Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - A competitive 2YO contest kicks off proceedings. HARMONIC DANCER (1) makes his debut for the smart Phillip Stokes yard and looks a serious contender. The Pariah gelding has turned heads with dominant trial wins and gives every indication he's ready to fire first-up. A bright start is expected. MOSTLY FOR SHOW (5) resumes for the in-form Jolly team after failing to figure on debut in January, despite attracting solid support. He's trialled well since and looks to have come on sharply during the break. With Toeroek engaged and an ideal gate, he shapes as the main danger. MATAHGA (2), another debutant from the Stokes barn, has been doing his best work late in recent trials and profiles as a serious threat. GRANDSTRAZ (4) and GOLDEN HORIZON (3), both with race experience, could sneak into the minors with the right run.

RACE 2 - DIVINO CAVALLO (4) was strong to the line when finishing midfield fresh. With that run under her belt and the step up in trip, she looks primed to make a serious impact. The claim gets her in light and she'll prove very tough to stop. ROYAL MAJESTY (5) was a strong winner over this track and trip to kick things off last campaign. Readied with a quiet trial and there's no reason she can't repeat the dose. THE SPRINKLER (7) drove hard to breakthrough and that form has already been franked. Progressive and dangerous. NICISH (9) returned to winning form and drops nicely in weight. Worth serious thought.

RACE 3 - BEACH PAD (4) brings the standout formlines. He was a strong second over this track and trip behind a smart type last start and gets in well at the weights with the rise in grade. Holder, who has guided him to two previous victories, is back aboard. Expect another bold showing. DOLCEMENTE (6) has attacked the line with real purpose in her past two and now steps up in trip on the quick turnaround. Milnes sticks and she's perfectly placed to peak. A major danger. SIR DAVY (2) continues to build into his prep and will relish this longer journey. Must be respected. MAGNETIC EDGE (5) finishes off strongly and looks suited on the back-up. Can flash late if the pace is hot.

RACE 4 - STORM SEASON (2) didn't fire at Caulfield last time out but is much better placed in this company. His run two back at Mornington was solid and a return to that form would see him go very close. This looks the right setup to bounce back. Will be taking the strongest strides late. BIG BRUTE (1) was good two weeks ago when narrowly missing first-up. Gets help at the weights again and should prove tough to stop with added fitness. WILD WINNER (6) made light work of her CL2 rivals over the mile last start. Tougher this time but is on the up and deserves respect. MAPLEWAY (4) continues to improve and is sharpened with the blinkers going on first time. Don't dismiss.

RACE 5 - NURYS (5) is her own worst enemy but does possess powerful acceleration. Draws better this time and drops back to a pet trip. Just needs the gap to appear. PALM OF JUMEIRAH (6) continues to race well. Solid third at Oakbank last time and comes in fresh off 42 days. No reason she won't be in the thick of it again over a favoured journey. Nicely placed to feature again. DE LUCA (11) was closing hard here last start and wasn't far away. Inside alley is a bonus. Another step forward puts him right in the finish. ICHIBERU (4) brings winning form. Faces stronger company but progressing the right way. Respect.

RACE 6 - DEEPFLOAT DIVA (11) got too far back again last start but was strong through the line. Has built nicely into this and should be peaking. His best has their measure. SIR NOW (7) was too good for a fair few of these last start, including Deepfloat Diva. Carries more weight this time but is a talented type that is drawn well again. Obvious danger. CHEERSTOTHAT (10) made an immediate impact for the new stable when resuming, scoring convincingly at Cranbourne. He boasts an outstanding record at this trip and while this is a deeper contest, his turn of foot makes him a genuine threat once again. LA DEFENSE (5) was outstanding first-up at Flemington, returning from a 462-day spell with a powerful late surge to just miss. Had excuses last start in G3 company, never getting into the race. Freshened up with a five-week break and kept ticking over with a trial. Expect a sharp improvement. VINTAGE STAR (9) didn't show his best when resuming but will strip fitter for the outing. Has the talent.

RACE 7 - LOVELY LOOKIN' (10) followed up her dominant first-up win with a strong chasing effort into fourth last start in the G3 Proud Miss Stakes. Back in class and drawn to go forward, she'll give a bold sight and keep kicking. METRICAL (13) resumed in top order here three weeks ago when rattling home to score by a head. Has an good second-up record and gets in low at the weights with the claim. Deserves respect. DELIGHTFUL SHECKY (8) disappointed when resuming but has since been freshened with 56 days. Is right up to this on best and is a track and trip specialist. Don't underestimate. TAP 'N' RUN (6) comes across from Albury off a stylish win over the 1000m. Open to further improvement fourth-up and is worth some thought at longer odds.

RACE 8 - NOETZIE (10) resumes after a strong debut campaign and looks ready to pick up where he left off. Surrounded by winners from those first two outings and arrives off a dominant trial win. Expecting a bold return. CLARENCE (1) is a proven fresh performer, having launched his last prep with a sizzling win over this track and trip. Trialled quietly to tune up and maps for a soft run from the inside draw. Must be respected. QUANAH (4) has early speed to burn and looks suited resuming with the claim. His debut prep showed promise and, if he finds the front, he could be hard to catch. SOLAR BLAST (8) has charged through the line in both starts this prep. Will settle back but is ready to peak and will be strong late. UP THE DEN (5) was all heart fresh, leading throughout for a gritty win. Can give them something to chase again.

RACE 9 - STARTS NOW (5) impressed when surging late first-up on the Parks circuit and looks primed to go one better here. Strips fitter, draws well, and gets the services of Toeroek again. The rise to the mile looks ideal. Hard to beat. BURNING BRIGHT (15) is ultra-consistent this campaign and continues to race well without breaking through. Boasts a fitness edge and is in the mix. HEAD OF THE HERD (8) is another fit horse. Has improved the more he's raced this campaign and draws well for Nunes. Not without a shot. FLAMBARD (10) has place claims.