Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - NOCTUA (2) went close here following a switch from a top Sydney barn, before delivering her Maiden at the track. She has a 1.5kg claim and will jump and run from an insider gate. Rates to take the next step. KENYAN CHARM (3) has switched to the Nisbet stable and has had a 40-day freshen. Has a low barrier and the blinkers first-time applied. Loy is a key jockey engagement, and back in grade, sharp improvement is likely. FREDDY'S SHOCK (8) would be in the finish if she found her best form. McDougall replaces the apprentice, and we may see more.

RACE 2 - LA SIGNORA DANE (3) jumped $2 and belted the 55 graders here first-up. Draws inside today, and McDougall stays aboard. Strips fitter, and she should be winning again. SIOVY DANE (5) runs along, and last time she was safely held on the line when placing this track/trip. Raced okay at Hawkesbury prior, and Loy sticking in the saddle is a positive. She'll give a sight in this line-up. MISS SCOOP (4) has raced at 66 level since the 58 win at Moruya. Maps well and with a handy 2kg claim, she's a chance as well. PRINCE PAPA (7) has two placings from four runs this preparation. Rates an each way hope.

RACE 3 - Tricky. TURNTYNE (3) is in a top Sydney stable and tackles the middle distance first-up. She won this grade/trip before the spell, and is sure to have come on. She's warmed up with two trials, and Loy will steer from an inside barrier. AETHELFLAED (4) resumes and is also in a smart Sydney yard. She last raced 526 days ago, placing second behind Zardozi in the Group 1 Kennedy Oaks at Flemington. She has prepared for her return with six trials, and kicking off over 2000m won't be an issue. Rates a clear best, but the time away is the niggle. The betting will be key. ANA CAROLINA (5) switched from the O'Shea-Charlton barn and won this grade at Gundagai over 1800m. She has more up her sleeve and is in the mix. LA GRACIA (10) peaks and is Turntyne's stablemate. Steps up from a solid effort at Tamworth over a mile, and she also has more to give.

RACE 4 - Tricky and the betting should provide a decent guide. BARDETTE (4) resumes for Canberra's premier stable and wasn't let go in a trial here earlier in the month. She draws inside, and Collett is a positive jockey engagement. Tipping that a bold effort from the Sepoy filly. WONDERFUL MISTAKE (9) draws out, but she impressed when narrowly beaten here on debut. She will present fitter, and with average luck, can fight out the finish. ISAGURA (5) went close at Gundagai first-up and was beaten a lip at Nowra before the spell. She will have come on, and Costin can use the inside barrier to advantage. DER BLAUE REITER (3) resumes today after winning a recent trial. Looks a chance off that.

RACE 5 - DEMANDING MO (4) went well in the Listed National Sprint and then was beaten a whisker here this grade/track/trip. He will position forward from an inside gate, and McDougall stays aboard. Peaks today and can go one better. CRAVING MAGIC (3) missed a whisker in a rich contest at Goulburn over 1400m, quickly back on track. It was a big effort after settling rearward and he's won 3/4 over a mile. Maps well, and JVO remains in the saddle. Capable of going one better. LAST HOORAY (5) looked a run short in the Demanding Mo race. He can use the rail and has more to give. Lightly raced and will get every chance. BODY BOB (1) resumes and flies fresh. Has to lug top weight, but he's trialled well and winning rider Owen is reunited. PANIC (2) would be hard to roll at best and keep onside having his second start for the stable on a 5-day return.

RACE 6 - Litt-trained IL PASSERO (3) was straight back into the winners list, delivering a CL1 comfortably here, third-up. Loy stays aboard and will use the inside barrier. He keeps improving and can go on with the job. SNOWY (5) won both starts in her initial preparation but looked a run short at the Sapphire Coast first-up, despite being backed deep into the red. The promising mare will be a lot sharper today and keeps Ramsbotham's handy 2kg claim. LIQUOR TALK (8) found a firm track and turned the form around, narrowly beaten at Gundagai this grade/distance. The on-pacer is advantaged by an inside barrier and has winning claims. CANADIAN RULER (1) brings two narrow Canberra defeats this grade, following the switch from the Bjorn Baker yard. It's been a long while since he's won a race, but his best efforts are more than good enough. Has a handy 2kg claim, and he deserves plenty of attention.

RACE 7 - A good contest. ROSE DIAMOND (13) has switched from a top Victorian barn on a 45-day return. She brings compelling form from better races and maps for the run of the race. Penza rides and the betting will be key. RUFUS ATTICUS (7) was beaten less than 2L this track/distance first up, and is sure to have come on. Draws the outside barrier, but McDougall stays aboard, and that helps. HELL OF A FOX (11) has switched from a NSW stable to the all-conquering Pepper yard, on a 40-day return. Loy is a positive jockey engagement, and the filly has pieces of form that would see her in the finish. WILD SENSATION (1) peaks and was much better at Hawkesbury. Like Collett's booking and she can use the inside barrier.

RACE 8 - GOOD PRIZE (8) bounced straight back, winning a 65 here by 2.8L stepping up to this distance. He's building a tidy record and positions forward. The local can keep the ball rolling. Sydney-trained PIONEER LASS (5) was last seen 23 days ago, placing second in a CL4 at Eagle Farm. She did a good job at Newcastle prior and should enjoy a soft run from an inside barrier. The likely threat. BLOW IN (6) just missed in a 64 at Kembla Grange 64, but didn't manage a heavy track following and was out-graded in a rich feature at Wellington last time. Much better suited, and the 2kg claim brings him into it. THE RIGHT REIN (9) is on a 5-day return and went close in Open grade at Wagga last time, a $2.8 favourite. Keeps Penza and can't be ruled out. SILENT IMPACT (4) switched barns and will be better for his solid run here this grade. His best would have him in the finish.

RACE 9 - HAZEL JEAN (7) is another strong winning hope for the McDougall-Litt linkage. The filly won her Maiden here third-up and couldn't have been more impressive coming with a big run from back in the field. Has an inside barrier and can go on with the job. TEYLU (3) also presents third up and is busting to win again. Has her first try over 1200m, but draws to advantage and will get every chance to run it out. ARABIAN SOO (10) is an improver from the Bateup stable and draws for the run of the race. She's in the mix. BOOM IN THE DARK (1) has two placings from six starts this preparation and can be around the mark.