Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SUIT DAY (5) made it three minor placings in succession when he battled on evenly to finish third in a BM74 over 2200m at Scone last start. Dour type who is down in grade today and should prove very hard to hold out. Five-start maiden BLEND OF THREE (6) has struggled at his last couple, most recently in a 1550m Canterbury maiden. Gets beyond a mile for the first time which might be the key. ALWAYS SPLIT TENS (1) disappointed at Quirindi last time out when tackling a middle-distance trip for the first time. Can improve on that effort. I AM DUTCH (11) is another getting beyond a mile for the first time. Might be worth including in exotics.
RACE 2 - APPARENTLY (4) returned from an eight-month spell for new trainer Melissa Dennett last start and did a good job to finish runner-up over this course and distance. Will take a lot from that run and looks the one to beat from an ideal draw. LIVE TO RISE (5) is the danger after a decent debut at big odds over today's journey at Gunnedah a month ago. Moved up before the turn then kept giving that day in an encouraging performance. Draws a bit better this time and looks sure to be competitive. STROMNESS (3) is back from a three-month lay-off and is in a new yard. Raced twice last prep and didn't come up. Ran a couple of decent races in the maiden campaign and is a chance if she finds that form. BONNIE DUBAI (6) resumes after a six-month absence. Never looked like winning in the three runs of her maiden prep. Likely improver this time around. Market watch on COOMA HUT (1) first-up from a 27-week break for a new stable.
RACE 3 - LEGRIS (7) had a 32-day freshen up before his moderate fourth over this distance at Bathurst a fortnight ago. Will benefit from that outing and in a race thin on quality he gets his chance to break through at start thirty. REAL HOUSEWIVES (11) missed the kick and was never a factor last time out over this course and distance. Freshened up and the blinkers come off. Worth another chance out of the inside alley. CASCADE MOUNTAIN (3) was well in commission but failed to fire first-up over 1200m at Warren. Showed flashes of ability last prep when trained by the Hayes boys. Can do a lot better. ALCHEMENA (4) tired late but wasn't beaten all that far recently over 1308m at Taree. Might be the big improver with blinkers applied for the first time. MISS MADIGAN (9) found the line okay last time and is probably looking for this trip now.
RACE 4 - SAVETHEBESTTILLAST (3) copped early interference then made late ground to finish fifth when returning from a 32-week spell last start over 1100m at Scone. That was his first run since switching to the Cody Morgan stable. Bullock goes on today and the extra 100m is ideal. Expect him to improve sharply on that run. Stablemate BRAVARO (9) caught the eye on debut at Quirindi recently, working home from midfield to finish second over today's trip. Draws a bit better today and with the run under the belt can easily go one better. The lightly raced DUBIOUS SIX (5) may improve off a six-week let-up. SAINTLY SANDS (11) is on debut and looks fair enough to be in the finish.
RACE 5 - COTTON SOX (7) has been kept fresh since resuming from a spell with a close second over this distance at Gunnedah on 7 December. Maps beautifully behind a hot tempo and looks the one to beat. STAFFA (8) led until the final bound in a similar race here two starts back. Subsequently failed over 1100m at Scone but back in this preferable scenario she is a major contender. GENERAL LAMARQUE (3) last raced when a narrow maiden winner over 900m at Albury last February when trained by the Hayes brothers. Now in the Wayne Brown stable. Market watch advised. POCKET PICKER (4) has good stats here and at this trip. Cherry ripe after two runs back and can certainly feature.
RACE 6 - DON'TCHA THINK (3) has raced twice this prep and produced a couple of reasonable performances in better races than this, the latest effort a 2.3 length fourth over 1150m at the Beaumont track. Saves his best for Tamworth and in this company looks the testing material. OFF THE PRESS (8) was most impressive first-up recently over 1100m at Quirindi, charging home from near the tail to win with a bit in hand. Lightly raced four-year-old with plenty of improvement in the locker. CRIMSON BONNET (9) returned from a 12-week spell last start and did a reasonable job to work home into third in a Class 3 over this course and distance. Favourably treated after the claim and from a good draw makes plenty of appeal. ACOTANGO (6) has been just behind the placegetters at his last two runs. Three-time winner at this circuit so work him into trifectas and first fours. AGNODICE (5) resumes. Usually needs a couple of runs but this looks a suitable race so she can figure without surprising.
RACE 7 - I'M SCARLETT (7) started favourite and shouldered 61.5kgs when beaten narrowly in a thriller over this distance at Dubbo last start. Up in class today but gets some nice weight relief. Drawn ideally so over her pet trip she will take plenty of stopping. ARLIEBEL (6) missed the kick and was never in contention last time out over 1200m at this track in a Class 3. Won't find this as difficult and she has won here at 1400m. Likely improver. MISS NICOLINI (9) was easily accounted for over 1200m at this circuit a fortnight ago when second-up from a spell. Boasts a 64% top-three strike rate at this distance. Gets the right conditions to return to form. THREETIMESALADY (1) worked home well to be beaten just over a length over 1258m in a BM66 at Taree recently. Has some good recent results at BM58 level so she is right in the picture. DEEBO (5) hasn't missed the placings in four runs this prep. Should be prominent again despite a sticky gate.
