts from an inside barrier and has looked sharp at the trials. He draws well and this is winnable. HEART OF PARIS (7) was cruelled by a wide gate here 7 days ago but had threatened the two before. Peaks and is a chance over the longer sprint.
RACE 2 - GEE GEES RUN OUT (7) wins this at best and should be ready to fire third-up off a long break. She can use the low barrier and is an each-way proposition. LITTLE RIVER TOFF (8) won a trial and raced a short-priced favourite here first-up beaten a whisker. She can use the rail and just has to run out the longer sprint. MISS PRIVATE (9) has had plenty of tries and placed again here last time coming back to this trip. Pires may ride her a bit quieter today and she gets another chance. HALEN (5) has been racing well and had plenty of support last time. He's ready to win.
RACE 3 - UNCLE'S TIP (9) brought strong form to resumption and was beaten a whisker over this distance. She will use the rail and fitter she can go one better. MISS TANZANITE (7) missed by the same margin first-up and has been freshened. She'd also won a trial and deserves to break through. LIKEAKALIX (4) resumes and his debut effort on the synthetic reads well. Will be naturally improved and he should be just as good on the grass. DIESEL'S SUNSHINE (13) was well supported at Hobart and didn't have the best of it. Has a 2kg claim and the first-time blinkers applied. Quick improvement is likely.
RACE 4 - UNIQUE EAGLE (3) looked good at the trials and then impressed winning here on debut. Has an inside gate today and will use it. Fitter and is capable of taking the next step. SIR JAG (12) hasn't won for a long while but spiked his figures at Hobart and that effort more than stacks up. Has a 2kg claim but has to manage a wide barrier. BUNKER BOB (2) won his Maiden from the front 33 days ago over 1420m and has been an easy trial winner since. Has a 2kg claim and maps to advantage. Deserves consideration. VAN SCOTIA (7) went close at Hobart first-up and hasn't missed a beat. Hasn't placed in 3 second-up runs and that's a niggle.
RACE 5 - DANTES (5) was heavily bet first up but fell short by a long neck over 1200m. He maps well and the longer sprint suits. Has more up his sleeve and is proven second up. GEE GEES ME BOY (7) won a 64 first-up and seeks a hat-trick. The extra metres won't bother and he also has claims. CONUMDRUM (4) is third-up and knocking on the door. May want further now but is good enough to feature. FURNEAUX (3) has had one blip in a string of good efforts and was a short-priced favourite last time in stronger. He's been freshened and Newitt is a positive jockey booking.
RACE 6 - A good race. CARTOON GRAVEYARD (2) was quickly back to form winning this grade at Hobart as an equal favourite. He ran his best figure over a mile and has delivered 2/2 third-up. Gets in well again with the 2kg claim and can go on with the job. SHARMA'S LAST (3) peaks and made it three on the trot winning a 76 comfortably over this distance. Maps well and fitter again is sure to feature. SIR SIMON (1) led and missed a whisker behind Cartoon Graveyard at Hobart. He jumps from a rail and controls the race. Keeps the 4kg claim and will give a big sight. GENERAL ASSEMBLY (5) tries hard and is likely best of the rest.
RACE 7 - CAPE ZORO (7) has laid down a solid foundation for this contest and winning rider Pires is reunited. She's been much better this time in and sits down in the weights. Gets the nod. KICKPASS (1) was solid first-up having his first race on the turf. He has the blinkers applied for the first time and has the rail and handy 2kg claim. He will keep improving. IT'S JAGGER TIME (4) peaks and always puts in. He's been freshened and trialled and will push forward. Has claims. RICH GLOW (2) was a big Maiden winner first-up and did enough this grade following. Draws awkwardly but is a hope over the longer sprint.
RACE 8 - FAST THINKER (4) deserved the win this grade over a mile. Raced a short-priced favourite in that and keeps the handy 2kg claim. Races forward and can go on with it. RING OF HONOUR (5) is busting to win. Placed close up last time and has a key jockey switch to Newitt. Jumps form a handy gate and gets another chance. WINCHESTER RIFLE (11) has been around the mark and is a hope if things go his way. Pires staying aboard is a positive. FAR AWAY HIT (9) peaks and is capable of better. Maps well and is in the mix.
RACE 9 - STARNOTE (8) went close in a 60 first-up and hasn't missed a beat. She will use the low barrier and a 2kg claimer goes on. Goes second-up and will be hard to beat. STREET DIVA (6) resumed as a $3 favourite at Hobart and delivered her Maiden. The former Victorian has more up her sleeve and Pires stays aboard. Fitter and she's capable of taking the next step. GEEGEES CITY BOY (1) resumes and brings a string of strong efforts from the synthetic. Has trialled well and has a handy 2kg claim. Races well here and a bold effort is likely. NGAPALI BEACH (5) resumed in good order and can build on that. She will be around the mark.
