Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - THE WIRRULLA BOY (6) has been solid in his first two starts. Performed above market expectation last start in town when only beaten 1.5L. Profiles nicely on the quick back-up. Ready. EL EXPLOSIVO (2) finds the maiden win elusive but has turned in some solid performances. Strips rock-hard fit and finds his best chance to break through. STRASBEAU (5) returns and makes his stable debut for Garret Lynch. Chased soundly into fourth when resuming last campaign at Balaklava. A similar run has him featuring. LITTLE PRINCESS (8) has been kept fresh with a month between runs after a string of poor performances. Keeping safe on the form she showed earlier in the prep.
RACE 2 - Not a great deal of depth here. OK GERRY (6) has been solid in her two runs back. Has found it tough to break through but she looks headed in the right direction to do so this time in. Should be nearing her peak now third-up and is the one to beat. EIGHTY NINE BELOW (1) tried hard to earn herself a minor cheque last start Ceduna. Needs to find a bit more but is worth some thought. ROLLING DUCK (10) was far from her best first-up but has been freshened with a 40-day break. Improvement likely. ROCKSTAR DANCES (9) next best.
RACE 3 - ZE BIRDS'N'ZEBEES (9) performed well above market expectations fresh when fighting on gamely for a minor placing at Balaklava. Plenty to like about that run and should improve with that run under his belt. The wide alley is a query but he should be taken a lot more seriously this time. GAME OVER (3) wasn't far away here two back when showing good tactical speed. Not as effective last time but is open to further improvement at this point of the debut preparation. RUSCHEYNE (6) is another who finds it tough to get off the mark but has posted some figures that could see him feature. Poor draw but gets booking in Crowther. MIDNIGHT RULER (5) drops back in trip off 54-day freshen, keeping the legs ticking over with a trial placing here. Next best.
RACE 4 - EFFORTKAT (1) has been much better in her last two, putting the writing on the wall at the latest when beaten a neck here. Peaking now and gets help at the weights with the 2kg claimer engaged. Wide draw the only knock. NASDANA (10) beat most of her main rivals home here last start with a barnstorming finish. Carries more weight this time but is certainly one to consider. ROSE RING (6) is yet to strike through this campaign but hasn't been far away. Gets in well at the weights with the 3kg claimer engaged and is among the main hopes. CATALINA BLUE (9) next best.
RACE 5 - CHEF DE MISSION (1) has returned in superb form this campaign putting together three on the trot here, before finishing second at the latest. Drops back in trip off 30-day freshen and is a leading player. LAVA LAD (7) dug deep to get the verdict by head last start at Ceduna. Tougher this time but is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley and has winning apprentice sticking. Can measure up. KINGSON (5) has gone better than the form suggests in his three runs back. Strips fitter fourth-up and is a track and trip specialist. Don't overlook. SUTADAMU (2) next best.
RACE 6 - Interesting race with a fair chunk of these sharing form. UTILITARIAN (9) is unlucky not to boast more than just the one win this prep, beaten narrowly here in his last two. Ticking along superbly this campaign and reunites with a winning apprentice in King. Can go one better. ARTFUL AMBITION (1) is yet to strike through this campaign but is knocking on the door. Gets weight off and is a track and trip specialist. Low draw should see him race prominently and take plenty of holding out fourth-up. EVENING BRIDE (3) drove hard to get the verdict here two back and then followed it up with a strong chasing effort in town in the Country Sprint final. Concedes weight to a few of these but is one of the main hopes. MESSERSCHMITT (2) lacks tactical speed, so could land in a tricky spot from the inside alley. If the gaps appear in the lane he will take some stopping. Smaller cases can also be made for TYDEUS (8) and STRAWBERRY SWING (6) who share similar formlines and get a pull at the weights.
RACE 7 - BELMONT AVENUE (6) is rock-hard fit and has been ticking along superbly. Chased strongly to just miss the minors last start in town behind an in-form Merchant Boss. Has enough tactical speed to offset the wide alley and should give backers a bold sight. MR TRAFFICANTI (5) has been tackling tougher opposition in town so will appreciate this easier assignment. Is a winner over this trip and is expected to be charging hardest late. CUBAN LORD (8) made light work of his rivals two back at Balaklava over a longer trip. Not as effective last start but was far from disgraced. Kept fresh for this with a month between runs. In the mix. SUPER VALENTINE (7) is yet to strike through this campaign but is knocking on the door, while SINO WITNESS (1) strikes a nice assignment to put a poor performance behind him.
RACE 8 - STAR VALOUR (7) knuckled down gamely to get the bob here last start in a much better showing. Steps out sharply trip and can go on with it now after shedding the maiden tag. Will just need some luck from an ugly draw. ISUSPECTJEU (11) progressed sharply third-up when charging home into the frame here. Is another that rises sharply in trip and will be doing her best work late. KING HALSTON (3) somewhat turned things around last start when getting into the frame at Gawler. Strips fitter and gets his chance to break a long run of outs. TOORAK BLAZE (8) is building into this. Might need another run but should be kept safe.
