Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - This looks a good opportunity for Dalasan's little brother CLASSY CLARET (6) to break his maiden. He's placed three of his eight career starts and has been ultra consistent this campaign. He gets back out in trip, has handled wet tracks and draws well so there are a few things in his favour. ALWAYS BOLD (1) could be a danger if he can replicate his run from Penola several starts back. His form is patchy though so he's hard to trust. DONAM (2) caught the eye here last time and is sure to be hitting the line strongly again, albeit he may be able to settle slightly closer up to 1700m. MISS NARRANGA (8) and PENDING HEART (4) are others to consider.
RACE 2 - Tricky race with almost the entire field first-up or on debut. Hard to go past FROM THE BLOCK (2), who was favourite for a Saturday metropolitan maiden before failing to gain a start as an emergency. He's been placed multiple times in Hong Kong and his recent trials suggest he's better than maiden grade. He will take some beating. The Stephen Theodore stablemates OLD MATE BLUEY (7) and CANYON WIND (4) must be respected. The stable is flying and both horses are open to improvement at their second runs for the stable. NOW EAST (6) was a late scratching on Saturday and gets another chance here. Happy to include the first starter ELITE THUNDER (5) in wider plays.
RACE 3 - This could be the race for HALLIWELL (1), who has always looked a handy mare. She was OK first-up but felt the pinch at the end of 1200m. Back 100m here should be in her favour, as will the likelihood of a rain-affected track. She gets her chance to break through. KORATORA (5) can run a big race fresh. She's trialed well and is drawn to get the run of the race. SILVER CHAOS (9) put the writing on the wall first-up and the form of the winner has held up since. JURA VAUDOIS (2) looks an interesting runner if connections opt to run her on the four-day back-up. She has ability on her day. Throw in PERILOUS LASS (11) for wider plays.
RACE 4 - JE CITY (1) is third-up for the new stable and, while his recent form doesn't jump off the page, this looks a much more suitable race for him to return to his best. He steps up another 100m, draws well and gets a useful claim. He is among the best winning chances. STOKOMO (3) placed in a stronger metropolitan race last start and looks well placed here. That was on a soft track and he's likely to strike similar conditions here. Drawn well and Holder sticks. There's been merit in both runs from PLACO (2) this preparation after a long time off the scene. He's ready to do something third-up to this distance. Including ZIPPITY DOODAH (5) and LISELLE'S LUCK (9) in wider plays.
RACE 5 - IMMORTAL SHIELD (4) finds the right race to get off the mark immediately in SA. His recent form is only fair but his best Victorian performances from last year would stack up in this. He's drawn wide but that might not be the worst thing on this track. LITTLEBOURKESTREET (5) is another relative newcomer to the state. There was a lot to like about his first-up run in a stronger race and he's open to natural improvement second-up. Looks a danger. SHADOW EAGLE (1) gets in well after the 4kg claim and can run a cheeky race fresh. WALLY WEST (3) and SIR LEAPALOT (6) both have lengthy winning droughts but can sneak into the minor money in this line-up.
RACE 6 - COVERT WITNESS (7) deserves another win and may have found the right race to give trainer Hannah Bryce her first victory. She drops in grade after racing well in stronger metropolitan races at her last two starts. She's drawn to get the right run and produced her best here at Gawler. There is plenty in her favour. MY MATE COBBER (11) and SAINT MICHAEL (3) are mixing their form at the moment but for both of them, their best is good enough to fill the minor money in this. ROBERT THE PUSS (12) is enjoying racing on wet tracks. If he can sneak a run as an emergency, he will give some cheek with a light weight. Including DRAGONFACE (6) in the quaddie.
RACE 7 - THE PLASTICS (7) was brilliant on a rain-affected track first-up, then didn't measure up in a stronger city race last start. She looks well placed back in grade. The claim helps and she's drawn away from the fence which should be an advantage by this stage of the day. She can win again. LAKEHURST (12) doesn't win out of turn but he was solid two starts ago. He's worth another go after a last-start failure. SOLAR MIST (5) put the writing on the wall first-up and can go on with it here. I LOVERAIN (6) has upside and is worth including, while SUTADAMU (11) is getting closer to another victory and must be included in wider plays.
RACE 8 - Decent race. TRANTORO (9) bolted in to win a similar contest last start and, with the likelihood of the same conditions, there's no reason she can't repeat the dose. Todd Pannell goes on and she looks the clear top seed. GILMORE (7) is ready to win after two pleasing runs this preparation, including a narrow defeat on a heavy track in town last start. She'll run a big race. IMPENDING DIAMOND (10) loves it wet and gets back to the scene of her dominant win earlier in the campaign. He doesn't win out of turn but KUSHAN KHANIVALE (2) must be included, as should the improving ECLAIR VITALITY (1), who gets a useful claim.
RACE 9 - NICISH (8) can end the day back in the winner's stall. She was dynamic from the front two starts back then stuck on OK when overhauled in a stronger race last start. Happy to forgive that and trust her best form. Lachie Neindorf going back on is a positive. VALENTINA CHARM (10) was never in the race after getting well back last time. Her best form from the spring looks the best in this race. Must include her. SHUTTLE RUN (4) is open to sharp improvement off a lacklustre return. DYLAN'S LAD (5) is consistent and shapes as a top-three chance, while REFRESHING (1) is a previous second-up winner that must be respected in a race like this.
