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Expert tips: Murray Bridge - 21/12/24

Racing & Sports expert selections.

RSN Racing.
RSN Racing. Picture: RSN

RACE 1 - OVERSTRIKE (2) is yet to strike through this campaign but has turned in some strong efforts. Cherry-ripe now and is drawn to advantage. Expect him to take some stopping. THE MANSMAN (6) has been mixing his form this campaign but his peaks measure right up. Drops back to a sprinting trip a month between runs which is intriguing and may land in a tricky spot from the inside alley. COOL MAGNUM (1) continues to be a model of consistency for the Hickmott & Riggs partnership. Shoulders a handy record over this track and trip and has to be taken seriously again. HARD PRINCE (9) was only sound when resuming on the Parks surface two week ago. Is open to plenty of improvement second-up and Toeroek sticking is a good push. Don't dismiss. QUIK RHAPID (5) has got things going in his last two and loves this trip. Kept on the fresh side for this and is a top-three hope.

RACE 2 - DRESS TO IMPRESS (10) only warmed to her task late on debut, finishing 1.3L behind Press Express who she meets 2kgs better this time. Is sure to have taken improvement and is drawn much kinder from the inside alley. Big chance. CALADAN (5) is a Tassort gelding on debut for the sharp juvenile stable of R & C Jolly. Impressed in his lead-up trial win, with the first two across the line gapping the rest. Toeroek piloting is always a positive. Warrants obvious consideration. AQUEDUCT (4) has attracted firm market support in his first two starts. Was good on debut at Mornington but couldn't follow it up last start on a wet Geelong surface. Blinkers going on first time should sharpen him up and he gets in low at the weights with the 2kg claimer engaged. Can give this a big shake. PRESS EXPRESS (9) produced another solid effort last start when beaten a lip at Morphettville Parks. Is busting to break through and this looks another good chance to do so. Doesn't need to find much more.

RACE 3 - SEEKING STARDOM (7) made very light work of her rival's last start on the Parks surface when putting just under 4L to her nearest rival. Inside draw just raises a slight query as she lacks tactical speed. Will appreciate stepping out to the mile fourth-up. Just needs the gap to appear. JENKINS (5) was below his best last start when failing to finish off but his win prior impressed. Rates highly on best figures and can bounce back sharply over a pet trip. WILD IMAGINATION (2) didn't give her rivals a sniff last start when leading pillar-to-post in a similar grade. Sets up similarly for this and is expected to be in this for a very long way. DIVINE FIRE (8) has been very impressive in her last two when heading straight to the front and fending them off. Will need to raise the bar again against better opposition but needs to be included. POOL PONY (6) next best.

RACE 4 - HANGYOURHAT (8) is a lightly raced seven-year-old going much better than his form reads. Was closing hard last start at Geelong but kept finding dead ends. Yet to be tested at this sort of journey but he's by Reliable Man so expect him to relish it. TOMMY (1) has been kept fresh for this with a month between runs after a close fifth last start at Moonee Valley. Should be hitting his straps now third-up and gets a key booking in SA leading hoop Milnes. Well placed to break a long run of outs. PROVEN CORRECT (3) was a determined winner two back and then stood up to the plate last start when just missing in a tougher grade. Carries more weight this time but is ticking along nicely and deserves respect. PRICKLY POPPY (10) progressed nicely here last start when scoring with a fair bit up his sleeve. Tougher now but is in the mix. DOLCEMENTE (4) is one to watch for charging late.

RACE 5 - SUPER ALANA (9) was an impressive front-running winner fresh and has since followed it up with two strong efforts. Cherry-ripe now and should be giving herself every chance again up on the speed. Should prove tough to run down. JAZZ AFFAIR (4) closed off strongly into the frame when resuming at Morphettville Parks. Will appreciate the added trip and shoulders a strong second-up record. Big danger. BILLIE BRONX (6) never got going last campaign but was super the prep prior. Looks to have come back in good order on the back of a Strathalbyn trial placing and can make a bright return. UNDER AND OVER (1) has returned in strong order this campaign and is well placed to go on with it. Gets some gear changes and is expected to be very competitive, even under the big weight. VALENTINA CHARM (10) comes in fresh and goes well at this track. Include in exotics.

RACE 6 - SCHRODER'S MISTAKE (4) took care of a small field with ease last start when leading go-to-woah. Is drawn to advantage and is sure to prove tough to reel in. MORRIS MINOR (5) dug deep to arrive just in time to get the verdict last time out. Has more to offer fourth-up but will just need a touch of luck from the draw. Expect to see him launching late. STRATUM PRIDE (11) came desperately close to landing the ultimate knockout blow first-up when sent out long odds. Deserves a lot more respect on the quick back-up over a more suitable trip. ANGELIC APPEAL (10) lacks tactical speed but has a strong turn of foot on her day. Likes the track and trip and is certainly one to consider. WALK LIKE AN ANGEL (9) is nearing her peak now and is another one to watch for late.

RACE 7 - BRISTLER (1) went too fast fresh but fought on gamely to just miss at Morphettville Parks. Blinkers go on first time to help him focus. Expect him to burn across from the wide alley and prove a handful to reel in. VOLCANIC EXPRESS (5) was a barnstorming winner here fresh and then came desperately close to repeating the dose last start on the Parks surface. Peaking now and is drawn well in the middle. Sure to run well. STARTIDE (4) came from a long way back to arrive just in time when resuming at HQ last month. Comes in fresh (49 days) but has kept the legs ticking over with a Strathalbyn trial placing. Can cause a scare late. EROICA (10) impressed in her debut prep going through undefeated. Testing material now but is expected to be competitive. KOVA (3) is going too good to ignore and deserves respect.

RACE 8 - VIXENETTE (12) also just missed last start, closing off strongly to get within a head of the winner at the Valley. Drawn much kinder this time and is cherry-ripe fitness. Bold showing anticipated. WEST CLIFF (8) is yet to strike through this campaign but put the writing on the wall last start at headquarters when launching home to just miss. Peaking now and will be raring to go off month break. DEVIL'S DEXTER (11) drove hard to deliver on punter's expectations over this journey at Balaklava last start. Tougher this time but strips fitter and deserves respect. FALAISE (7) lacks tactical speed but can give them a scare late if they overdo it in front. Worth including in exotics. RABTAT (3) is another one to watch for late.

RACE 9 - ANDREW'S MEMORY (1) is going better than his form reads and is right on track to play a major role. Has been far from disgraced against tougher opposition since scoring fresh. Strips rock-hard fit on the short turnaround and should appreciate the added trip. Big chance. RUNAWAY STATEMENT (10) comes over the border and should be nearing her peak third-up off the back of two solid efforts. Is another that has a horror draw but is certainly one to consider. SAKASU (5) went close to making it two on the bounce last start after making a mess of his maiden field here on November 13. Must be taken seriously. ARTFUL TAWNY (2) next best.