Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ECLAIR VITALITY (3) failed to fire a shot last start in town however his win two back at Port Macquarie reads well for this. Has been freshened with 32 days in between and has had a tickover trial. Can bounce back in a big way. QUIK RHAPID (2) is backing up quickly after placing at Mt Gambier and is racing in consistent form. Maps to lead again. MISS KERMIE (1) was well below her best last time but did score stylishly at Bordertown the start prior. Finds a winnable race and is capable of turning things around sharply. REFRESHING (4) returns. Mixed her form in her first campaign for the rising barn of Bain & Taylor. Draws to get the gun run and is certainly one to consider. EXALTED KATE (7) also resumes and has run well fresh without winning. Have to include.
RACE 2 - HUBRISTIC (10) makes her stable debut off the break. Showed positive signs in two runs over the border, starting favourite before the break when third at Seymour. Draws to get every chance and has the right profile to fire fresh. Expecting a forward run. BARBADOS NINJA (9) makes her stable debut for John Macmillan after narrowly missing at Canberra on debut last campaign. Trialled well at Strathalbyn and looks ready to launch with a bold fresh run. IRLANDAIS (3) also return. Not sure what his best trip is, so expect him to improve off whatever he does. THE SECRET BLEND (7) next best.
RACE 3 - RHINESTONE RORY (3) finds the maiden win elusive but did make a strong return when narrowly missing first-up over the mile at Strathalbyn. Strips fitter now and gets a great chance to finally get off the mark. SAINT BOOM (11) was tracking along nicely before a below-par effort last time at Murray Bridge. Can bounce back in this slightly easier company and is worth another look. LANDMARK ALLEY (5) was a complete forgive last start when pulling up with excuses. Was an eye-catcher two back at Mornington, a similar effort has him in the finish. HENRY'S FAITH (6) next best.
RACE 4 - SIR RANDOLPH (6) was a commanding winner at Oakbank over this trip and looks poised to repeat the dose. Drawn sticky but will be hitting his straps third-up and loses little in the saddle with Murtagh taking over. Leading player. THERMODYNAMIC (4) showed early dash when resuming and stuck on fairly into the placings. Fitter now and maps to be right in the thick of it again. Genuine threat. ALCOSHARE (2) has progressed nicely this campaign and is cherry-ripe fitness wise. The form out of his dominant win two back at Warrnambool is red-hot. Expect him to be in this for a very long way. MAGNETIC PRINCE (1) was only fair fresh in testing conditions and should take good benefit from that run. Fitter now and capable of sharp improvement. CAPTAIN JOOLIAN (3) doesn't win out of turn but boasts peaks that measure up. Worth some thought.
RACE 5 - HARD LEAF (7) doesn't win out of turn but went within a whisker of saluting at Mt Gambier last time. Has another sticky draw to contest but looks a genuine winning hope in this company. BYWATERS ROAD (6) has been knocking on the door with back-to-back placings, the latest when sticking on bravely for second over this journey at Strathalbyn. No tougher this time and should land in a sweet spot just off the speed. AND SHE WAS (5) broke through with a narrow but gritty win at Echuca last time. Jokic sticks and can go on with it. MY MATE COBBER (4) is going better than his form reads. Drawn sticky but is capable of charging late. THE WOKE WAITER (8) was well below his best fresh but can put that quickly behind him with a good run here. Worth another chance stepping out to the mile.
RACE 6 - FLYING ASSASSIN (2) has been mixing his form this campaign but his peaks stack right up. Cherry-rip fitness now and gets some weight off. Bold showing anticipated. LITTLE OUTLAW (4) missed by a nose at Strathalbyn two starts ago before stepping up in style to win dominantly at Mt Gambier last start. Has found form now and can keep the ball rolling. ANPHINA (10) strikes a much more suitable assignment this time. Will drift back from the draw but will appreciate the anticipated tempo and can cause a scare late. FIORENTE SPRITZ (11) doesn't win out of turn but was good two back in town when holding on to a midfield finish. Easier here and is in the mix. THEY CALL ME DUSTY (9) next best.
RACE 7 - BASE OF FIRE (2) is going better than his form reads and sets up well fourth-up. His best performances stack up strongly, expect him to be hitting his straps on the quick back-up. PINCHBECK (3) continues to race consistently, without winning. Is another on the quick turnaround and gets the benefit of an inside draw. Must be taken seriously. ROYAL TELEPHONE (7) has not won for quite some time but despite the drought, he boasts figures that stack right up to these. Worth some thought. CANIDAE (8) caught the eye last start at Balaklava, unleashing late to claim third. Will drift back again from the draw and be saved for the final shot at them. BLISSFUL BAY (1) next.
