Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - TACT (4) met with strong support on resumption when tiring late to finish fourth over 1200m at Newcastle in a Super Mdn. Blinkers go on today and capable of getting off the mark at start six. NANYEHI (8) resumes. Disappointed when kept safe in betting for a fading sixth on debut over 1500m here last October. Primed for this with two searching trials and maps to get the right run. BANXI (1) improved quickly as he got out in trip last time in and resumes here. Only battled on the line when fourth over 1550m at Canterbury. Given two soft trials and the blinkers come off. Respect. SHANGRI LA IMPACT (7) Staphanos filly from So Royal on debut for the Waterhouse & Bott yard. Her two latest trials suggest she looks set for a good debut.
RACE 2 - HAYEK (4) speedy colt by Capitalist from a Pins mare making his debut. Has shown a stack of ability in all four trials. Looks hard to beat despite drawing out. lGUARDSMAN (3) is a son of Extreme Choice out of Wanted Lady having his first start for the Michael Freedman yard. Primed for this with his two latest trials and Berry has ridden him in all four trials. Leading contender. AKAYSHA (7) Capitalist filly out of Zingaling having her first start. Looks ready to go for the Snowden stable after finishing runner up in her last two trials. STARDOM (11) well bred filly by Zoustar out of Group winning mare Diddums on debut for the Waterhouse & Bott stable. Much better effort at her second trial this time in when placing over 800m at Hawkesbury. Will come out fast from the good gate.
RACE 3 - LADY ZODIAC (6) fitter now after two runs back and can lift here after covering ground when a plugging fifth over 1100m at Gosford. Nicely placed to bounce back. MANWE (1) resumes after showing ability in town last preparation. Now in the Snowden camp and the blinkers come off after the one soft trial. Normally fires when fresh and sure to be thereabouts. MOONLIGHT GAMBLER (3) starting to put it all together this time in and comes here in peak form. Bounced off his good first up run when getting off the mark with a gritty win over 900m at Newcastle. No surprise to see him win again. AEGIPAN (4) drops in weight and gets map favours from the inside gate after tiring late when in fourth over 1000m at Gundagai. Six weeks between runs last start and strips fitter on the backup. Value player.
RACE 4 - MISS SPACEGIRL (4) lightly raced filly with upside fitter after two runs back. Strong through the line with the 58.5kg when a narrow second as fav over 1200m at Wyong. Maps well and the blinkers go on. Expected to go one better. IRON HAWK (1) smart on his day. Raced behind Autumn Glow and Lady Shenandoah earlier in his career and fitter after resuming with a plugging tenth over 1400m at Randwick Kensington in stronger grade. Expecting a better run with the claim. IMPERIAL STATE (3) justified the short quote second up when launching late down the outside to get off the mark at start six when scoring over 1100m at Gosford. Should keep improving now and the extra trip is in his favour. BOOMTOWN CHAT (5) fifth up today and had excuses after failing to get through the heavy (8) going when seventh over 1200m at Beaumont (Newcastle). Blinkers and tongue-tie come off and the winkers go on. Respect.
RACE 5 - CALTSAR (4) smart three-year-old Calyx gelding by Red Tsarina on debut for the Nathan Doyle yard. Has impressed in both trial wins and gets his chance from the draw. TURNING CIRCLE (12) hit the line with intent first up with an eye catching third over 1200m at Gosford. Clearly come back much stronger and capable of taking a hand in the finish. CATHEDRAL COVE (1) near his top now third up and stays in the calculations after running second to The Mona Lisa over 1300m at Goulburn. Comes out of a handy race and gets his chance again from the draw. OUI OUI OUI (11) resumes after making her debut here last November with an even fourth over 1200m last November. Fitted with a 1000m trial victory and has genuine place prospects.
RACE 6 - COLOPHON (5) improving gelding with his hoof on the till. Drops in grade after trying hard from the outside gate when a gritty fifth over 1400m at Randwick Kensington in BM72 class. Well drawn for this with the claim and looks hard to hold out. SATNESS (3) has a good record on his home track and maintaining his form. Stalked the speed and found plenty late when a narrow fourth over 1500m at Rosehill in Midway grade. Will take catching with the 3kg claim from the draw. EUROMASTER (7) two runs back have been okay, and he has a good record here. Chipped away late when fifth over 1400m at Newcastle in easier company. Place prospects are best. ARTFUL PERSUASION (1) tough gelding who saves his best for his home track. Up in grade and far from disgraced when ninth over 1400m at this track in the Prov Mid Champs on March 22. Gets the right Run today and looks good value.
RACE 7 - SASS 'N' CHEEK (6) at her top for this and comes back a couple of levels after running eighth over 1400m in the Country Championships Final at Randwick on April 5. Worth noting Rachel King rode her to her last victory. Can surprise at the good odds. TIME BANDIT (2) sat on the fast tempo before dropping out late when sixth over 1150m at Randwick Kensington on March 26. Smart when right and comes right into the mix with the claim. MAMUSHKA (8) lightly raced filly who failed to make it three straight wins when warming up late to run fifth over 1200m at Wyong. This track suits from the draw. FAST TRACK (10) created a big impression on debut when winning over 1200m here, before fading to run seventh over 1400m at Newcastle last time out. May have jarred up on the firm track last start. Worth another chance.
