Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - GOGMAGOG (1) resumed over 1000m at Wyong last start where he did a good job to hold on for third after travelling just behind the leading division. Won't find this as tough so he looks ideally placed to record a second career win. QUEEN OF A HAND (7) had her first run since switching from O'Shea/Charlton to Glen Milligan and immediately paid dividends by winning a maiden over 805m at Coffs Harbour. Progressive filly who should have no trouble transitioning to this tougher race. DE LUCA (3) had a 44-day break and transferred from Matthew Smith to Brett Cavanough before her modest seventh over 1000m at this track last start. Placed 2/2 at today's journey so with blinkers on for the first time she deserves another chance. DESIROUS (6) was too bad to be true at Orange last time. Best efforts measure up so worth another chance. DAYU (2) didn't do a bad job first-up at Port Macquarie and should run a decent race with the help of a good draw.

RACE 2 - XERXES (7) is the obvious choice following the withdrawal of odds-on favourite Dale. Made an impressive debut last time out, making up good ground to be beaten under a length over 1200m at Tamworth. Should relish the extra trip and the small field will suit. APACHE JACK (1) registered his fifth minor placing from thirteen starts when a close second over the mile at Gilgandra recently. Has performed well recently at or around today's journey. Sure to be thereabouts. AIRWALKER (8) went awfully last start at Tamworth after a real eye-catcher at Dubbo the run prior. In the mix if she brings her best form. SUNSET PANORAMA (10) found the line well over a shorter trip here last time and is capable of another top three finish. REWARD'S DAUGHTER (9) needs to improve to threaten the top couple but could fill a minor placing without surprising in a thin field.

RACE 3 - Only a couple of these can be ruled out. PENSATIVA (7) won a strong maiden over 1300m at Gunnedah two back then battled on gamely for third in a BM64 over 1350m at the Beaumont track last start. Nicely placed today and with just 55.5kgs makes plenty of appeal. CORPSMAN (6) has been in work for a while but continues to race well. Settled handy then worked home evenly to just miss the placings last time out over 1400m at Inverell. The addition of blinkers for the first time might be the key so keep her firmly in mind. GUSTAV (1) recorded a long-awaited maiden win recently over 1200m at Port Macquarie when fresh from a 53-day let-up. Should improve off that run so he is right in contention again. A POUND OF SALT (4) has found one better at both runs this prep, most recently over 1305m at Coffs Harbour when coming off a 46-day let-up. Will enjoy the extra trip and strips fitter so he is a definite chance. EAGLEDGE (5) wasn't far away at Taree last time and is ready to peak fourth-up.

RACE 4 - HELL OF A LAD (7) is a promising three-year-old back for a second campaign. Last appeared when an easy winner over a similar trip to this at Scone in August. Should come back bigger and better so a solid return is anticipated. PHAROAHZANO (8) put in his first bad run for a while when he failed to get the mile at Tamworth last start. Returned a couple of good figures when winning and filling a placing at the two previous runs, both over 1400m. Can bounce back in this more suitable contest. ENSIGN PARKER (3) returns from a ten-week break. Didn't fire last prep but his best form measures up. Races well here and draws an ideal gate so a betting watch is advised. TAPA KICK (1) is back from a four-month spell. Opened last prep with a placing in a Class 2 at Dubbo. Sure to be ready to run well. TIME RULER (5) kicked off the campaign with a sound effort over 1000m here recently. Loves this track and should be competitive again.

RACE 5 - STRAAND CARE (2) started favourite on debut last start but did a bit wrong and just missed the placings over 900m at Newcastle. Won't find this as tough so with that experience on board he should give a good account. PELETTE (5) has been in the money at all three runs this prep, the latest offering a desperately close second over 1280m here when she led until the shadow of the post. Might have to do a bit of work from the wide gate but back to this trip she looks sure to be highly competitive. SIR TOM (4) returns from a six-week freshen up. Made it a remarkable sixteen minor placings from twenty-four starts when beaten a nose over this trip at Taree last time. In the money at all eight runs over today's journey so do not leave him out of the trifectas. The lightly raced mare STARSARISE (7) is back after a 164-day spell. Showed ability in her only two runs to date and may go to a new level here with the blinkers on for the first time. First starter ANOTHER PEACH (11) best of the rest.

RACE 6 - This race falls right away with four leading chances coming out. WITHSTAND (4) missed the kick before stoking up late to finish fourth last start over this course and distance. Very fit after three runs back from a spell and if he sorts out the barrier manners a maiden win looks on the cards. SHOWRUNNER (1) on debut for Messara/Gavranich is one to monitor in betting closer to post time following a nice trial win at Newcastle on 30 December. Has met with solid support in early markets which is hardly surprising. FEJER DAWN (9) was poorly away but mustered late to finish fourth when resuming from a spell over 1100m at Wyong last time out. Meets a weaker maiden field this time so over a bit more ground she comes right into calculations. STAR VENTURE (12) has been safely held in three runs this time in work but can turn things around with blinkers applied. SPEED OF GOLD (2) did nothing on debut at Canterbury recently but can improve in this inferior race.

RACE 7 - Speedy mare YUKAN ROSE (6) won her first two starts this prep on rain-affected ground then led for home but was claimed late and finished third last time out in a similar race to this at Tamworth. Will make her own luck in front and is going to be tough to catch, especially in these conditions. OUTBACK RINGER (8) is back from a 22-week spell. Opened last prep with a comfortable win over 900m at Scone. Talented sprinter who has drawn well and is at his best over today's journey. STANDING BEAR (9) caught the eye at his latest run, coming from next to last on the bend to be beaten a neck in the Gilgandra Town Plate over 1100m. Veteran sprinter who is sure to be competitive back in a Benchmark race. VERY SHARP (5) failed to fire last start when fresh from a two-month break. No surprise to see sharp improvement with that run under her belt. FEIRME PRINCE (7) stormed home to win 52 days ago over 1300m at Orange. This looks a bit short, but he could run on into a minor placing while fresh.