Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - VERVAIN (2) led and improved sharply, narrowly beaten two weeks ago. Strips fitter and he can go one better. POETANDIKNOWIT (3) was only beaten 1.8L on debut. Will have come on and will be hitting the line. PURPLE CIRCLE (5) won an Ascot trial and then led at Belmont on debut, fading late. He will have taken fitness and learning, and draws inside. Can't be ruled out in this company. WITCHY WOODS (1) is good enough but has been plain his last two. Maps better today and has a key gear switch. An improved effort is on the cards. SUNSET BAR (6) is in good hands and has been a while coming to the races. Draws well, and the betting will be key.
RACE 2 - SWEET EYES (8) got too far back last time, but had been going well prior. Draws inside today, and the blinkers go on for the first time. Better suited back to this trip. KING OF FRANCE (1) led and disappointed in the same contest. He was beaten 1L from the front prior, and has the rail and 3kg claim. He can bounce. GINGER FIZZ (5) steps up in trip off a much improved effort. Fitter and the 4kg claim brings him into it. COCOON GIRL (7) would be a chance at best and was better at big odds last time. The gate is against.
RACE 3 - I NEVER DREAMED (1) deserves his win stepping up to the mile this grade. Peaks and looks well placed to repeat the dose. BANG FOR BUCK (2) has been knocking on the door in the same company. Has Fiore aboard for the apprentice and also has claims. PRAY WITH YOU (5) hasn't won for a long time but missed a whisker last time behind the top selection. Peaks but the inside gate is against. KEEP A KNOCKIN' (3) went well enough her two back to suggest he'll be around the mark with average luck.
RACE 4 - Competitive and the Fernie barn holds the aces. The speedy TREASURED QUEEN (8) raced well in town last preparation and he led and just missed here first up, heavily bet at a short quote. Proven second up, and she sits at the bottom of the weights. Stablemate ZING TO WIN (3) improved into a place here, running his best race. He will go close on that effort. PLAYTHATFUNKYMUSIC (1) is in the same barn and has been knocking on the door. The 4kg claim brings him into it. BAALBEK (5) is the other Fernie runner, and he's also going well enough to be a chance. SIMPLE LOGIC (7) has an inside barrier and 2kg claim and is in the mix.
RACE 5 - Fernie-trained KARNUP QUEEN (1) seeks the hat trick off comfortable heavily bet wins. Keeps improving and he clearly rates to keep the ball rolling. AMERICAN THIGHS (6) from the same yard and has been racing well without winning. Has the rail and 2kg claim and is a quinella hope. Ditto stablemate TWIST OF GOLD (7), who is an improver from the same stable. Draws wide but the 4kg claim is handy and she will be around the mark. MARGOT'S BULLSEYE (9) was beaten 1.3L behind the top selection, quickly back on track. She's in the mix. PENNED (4) will be better for the first-up outing but may be the best of the rest.
RACE 6 - WINEACLOCKSUMWHERE (6) went well at Belmont and then missed a whisker here. He's switched from a metro barn to Peter Fernie on a 14-day return and will get every chance from an inside gate., SECRET ATTIRE (5) represents the same yard and is a danger. She went close at Belmont last time and will be fitter for that. This suits and she maps for a soft run. IMAPAGETHREE GIRL (3) ran a strong number beaten 1L at Northam first-up. The former Victorian is improved and gets in well with the 3kg claim. PEARLY NUGGETT (1) needs a good ride but she keeps improving and she can get into the finish again. BLUE CAN TALK (2) will be around the mark.
RACE 7 - PULL THE TRIGGER (6) came off Ascot contests in stronger and missed a whisker here over 1400m It was a big effort from the back and the step up to the mile suits. He's switched to the right yard and can go one better. SANTA BRAE (4) has gone close both starts back and he has more to give. Keeps the 2kg claim, and he will hit the line late. FEUDING (3) was heavily bet beaten 2.3L in the same contest. He went close in a 64 prior and is a hope. DREAMTIME JEAN (5) switched to Fernie second-up and needed the run. He has more to give and has won 2/3 third up. STRIKE NOW (2) has a handy 3kg claim and will find this easier than Ascot. Keep on side briefly freshened.
