Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - FIORENTE DE LEGEND (6) brings two 1L defeats here and will hit the race at peak fitness. The top hoop is reunited, and ha won twice on the mare. She gets in well at the weights and can go one better. JUST A NEEDS (3) peaks, and she also rates well. Just missed this grade last time and never runs a bad one. Has decent claims. LI'L HAIL MARY (4) also finished close up in that contest and maps well. She's finding it hard to win, all the same. GLOBAL AWARENESS (7) was plain in the same race, but had been around the mark prior. Maps well and isn't out of it. SANDUAL (1) tries hard but needs to lift.
RACE 2 - Tricky. BELLA CHINKARA (7) resumes and wasn't beaten far in Listed grade two back. Owns a trial win here, and this is winnable with average luck from the awkward gate. ACCUSAIENT (4) debuts, and she won a trial on the same day. She also draws out, but a bold run is likely. ARCTIC ATTRACTION (5) placed on the synthetic first-up and is improved. Has to bring the form to the turf, but she has upside. Ditto REDAIR (13), who led that contest and faded late. Has a key jockey switch to Darmanin, replacing the apprentice. MISS LYRA (11) debuts and owns a big trial win. She's ready to go, but the awkward barrier needs managing. DAYTONA DIVA (9) looks to have ability, but the gate is against.
RACE 3 - ROYAL SCENE (11) was ridden back and was only beaten 1.5L here first up. She's switched yards and has plenty in the tank. Keeps the handy 3kg claim and will go close with average luck in the run. GENUINE LADY (10) brings a tidy effort from the synthetic. Fitter again and Bingley rides and will skip her over from the wide hate. An improver with claims. TASSIE POWER (6) debuted here and needed the run. Draws the inside gate again and has the blinkers on for the first time. A much sharper effort is likely. OUTBUSH (15) keeps the top hoop, and measure his chances of the run here two back. In the mix.
RACE 4 - SKELMORLIE (9) switched from a Victorian yard and has been busting to win on the synthetic. Her best turf figures are superior, and Darmanin is reunited. She looks ready to win. ZURICH (4) just missed here from the back and will be better for it. The longer sprint suits, and she will hit the line hard. ELLA MAY (6) resumes and has trialled well. She showed plenty her last preparation and will be naturally improved. She should get every chance. MAY WE ALL (3) will be better suited back in distance, and he missed 1L here three back. In the mix. MISS DELPHI (7) is an improver with a handy 2kg claim, and she can use an inside barrier. Keep onside.
RACE 5 - FIRST LINE (5) is a leader who has threatened here her last two. She will skip across and just has to run out the longer sprint. SKIN IN THE GAME (1) was an easy Maiden winner this track/trip. Fitter again, and he will race forward. Keeps the top hoop, and the improver is feared. OBVIOUSLY GOOD (11) is an improver, and she jumps from the inside gate. Raced a short price favourite here last time and has trialled well since. ALISENT (4) switched from a Victorian yard and led and won a Maiden here first-up. Did a good job, and she has plenty in the tank. THIN RED LINE (3) didn't do much here last time, but she missed a whisker prior on the synthetic. The 2kg claimer will push forward from a wide gate and coming back to a sprint suits. In the mix.
RACE 6 - ALPINE THUNDER (1) is a leader who won a CL5 before the spell, but looked a run short on resumption. She will skip across and stripping fitter rates tough to beat. LA VIRAGO (9) was ridden back here last time, and she responded by delivering a 62 win. Likely to try similar tactics today despite the inside barrier, and she has a chance with average luck. ARAYA SUNSHINE (2) was just beaten by the above and always puts in. She'd be a hope finding her best. NAVAL ANTHEM (5) is third-up with more to give. He can position more forward today and placed her only third-up run. SKY LAND (11) would be in the finish at best, and will be better for her first-up effort on the synthetic. Has weight relief, and that brings her into it.
RACE 7 - HAPPY CLAN (2) stepped up from a mile to a staying trip and proved too good in Open grade. Maps well, and the 2kg claim offsets some of the steep weight rise. Come back in trip, but he's versatile enough to manage. GOLDEN PROPHET (1) won here this trip in a 68 and then came back and was beaten 1.5L in a 74. Draws awkwardly, but the 2kg claim is handy and he's a decent chance to bounce. GODDESS OF ROCK (7) just missed in the same contest and also has winning claims. Maps for a soft run, and always puts in. AL MAXIMUS (4) brings strong form from the synthetic. He should enjoy a soft run, but coming back to the turf is a slight niggle. PENNINE (3) is likely to show more, third-up.
RACE 8 - LYCO RECO (6) resumed and won his only stat this course/trip. He will race over further, but she's trialled well and Darmanin's booking suggests she's pleasing. She's won fresh and on song, will be tough to roll. RAGING WATERS (7) comes back in distance but peaks for this, and he's still shy of his peaks. Likely to race well. STHONATUS (3) has had two runs this preparation and has trialled well since last seen. He has plenty in the tank, and stepping up to a mile suits. SURPRISE SECRET (11) is still a Maiden but just missed at this distance last time and can build on that. SHAMUS EAGLE (2) comes back to the mile off an improved effort. Maps well and shouldn't be far away.
RACE 9 - RIGOLETTO (3) deserved the CL6 win and then just missed a place after being cruelled by a wide barrier. Draws inside today and will position forward. Keep the handy claim and can win coming back from a mile, briefly freshened. VERBANO (5) went close in a 70 at Warrnambool first-up and has been freshened. That reads well, and the 2kg claim is handy. Strips fitter and should be right in it. FLYING BILLIE (4) was quickly back in the winner's circle, winning a CL4 comfortably. Maps for the run of the race, and Pires takes over from a 3kg apprentice. A chance to go on. NICCO THE GREEK (1) has more to offer third up and back on turf. He's up to this at best, and the 2kg claim helps. ROWING POWER (7) resumes and is worth a betting watch.
