Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Competitive race to kick off the card. MADAM JEANETTE (10) looks a great each-way chance. She's been racing consistently this campaign and, after a solid run-in midweek grade last time, looks to have found a suitable Saturday assignment. A handy claim for an in-form Taylor Johnstone helps her cause. DE LUCA (8) also gets a claim for leading jockey Rochelle Milnes, who is fighting out the Premiership with Johnstone. Her best form would have her right in this. PLACO (1) caught the eye first-up for the new stable after a lengthy break and is open to plenty of fitness improvement. CALADAN (3) destroyed his rivals in maiden grade last start and, while this is harder, he can be in the finish again. RUSSIAN BOBSHARK (2) is another that is building towards a win.
RACE 2 - If connections choose to send him to SA, BLANCHLAND (2) looks hard to beat here. The gelding hit the line well when resuming over 1600m at a big price and will be suited by the rise to 2000m here. He's a winner second-up previously and with natural improvement and a top jockey on board, he will take some beating. TEST THE LAW (1) is a class horse and looks ready to find his best third-up. He should be able to get a perfect run from a decent draw and will be finishing powerfully on his home track. EXALTED FIRE (5) is on the quick back-up after a solid effort last week. He's a genuine racehorse that knows how to win. ANY LUCK (6) has been racing well on the country cups circuit and deserves her place here. YURI ROYALE (4) can be an improver second-up.
RACE 3 - Several progressive types lining up in this restricted 2YO race. Well-bred filly SYNTHESISE (13) defied market expectations when running fourth at G3 level during the Adelaide Autumn Carnival. She's trialled well since and should get a perfect run from a good draw on her home track. She can win this. MATAHGA (6) flashed late and just missed over 1100m on debut. The extra 100m suits and he looks a colt with plenty of upside. SI SENORA (8) made a winning debut and there's every reason to think he can go on with it. His stablemate MOSTLY FOR SHOW (7) can run well, as can GROUND CONTROL (2) who was a dominant winner in Victoria on debut.
RACE 4 - It might be a restricted race but this is the highlight on the card and full of emerging 3YO types. OUT OF SQUARE (5) is flying, having won four of her last five starts. She beat several of her key rivals over this track and distance last start and will take some beating again. ENUFF SEDUCTION (3) is backing up after running well on a heavy track last week. His best form in Stakes races over the autumn is good enough to win this. COLMAR (1) was disappointing last start but he's a quality galloper on his day and can bounce back. Other key chances for multiples include BOUNCING BEYOND (2) and TRIPOD TERROR (11).
RACE 5 - SIR NOW (2) has been a revelation for connections with three wins from five starts this campaign. He will make his own luck somewhere near the speed and looks the type that can lift the bar again. He's the one to beat. WINNING REVOLUTION (8) looks ready to recapture his best form after a luckless run at Morphettville last start. He will concede a start but he has a brilliant finish. The track should suit horses running on. It's impossible to knock DEEPFLOAT DIVA (7), who doesn't ever run badly and brings winning form to this. MAGIC MAX (5) and VINTAGE STAR (9) can add some value to the exotics.
RACE 6 - RUBINI (12) looks a great winning chance off his recent form, which includes a win at Morphettville Parks two starts back and a 1.5 length defeat last start. He gets into this with a winnable 54kg after the claim. ZARKANA (8) looks the main danger. She steps to 1600m which looks suitable at this stage of her campaign. A recent trial between runs indicated that she's ready to show something. MAXILDO (10) maps to get the right run and can finish in the money. The best of BURNING BRIGHT (11) will figure in a race like this, while THE LAST DANCE (5) shapes as an interesting runner if he backs up after running well at Mt Gambier on Wednesday.
RACE 7 - Tough race. STRATUM PRIDE (9) has been winless for almost two years but finds a suitable race to break the drought. She finished off well at the end of 1400m last start. The step to 1600m, the good draw and the handy 2kg claim are all in her favour. SAN LUCIDO (6) showed he's back to something like his best with a narrow defeat at Morphettville last start. He looks a danger. PETA'S HEART (13) brings some x-factor. She's a lightly-raced mare that bolted in to win her maiden last preparation. Her first-up run was full of merit. Neither WINE BARRON (5) nor THE MANSMAN (3) are prolific winners but their best is good enough for a race like this so they warrant inclusion in exotics.
RACE 8 - Lindsay Park hold the key to the race with both LAA DE SHA (5) and VAIL MOUNTAIN (9) looking key chances if they travel to SA. LAA DE SHA (5) will get back from the wide draw but he has a lethal turn of foot which he can use to good effect on this track. He'll get his chance to finish over the top of them. VAIL MOUNTAIN (9) is versatile and his best form can win a race like this. SYNCHRO (10) is flying for Hickmott and Pannell and will be hard to beat again on the seven-day back-up. It's been a long time between wins for VALIDATED (4) but his recent form suggests he's getting closer to his best. DIRTY GRIN (2) can run well if he makes the trip.
RACE 9 - Is today the day for NURYS (7)? The David Huxtable-trained mare has been an enigma, often savaging the line but rarely winning. She will again concede a start but this looks a winnable race for her to crack it for another win. EXTRA HOT (3) surprised her rivals with a gritty city win last start and looks to have more upside than most of her rivals. She can go on with it here and looks the main danger. VALENTINA CHARM (16) is fitter after two runs back from a spell and looks ready to peak here. ALOHA BLUE (8) gets in well with the handy 3kg claim and can run well, while the Victorian visitor ZOOMED (14) is another to include in exotics.
RACE 10 - Tricky race to finish the program. DREAMS FULFILLED (8) is handy on his day and is going better than his form looks on paper. The Out Of Square form looks strong and he gets the 2kg claim for Taylor Johnstone, who is fighting out the Premiership. PRANCETHRULIFE (14) beat him home last start when also chasing Out Of Square. Must overcome a tricky draw but can be in the finish. MILLIVOY (9) keeps racing well and looks suited here. SOLAR BLAST (4) is knocking on the door after two narrow defeats, while SAV ON ICE (15) has always carried a bit of a boom and gets his chance to live up to the hype in this race.
