Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - A maiden with a long tail to kick off the day on a very wet track. You have to take her on trust but it could be the day for ROLL START (9), who lines up for her 15th start. She's four runs into her best racing campaign to date which has so far yielded two minor placings. She handles wet tracks and Justin Potter should be able to chart a course from midfield off the fence. PREFERRED ASSASSIN (8) hops over the border and lines up fresh. Her best runs have been over further but this isn't a hard race. UNWIND (11) gets to the mile third-up and can improve. Her form since coming to SA has been OK. Including NORMIE NO SHOW (3) and ELEVENTH HOUR (7) in wider plays.
RACE 2 - If SILVER SNOW (5) makes the trip over the border, he looks the horse to beat. If he replicates his form in stronger maidens in Victoria, he wins. He's drawn well and he gets the services of Todd Pannell, which is a luxury at this level. Forecasting natural improvement from SILKY SMOOTH (11) in her second racing campaign. Her recent trial on a heavy track was decent. Stablemates JUST A JEWEL (13) and MANDARIN (10) are both lightly raced and have more upside than most of their rivals. The latter was very good on debut then should've finished closer last time when had little luck late. Don't drop off her.
RACE 3 - Looks a great opportunity for the two-year-old TEMPT THE GODS (12) to break his maiden against the older horses. He wasn't beaten far first-up and he'll have taken natural improvement from the run. He's drawn well and maintained fitness with a trial between runs. He can give ATC Derby winner Levendi his first win as a sire. LOCH FYNE LADY (5) has been off the scene for almost 18 months but her recent trial indicated that she's going well enough to run a cheeky race first-up. PRANCE 'N' BOW (10) is an each-way chance on her best form, while CANYON WIND (2) showed decent improvement between runs last start. The stable is flying and he can be competitive here.
RACE 4 - SILENT EMMY (12) is a well-bred and lightly-raced mare that looks ready to win. She stepped straight from 1400m to 2200m last start and ran well. Back to 2000m here and, with the two runs under her belt, she's nearing her peak. She can win and go on with it as a stayer next season. MOANA'S FORTUNE (8) looks a gun wet tracker off the evidence of a dominant maiden win last time. She will handle the conditions and the rise in class. TYITA (14) will enjoy dropping back in grade after two runs in metropolitan grade races. KODIAK KING (2) is another lightly-raced middle-distance prospect and he steps to 2000m for the first time. He is capable.
RACE 5 - Trainer Garret Lynch holds a strong hand in this race, with both WHITCHETY GRUB (12) and BLUE SPECIAL (4) lining up as key chances. WHITCHETY GRUB (12) hasn't won in more than 1800m days but her last start at Balaklava hinted that the drought may be over soon. She's drawn wide but it might be the place to be on the heavy track. BLUE SPECIAL (4) is a newcomer to the stable and has ability. His recent form is average but this is a big class drop. Victorian visitor TORVECCHIO (11) is ready to improve into the money after a couple of runs back this campaign, while BY NINE (1) has done enough in recent trials to suggest he can run a cheeky race fresh.
RACE 6 - Tough race. PIWHANE (7) mixes her form but if she brings her best, she's one of the horses to beat. Forget she went around last start where she was too bad to be true. Her prior form is solid. She appreciates soft ground and the claim helps her chances. With the benefit of fitness and a good draw, ALASKAN STORM (3) should be able to settle closer and can improve sharply. He looks the main danger. NOT A SINGLE BID (13) doesn't win out of turn but his form reads OK and he does have a habit of running a cheeky race at a price. Leave him out at your peril. Including MOORAK MISS (11) and WINNING AURA (2) in wider plays.
RACE 7 - PINCHBECK (3) doesn't win out of turn but this looks a suitable race for him to add to his CV. He was average last start but his prior form was solid. He can settle handy with the claim and should be fighting out the finish. FOSTER STREET (8) is better than his recent form. He's right down in the weights now and looks an each-way bet again. IMMORTAL SPIRIT (9) had excuses last start and was a winner prior. Heavy track a query but he can hold his form. BLISSFUL BAY (1) and ITALIAN INFORMANT (2) both have upside, with the latter coming into this off a dominant win for the new stable. He can go on with it here.
RACE 8 - SHADOW HAWK (15) hasn't won for over 1100 days but finds a race that gives him a chance. He went around at triple figures in a much stronger city race last start and was only beaten by three lengths. He looks a great each-way bet on a wet track. BACK ME UP BENNY (4) is another dropping back in class. He was a dead heat winner two starts ago and the form out of that race has held up well since. SHARMA PRINCESS (10) is another that can return to winning form after tackling a tougher assignment last time. CHRISTMAS (5) and SACRED KENSHI (3) both loom as capable top-three chances on their best form.
RACE 9 - Good race to finish the day. SUZIDO (1) is flying this campaign and can win again. She's a deserved top weight but she gets in well after Brooke King's 2kg claim. COOL THE JETS (3) relished the heavy conditions when winning easily in Victoria last start. Jyi Lukey has really got him figured out, and with the likelihood of a heavy track again, he looks the main danger. NURYS (7) is proving to be a frustration but the day you leave her out is the day she wins. She's got a big finish when things go her way. NANKEEN (14) can run well back in trip, while EL PASO CITIE (11) ran a blinder at a huge price in a stronger race last time and is worth consideration again.
