Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CRAIG'S ONE (1) is improving with racing and finds a fairly average maiden today. Started hard in the market again when going out fast before knocking up late when fifth over 1000m at Taree. Should hold a forward position and prove hard to stop. CLUSTER'S GENERAL (3) resumes after having mixed luck last prep. Never comfortable in the heavy (10) going when sixth over 1255m at Taree last August. Back without a trial and go on his run prior when assessing his chances. DAULTON (7) is a four-start maiden who was in need of the run on resumption when sixth over 1050m at Inverell. Fitter now from the low draw and must be considered. BOLD BENDER (6) returns from a 41-day let-up and drawn out again. Back in trip and drops further in weight with the claim. Place best.
RACE 2 - THE EYES HAVE IT (11) improving filly who finds her race third-up. Showed a ton of grit when sitting on the pace for a close-up second over 1250m at Newcastle on January 10. Backs-up quickly and should prove too good for these. GIGATON (1) sharp form reversal when sitting up on the pace in the rain-affected going to finish a narrow second over 1200m here at the latest. Gets weight relief again with the claim and near his top for this. JAMACRI (8) Bjorn Baker-trained mare returning from a lengthy spell. Fitted with the two searching trials and finds a winnable race from the good draw. The chances don't end there. MONTE TIANA (9) returned from a lengthy break with an encouraging third over 1205m at Coffs Harbour. Comes to hand quickly and looks set for a good prep.
RACE 3 - Tricky race with a couple of handy first starters engaged. VIACONI (1) resumed in much stronger company when a plugging fifth over 1100m at Canterbury on December 20. Kept fresh and strips much fitter now from the inside draw. SWEET PATRIOT (8) raced with distinction in town last campaign and has clearly come back well after ploughing through the heavy going when second over 1000m at Nowra on January 12. Placed second-up in the past and has genuine top-three claims. FORMAL (3) brings strong form lines here and shouldn't be a maiden for long. Has to overcome the tricky draw but this looks easier. NEW FRONTIER (4) Snitzel colt out of Fleet Week fitted with four good trials on debut for the Doyle yard. Stable rider aboard and he looks like one of the leading players.
RACE 4 - DARK VADOR (2) consistent gelding racing in career-best form. Going nicely through his grades and doesn't have to improve much to take this out. Stalks the speed and goes close. WING NUT (4) was rewarded for his consistency at start eleven when a hard-fought win over this track and trip. Gets weight relief again and doesn't have to improve much to be thereabouts. RAISED BY WOLVES (7) has come back much stronger this time in and hard fit now. Got all the breaks when scoring as favourite over 1300m at Coffs Harbour. Backs up quickly and look for him late from the draw. WHATEVER IT TAKES (5) finally got off the mark at start ten from a wide draw when winning at Coffs Harbour two-back. Struggled to see the mile out last time and maps well for this. Improver.
RACE 5 - PONY SOPRANO (3) lightly raced gelding resuming who created a big impression winning on debut over this trip last September. Two runs since have been okay and recently fitted with a 1000m Taree trial placing. NIGHTCAPPED (2) ready to peak fourth-up and has decent provincial form. Took good ground off Cutepi when fourth here on December 29. Extra trip in her favour and look for her late. QUEEN OF A HAND (11) strong maiden win two-back, then never comfortable in the heavy conditions when fifth over 900m at Muswellbrook. Well weighted again and the firmer surface is more to her liking. COOL MAN (4) returned from a lengthy break with a solid on-pace second here over the 1100m. Will come in a couple of barriers with the scratching's and can take a hand in the placings.
RACE 6 - BODHI BOY (6) promising sprinter chasing his third-straight victory. Expected to keep the momentum going after resuming with a determined win over 1100m here on January 3. Finds a fairly soft C2 and no excuses from the inside gate with Looker keeping the ride. SCARLETT THUNDER (4) handy mare resuming. Won two in a row before jumping in grade when a respectable eighth over 1200m at Doomben six months ago. Now in the Terry Evans yard and back without a trial. Concussion plates (front) and nose roll go on. Claim helps from the good draw and is a big market watch. COOL FIZZ (7) super consistent mare fitter after one run back. Anchored with the 58.5kg from the wide draw when a tough second over 1000m at Taree. Drops further in weight and is sure to be thereabouts. TSUNODA (5) returns from a lengthy break and comes to hand quickly. Fitted with two trials and looks primed for a first-up victory.
RACE 7 - SOLUTIONIST (11) her three runs back have been okay and she has a fitness edge over most of these. Began only fairly and gave away too much start when sixth over 1300m at Taree in the soft conditions last start. Gibbons keeps the ride and look for a better effort on the firmer surface. Solid top-three contender. DREAMS OF THUNDER (5) handy mare starting to put it all together. Resumed with a slick on-pace win over 1000m at Hawkesbury on December 8. Races best with her runs spaced and brings the right numbers here. INVASIVE DREAMS (4) promising mare who relished the drop in class first-up when a fast finishing winner over 1000m at Muswellbrook. Two of her three wins have come over this distance and she looks up to this stiffer contest. FLOSS'S ONE (7) lightly raced mare with plenty of upside. Outclassed when resuming in Highway grade first-up before returning to form with a smart 1.5 len win over 1000m at Taree. Drops further in weight and deserves her chance in this stronger race.
RACE 8 - SIGSWORTH (14) attacked the line strongly first-up with the 60kg when a narrow fourth over 1000m here on January 3. Has won second-up and maps to get the run right run today. Solid each way prospect. SUMO FISH (7) handy gelding resuming. Won two straight including latest 3.5 len victory over 1250m at Kempsey last October. Back without a trial and gets the claim again. SAPPHIRE KISS (13) powered through the heavy (8) going first-up when a surprise winner over 900m at Muswellbrook. Clearly come back well and look for her finishing off late. TOOMUCHINFORMATION (8) had mixed fortunes this time in and back in distance for this. Has a good record here and goes into the exotics.
