Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - ANTILOCAPRA (7) has returned in good order this preparation. Won well first up at Scone then ploughed through the heavy (10) conditions when a game third over 1400m at Scone. Comes here in peak condition and looks up to this with the drop in weight. ECLAIR AWESOME (6) Sydney-trained filly who went to Albury at her third career run for a commanding victory over the 1400m. Leading rider engaged and will relish the extra trip. SHARON DRIVE (2) up in class from the wide gate and finished off okay when seventh over 1400m at Randwick Kensington. Gets the gun run today and has genuine top three claims. MEET ME IN BONDI (1) finally drawn a decent gate after being plagued by wide barriers at his three runs this time in. Worked hard from the wide draw and failed to give up when a tough second over 1500m at Newcastle. Maps well and not without each way prospects.

RACE 2 - The field has been decimated with scratching's. EMERY (5) improving filly who returned for her second prep with an eye catching second over 1100m at Randwick Kensington in good time. Will find this more to her liking with the good tempo. Goes close. EXTREME DIVA (6) lugging bit comes off for this after launching late on resumption when second over 1000m at Wyong. Can race closer here from the good draw and finally get off the mark. SASSY ABBEY (10) in leading yard and the race has fallen away for this. Sound effort from the wide draw when second over 1000m at Orange. Fitter now and place prospects best. FACEOFF (2) fitter now and capable of lifting after finishing last of five over 1100m at Wyong. Minor claims.

RACE 3 - APOLLO RIDGE (1) bumped into some handy types in his first prep and resumes today. Has impressed in both trials and expected to go close. RIVANA (4) nice return when she attacked the line late to run an encouraging third over 1000m at this track. A repeat of the latest will see her fight out the finish. MIND BENDER (3) filly by So You Think from a Lonhro mare on debut for the Joe Pride stable. Had mixed luck in her last two trials and gets her chance from the draw. HARD RATTLE (9) not beaten far when fifth over 1010m at Port Macquarie. All her good form is at this track. Keep safe.

RACE 4 - HAMPDEN (6) eleven start maiden with his hoof on the till. Strong through the line in the heavy (8) going when a tenacious nose second over 1890m at Newcastle. Distance suits and he looks too good for these at the weights. THAT'S OUTSTANDING (10) had mixed fortunes in two runs back and is desperate for this trip third up. Gave weight to the classy Polymnia when a disappointing eighth over 1800m at Hawkesbury. Assess on his good minor placings over this trip last time in. Leading prospect. BLUEBIRD BAY (3) third up today and getting out to his right distance range now. Kept finding with the 57.5kg when third over 1850m at Newcastle. Stalks the speed and no surprise to see him take this out. ALWAYS RIGHT (4) stable is having a good run at present and was rewarded for her consistency when a game maiden victory over 1890m at Newcastle. Blinkers come off and stays in the calculations.

RACE 5 - CATHEDRAL COVE (9) two runs back have been encouraging and ready to win. No match for The Mona Lisa when second as fav over 1300m at Goulburn in a Super Mdn last time out. Can race a little closer here and prove hard to run down. I AM CARROT (6) first starter by Castelvecchio out of Ten Carat Rock from the Sara Ryan yard. Solid trial when second over 850m at Beaumont (Newcastle) on March 5. Finds a winnable race. LORD VETTORI (3) bounced off the one trial on resumption when gripping on strongly to finish third over 1100m at this track. Trained locally and not without each way claims. PARALIA (8) failed to get into the contest at his first run back when seventh over 1100m at Hawkesbury. Extra trip in his favour from the low draw. Improver.

RACE 6 - RUSSIAN SNITZEL (9) hard fit now fifth up and ready to win. Nailed late by Useapin when second over 1100m at this track on March 15. Will spear across from the draw and is capable of going one better. ORYX (7) gritty effort from the wide gate when holding a forward position and sticking on well to finish fourth over 1200m at Kembla Grange. No excuses today from the low draw and ready to win. THE GREAT HOUDINI (4) returns from a lengthy break on his home track. Back without a trial but comes to hand quickly. Capable of figuring prominently in this grade. EXTERNUS (10) up in grade and was a total forgive from the wide gate when a fading eleventh over 1262m at Taree. Trained on the track and gets a more economical run with the big drop in weight. Must be kept safe.

RACE 7 - GANDALF (2) scored a dominant maiden victory on debut from the awkward gate over 1100m at Hawkesbury three-and-a-half weeks ago. Returned good figures on that occasion and capable of going on with the job. GORBACHEV (4) strengthened up over the break when shedding his maiden status on resumption with a tough win over 1000m at this track. Expecting him to go on with it this prep. Gets map favours with Latham keeping the ride. BE QUIET (5) scored his maiden victory first up, then a month between runs when a fading second over 1100m at this track. Fitter now and will prove hard to stop. LYLES (1) well-bred gelding who justified the short price second up when a slick 2.5 len winner over 1200m at Kembla Grange. Can get cover from the draw and play a leading role.

RACE 8 - RAMONES (7) hard fit for this and finds his race today from the low gate. Came out fast in the heavy going when showing plenty of fight to stick on and run third over 1200m at Wyong. Undefeated at this track and will prove hard to run down over this trip. MANWE (5) smart on his day and returns from a spell of four months. Now in the Snowden yard and raced in much stronger company when last in work. Ran ninth in a Randwick trial over 740m recently. Value prospect. INSIGHTFUL AWARD (10) was a month between runs and back in distance when a surprise 6 len winner over 1100m at Scone. Down in the weights today and will be strong late. SILENCIO PORFAVOR (2) won his first two career starts before resuming with a dismal last over 1000m at Warwick Farm in BM72 company. Kept fresh and fitted with a recent 900m trial. Expecting him to bounce back with the claim.