Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky race to kick off the card with many of these babies facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade JAGGERY (1) has hit the top-four at his past five starts and looks to be knocking on the door of a maiden victory. Is yet to miss a drum in three spins around this circuit and will be ready to peak now third-up from the spell. Rates the testing material. STEFFI ELECTRICA (9) has hit the frame in all three efforts to date including two over this sprint journey. Looms as the main danger. VAREJAO (7) has been thereabouts in all three outings this preparation and is drawn to get a gun run in transit from the inside marble. Top-three credentials. UNCLOTHED (13) is on debut but has shown ability at the trials and hails from an astute barn. Keep safe. UNFAITHFUL (14) is another at the races for the first time and any market support must be noted.
RACE 2 - MY MISCHKA (10) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up at the past couple of outings and strikes a very winnable contest here. Has placed two from three over this track and trip and only needs some luck slotting in from the wide draw to play a major role in the outcome. SKIEDA (2) resumes here but showed enough when last in work to warrant consideration in a race like this. Sure to be up to the mark from the Vandyke barn and can run a big race while fresh. WIMOWEH (7) is another first-up but tuned up for this with an easy trial and rates among the better hopes. The well-related FOR BETTER (6) (full to G1 winner Port Lockroy) will be ready to peak now third-up from the spell and is drawn favourably in gate one. In the mix. TOP LEVEL (5) best of the rest with the 2kg claim.
RACE 3 - GOLDEN CROSS (1) was heavily supported at the latest effort but just ran into one better on the Gold Coast. Dolan reunites in the saddle after the debut placing at this circuit and where there's smoke there's fire. Looks the one they all have to run down. MELTDOWN (6) wasn't disgraced in town when resuming and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Strong winning prospects. IHAVESEENTHELIGHT (5) resumes here but has revved up for this with a recent trial placing and must be respected from the Heathcote yard. Top-three candidate. WILL IT SNOW (12) placed over this seven-furlong journey last time out and will be rock-hard fit now. In the mix for some minor money. BERTUS (9) next in line from the inside alley.
RACE 4 - WINSTON SMURFHILL (2) has a handy record over this course and distance with three wins and two seconds from seven attempts and will be high on confidence following that last-start victory. Winning hoop Wheeler sticks in the stirrups and should be going very close again. CELESTIAL FURY (7) resumes here but has solid first-up figures with a win and two placings from six starts. Can run a big race while fresh. TONNEOFGRIT (5) is a three-time winner over this distance range and gets in light with the 2kg claim. Include in calculations. THE DROVER (3) has only missed a drum once in four starts over this track and trip and looks a must for the multiples. COIN TOSS (1) rounds out the selections.
RACE 5 - SAN JOSE BOY (3) is a consistent commodity who has hit the top-five in nine of ten career starts to date and rarely puts in a poor one. Gets the services of Thornton to navigate from the sticky alley and certainly has the ability to feature in the outcome. The penny has dropped for SUNNY DISPOSITION (4) who has won two of her past three starts and it's hard to knock mares in form. Looks to have plenty of upside. Former Singapore galloper JUNE (2) has just run into one better in both local outings and will be improved with those efforts now in the locker. Can trouble the judge again. TRUMP CARD (5) strips fitter second-up from the spell and may earn a cheque.
RACE 6 - GIN A TONIC (3) goes well for jockey Lloyd who has a win and a second from just two steers and has been racing consistently this time in work. Will be cherry-ripe fit for this and another strong showing would not surprise. POWER OF KATIE (5) has been a model of consistency in lesser grade and has earned her shot at this level now. Respect any market confidence. The well-related HEART AND SPIRIT (7) (full to G1 winner Jonker) disappointed last time out but go on the strong win over this track and trip two back. Worth another chance. THE SUN DANCE (9) is a last-start winner who shouldn't be slept on.
RACE 7 - MISS MERCY (11) may have suffered from the dreaded second-up syndrome last time out but go on the solid maiden win when resuming. Looks to have plenty of upside and a bounce back to form would not shock. CHALICE WELL (5) strips fitter third-up, draws low in gate two and gets 2kg weight relief with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. FREELAND (1) was thereabouts when having her first run for the new stable and will have derived some benefit from that hit-out. Top-three aspirations. NIGHTCAPPED (3) has a win and a second from two attempts over this course and distance and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Shapes as a leading contender.
RACE 8 - Open race to close out the card. Former Victorian ENCOURAGED (2) has hit the top-four in all four runs since joining the new stable including a win around this circuit. Reunites with winning rider Sutherland and again gets the benefit of his 2kg claim. Sure to be right there at the business end. SIR MAURICE (3) is one from one around this circuit and is another to get some weight relief. Genuine top-three contender. BOLD JULIUS (6) saves his best form for this six-furlong journey and shouldn't be underestimated. RYLOV (9) draws well and could be ready to break through off back-to-back placings.
