Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BRAVARO (9) finished runner-up at both career starts, and she finds a very winnable race today. Sat on the speed and went under narrowly when second over 1200m at Tamworth. Has fitness on her side and the extra trip suits with the winkers going on. Hard to stop. GROOVE CITY (11) Capitalist filly returning from a long layoff. Failed to fire in three stronger races in town and at the provincials in two preps. Returns without a trial in new yard and expected to figure prominently. KENTUCKY GREY (2) had mixed luck in two runs back and should relish the extra distance now. Gets good weight relief with the claim and can take a hand in the finish. BY LINDA (10) three runs back have been okay and yet to draw a decent gate this time in. Finds an easier contest and she looks to have genuine top three prospects.
RACE 2 - SIRIUS FLYER (1) yet to win in four starts and expected to sprint well fresh with the blinkers going on. Stretched out in trip and ran some sound placings last winter. Can stalk the good tempo and finish over the top of these in a fairly average maiden. I'M OPINIONATED (9) Wyong-trained mare fourth-up for this. Failed to run the 1200m out after being trapped wide in the run when sixth over 1200m at Dubbo. Assess on her good minor placing two back. Improver. RUBILICIOUS (11) returns from a 31-day let-up and gets weight relief with the claim. Stuck on well when fourth over 1200m at Gilgandra on December 28. Doesn't have to improve much to play a leading role. UNTOLD STORY (4) Better Land filly from She's Unusual on debut for the Stirling Osland yard. Fitted with the one good trial from the low draw.
RACE 3 - BARCELONA EXPRESS (4) racing in a rich vein of form this time in and finally drawn a good gate. Had to work hard from the wide draw with the 61kg and not that far away when third over 1300m at Coffs Harbour on January 12. Brings superior figures and expected to go close. UP THE COUNTRY (6) looking for the 1400m now in this easier contest after finishing off okay when sixth over 1250m at Newcastle. Ben Looker rides from the low draw and sure to be thereabouts. JAKAT (7) on the quick back-up and another who will benefit from the good draw. Snagged back from the wide gate after failing to get into the contest when seventh over 1400m at Tamworth on January 23. Worth another chance. TAKEMINE (9) just under a month between runs when a disappointing seventh over 1300m at Gunnedah. Fitter now and the winkers come off. Can add value to the exotics.
RACE 4 - STORM PARK (6) progressive Ocean Park gelding ready for the 1900m today. Returned good splits late when a fast-finishing second over 1600m at Dubbo. Tongue-tie and winkers go on and finds a winnable race. FRIJOLES (8) was in the money two starts back at Lismore but was unable to repeat the effort when a disappointing seventh over 2000m at Dalby. Returned good figures when placing two back and worth another chance from the inside draw. FIREALARM (3) only the one win from nineteen starts and drops further in weight for this with the claim. Lone win came over this distance and must go into the calculations. FARRAIGE (10) record hardly excites but has shown enough this time in to keep us interested. Back sharply in grade today after running seventh over 1800m at Gilgandra in C3 class on January 5. Must respect.
RACE 5 - CHIDIAC (1) exciting Cavanough-trained mare by Better Than ready undefeated in two runs. Up in weight and demolished her rivals again when a slick winner over 1100m at Quirindi. Will appreciate the 4kg claim and expected to take catching again from the inside gate. DOLLY JAYNE (4) resumes with a good fresh record. Raced in much stronger class last time in and given the two trials in readiness. Sure to be thereabouts. BRIGHT DAISY (7) working towards a win and like the way she's attacked the line at her last two starts. Blinkers stay on and the tempo suits. PURPLE ESPRIT (5) has the two wins from eight starts and had genuine excuses from the wide gates at her last two outings. Maps well and expected to take a had in the finish.
RACE 6 - ENTERPRISE LEGEND (1) back in grade here and has a good record over this course and distance. Tenacious effort from the outside gate when fourth over 1050m at Inverell on January 1. Races best with his runs spaced and looks the one to beat with Small's 3kg claim. WATER LAD (3) one of the leading contenders and better placed over the 1100m. Covered ground and stuck on well when fourth over 1000m at Dubbo. Solid top three prospect. SKATES ON (8) looks to have improved over the break judging by his fast finishing fourth over 1000m at Taree. Goes just as well second-up and the extra trip is in his favour. SEENI (4) holding his form well and good enough to take this out. Just over a month between runs since finishing a close-up fourth at Bathurst. Value player who can run a bold race.
RACE 7 - NEEDING ATTENTION (5) Neasham & Archibald-trained filly starting to put it all together. Chasing her third straight win after scoring a solid on-pace win over 1200m at Dubbo. Finds a fairly average C2 and expected to go close. SEE THE SAINT (10) big form reversal when stalking the solid tempo for a tough long neck win over 1300m at Coffs Harbour. Both wins have come over this distance and she gets an even better run here. PUZZLE DESIGNER (7) further improved now and his last start eighth was better than it appeared over 1200m at Tamworth. Low draw is a plus with the claim. Can bounce back. MANIC LIGHT (4) model of consistency due for a change of luck. Powered late from near last on the turn when third over 1400m at Ballina. On the quick back-up and the claim is a bonus.