Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - LADY FERN (13) resumes and brings strong form from Open 2s. Own as easy trial win and is in light with the 2kg claim. She's the one to beat. PUZZLE MISS (7) is third-up and ready to show more. Has an awkward gate but the 2kg claim is handy. May be more forward this time around. MONCLERE (4) has been plainer her last two but just missed at Hobart prior. Gets Newitt today and is likely to race better. PHERE THE GIRLS (6) has a wide gate but has been around the mark and can get some of the money.
RACE 2 - GEMS EAGLE (6) resumes and was heavily bet both race starts and performed admirably. He's trialled well and is sure to have come on. Newitt rides and that's a decent push for his chances. The one to beat. FIRST LINE (13) led and just missed at Hobart first-up. He will use the inside gate and has more to give. ALPINE THUNDER (1) led and went close at Hobart on debut and resumes owning a trial win. He will have come on and also has claims. BROADMARSH (11) draws wide but fitter may be the best of the rest.
RACE 3 - ELEGANTLY WRITTEN (4) won a 60 stepping up to this trip and is a decent chance to make the hat trick. Maps for the run of the race and carries 3kg less in this grade. MANDATE (3) is a leader and spiked his figures when narrowly beaten this grade over 1420m. Has a handy 2kg claim and should get every chance to run out the mile. BLONDE STAR (6) brings a 64 win from Hobart and peaks today. The extra metres should suit and she is still shy of her best. ASVA (1) is ticking along nicely this campaign and doesn't have to improve much to be winning again.
RACE 4 - ANYWAYS ROXIE (7) resumed heavily bet and blitzed the 60 graders at Hobart by 3L. She's proven second-up and has weight relief at this level. He will push forward and can go on with the job. ALTAI RANGER (4) maps well and followed the 60 win with a near miss in a 68. Races forward and no surprise if he bounces back. INTISAR (5) resumes and flies fresh. He's good enough and has a solid trial under the bonnet. Pires is engaged suggesting she's pleasing. MAKE A DECISION (3) deserved the CL3 win and keeps improving. He also has claims.
RACE 5 - APRIL'S DANCE (7) resumed at Hobart off a wide gate and impressed beaten 2L. The step up in trip should suit and he can sit forward today from an inside gate. Rates well. CAPTAIN TAZ (1) found a place at Hobart first up and will be further improved. He has upside and Newitt is a key jockey switch replacing the 4kg apprentice. CARNELIAN ROCK (2) resumed as a short-priced favourite in the same contest but was never in the hunt. He has plenty up his sleeve and can expect a much sharper effort with Pires staying aboard. TURF PUZZLE (9) had been racing well before the latest. She may go better over the longer sprint.
RACE 6 - PINANDI (7) keeps improving and there was only 1L in it at Hobart last time. Has the handy 2kg claim and she can go one better. BULBUK (1) is a former Victorian who is better than the form line suggests. He will be better for his first outing here and is likely to position forward. Would win at best and has to be kept safe. IRISH STORM (4) was plain last time and may be looking for the middle distance. Should enjoy a soft run and Newitt's engagement interests. UNNERVING (11) had been around the make before losing his rider at the start at Hobart. He's trialled since and should be around the mark.
RACE 7 - A good race. SPRING BEAN (5) was quickly back in the winner's circle beating a CL1 field at Launceston by 2.8L this distance. Raced a short-priced favourite and can build on that. METAVERSE (2) bounced straight back winning a 68 this trip as favourite. Keeps the 2kg claim and maps for the run of the race. He can go on with the job and is feared. JOHNNIE PINCH (3) just missed in that contest racing forward. That stacks up but the handy 4kg claimer has to manage an awkward barrier. ROWING POWER (7) gets weight relief following a CL1 win here stepping up from a mile. He will be better for that and is in the mix.
RACE 8 - EASTCOAST MISS (6) came from the backlbeaten1L in a CL3 at Launceston. She lifted her figures again and is likely to sit handier today. Finds a touch easier and can go one better. ARAYA SUNSHINE (8) spiked her figures just missing here in a 64. Has the rail and maps for a soft run. In the mix keeping the 2kg claim. Pires gets off the above to stick aboard DAY PERFORMER (3) and the mare brings decent form to peak. The extra 100m will suit and she should be right in the finish. KAKIA (2) will be fitter and is proven second-up he races forward and will be around the mark.
RACE 9 - A good contest. ESPRIT DIVA (3) seeks the hat trick off a comfortable win here. Fitter and the longer sprint shouldn't be an issue. Uses the rail and the lightly raced galloper can go on with the job WINNING WITNESS (5) is busting to win and the form also stacks up. Maps for the run of the race and gets a senior hoop for the apprentice. RUBBLEONTHEDOUBLE (2) peaks in easier and can't be ruled out with the benefit of a handy 2kg claim. CREATIVE LICENCE (4) strips fitter third-up and should be nearing his peak now. Keeping safe.
