Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The pick of the first starters is clearly SHAGGY (3) who easily won his only trial to date at Newcastle on 30 December. Comes from a nice family including the dual stakes-placed Panzdown. Ready to make a positive entry to racing. North Pacific filly NORTHERN GLOW (6) debuts. Well held in her only public trial. All five of her siblings to race are winners so she should have plenty of talent. SMOKEY SAINT (4) and ALL TOO SILENT (1) are other first starters whose trial form suggests they need more time.
RACE 2 - EL BEATLE (1) returns from a 15-week spell. Met with solid support right through the last campaign but failed to deliver, although he went within a whisker over this distance at Kempsey one day. Looks the one to beat despite the lay-off. SWEET MARLENE (10) went under by a neck when resuming over this course and distance two starts ago. Showed pace from a wide gate but folded at the end of 1200m at Port Macquarie more recently. Well placed back in this scenario and a decent gate helps. The speedy ENUFF PILLS (6) has had plenty of chances. Best recent effort was a third over today's journey at the Sunshine Coast two runs back where she led for home. Should give backers a sight. WATERPARK CREEK (3) never looked a chance when resuming in a much tougher maiden over 1100m at Wyong 12 days ago. Better placed this time and should improve. MUM KNOWS (8) last appeared when third over this distance at Kempsey on 30 July, the only run of that campaign. In the mix.
RACE 3 - KID BILLY (4) has found the line well in his two runs this prep without looking the winner on either occasion, most recently finishing fourth over 1405m at this track. Strips fitter and coming back a shade in trip is a good thing. The one to beat from an ideal gate. ACIREALE JAYNE (7) opened this campaign with a couple of close seconds over five furlongs then struggled on a bog at Port Macquarie nine days ago. Gets in nicely after the claim and she poses a big threat if the track isn't in the heavy range. LIL' BIT VAIG (11) was held up for a run at a vital stage before hitting the line well to grab fourth at her latest outing over 1205m at this circuit. Cherry ripe after a couple of runs back and she will be tough to hold out over the extra 100m. SHEZ LETHAL (12) led for home but knocked up when resuming over 1205m here last start. Draws a lot closer this time and should offer more resistance.
RACE 4 - PURPLE ESPRIT (4) easily won a BM58 over 1100m at Armidale two runs back. Tackled a tougher race at Inverell last start where he showed pace to the corner then tired. Wide draw a small concern but back in her right grade she looks tough to beat. PENNIES DESTINY (12) waited twenty-four runs to break her maiden two back at Grafton then pulled up in a bad way after finishing third at Armidale last time. Given an eight-week reset by local trainer Grady Spokes. Should sprint well while fresh. GOLDEN COPPER (3) led all the way to smash her Class 1 rivals by six lengths over 1415m here two runs back. Had every chance when unplaced last time at Murwillumbah but can bounce back. ELECTRIC EVIE (6) has gone close at her last couple. Rock hard fit after four runs back and looks a nice chance from the good alley.
RACE 5 - LEASE (6) led for the judge but was swamped near home and finished a length away in fourth last time out in a Class 2 over this trip at Canberra. Finds an easier race today so from the good draw he should be able to figure in the finish. BONDI PROPHET (9) won his maiden two back at Muswellbrook then overcame a slow start to be beaten under a length over this distance at Taree most recently. Progressive three-year-old who is going well enough to test this field. BARCELONA EXPRESS (2) has raced here twice and won both times, the latest two runs back over today's journey in a BM58. Big chance although a wide gate is not ideal. KEY LEGEND (8) led all the way to win a Class 1 here at this trip 13 days ago. Should give a good account again.
RACE 6 - VOLCANIC LOVE (14) was backed as though unbeatable last start and duly landed the prize over 1110m at Lismore. That run followed an eight-week let-up so he should tighten up further. Drops 4kgs today and won't mind the extra trip so another big run is on the cards. TREAD SOFTLY (12) returned from an eleven-month spell with an encouraging third last time out over 1110m at Lismore. The second-up form is far from impressive which is the niggle, but she is at her best over six furlongs so give her the benefit of the doubt. LORDSTER (9) made it four top-three finishes in a row when a closing third over 1350m at Doomben five weeks ago. Freshened up and looks nicely placed to play a big role. SHIHAB (10) disappointed at Port Macquarie last time but is worth another chance.
RACE 7 - KING CORNELIUS (1) has won two on the trot, both in BM58 races over the mile at this circuit. Bolted in two back then shouldered 60.5kgs last time and had to dig deep. Has a big task from a wide alley under an even bigger weight today but he is difficult to overlook. MELLENCAMP (3) appreciated the return to country racing when a narrow winner over 1500m at Muswellbrook recently. Getting up in the weights but sure to be thereabouts again. RAPID OUTLAW (2) improved sharply last time at Inverell when second-up. Down in grade and strips fitter, worth including. TOOTSIE (9) warmed to her task nicely over the concluding stages when resuming here 13-days ago. Is sure to have come on with that run her belt and gets a key booking in Bullock. Cam give this a big shake.
