Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - The lightly-raced BRUTAL BELLE (3) resumes and has switched to the in-form Pepper yard from the Buchanan stable in Wyong. She's placed fresh and has pieces of form that would see her right in the finish. Has a 2kg claim and the winkers on for the first time, and no surprise if she comes back further improved. The speedy SOUK (1) has the standout form and he will again be heavily bet. He's been given every chance but has been proving post shy. That may all change today. YOUR MAGIC (2) was in the market on debut but dropped out from the speed. Resumes today drawn low and Loy's booking suggests he's pleasing. RACY TIME (9) is down from Hawkesbury and is likely to show more. Has a low barrier and 2kg claim and the extra gear comes off.

RACE 2 - GUERRERA (3) resumes for the in-form Luke Pepper and has switched from a Queensland barn. Brings decent enough from the Gold Coast Poly so the Acton should hold no fears. She has the rail and the 2kg claim and performs on the fresh side. CHAMPAGNE IN LACE (2) resumes and has won 2/4 this course/distance, and has only missed a place once. She goes fresh and three back was trucked south and given a try on the Ballarat synthetic. The 3kg claim brings her right into it. ZAMBEZI RIVER (1) jumped much better third-up beaten narrowly here in a 60. Has the blinkers on again and the 4kg claim takes care of most of the weight ride. Jumps from a low draw and can't be ruled out. DON'T THINKABOUTIT (7) peaks and always puts in. He will likely come late and get some of the cash.

RACE 3 - DUE CALZINI (2) has been racing in much stronger company. Found one much too good at Wagga last time but covered the others and carries a kilo less. Well placed and just has to handle the surface. REMADOSI (7) has been busting to win for Joseph-Jones and she made up many lengths to just miss here over 1550m. Gets her chance. DOC MARCH (3) was slow off and met trouble at Wagga and it was a big effort beaten a whisker. McDougall stays aboard and will give him every chance. JUMP IN THE LINE (4) disappointed at Gosford but just missed in Maidens at Wyong prior and impressed after a slow start. Has the rail today and also has some weight relief. Deserves consideration at a price.

RACE 4 - Competitive. STRAIGHT FIRE (7) won here this grade/trip and then went to Bathurst and went close in 66 over 2000m as favourite. Comes back home and can bounce straight back, AVONVIEW (8) flopped on the wet at Wagga but the form prior is good for this. Just missed in similar here two back and he has an inside gate and the handy 2kg claim. TAUMATA (9) settled back and just missed at Wagga and then here posting a strong relative figure. Didn't handle the wet track at Wagga last time and Heywood is reunited. Fit and this is a winnable assignment. TAYTAY BAY (6) resumed in solid order and then won a 58 at Nowra. Needs a good ride in stronger but he should be around the mark.

RACE 5 - FINE VINTAGE (1) resumed for the in-form Pepper yard in an 82 at Wagga and needed the outing. He is proven second up and has plenty in the tank. Uses the low barrier and he's won twice over the trip. Loys' booking is a decent push for his chances. CRAVING MAGIC (2) missed a nose this grade and then came back and delivered the win. Carries more weight today but he's a live chance regardless. CYCLONE RUPERT (8) has been around the mark for Pepper in lesser grade. He maps well and carries 4kg less. That gives him a chance. CHOP THE ICE (5) missed the hat-trick behind Craving Magic not beaten far and Vella puts a 3kg claimer on for this. A bounce isn't out of the question.

RACE 6 - MACKINAW PEACH (8) got a lot closer on a dry track at Kembla Grange second-up and it was a good effort. She will present fitter and McDougall is a key jockey engagement. Lightly raced and fitter gets her chance. COLD MIST (4) is a leader who has been nudged out here in his last three. Carries 1.5kg less today and is sure to threaten again. UNREAL EXPECTATION (1) made up plenty of ground to miss a nose here first up. Keeps Lever and will get every chance to go one better. MCTOMINAY (2) is free running and resumed here with a 1.3L defeat over shorter and he went close at Moruya following over this distance. He keeps Loy and is on the quick backup. In a form stable and has to be considered.

RACE 7 - RIPPANA (4) could cap off a good day for the local Pepper yard. Resumes and just missed the hat-trick her latest impeded by a heavy track. She is proven fresh and will use the inside barrier. A bold run is likely. BURROWA (8) came here and turned the form around, leading and blitzing the 50 graders by 4L. He will run along from a low gate and tumbles in weight. That brings him right into it. ANGEL IN THE WIND (3) switched from a Sydney yard and was much too good here first-up in a CL1. Olive has got him back on track and he won't have to improve much to fight out the finish. CHRISTMAS STAR (6) had been racing well here and likely found the slow track the issue at Wagga last time. Maps well and with JVO replacing the apprentice is worth another chance..