Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ALL TOO CLEVER (7) stepped up quickly to 1400m at the Kensington track last start and did a good job to get up for fourth after giving away a substantial start on the bend. Getting better with racing and back at the provincials makes plenty of appeal. MARCANTONIO (2) passed a few in the run home but was never a chance on debut over this distance at the Kensington track last time out. May race closer from the better draw. Open to a stack of improvement. BELLO CAVALLO (1) is a first starter from the Ryan/Alexiou barn. Trialling okay so worth monitoring for market support. CROCODILE (3) didn't do a great deal here on debut twelve days ago. Gets out over more ground this time which will suit. LIKE ANYTHING (4) did little on debut at Canterbury but is open to plenty of improvement.
RACE 2 - COLUMBIA BLUE (1) settled midfield then let down nicely in the run home to get up for second on debut over 1000m at Kembla last start. Beautifully placed over the extra 100m and from an ideal draw looks a great chance to go one better. MISSIE LEE (5) gets back in her races but knows how to find the line. Excellent run here at this trip last time. One to watch for late in the piece. NAMARA (3) is back from a four-month spell. Placed at all three runs in the maiden prep and a strong return to racing looks on the cards. Harry Angel first starter HARRY'S EVIDENCE (2) is worth keeping tabs on following an impressive trial win at Rosehill recently. Watch for any money that comes for the Ciaron Maher first starter NIGHTSPHERE (7), an Exosphere colt.
RACE 3 - DIAMOND SHOW (7) made up good ground but was no match for the winner last start over this distance at Kembla. Cherry ripe after two runs back from a spell and with McEvoy replacing a 3kgs claimer she looks poised to break the ice. MURPHILLY (9) put the writing on the wall last time out when she went down in a head-bobber over the mile at Wyong. Has taken a while to hit her straps but on that latest effort she is a clear danger. REVERBERATES (10) showed pace to the corner but didn't run on over this distance at Kembla recently. Fitter for two runs back from a spell and won't spend a penny from the inside gate so worth another chance. PARALIA (2) is one to keep safe with blinkers going on for the first time. BELGRANO (1) is a chance first-up from a brief spell.
RACE 4 - SERENE NIC (2) was enormous first-up at Gosford but couldn't repeat the effort in town last start. Beautifully in after the claim and should be at her peak now. Maps nicely from the good gate so no excuses. SUPER NUI (3) led all the way and won by panels last time out over 1350m at Wyong in a BM64 for the mares. Meets a deeper field today but the win was very pleasing to the eye. Sure to be in the mix again. CELTIC SIN (6) returned from a four-month spell with an authoritative maiden win over 1350m at Wyong recently. Ran much quicker time than Super Nui on the same card so the effort was full of merit. Looks ready to take this next step. MAGICON (1) has been freshened up since a smart win over 1850m at Newcastle five weeks ago. Will be better for the run but cannot be ruled out. Last start Goulburn winner COSMEENA (5) is a progressive filly with each-way claims.
RACE 5 - OUI OUI OUI (2) possesses little early speed but is capable of reeling off huge final sectionals. Scored in barnstorming fashion first-up in a maiden at Kembla then made up a few lengths in the straight over this course and distance last start. Can travel closer from the good draw and is ideally placed to bounce back to form. EMPUSA (6) won her maiden over 1500m here two back then was inexplicably poor at Gosford last time out over a mile. Freshened up and should appreciate coming back in trip. Blinkers go on for the first time so she certainly deserves another chance. Last start Wyong maiden winner EXOTHRILL (4) took forever to break through. Easily accounted for two back by Empusa but with some confidence found he can run a bit of a race. EGYPITIAN'S REWARD (5) is a lightly raced filly taking on her toughest test to date. Worth including in exotics. ICEMAN (1) makes progress at each run this prep and should be peaking now.
RACE 6 - RUSSIAN ZARINA (8) returned to the winner's list last start over today's course and distance, winding up from worse than midfield to finish over the top. Tough mare deep into her prep but keeps performing. Gets a soft run from gate one and can get the job done again. KIRKUK (4) has been freshened up since a modest performance over 1300m at Kembla thirty-eight days ago. Is a winner here at this distance and should be in the finish based on his best figures. CLIFTON SPRINGS (9) tried hard but just missed the placings in a blanket finish in a similar race to this at Wyong recently. Only needs to hold that form to give this a shake. ZAMBEZI RIVER (7) returns from a 192-day spell. Has a host of gear changes and is worth monitoring for market support. TITAN STAR (10) rounds out the field of five - it would be a surprise if he won.
RACE 7 - OCEAN DIVA (10) has come back in fine fettle this prep. Just missed two back at Gosford then went one better here at this trip last time in a comparable race to this. Yet to miss the frame in six runs at the mile. Hard to fault. SPACE ACE (8) resumed with a tough all-the-way win over 1350m at Wyong recently. Competitive up to 1750m last prep so the extra trip here looks ideal. Will give them something to catch again. LINE OF FIRE (1) was no match for Incantation at Kembla last time. Meets a thin field today which brings him right into calculations. RATHORAN (7) has accepted for a few races recently but they finally decide to come here. In tremendous form and although this is his toughest test another big performance is on the cards. Hard to make a case for the others, headed by PENNART (5).
