Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - BUCKEYE (3) is a promising colt who returned last start with a desperately close second over 1000m at Scone. Looks ideally placed by the extra 100m. With that run under his belt and a perfect draw he can get off the mark. GRAND EAGLE (2) raced handy but just failed to run out a strong 1200m at Newcastle last start. The winner was Buffalo who subsequently finished third in the Sires which puts a big tick on the form. Looks a serious threat. CHICAMA (4) has not appeared since November when outclassed on debut in the Inglis Gift won by North England. Won two trials in March so he might be tough to beat in this far easier assignment. TELLING (1) was $1.24 first-up at Muswellbrook recently and got the prize, albeit by under a length. Progressive colt who should run well again. HEADBANGER (9) for Waterhouse/Bott is the pick of the unraced runners. Half-sister to Group 3 winner Semillion and is trialling like a filly with above average ability.

RACE 2 - INSIST (3) returned from a four-month spell with a gritty win last start over 900m at Newcastle, just holding on after finding the front halfway down the running. Hasn't followed up second-up in the past but he is more furnished now and should go on with it. USEAPIN (1) closed powerfully but just ran out of ground last time out over 1150m at the Kensington track. Carries the same weight today after the claim in a much easier race. In-form filly who is the clear threat. COUPLES RETREAT (8) is back from a 166-day spell. Consistent performer last prep including a comfortable maiden win here over 1000m. Recent Warwick Farm trial winner who looks set for a positive return. IOWNA BENZ (5) resumes after a five-month lay-off. Opened the maiden prep with a couple of wins before failing at her only other run. Should return bigger and better this time in work. NOW IS THE HOUR (7) has been about the mark all prep and with McDonald up today is certainly in the mix.

RACE 3 - VIKTOR (1) progressed nicely last start at the second run of his prep, battling on well for third after being on the pace all the way in a Kensington maiden over 1300m. Placed third-up in town last prep over the mile. Ready to peak. Chris Waller's FULL HAO (7) wasn't fancied on debut last start over 1400m at the Kensington circuit but did a good job to work home into fourth. Can race closer from a better draw today and is open to plenty of improvement. Another Waller runner in EXISTENTIAL BOB (5) returned with a respectable effort over a similar trip at Wyong recently. McDonald opts for this mount which perhaps will see him shorter than deserved. NOT SO COMMON (10) will enjoy the step up in distance at the second run of the campaign and cannot be ruled out. DARK ARTS (2) gets to this distance for the first time but is fitter for two runs back and should give backers a sight.

RACE 4 - Plenty of in-form runners come together making this a real test for punters. NZ import COLLECT YOUR CASH (3) returned from a thirteen-week break to register a tough win over 1550m at the Kensington track last start. Another promising stayer for the Waterhouse/Bott yard with the scope to progress beyond a race like this. PERFECT PLAY (10) finished third to the in-form Revelare at Flemington two back then led for home but disappointed through the final stages over 1900m at Rosehill last time. Best form is good enough so worth another chance back in midweek company. I AM THE EMPIRE (4) impressed when successful first-up over 1800m at the Kensington track recently. Open to plenty of improvement and can win again without surprising. FLYING BANDIT (5) was enormous first-up in a 1400m Kembla Provincial Championship qualifier, coming from last on the bend to get up for third. Draws a better gate and this trip looks ideal. IT'S A WONDER (13) is on trial at 1800m but cannot be ruled out.

RACE 5 - STATE OF AMERICA (8) improved sharply last start when second-up from a spell, working through the line strongly to be beaten under a length over 1800m at the Kensington track. Zac Lloyd has three wins from six rides on the gelding and he reunites. Coming back to the mile is a query, but he should be peaking and a solid tempo helps. ALMANIA (1) has been freshened up since finishing 2.2 lengths behind Alalcance in a Listed race over 2000m at Randwick five weeks ago. Black-type performer who is beautifully graded and capable of winning if anywhere near right. FLYING TRAPEZE (5) had excuses when down the track in the Muswellbrook Cup recently. Back in grade on recent runs and can do better. BEAR ON THE LOOSE (6) is yet to miss the frame in three first-up runs so keep him in mind off a five-month lay-off. UK import SAGANTI (4) resumes and has been gelded since an eye-catching Australian debut in the Rosehill Gold Cup in November. Will improve off this run but still a contender.

RACE 6 - Genuine mare WRITTEN IN CODE (1) returned from a twenty-week spell with a barnstorming win over 1100m at the Kensington track last start, coming from last and overcoming interference to win with a bit in hand. Back better than ever and can repeat the dose. MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE (6) failed down the Flemington straight two back when fresh from a two-month let-up then was more at home on the Kensington track last time when an eye-catching second over 1150m. Big threat in this ideal race. SYDNEY BOWLER (5) has raced twice since a seventy-one-week absence and is struggling to find the form that saw him win three from three before the lay-off. Trialled well behind Evaporate since his last run and might be ready to produce now. SUPER BRIGHT (7) hasn't threatened for a while but could surprise with the senior jock going on today. KADALL (8) is back from a nineteen-week break. Good fresh performer whose recent trials have been encouraging.

RACE 7 - ACAPPELLA SUN (5) continues to find the line well, most recently coming from next to last to finish fourth in the $75k Albury City Hcp over 1175m. Back in trip is a small concern but with some pace up front she has the talent to finish over the top of these. FIRST PERSON (9) returned from a seven-month spell with a narrow win over 1000m at Wyong last time out. Generally holds the form second-up so although taking on a better field today she is right in contention. LONHRO'S QUEEN (1) quickened impressively in heavy going to record an easy win when resuming recently in a BM82 over 1000m at Scone. Two misses from as many second-up runs is the niggle, but she looks to be back better than before. STILL ALICE (7) is a definite contender from a nice draw off a five-week let-up. STARMAE (3) resumes. Comes to hand quickly and a couple of solid recent trials should have her ready to fire.

RACE 8 - The promising ENTER THE DRAGON (11) made it three wins from just five starts when he led from the outset and easily defeated a BM64 field over 1400m at Kembla last start. Should have no trouble with the extra 100m so despite a class rise can win again. MICKEY'S MEDAL (2) missed the bob after a two-horse war last time out over 1550m at the Kensington track. Drops a little in class this time and strips fitter at the third run back. Poses a serious threat. RUSH ATTACK (5) didn't have the best of luck in running and was only 1.2 lengths off the winner in a 1500m Rosehill Midway recently. Distance specialist who looks ideally placed to set the record straight. LUGARNO (14) disappointed in the closing stages at Rosehill last time. Worth another chance at the third run back from a spell. BESTOWER (10) has won two from three when second-up so expect sharp improvement on a fair effort when resuming in a Newcastle Provincial Championship qualifier.