Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Plenty of intrigue in this debutant-heavy juvenile event. MISS LOLA (7) impressed in her recent Warwick Farm trial win and looks forward enough to make an immediate impact. The Blue Point filly gets the key booking of McDonald and is sure to be launching at the business end. SWORDPLAY (11) also arrives off the back of strong trial performances and is bred to show above-average talent. Will cross quickly from the wide draw and will take some reeling in. ROSA INCANTA (9) is another stablemate from the same yard who trialled well enough to warrant respect. Keep a close eye on market moves, they'll be telling in a race full of upside and unknowns. LULL (5) is an Exceed And Excel filly on debut for the Blue Army. Shown good signs at the trials and is another worth including.
RACE 2 - GUNROOM (1) possesses plenty of early speed and had it on full display last start at Warwick Farm, only to be reeled in late. Peaking now and gets an important claim. Ready. PROVISEUR (4) wasn't far away when resuming when doing his best work late. That run should bring him on, and he can improve with added fitness and more time to run them down. CRUSADER VOYAGE (9) is a well-bred colt on debut from the Camelot and Sea Siren cross, half to 3x G1 winner Warm Heart. Trialled solidly at Warwick Farm and draws well for J Mac. Suggest he's looking for further but a bright start won't shock. Keep very safe. SATIN SPARKLE (14) steps back slightly in trip and racing pattern makes her a danger again. Right in the mix.
RACE 3 - STRAAND BEAUTY (1) made a bold return when kicking forward and sticking on gamely to finish a narrow second at Kembla Grange. No tougher this time and strips fitter. Gets an important claim again with Nock sticking and will be crossing quickly from the tricky draw. Leading player. MOTHER GOOSE (10) got off the mark stylishly last start with a pillar-to-post performance. Is drawn to advantage and can go again. INSIDE MAN (3) resumed solidly at Kembla Grange when sticking on gamely into fourth in testing conditions. Is sure to have come on with that run under his belt and gets in well with the claim. Worth including. TITANIUM MISS (4) is ticking along nicely and shoulders a strong record over this trip. In the mix.
RACE 4 - JUST FEELIN' LUCKY (1) was a determined winner fresh in what has proven a strong maiden. Pushed forward again last time and stuck on well for second. Peaking now and gets an important claim. Expect her to roll forward from the tricky draw and take some reeling in. TRAFALGAR SQUARE (6) has been running honest races and now gets out to a more suitable trip. Expect her to be finishing off strongly and a bold showing is on the cards. INCANTATION (5) was dominant last start over the mile and looks to have more to offer. Faces stronger opposition here but maps for a nice run and can measure up again. ERAANTYVA (8) continues to hit the line strongly and the rise in trip is ideal. Should settle a touch closer from the draw and the booking of Berry is a positive move. Not to be overlooked.
RACE 5 - MAXIMUM DIVIDEND (11) resumes and boasts a strong fresh record, including a first-up win over the mile last prep. Will be searching for further after this but this looks like a perfect launchpad. Recent trials suggest he's ready to go. PINK SHALALA (8) was solid on return and is expected to take a big step forward second-up, a scenario where he's never missed the placings. Gets the key booking of McDonald from a middle draw and is expected to play a major role. HELL TO PAY (7) was only nailed late at Randwick Kensington and looks close to a breakthrough. Should be peaking third-up and gets his chance. COLOPHON (4) was too bad to be true last start when sent out fav. Freshened with 32 days and can bounce back sharply.
RACE 6 - PESCHIERA (10) was dominant last start when leading throughout over 1400m at Sandown-Lakeside. Freshened since and drops back in trip but gets in light and retains upside. With Lloyd piloting, shapes as the one to beat. ONE DESTINY (1) was below his best last time but the prior efforts were full of merit. Back in grade and gets the right setup with the claim for Bourke. Can bounce back. KYEEMA (7) gets to peak fitness now and did enough last start to suggest he's ready to figure. Keep safe. TOES IN THE WATER (6) returns and has been readies with a sharp trial. Gets in well with the claim and can play a role.
RACE 7 - KENMARE BAY (10) bounced back to form last start on the Kenso. Doesn't win out of turn but won't need to improve much to get the job done. Inside draw helps. TEMPRANILLO (14) is yet to strike through but has been knocking on the door. Peak fitness now and gets a key booking in Lloyd from a favourable draw. Bold showing anticipated. NATURAL DEDUCTION (1) returned from a lengthy layoff and, while never a factor early, found the line with purpose. The extra distance suits, and with a key claim, expect sharp improvement. DYNAMIC ONE (9) has been a model of consistency for the Travers stable. Gets help at the weights again with Bourke's claim. This looks an ideal opportunity to go one better.
