Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tough race with plenty of chances. THE WAY AHEAD (5) Headwater filly out of a Snitzel filly on debut for the Matt Smith stable. Won her latest trial by a big space over 789m at Warwick Farm. Goes close from the draw. OAKFIELD MARS (3) filly by Smart Missile from the Damien Lane yard on debut. Stable are having a good run and she's shown a ton of ability in her trials. Goes close. The chances don't end there. SIZZLING BOY (11) resumes with a handy fresh record. Gets in light with the claim and returns without a trial. Adept in all conditions. BEAU BANDIT (1) three-year-old- gelding by Brazen Beau on debut for the Tanya Randell yard. Won a tough Beaumont (Newcastle) trial on March 5. Worth plenty of thought on his home track from the low gate.
RACE 2 - RUNRANIRUN (3) returns from a six-month break after demolishing her rivals by 8 lengths on debut over this track and trip last August. Primed for this with two good trials and gets the lugging bit added. Hard to hold out. CAPITAL DANCER (4) rewarded for her consistency when getting off the mark at start six over this track and trip when scoring over 900m at this track last time out. Maps well and is capable of winning again. FLAME OF HESTIA (5) returns from a lengthy break. Ploughed through the heavy going at his second run when scoring as fav over 1000m at Taree last October. Fitted with two trials and can continue where she left off. MAJESTUOSO PHOENIX (2) resumes. Faded late at his second career run when fifth over 1000m at Kembla Grange on December 12. Has the two trials under the belt and must be kept safe from the draw.
RACE 3 - Another tough contest. HAMPDEN (1) twelve-start maiden with his hoof on the till. Showed plenty of fight from the outside gate when a narrow second over 2000m at Hawkesbury. Third up for this and will prove hard to run down from the draw. EL PASO (5) progressive Dundeel gelding who finished a close-up fourth in the LR Geelong Classic over 2200m last October. Warmed up late when third on resumption over 1400m at Randwick Kensington. Well drawn and goes close with the winkers going on. SEA OF GALILEE (14) showed good early speed on debut before knocking up late when sixth over 1400m at Randwick Kensington. Bred to get this trip and further and worth noting the blinkers come off today. Sharp improver. STORMBRINGER (7) improving with racing and finds an easier contest. Sat on the speed in the heavy (8) going when third over 1600m in a Wyong Super Mdn. Extra trip suits and looks good value.
RACE 4 - KENMARE BAY (5) improving gelding desperate for this trip and further. Ploughed through the heavy (8) conditions late when second over the mile at Wyong. Track suits and a win is imminent. TENNIEL (8) returns from a 47-day let-up and back in trip with the claim. Never in the contest from the wide draw when ninth over 2100m at Wyong on February 13. Given a soft 1200m trial since and handles the conditions. Improver. TROPIC SANDS (11) tough gelding worth another chance after chipping away late when sixth over 1600m at Wyong. Senior rider on and will add value to the exotics. FIFTH FORCE (2) looking for this trip now after making ground late when fifth over 1600m at Wyong. Has placed at this track and comes here in peak condition.
RACE 5 - ALABAMA HUSSY (5) on the quick backup after closing off strongly at her second run back when a strong third over 1200m at Kembla Grange. Finds an easier event today and this track and extra trip suit. Hard to stop. RODEO DEALER (7) drifted back in the heavy (8) conditions before chipping away late when third over 1000m at Wyong. Blinkers come off and drops sharply in weight out to the 1250m. KHALS (1) never comfortable in the soft (6) going and pulled up lame when a dismal fifth over 1400m at Canberra. Kept up to the mark with a recent 1030m trial and expecting a better showing today. WASHIK (10) drifted back on resumption and failed to sprint with them in the straight when fifth over 1100m at Hawkesbury. Gets weight relief with the claim and stays in the contest.
RACE 6 - LUTETIA (1) all three runs in town have been excellent this prep and she finds her race in this weaker contest. Chased right to the line when second to Battle Hymn over 1200m at Canterbury. Fitted with a tick over trial since at Muswellbrook and looks too good for these. PIPERITA (2) enjoyed getting her toe into the heavy (8) conditions on resumption when a soft winner over 1300m at Wyong. Clearly come back well and looks set for a good prep. CHANNELLING (3) comes out of a decent race after shedding her maiden tag when scoring over 1400m at Kembla Grange. Maps well again with the claim and can add value to the exotics. DIVINE BENE (4) first-up after nine months scored a slick win as fav over 1150m at Beaumont (Newcastle) on a heavy track. Big drop in weight with the claim and gets his chance again.
RACE 7 - ALCABEEL (3) lightly raced gelding who returned from a long layoff with a gritty nose second over 1500m at Hawkesbury. Expected to have come on further since and will race much closer here. ROAD TO PARADISE (10) resumes after creating a big impression on debut when crushing her rivals with a len victory over 1500m at this track on December 7. Returns with a 1000m trial and capable of continuing where she left off last prep. MOUNT BONA (14) relished the heavy (10) going at her second race start when an effortless winner over 1300m at Scone. Deserves her chance here and must be included. PRIMO (8) charged late from the wide draw when a narrow third over 1500m at Hawkesbury. Set to peak and no shock to see him take this out.
