Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Competitive. SEEKING TO WIN (9) delivered her Maiden first-up and then spiked her figures, beaten a whisker in a CL1 at Moruya. She's been kept on the fresh side, and McDougall will skip her across and ride the speed. She can bounce back. SHE'SADARE (6) was plainer here last time on the grass, but the form leading into that reads well enough. The 1.5kg claim helps back in grade, and the local is likely to appreciate the poly surface. WEGOTABETTERHOFFA (1) peaks and will find this more suitable than Open grade. Her best is good enough, and the 3kg claim brings her into it. PRINCE PAPA (4) gave away a start but improved at Wagga, beaten 1.8L in a 58. He will also find this more to his liking and should enjoy a cosy run.
RACE 2 - KONING (4) races forward and assess his ability on the narrow defeat at Newcastle two back over 1850m. He's been freshened, and McDougall's booking is a decent push for his chances. Suited in country grade. ANA CAROLINA (6) drops back 250m off a solid placing at Queanbeyan as favourite. Penza is reunited and will position her forward. She's also in the mix. The former Irish galloper CONTALDO (2) made good improvement at Warwick Farm and looks well placed stepping up in trip. Draws wide but should be finishing hard. MIKKI VAIN (8) has been struggling on heavy tracks at Newcastle. JVO takes over from the 3kg apprentice and can use an inside barrier. Presents at peak fitness and improvement is anticipated.
RACE 3 - Joe Pride-trained INDEFENSIBLE (7) trialled well and was expected to go close at Wyong first-up. She didn't go on with it on the heavy track and expect sharp improvement on the poly surface. She will push forward, and Penza will give her every chance. SOUK (1) resumes for the local Kelley stable and has switched from a leading Victorian stable. Three back, he was beaten a nose at Ballarat, and that's strong form. Has some gear switches, and a bold effort is anticipated. DEEPLY (9) debuts for the local Vella barn and she owns a trial placing at the track. The betting will be key with her.VESCOVI (8) has also switched from a Victorian stable and two back she placed at Yarra Valley first-up. Draws wide, but she has the first time blinkers applied and no surprise to see her race well.
RACE 4 - Tough. GIZA (9) raced well here on the turf before the spell, and she resumed with a narrow defeat at the Sapphire Coast, heavily bet. She has an awkward barrier, but keeps Taylor, and fitter is capable of taking the next step. ISAGURA (10) has a cruel gate, but she's racing well and can build on the Goulburn placing. She'll also appreciate the longer sprint, and the 2kg claim is handy. ASTROGAZER (3) resumes from the inside barrier and has claims if presented on song. The cold has had a trial hit-out at Randwick, and Loy is a positive jockey engagement. The betting will be key. CHRISTMAS STAR (5) won a Gundagai Maiden by 3.3L, and then things didn't work out at the Sapphire Coast. Peaks today, and winning rider JVO is reunited. Maps well, and a bounce isn't out of the question.
RACE 5 - EXOTIC DANCER (5) resumed with an easy 66 win at Orange, and then didn't manage a heavy surface at Wyong in stronger than this. She has more to give and won her only third-up start. Maps for a soft run and rates well in this line-up. ZIELLE (9) went close at Goulburn first-up and capped that with a CL1 win at the track. She draws well and won't have to improve much to go close. XCEPTIONAL FELLA (4) didn't have the best of it as favourite at Wagga, but brought strong Canberra turf form to that. Draws inside and winning rider Owen is reunited. He will be finishing hard over the shorter sprint. ANTHRACIA (11) races forward, and her best Queanbeyan form will have her around the mark.
RACE 6 - KING GUTHO (1) was narrowly defeated in a rich Gold Coast feature before the spell, and he resumed here on the grass, beaten 1.4L at this level. Strips fitter and is well-placed to return to the winner's list. RUMOURS ABOUND (4) will use an inside barrier and presents off a 4L defeat at Caulfield in stronger than this. She was beaten narrowly in Open grade at Albury prior, and she has the first-time blinkers applied. She will be hard to peg back. MAJOR TIME (2) is a leader who was beaten less than a length on the course proper in the King Gutho race. Draws inside and keeps the handy 3kg claim. He's capable of going one better. PRINCESS HALO (8) rates competitively on a near miss at Parkes in a 58. Tumbles in weight this grade with a 2kg claim atop. She will use this inside barrier and is sure to give a sight.
RACE 7 - OUR JEWEL (9) is another decent winning chance for the Joe Pride stable. She resumed in good order at Gosford before a plain run at Wyong on a heavy surface. Fitter again and McDougall is a positive jockey booking. Expect her to appreciate the poly and come hard. Stablemate CLOUD OF DUST (8) draws inside and will have benefited from the first-up outing at Wyong. Maps well and has also had early market support. IRISH JIG (3) is third-up and drops back to a sprint. He has the first time blinkers applied and should have the early speed to manage the wide barrier. A much improved effort is likely. SHOREMAN (7) is free running and best to forgive his Sapphire Coast effort last time (vet cleared). The shorter sprint suits better and fitter he may take catching at a price. Stablemate SNUBA (12) peaks and would be a chance if she found her best. May sit closer today with the first-time blinkers applied, and has upside.
