Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - DYNAMIC THEORY (4) led at Launceston on debut and faded late beaten 2.5L. He's switched from a top Sydney yard and presents fitter. He will be suited around here. SH'BOURNE GLORY (7) has been within range and has placed 3/4 at the track. Has the first-time blinkers applied and maps for a soft on-pace run. LADY FERN (10) trialled well and started a short-priced favourite at Hobart on debut and disappointed. Connections believed the filly failed to run out the 1200m and she comes back a couple of hundred metres today. Maps well and gets in light with the 3kg claim. Has her first race on the synthetic. DADANDHISGIRLS (3) debuts with a 3kg claimer aboard and has looked sharp at the trials. Draws awkwardly but a bold run is likely.
RACE 2 - ALTAI RANGER (3) was plain (vet cleared) at Hobart but the form leading into that makes good reading. He will likely settle closer and comes back in grade. He just has to manage the synthetic surface to go close. RED FOX (8) failed to place in a CL3 at Launceston but lifted his figures again. Led and won here three-back and will get every chance from the handy barrier. LIBERTY RAE (9) finished ahead of the above in the same contest and didn't have the best of it. Presents fitter and also has claims. ALPINE BLAST (2) resumes and is proven fresh. He has a handy 3kg claim and has been fitted out with two trials. Goes well here and is a course/distance winner. Keep safe.
RACE 3 - TUSKEGEE (7) missed a whisker here on debut and has placed close-up at Launceston at his three starts since. Maps for the run of the race and gets in well with the 3kg claim. Freshened and gets his chance. LIKEAKALIX (6) impressed narrowly beaten here on debut and resumed at Launceston with a 1.4L defeat, settling well back again. He draws inside and will be looking to jump on terms today. He will be tough to beat if he does. LIGHTMEUPJAZZ (9) drew wide at Launceston and did a good job to finish so close. She finally draws an inside barrier and is capable of using it. Pires is a key jockey switch and a much better effort is likely. COASTAL STRIKE (2) raced a $3 favourite at Launceston and found a place. Peaks now and gets some gear tweaks. He is in the mix.
RACE 4 - ROYAL AND TOUGH (1) went well here first up getting and then went close in a 76 at Launceston. Raced there in Open grade last time and found it a stretch. Tumbles in grade and the 3kg claim offsets some of the weight increase. His record at this course/distance is strong. CORNELIAN BAY (2) was expected to win at Hobart and just found one better. He maps for a soft run and the 4kg claim brings him right into it. He also enjoys the synthetic. HOT RELATION (3) comes back a few levels and continues to race well. Has the inside barrier and the 3kg claim brings him into it. LILY LUELLA (7) continues to race well. Has an inside gate and is a candidate to lead. She'll be in it a long way.
RACE 5 - A good contest. FIGHTING FOR GOLD (4) is a lightly raced improver, better for the tidy placing at Launceston. She maps well and won't have to improve much to go close. CORSA VELOCE (6) drops back from the mile and that's likely to suit. Has an inside barrier and 2kg claim and hits the race at peak fitness. MISS TANZANITE (5) deserved the Maiden win at Launceston and can keep building. She draws awkwardly but gets in well with the 3kg claim. The former Victorian PAULARTES (3) won her Maiden comfortably at Launceston second-up as expected. She's likely to build on that.
RACE 6 - SHARMA'S LAST (1) brings a string of wins and was heavily bet at Launceston last time over this distance. He maps for the run of the race and has won 6/8 at this track and hasn't missed a place. He can go on with the job. CARTOON GRAVEYARD (2) was quickly back on track winning at Hobart and went close at Launceston after behind the above. Rates well but has his first start here and is required to manage a wide barrier. GENERAL ASSEMBLY (5) tries hard and didn't have a lot of luck in the same contest. He flies around here and a much better effort is likely. ZOLTAN (4) is a former Victorian who tumbles in weight following an okay effort at Launceston. He's been a big trial winner since and his best would see him in the finish.
RACE 7 - PINANDI (7) comes back 320m off a 1.2L defeat at Hobart heavily bet and she was just as good there prior. The blinkers come off and a senior hoop replaces the apprentice. She deserves another chance. MISS VIVACE (4) brings similar form lines and has been kept on the fresh side. Keeps the 2kg claim and maps for a soft run. TIDEFORD (8) was much-improved narrowly beaten behind Irish Storm at Hobart. He's also back in distance and has claims. UNNERVING (9) just missed in the same contest and lost his rider the one before. Keeps the 3kg claim but has the outside barrier and will have to do it the hard way.
