Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The babies kick us off. The well-related SPACE RIDER (1) (full to G3 winner and G2 placed Brereton) couldn't have been more impressive saluting over this track and trip on debut and will have derived a stack of confidence from that first-up victory. Looks the runner in this field they all have to run down. NORTH POLE (2) also hails from a handy family (half to G3 winner and G2 placed Global Quest) and certainly wasn't disgraced just missing the placings when at the races for this first time. Jones sticks in the irons and is drawn to get a soft run in transit from the inside alley. Looms as the main danger. DUSHENKA (6) looked to have some ability winning a recent trial and a watch on betting is advised. DESTINYS SUMMIT (4) best of the rest with race experience on his side.
RACE 2 - IVERSON (2) bounced back to form here at the latest effort and winning rider Duric stays on board. Has a handy record around this circuit with two wins and two placings from six outings and looks ready for the step-up in trip now. Hard to beat in this suitable contest. ALDEENAARY (7) got the job done over this track and trip last time out and will derive some confidence from that well-overdue victory. Can make it back-to-back. ARTFUL GIRL (5) has hit the top four at her past nine starts and doesn't know how to put in a poor one. Top three credentials. Former Victorian LIONEL (3) wasn't disgraced in his first run for the new stable and will have come on with that run now in the locker. Can feature with natural improvement. HABEEBAH (8) next best with the Gollan/Jones combination.
RACE 3 - The Matthew Dunn-prepared CARRIBEAN KING (6) has been plying his trade in Randwick Highway contests and should appreciate the slight drop back in grade here. Saves his best form for this sprint trip and only needs some luck from the sticky draw to be featuring in the finish. HURTS SO GOOD (4) resumes here but has a win and a second from three first-up attempts and is one from one around this circuit. Can run a race while fresh. FEMME FATALE (10) is a winner over this course and distance, strips fitter third-up and draws low. Ticks a few boxes. HIGHBAR (7) goes again after a two-start prep where nothing really went right. Can prove better than that from a good draw and KWT booked is a plus.
RACE 4 - KRONENBOURG (5) grows a leg for Orman who has four wins and a placing from just seven rides and looks to be nearing another victory. Is a four-time winner over this mile journey and will be at peak fitness for this. Should be right there when the judge calls a halt. HOLSTEIN (8) was a touch plain first-up but put in a much better effort at Murwillumbah last time out. Strips fitter third-up from the spell and can make his presence felt. KORUTO (11) hasn't been disgraced in Listed company at the past couple and should find this a touch easier. In the mix. RED TOP (9) was too bad to be true last time but the three runs prior to open the campaign were full of merit. Worth another chance.
RACE 5 - FLAG HALL (4) returned to the winners' stall here at the latest effort and is sure to have taken some confidence from that second-up victory. Winning hoop Grima sticks in the saddle and again gets the benefit of her 3kg claim. Drawn perfectly in gate one and should give backers a sight. The well-related SET TO SHINE (9) (full to 2xG3 winner and 3xG2 placed Houtzen) resumes here but the form she showed when last in work was good enough to be competitive in a race like this. Gets the deadly Gollan/Jones combination and a strong showing would not surprise. MINTAKA LAD (8) is another first-up but has a solid fresh record and must be respected from the Vandyke barn. In the mix. TYPHOON TAAVI (6) also hails from a handy family (half to G1 winner The Mission) and may make her presence felt. SPACE TRACKER (1) next in line with the claim.
RACE 6 - FUKUBANA (4) is first-up here but the form he showed before the break was impressive including getting up to Group 1 level in the Randwick Guineas. Tuned up for this with two recent trials and is one from one around this circuit. Looks to have plenty of upside and is a big chance of a successful return. ABOUT TO EXPLODE (1) is one from one over this course and distance and must be respected from the Gollan yard. Top three commodity. RED DEFCON (16) wasn't too far off them at Listed level last time out and will appreciate the drop in grade here. In the mix. RAVENCLAW (7) tossed it in fairly quickly off a break last time but he is a good deal better than that and has the gun jock up.
RACE 7 - PROVANCE (3) is as honest as the day is long only missing the top five once in eight career starts and that was at Group 2 level. Has a handy record over this six-furlong trip with two wins and a second from five attempts and will be rock-hard fit for this. Hard to go past from the favourable draw. The penny has dropped for TORO STRIKE (2) who has gone bang bang to start the campaign, both over this distance range. Strips fitter third-up from the spell and rates a genuine contender. Former Waterhouse/Bott galloper PRO FORMA (7) went down by the narrowest of margins when having his first start for the new stable and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Don't underestimate. SURPRISE HONEY (14) gets the Gollan/Lang combination claiming 2kg from the inside marble. Ticks a few boxes. THAT'S INTERESTING (8) next in line.
RACE 8 - TORABELLA (3) hails from a handy family (half-sister to 5xG1 winner Shoot Out) and is racing in fine fashion winning three of her past four outings. Gets 2kg weight relief with the claim and it's hard to knock mares in form. Rates the testing material against this lot. HARBOURMASTER (6) has won three of four this time in and is racing with a lot of confidence. Cannot be discounted. BINDING (8) put in a better performance last time out and gets in well at the weights with Grima's claim. In the mix. ZAHER (17) has placed at his past three and may earn some minor money again.
RACE 9 - THE INFLICTOR (8) just ran into one better last time out but did string two wins together on the bounce prior. Has to be included in calculations. BATTLEFIELD (4) goes well for Melbourne Cup winning hoop Dolan who has three wins and a placing from just six steers. Strips fitter second-up and is right in the mix on best figures. ZOOLOGY (15) didn't measure up in The Buffering but go on the solid win over this track and trip two back. Can return to form. GOLDEN DECADE (1) gets onto what should be a firmer surface if the rain stays away and that may help. Certainly going to be fitter for the even return either way.
RACE 10 - BOOM SHOT (9) is an honest commodity who has only missed the top five once in 11 career outings and doesn't know how to run a bad race. Is yet to miss a drum in four trips around this circuit and gets along very well with jockey Orman. Looks the hardest to toss. LIBERTY STEPS (10) got back into the winners' stall at the latest effort and Melbourne Cup winning hoop Dolan sticks in the stirrups. Another big run would not surprise. OUR MAGNUS (2) is knocking on the door of another victory finishing runner-up in five of his past six starts. Can go one better. BONDED AFFAIR (20) is racing consistently and should be around the mark again.
