Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - UNITE THE STARS (5) now in the Blake Ryan yard and resumes from a lengthy spell. Heavily supported on debut when a fading eighth over 1000m at Coffs Harbour last August. Fitted with the one trial from the good gate. Finds a very average maiden to get off the mark. STRAANDSTORM (9) back for her second prep when charging late to run a respectable fourth over 1100m at Goulburn. Senior rider engaged and capable of finishing over the top of these. ANNE (3) Shalaa filly who resumes for the in-form Curtis yard. Fitted with the two trials and expected to have strengthened over the break. MR ANTARES (1) Churchill gelding from a Star Witness mare on debut for the Jarrod Austin yard. Fitted with the two trials and can take a hand in the finish.
RACE 2 - GAMBLER (16) raced in Group and Listed class in his first prep and finds a suitable race today. Resumed with a fighting second over 1000m at Kembla Grange. Further improved and sure to be thereabouts. ALBANY ROAD (17) Returned from break did the work up front then tired 5th of 7 at Randwick Kensington Cg&E Mdn on June 11 over 1150m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Duke Of Arrakis with 55kg at $4.80. NOT SO WRONG (4) speedy North Pacific colt out of an Exceed And Excel mare on debut for the Richard & Will Freedman stable. Shown ability in two trials and has claims from the inside gate. The chances don't end there. CHARKA (7): Resuming from a lengthy break. Only one run when 3rd in a small field at Newcastle 2yo Mdn on December 7 over 900m, 1.4 len behind Wisnierska with 53kg at $1.80.
RACE 3 - JARED (5) used up early from the awkward gate to hold a forward position before disappointing to run seventh over 1400m at Kembla Grange. Races well at this course and the blinkers come off from the better draw. Expected to bounce back. BELLA KHADIJAH (1) talented filly who was outclassed in the G2 Tea Rose last September. Given a solid break and fitted with the two searching trials. Leading rider engaged and sure to be strong late on her home track. JOHNNY SMASH (3) deep into his prep now and kept fresh after disappointing when fifth over 1600m at Goulburn. Will appreciate the claim and drop in trip. CUBAN RAIN (4) underrated filly who will relish the fast tempo fourth up. Started a solid fav at latest when a plugging fourth over 1400m at Kembla Grange. Comes out of some sound contests with the tongue tie going on. Keep safe.
RACE 4 - CINSAULT (7) consistent filly ready to win in this easier contest. Attacked the line strongly from off the pace when third over 1250m at Canterbury. Has the speed to overcome the sticky gate and shed her maiden status. CROSS TASMAN (1) well-bred colt from Group 1 winning mare Daffodil who strips fitter his debut fourth over 1150m at Randwick Kensington. Senior rider engaged and expected to race closer to the speed from the inside gate. Leading prospect over the extra journey. WA WA WA (6) chipped away late on resumption when fourth over 1250m at Canterbury. Will keep improving as he stretches out in trip and not to be underestimated. MACKINAW PEACH (9) best performance in four career starts when coming from near last on the turn to run third over 1200m at Kembla Grange. Can sneak into the minor money.
RACE 5 - ALOYSIUS (1) turned in a strong debut performance when holding a forward spot, before tiring late to finish fourth over 1400m at Randwick Kensington. Finds an easier contest today and can take control early and prove hard to run down. ZELJKO (14) back for her second campaign when closing off strongly in the heavy going to run second over 1300m at Newcastle. Ready for this extra trip and shouldn't be a maiden for long. SLEUTH (9) sharp improver second up when launching late to finish a narrow second over 1550m at Canterbury. Will appreciate McMurray's claim again. Genuine top three contender. THE IRON STAR (11) improving with racing but poorly drawn again. Trained on the track and goes into the exotics.
RACE 6 - REGIMENTAL COLOURS (1) well-bred filly who rounded them up with a classy maiden victory on resumption over 1100m at Warwick Farm. Defeated a good field on that occasion and can race quickly through her grades this time in. Hard to stop again with the claim. FLY SCOTTY FLY (3) bumped into the smart Cassiel at his first run back with a tough on pace second over 1100m at this track. Returned good figures on that occasion and gets a better run today. Sure to be thereabouts. POINT SCORE (7) lightly raced colt who got off the mark at his first start back, before failing to see the 1200m out when a tiring fourth at Kembla Grange. Will hold a forward position and give a ton of cheek with the claim. OUR LITTLE STAR (5) unlucky not to have a few more wins to her CV and near her top for this third up. Closed strongly in a solid rating race when fifth over 1000m at Gosford. Look for her late.
RACE 7 - DUKE OF BRONTE (1) progressive sprinter who held his own in Highway grade last prep resuming. Fitted with a sharp trial win over 800m at Goulburn and has excellent fresh figures. Finds a winnable race. OAKFIELD BADGER (2) deep into his prep and this looks a much easier assignment. Kept finding through the line when a respectable fourth over 1200m at Rosehill in Midway class. Can get cover from the draw and play a leading role. APACHE BREEZE (4) had mixed success this time in and returns from a let-up. Slow into stride from the low draw and got further back than expected when a poor eighth over 1200m at Gosford. Winning apprentice hops back aboard and has a tidy fresh record. KIRIBATI (3) has an okay record at this course and worth consideration after running fifth over 1100m at this track. Key jockey change and not to be underestimated.
RACE 8 - UNUSUAL PROSPECT (5) lightly raced import held in high regard by the stable. Returned for a commanding victory over 1600m at Gosford with the 60kg. Gets a similar set up for this and expected to take the next step. ALLEGRO MISS (10) on the quick backup after closing smartly with a close up sixth over 1600m at Kembla Grange. Winning rider sticks and gets a more economical run here. Each way. JACOB'S TIME (2) five weeks between runs when a tough on pace third over 1550m at Canterbury. Back in grade and the 2kg claim keeps him in the mix. OCEAN DIVA (8) gets nice weight relief for this and better placed back to the mile. Complete mystery at latest when a fading last over 2000m at Wyong. Kept fresh and the tongue tie and winkers go on. Improver.
