Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - All but one on debut so betting holds the key. Newcomer NAMASTE (3) for the in-form Bjorn Baker yard won a recent Warwick Farm trial in good fashion. Well found in early markets and looks set to make an immediate impact. BARBAROSSA (1) is a Godolphin debutant by Too Darn Hot from the former top class filly Guelph who has produced the Group 2 winner Encryption. Well held by Namaste when they trialled together recently but there is probably a bit up the sleeve. DAMIEN (2) is a half-brother to stakes winner Insurrection on debut for Kris Lees. Trails have been inconclusive so let the market tell the story. KUJENGA (8) for Neasham/Archibald lines up for the first time. Not asked for a lot in her two trials. Always respect the youngsters coming out of this yard.

RACE 2 - EDMOND (8) has returned in much better shape this prep. Opened with a close fourth over 1400m at Warwick Farm then let down nicely but found one better at the end of a mile at Kembla last start. Up a little in grade but drops 4.5kgs with Roper's claim. Ready to break a win drought. TRAFALGAR SQUARE (14) steps up sharply in distance following a modest sixth over 1200m in a Randwick Midway four weeks ago. Best figure stands out in this field so with the feather weight she is a proper chance despite the uncertainty over this trip. MAGNATEAR (3) made it three minor placings from as many runs this prep when he led but was claimed close to home over 1400m at Randwick last time. At his best over the mile and should be cherry ripe at this stage of the campaign. IRISH BLISS (6) ran a nice race in BM64 here at this distance most recently. Genuine type with each-way claims. GENERAL SOHO (2) is next best but needs to find a length or two to trouble the top three chances.

RACE 3 - ANNOUNCING (7) raced up on the pace then battled away fairly to finish sixth in a 1200m Randwick Highway a fortnight ago. Beautifully in with the claim and coming back 100m doesn't hurt. Should give a good account at nice odds. DUKE OF BRONTE (1) started favourite but was found to be suffering from heat stress following a disappointing effort over 1000m at Randwick last start. Likely to find more comfortable conditions this time and from gate one is an excellent chance to turn things around. NIPOTINO (4) worked home well to get up for second when resuming over 1010m in the Moruya Town Plate recently. Has a decent second-up record and the extra trip helps so he is in the right race to make his presence felt. Promising three-year-old RITZSUN (9) tasted defeat for the first time when runner-up over 1000m here 11 days ago. That was the first outing in four months so he strips fitter and should run a big race. KREON (3) is in the mix first-up from a short spell.

RACE 4 - IOWNA MERC (1) went to a new level last start when he chimed in late to win the Listed Canterbury Sprint by a neck over 1200m. Races beyond six furlongs for the first time in his career but he gives every indication he will see it out. Victorian raider GRAND IMPACT (8) loomed up to win but just missed in a busy finish over 1400m at Pakenham last time out. Tackling a better field today but he plummets in the weights. Drawn to enjoy a soft run so it will be no surprise to see him in the finish. EXCELLADUS (6) backs up seven days after being easily accounted for by the in-form Accredited at the second run back in a BM88 over 1400m at Randwick. Not a noted second-up performer but has won 2/5 third-up so expect a bit more this time. Honest mare ELETTRICA (5) charged home late to grab third at this level over 1400m at Randwick last start. Hard to knock her recent efforts. GERIATRIX (4) strips fitter after a decent effort at headquarters last start when fresh from a six-week let-up.

RACE 5 - The speedy BONITA QUEEN (6) is back from a three-month spell. Started favourite at all four runs last prep for two wins, the peak performances coming in Warwick Farm midweekers over this trip. Huge trial winner recently and she looks ready to fly while fresh. POWER BALLARD (9) led and gave a great sight but was swamped late and finished a close fourth when resuming over this distance at Randwick last time out. Might take a sit today and will be hard to hold out. QUEEN OF THE MILE (4) has been right on the money at all three runs this campaign. Chimed in late but just missed in a thriller over 1200m at Randwick a fortnight ago. At her best over today's journey - watch for her in the final furlong. LLANDDWYN (7) has been safely held in her two runs this prep. Placed 2/2 at 1100m and should be ready to peak now. DOLLAR MAGIC (3) ran her usual honest race to finish fourth in the Listed Canterbury Sprint last start. In the placings 11/13 at this trip. A must for the exotics.

RACE 6 - POINT AND SHOOT (12) from the in-form Baker yard has been excellent this prep. Broke his maiden two back at Nowra then closed hard by missed narrowly last start over 1100m at Randwick. Perfectly placed over the extra furlong and will be tough to resist with the light weight. IMPOSANT (10) returned from a 19-week break with an eye-catching second over this distance at Randwick last time out. Progressive mare who holds the good form second-up. Placed 3/3 at the 1300m and should add to that tally here. HEADLEY GRANGE (3) overcame an awkward start to get up for second when fresh from a 23-week spell over today's trip at Randwick recently. Drawn to enjoy a soft run behind the pace and can easily finish right over the top. AUGUST BLOOM (7) has disappointed in her two runs this prep. Down a little in grade today so give her one more chance. INVADER ZIM (2) chased home subsequent winner Disneck when resuming over 1200m at Randwick a fortnight ago. Unbeaten second-up so keep him in mind.

RACE 7 - ZAPHOD (4) has returned in fine order. Narrowly missed first-up over 1800m at Rosehill then went to Brisbane and just prevailed in a Class 3 over 1820m at Eagle Farm. Up in grade but drops 3kgs and has plenty of improvement to come. BULLETS HIGH (6) added to a long run of narrow defeats when third behind the in-form Saltcoats in a similar race to this over 2000m at Randwick a fortnight ago. Only needs to hold that form to be a threat once again. INQUIRING MINDS (7) dug deep to score by the barest margin over the Randwick mile recently. Tackling a better race today but he drops sharply in the weights after the claim and should relish the extra trip. UNLIMITED (8) ran into some dead ends before seeing daylight and storming to victory last Saturday over 2000m at Randwick. Progressive type from the Waller yard who can go to the next level now.

RACE 8 - SPANGLER (9) settled at the tail of the big field and couldn't improve last start in the Group 2 Ingham over the Randwick mile. Placed last prep in the Gr 3 Cameron carrying the same weight as today. Fitter for two runs back from a spell and looks ideally placed to play a significant role. SUPER HELPFUL (14) failed in the Group 3 Festival then went to Nowra and won the Cup under 61.5kgs in a massive performance. Drops a whopping 9.5kgs which brings him right into contention. ST LAWRENCE (4) has been freshened up since failing as favourite in the Festival Stakes at Rosehill in November. Back-marker who has won 2/4 at this trip. Will be hard to hold out. HIGHLIGHTS (13) snapped back to form last start when beaten under a length by Ang Pow over 1400m at Randwick. Boasts an outstanding 1600m record so with 52kgs he is worth serious consideration. Greybeard JUNIPAL (6) just missed in the Seven Members Mile at Eagle Farm three weeks ago. Going well enough to figure in the finish.

RACE 9 - FLYING DESTINY (2) impressed first-up over 1100m at Rosehill then was close enough couldn't go on last start over 1300m at Randwick. Has a tremendous record at today's trip. Perfectly drawn and drops 2kgs on the last run so he is a great chance to turn things around. UNSTOPABULL (11) built on an eye-catching third when resuming at Canterbury with a dogged win in a BM72 over 1100m at Randwick a fortnight ago. Even better placed over this slightly longer trip so with added fitness he could easily make it back-to-back successes. Ciaron Maher brings SISTERHOOD (13) to NSW after a couple of fair runs to launch this prep in Victoria. Wasn't far behind the smart Samangu over this distance at Pakenham last time, her first defeat in four runs at 1200m. Leading contender down in the weights from a nice draw. ANAVINCI (12) returned from a two-year absence with a close fourth at Randwick last start. Open to plenty of improvement.

RACE 10 - Lightly raced four-year-old YORKSHIRE (4) returned from a four-month spell and was beaten in a thriller by subsequent winner Accredited over 1300m at Randwick three weeks ago. Expect he will work through the grades this campaign starting with a win here. RAVELLO (12) was 39 days between runs when a moderate eighth last time out over 1400m at Randwick. Awkwardly drawn but with added fitness he looks a threat over his pet distance. SILENTSAR (10) added to his fine recent record when third in heavy ground over 1250m at Canterbury last start. Should relish the six-week freshen up since that outing. Sound each-way hope. NOBLE CONQUEROR (11) won well first-up in a BM72 at Randwick. Up in class but can hold that form.