Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - FACEOFF (4) has ability and like the way he finished off after catching the eye late when fourth over 1300m at Canberra. Finally drawn a low gate and can race closer to the speed today. Leading prospect. ZO FRILLING (6) two runs back have been encouraging and should find this a little easier after gripping on late to secure third over 1200m at Kembla Grange. Near her top for this and has solid claims. LORD VETTORI (1) has finished in the minor money at three of his five career starts and is due for a change of luck. Covered ground in the run and kept finding on the line when second over 1200m at Dubbo in a Super Maiden. BROADCAST BOOGIE (7) returned from a lengthy break with a plodding fifth over 1000m here. Strips fitter and the race has fallen away with the scratchings. Blinkers go on and has rough place claims.
RACE 2 - TACT (1) has come back much stronger this prep and indicated another win was imminent when a narrow fifth in the Wagga Guineas over 1600m at Wagga. McEvoy sticks from the better gate and will take catching. JOHNNY SMASH (2) bounced off his good minor placing two back with a game maiden victory over 1600m at Wyong in the heavy (9) going. Will roll forward again and give plenty of cheek. ANNOINT (5) up in trip after almost a month off when an improving second over 1500m at this track. Strips fitter and has the figures to take this out. KAHRABA (4) sharp drop in weight third up and comes out of a decent race after running eighth over 1500m here. Can race a little closer today and improvement is anticipated.
RACE 3 - SIGNOR TORTONI (3) nice gelding who showed potential in his first preparation when placing at two of his three starts in town. Looks to have returned well judging by his sharp 740m trial win at Randwick. Gets every chance from the draw and shouldn't be a maiden for long. BUTTERFLY STYLE (4) resumes from a lengthy spell and now in the Mitch Beer stable. Battled on gamely at debut when a gritty third over 1140m at Geelong thirteen months ago. Fitted with the one 800m trial and the 3kg claim keeps her in the mix. LONDON BOY (1) improving gelding trained on the track and should be near his top for this with the claim. Closed strongly from the wide gate when second over this track and trip. Goes close. DUBBO BOY (6) Casino Prince gelding from a General Nediym mare on debut for the Danny Williams yard. Has shown ability in two trials and will handle the conditions.
RACE 4 - READY TO ROCKET (4) two runs back have been sound and looks hard to stop today from the inside gate. Closed off strongly from the wide gate when a game third over 1200m at Kembla Grange in the heavy conditions. Has her share of talent and leading rider booked. VINNIRO (2) resumed in good style when getting off the mark at start five with a slogging on pace win over 1000m at Canberra. Confidence is high now and ready to tackle this stiffer contest. SHOUTABOUTIT (6) win record hardly excites but will find this more to her liking third up. Chased hard in the heavy (9) going when a plugging second over 1000m at Wyong. Genuine place contender. SCISSOR ME TIMBERS (3) winkers go on for this first up after finishing an encouraging third over 800m in a Kembla trial. Proven in heavy conditions and the 3kg claim keeps him in the mix.
RACE 5 - The field has been decimated with six scratchings. SHANGRI LA IMPACT (5) progressive staying type who appreciated the big jump in trip when a dominant on pace maiden winner in C1 class over 2000m at Hawkesbury. Has more to give fourth up and will get control from the outset. WHETU (2) needed the run at his second start back when a disappointing sixth over 1800m at Randwick Kensington. Has raced well here in the past and gets the claim again. Extra trip in his favour. CALL ME ARTIE (9) bounced back with a surprise victory over 2000m at Canberra. Will pick up a nice place cheque here.
RACE 6 - Chris Waller has a strong hand in the race with two leading contenders engaged. DWAYNE (2) back in trip with a solid foundation at his fifth run in today. Never comfortable in the heavy (10) going when a fading third over 1890m at Newcastle. Will push forward again from the low draw and take holding out. MALBORK CASTLE (4) returned from a five-month break with a tenacious second carrying the 60.5kg over 1300m at Canberra. Looks in for a good prep and will keep improving as he gets out in trip. Blinkers can do the trick with the solid tempo. BARBRAY (1) big class drop today and comes out of a strong race after finishing a sound fourth to Dark Arts over 1550m at Canterbury. Capable of finishing over the top of these. THE BEAST (3) chipped away late first up with the 59kg when a slogging third over 1500m at Newcastle in the heavy (10) going. Leading rider booked and shouldn't be a maiden for long.
RACE 7 - MATETE (8) specked in betting at his second run back and failed to stretch out in the going when a disappointing fifth over 1350m at Wyong. Massive effort first up and will take holding out today. STRASSMAN (4) has shown ability in three career runs and shouldn't be a maiden for long. Strong through the line at his second run back on the heavy (8) surface when third over 1300m at Kembla Grange. Blinkers come off and the winkers go on. Look for him late. JARED (5) fourteen-start maiden with an okay fresh record resuming. Finished runner-up at three of his last five outings. Fitted with the two searching trials and gets map favours. Respect. THE IRON STAR (6) looks the best of the rest resuming for his second prep. Fitted with the one 900m trial at Rosehill. Keep safe from the draw.
RACE 8 - SUPERHERO (1) progressive gelding who comes to hand quickly. Sound return with the 60kg when a game second over 1200m at Kembla Grange in BM64 class. Schofield sticks and he should prove too sharp for these. MAGIC SHADOW (13) launched late at his second run back when an eye-catching third over 1200m at Kembla Grange. Likely to get back again from the draw and hit the line strongly. Value prospect. DUROVA (8) comes here in peak condition and gets her chance after gripping on late in the heavy going when fourth over 1200m at Canterbury. Won't have to improve much to take this out. MISS COUVER (7) resumes with a handy first up record. Fitted with the one soft 900m trial and stays in the figures.
