Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - BOLD BIDDER (2) on debut for the in-form Bjorn Baker stable makes plenty of appeal. By Fastnet Rock from Pretty Fast who won a Listed race as a three-year-old. A two-length trial win at Warwick Farm on 3 January suggests he is pretty smart and ready to run well. Recent Rosehill trial winner DARE TO FLY (7) is one to monitor in betting. By Trapeze Artist and hails from the highly regarded Ryan/Alexiou yard. ROYAL COMMODORE (4) showed plenty of natural speed on debut over this trip at Port Macquarie recently. Meets some better types this time but should give backers a sight. BLANC DE NOIR (6) has raced handy and battled on well for a minor prize at all three starts to date. The blinkers going on for the first time might be significant. STRAANDSTORM (8) is a first starter for Gary Portelli worth monitoring for betting support.

RACE 2 - OUR LITTLE STAR (7) filled a minor placing for the seventh time in her ten-start career when an eye-catching third over 1200m at Warwick Farm last Wednesday. Very fit mare whose figures suggest she has the rivals with exposed form covered. Perfectly drawn and deserves a breakthrough. PRINCE HARRISON (4) comes to town for the first time after a couple of minor placings to launch his career at the provincials. Can race forward or take a sit so Schiller has options from a middle gate. Can improve further and give this a shake. Four-year-old KOIOS (2) returns from a four-month spell. Raced just twice in the maiden prep and showed ability. Recent Newcastle trial winner who looks set for a bright return. RACH (10) showed pace to the corner but couldn't finish off on debut over 1200m at Canterbury recently. Should take a lot from that run and can improve sharply. ISHIKARI (9) gets a pass mark for her debut at Kembla. The addition of blinkers today makes her an interesting runner.

RACE 3 - Not a bad maiden. BLUE VEIN (2) is a promising type who looks ready to win. Firmed from 3.0 to 2.5 when resuming last start over 1400m on the course proper but gave away a big start before thundering home. Can race closer from a better gate today and he looks the testing material. COLD BREW (4) wound up impressively over the concluding stages at Canterbury last time to make it two runner-up cheques from as many starts. Should race handy from gate one and is capable of taking this out. DELRICO (5) led and held out Blue Vein for second when they clashed recently. Probably has less scope for improvement than that rival but he will race handy and give backers a sight. OMNIC (6) is testing the patience but the addition of blinkers for the first time gives him another chance. JAYASHREE (11) disappointed as favourite first-up at Canterbury but can do a lot better.

RACE 4 - Nick Olive brings his talented mare TOES IN THE WATER (1) to town after some decent efforts of late. Led the Moruya Cup field for home last start after doing a lot of early work and eventually succumbed to finish third. Should lead this modest field today from the inside draw and will be tough to run down. ENDURE (4) faced the starter for only the second time last start and got the job done in good fashion over 1400m on the course proper. The two that finished behind her go around in Race 3 today so keep an eye on them. Should be up to this class. WILD GYPSY (3) has been disappointing as favourite at her last two runs. Looked a difficult ride for the 3kg claimer last start so a senior jock going on today qualifies her for one more chance. Last start Kembla maiden winner RYBAKINA (7) steps out beyond 1400m for the first time but it looks a good move given the manner of her final furlong last time. SHE'S GOT VEUVE (6) is back in trip but always gives her all - one for the exotics.

RACE 5 - ALTERCATION (10) wasn't the best away but really warmed to the task late when runner-up over 1000m on the course proper last start. That was her first run for eighty days so she will strip fitter. Nicely placed over the extra 100m so at decent odds she makes plenty of appeal. Early favourite MANAAJEM (11) created a big impression on debut at Wyong, quickening in great style to put a gap on her rivals over this trip. Has a far stiffer task ahead today but she will take a lot from that experience. ART'S ALIVE (7) raced wide through the early and middle stages so her failure in the same race as Altercation last start is worth overlooking. Good winner of a Class 1 first-up at Kembla. Each-way chance at double-figure odds. Progressive filly ALLIRI (12) led in a new role last start and easily put away a maiden field at the Beaumont track. Back in trip but should be competitive. SPLIT DECISION (3) is one for the exotics coming off a 39-day let-up.

RACE 6 - FORTUNE (1) was hard to miss last start over the Randwick mile where he copped a check on top of the rise then recovered to fly home and just miss. Down a little in class today and will be cherry-ripe at the third run back from a spell. The danger is FRANKLY ELEGANT (6) who has been solid in her two appearances this prep. Led but couldn't hold out subsequent Saturday grade winner Perfumist last time out over 1550m at Canterbury. Goes extra well for Hyeronimus who reunites. Likely to lead and give them something to catch. LIKE LUKEY (11) found 2000m beyond her last time out after a hat trick of wins in the 1600-1800m range. Bomb-proof mare when conditions are right - deserves her chance in town. ALTAIR I AM (12) came with a well-timed run to score a long-awaited maiden win last start on the course proper. Has a tougher task this time but cannot be underestimated. BARAZIN (5) bolted in at Kembla recently and is proven in town so keep him in mind.

RACE 7 - HUESCA (1) improved out of sight last start when second-up from a spell, leading from the outset then digging deep under pressure only to be edged out at the end of 1400m at Warwick Farm. Finds a similar race today so expect him to bowl along again and prove tough to reel in. SCORCH (6) raced handy but couldn't quicken last time out over 1250m at Canterbury. Given a 33-day freshen-up and drops a little in grade. Won here at his only visit so a much better run looks likely. DUMEBI (8) showed a nice change of gears to score by a good margin over 1350m at the Beaumont track recently. Keeps improving and looks up to this class of race now. PIRAEUS (7) has enjoyed a 46-day let-up since running poorly as favourite over 2000m at Rosehill. Sure to be competitive at this level. Distance specialist DIRECT FIRE (11) is never far away and should give backers a sight.