Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - RIPLEY (10) Too Darn Hot colt out of Duvessa from the Maher stable, taking on the older horses at his first start. Has shown potential in his two trials and expected to go close with the blinkers on. CAPTAIN EAGLE (1) returned from a lengthy break with an unlucky second over 1000m at Wyong. Strips fitter and can hold a position from the sticky gate. Shouldn't be a maiden for long. DONWON (5) resumes after giving a good account of himself at the provincials last time in. Fitted with the one 800m trial and the winkers come off. Gets the right run and not to be underestimated. SECURE (3) has been given time to mature since his maiden prep. Readied for this with a trial. Include.
RACE 2 - MAID OF MOOLAH (6) returned good closing splits on debut when a narrow second to Nymphadora in a Super Mdn over 1100m at Hawkesbury. Further improved and can race closer from the low draw. Expected to go close. MOTHER GOOSE (8) comes out of the same race as Maid Of Moolah when sitting on the fast tempo on resumption to secure third. Fitter now and Lloyd will need everything to go right from the draw. SILVER WEDDING (11) resumes from a lengthy spell after finishing eleventh to Aeliana over 1400m in the G3 Reginald Allen Quality Hcp at Randwick last October. Given the one 799m Warwick Farm trial placing. Will be closing off strongly. NINETTE (9) well bred filly by Zoustar out of Golden Slipper winning mare Overreach on debut for the Hawkes yard. Has impressed in all four trials and expected to feature prominently.
RACE 3 - Chris Waller holds the key to the race. TI AMO TANTO (7) strips fitter after two runs at the provincials and ready to win from the inside gate. Warmed up late once out when third over 1200m at Wyong. Expecting Rawiller to get the best out of her. MIA BALLERINA (3) stretches out to this trip for the first time this prep and maps well. J Mac takes the ride after she was collared late when fourth over 1100m at Randwick Kensington in a Super Mdn. No excuses here. SEMIBREVE (5) courageous effort on the heavy (8) track on debut when a fighting nose second over 1250m at Newcastle. One for the exotics. ALL STAR (8) well bred colt who should have taken great benefit out of his debut sixth over 1100m here on February 28. Fitted with a recent 900m at Rosehill. Distance suits and will be closing off strongly.
RACE 4 - APEX (2) smart gelding with superior ratings resuming in this easier contest. Taken back from the wide gate when sixth to With Your Blessing over 1100m in BM78 class on January 4. Returns with a trial placing over 900m and should prove too good for these. GOLD CARD (3) tough country-trained gelding with a solid record. Deserves his chance here after resuming with a smart win over 1007m at Taree. Goes just as well second up and the claim helps. ZOUKERINO (8) win record hardly excites but comes here in peak condition. Battled to the line when fifth over 1200m at Warwick Farm. No excuses from the draw. MURAL CROWN (1) lightly raced gelding who resumes from an 18 month break. Has his fair share of ability and can perform well fresh with the two trials.
RACE 5 - Extremely tough race with plenty of chances. FLAME OF HESTIA (7) well bred filly living up to her solid pedigree. Made it two wins from three starts when resuming with a commanding 6 len win over over 900m at Newcastle. Ready for this level and ticks plenty of boxes today. WRITTEN SCANDAL (2) improving filly who looks to be flying under the radar. Won her second start this prep with a dominant victory over 1100m at Gosford. Maps well with Nock's 3kg claim. FLYING EMBERS (4) continued where she left off after returning with a fast-finishing win over 1100m at Hawkesbury in fast time. Look for her late from the draw. Each way.
RACE 6 - TENNIEL (20) improving staying mare proven at this trip. Gets map favours again with the claim after scoring a gritty on pace victory over 1890m at Newcastle. Capable of going on with it now. JAYASHREE (12) underrated filly who was given her chance when a plodding eleventh over 2000m in the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes at Randwick. Earlier efforts were sound and well placed in this grade. The chances don't end there. MAISON LOUIS (5) has won two of his past three runs. Working through his grades and deserves his shot at metro success now. LINE OF FIRE (1) appeals at each way odds third up and out to this distance.
RACE 7 - PISANELLO (1) talented gelding who drops back to Benchmark class after disappointing when seventh in the LR Bob Hoysted Hcp over 1000m at Flemington. Tempo suits and will be hard to hold out. BARBER (3) resumes and now in the Richard Litt stable. Finished off last campaign with a gallant fifth in the LR Always Welcome Stakes at Flemington over 1200m five-and-a-half months ago. Fitted with two trials and comes to hand quickly. RENOSU (2) resumes. Has won both his trials in readiness for this. FIRE STAR (5) resumes after a breakout campaign where he was placed to perfection and won four straight. Ultra consistent and is yet to finish out of the money in three previous first up outings.
RACE 8 - CORMAC T (14) strong stayer in the making, resuming. Fitted with the two searching trials and can surprise fresh. RATTLE AND HUM (2) lacked early dash on resumption when a disappointing ninth over 1550m at Randwick Kensington. All the gear comes off today and he has sound second up figures. Back in grade and gets the claim. Keep safe. SEAFALL (3) resumes. Fitness some query fresh over this trip however is a mare with good upside. OUR EMPRESS ZOE (6) finds a race where she can show more third run from a spell.
