Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - WODETON (6) imposing Wootton Bassett colt from listed winning mare Fiera Vista on debut for the Chris Waller yard. Has looked strong in both trials and expected to prove hard to hold out. SEQUEL (10) having her first start for the Waller stable after sticking on well to secure fourth over 1050m at Doomben on debut last October. Strong through the line in a recent trail and has genuine each way prospects. SANCTIFIED (4) colt by Super Seth out of Sacred Siren. Beat Gallo Nero in his first trial over 900m then wasn't asked to do much when fifth over 900m in a Rosehill trial. Gets the right run and good enough to play a leading role. THE MAGIC MAN (1) has race experience on his side fourth-up and stretches out to the 1100m today. Claim helps again and will give plenty of cheek.
RACE 2 - FIORSUM FRED (5) consistent gelding who will appreciate the drop back to the 1400m after finishing around the money at his last three outings over the mile. Weir sticks from the good and gate and gets his chance to score a long overdue victory. SCOPICS (4) has motored late in his two runs back and gives the impression he will relish the 1400m. Will get the right tempo and look for him weaving between runners late. Hard to hold out. WAL'S ANGELS (6) massive performance first-up when he got out late for a sound fourth behind Sir Remlap over 1200m at Randwick. Has won second-up and a repeat showing brings him right into the mix. STURN WORDS (12) got out of his ground at second run back and chipped away late when eighth to Sir Remlap over 1200m at Randwick. Key jockey switch today and has the ability to figure in the minor money. ONEFORIAN (9) looking for this trip and further now after showing enough in this grade last start. Exotic player.
RACE 3 - POLYGLOT (5) resumes today after doing all his racing in Victoria in his first campaign. Got to listed company in his first prep and gelded over the break. Two recent trials had merit and J Mac takes the ride. Hard to hold out. RANTAN (3) progressive filly with the three wins from eight starts. Returned good figures when a commanding winner over 1000m at Warwick Farm last start. Gets her chance to run the 1100m out from good draw. SNEAKY SOFIA (8) racing well on the country and provincial tracks and gets in light with Roper's claim on the limit weight. Gave them a galloping lesson when scoring over 1100m at Port Macquarie first-up. Looks over the odds at her current price. IRON HAWK (2) underrated type who beat a handy field on debut last prep. Look for him late.
RACE 4 - SHOHISHA (16) classy filly destined for better company. Returned for her second prep when a fast finishing second in the LR Gosford Guineas at Wyong over 1200m. Finds a fairly average BM72 and should prove too good for these. LADY EXTREME (11) has fitness on her side after finishing runner-up at her three runs back. Has the gate speed to get across from the wide gate and expected to take a hand in the finish. PRETTY TAVI (18) fourth-up for this off a 31-day let-up. Recent efforts have been better than they appear and capable of figuring prominently. RUSH HOUR (7) raced well in this grade last time in behind some handy types. Fitter now and drops sharply in weight.
RACE 5 - GILDED WATER (1) exciting staying prospect with the two sharp wins from as many starts in Australia. Had the race parcelled up a long way out last time over this trip and should handle the 4.5kg rise in weight. Don't think the handicapper has got him yet. AKKADIAN EMPEROR (10) progressive Churchill gelding fitter now third-up and gives the indication the 2400m will suit. Created a big impression first-up and looks the main danger. IMPUNITY (9) kept fresh here after winning two straight in easier company. Deserves his shot in this tougher event after scoring by a big margin over 2200m with the 59.5kg last start. Keep safe. JEALOUS (11) improving Queensland mare racing in a rich vein of form. Like the way she finished off over the 2000m at Randwick on January 4, and will have little trouble running the 2400m out. TAJANIS (5) got well out of his ground last start and gave away a big start when a plugging fourth to Gilded Water. Since fitted with a 1030m trial and should race closer.
RACE 6 - OH DIAMOND LIL (10) exciting mare chasing her third straight victory in stronger class. Gets the map favours again from the good barrier and will prove hard to run down. PERFUMIST (9) nice filly who's come along way this time in after winning at Mudgee three-back, before leading throughout over 1400m at Randwick in this grade on January 4. Jumps 4kg in weight today and sure to be thereabouts again. AUTUMNMATION (5) meets Perfumist better at the weights today after finishing a narrow third two-back. Came out positive from the inside gate when a tough on-pace winner over the 1600m at Randwick last start. Has further improvement to come and stays in the mix. BRIGHT RED (7) fifth-up now after being anchored with the 58.5kg when disappointing behind Autumnmation at Randwick. Expecting more today. EMMADELLA (2) returned to form last start when a commanding winner in Midway class. Should have little trouble jumping in class and trip and can finish over the top of these.
RACE 7 - SALTCOATS (5) returned a much stronger commodity this time in and chasing his third straight victory. Returned good closing splits late with the 58kg when a dominant winner over the 2000m at Randwick on December 28. Doesn't have to improve much to finish over the top of them again. OSIPENKO (1) backed up his good run in the Ingham with an unlucky second to Tavi Time over this trip in the G3 Summer Cup at Randwick last time out. Back in class and will need J Mac to weave all his magic. CONVERGE (2) placed twice this trip and was just under a month between runs when a plugging fourth in the G3 Summer Cup. Further improved and can sneak into the minor money. HIGHLIGHTS (3) stretches out to the 2000m for the first time on the quick back-up. Showed plenty of grit when third in The Lakes at Wyong over the 1600m last Saturday. Has won over the 1800m and worth thought. HOPEFUL (4) smart on his day and raced in stronger company last time in. Look for a better performance in the conditions.
RACE 8 - MIDNIGHT OPAL (12) had genuine excuses after working hard from the wide draw last start when a fading sixth over 1400m at Randwick. Go on his dominant win two back over this course and distance when assessing his chances. Maps well and can return to form. CIGAR FLICK (5) had mixed fortunes at her last two runs in Queensland. Back in grade here and gets the right set-up with the fast tempo. Look for her charging late. BOLDINHO (10) comes up from Victoria with good credentials over the 1300m. Drops 4kg in weight for this after finishing a narrow fifth over 1200m at Moonee Valley last time out. Stalks the speed and looks excellent value. KEITEL (11) smart gelding from the Price & Kent yard who created a big impression last start when beating inferior opposition in much easier company. Clearly come back well and deserves his chance in the company.
RACE 9 - BUNKER HUT (1) finally drawn a decent gate and can break through here for a long overdue win. Has been a model of consistency finishing runner-up at all three runs this time in. Will relish Wadick's claim and no excuses from the draw. Goes close. SILENT IMPACT (7) returned to form last time out when attacking the line with purpose to secure third over this trip at Randwick. Will stalk the fast speed again and give a good account of himself. HIGH BLUE SEA (2) gets map favours again but meets Bunker Hut worse off at the weights. Jumps out to the 1500m and look for him pouncing late. ZONDEE (5) all three wins have come over this trip and best figures are good enough to see him take a hand in the finish again. AGE OF SAIL (3) handy stayer first-up who gets through rain affected conditions. Fitted with two trials and goes into the calculations.
RACE 10 - COSMONOVA (13) underrated mare who gets conditions to suit from the inside draw. Returned good figures first-up when a narrow second over this trip. Comes to hand quickly and expect to see her go through her grades this time in. Solid each way contender. EYE OF THE FIRE (2) kept fresh after disappointing behind Disneck over 1200m at Randwick on December 28. Drops back to the 1100m and look for him late. SPRING LEE (5) class mare with a solid win record resuming. Has the two good trials under the belt and comes right into the calculations from the better gate. SOUTH OF INDIA (3) has a bit of work to do to turn the tables on Cosmonova but saying that is the formline so must respect his chances all the same. Certainly a solid and reliable player at this level.
