Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - NOVA CENTAURI (6) has not been produced since making late ground to be beaten under a length on debut 1100m at Mudgee in February. Trained on the track but hasn't been produced at the trials this time in. Looks the one to beat with Ash Morgan to steer. FLYING MOLLY (3) returned from a twenty-month spell for new trainer Mark Milton last time out and did a great job to finish third over 900m here. Will take a lot from that outing and over an extra 100m will be tough to hold out. Locally trained HEAD KAHUNA (9) is a debutant by Headwater from a Snitzel mare who has thrown six winners from as many foals to race. Ready to run well following a sound recent trial. The sparingly raced SMART BUY (7) progressed nicely during the maiden campaign and is also in the mix first-up. NUGGET SMART (1) returned in good order at Tamworth last start and is a genuine chance with the help of the inside alley.

RACE 2 - MISS REBEL (1) raced handy then battled on well to hold third in this grade over 1000m at Muswellbrook four weeks ago. Races well at Scone and this is her pet trip. Ready to win with Bullock aboard out of an ideal gate. MOVE SHE CAN (6) has raced well all prep without winning, the latest offering a handy third over 1200m at Tamworth. Saves her best for this circuit. Very fit and at the weights is a genuine chance. Lightly raced mare CHIDIAC (2) is back from a five-month break. Opened her career with three wins before coming unstuck in a Randwick Highway. Recent trial winner who should hit the ground running. Last start Coffs winner SOOBOOCO (3) has a good record over this distance and cannot be ruled out. TAKEMINE (4) charged home late but just ran out of ground here at this trip last time. Consistent mare who will be tough to hold out.

RACE 3 - SOLITARIO (2) was thirty-eight days between runs when the gutsy winner of a 1200m Class 1 here last start. Has now won two from two this prep and getting out to this distance looks the right move to keep the ball rolling. ILOVENEWS (5) returned from a two-month lay-off with a closing second over 1300m at this circuit. Tackling a better race today but drops 4kgs and strips fitter so he should play a significant role. CELESTIAL BREEZE (8) worked home well after an awkward getaway to get up for fourth recently over this distance at Bathurst. Sparingly raced filly who gets all the favours from the inside draw. MISCHIEVOUS MOLLY (7) did well to be beaten around two lengths at Muswellbrook last time after being snagged back from a wide draw. That was her first run in seven weeks so there is plenty of scope for improvement. HOLLYWOOD GOLD (4) disappointed at Tamworth last Friday but can improve over an extra furlong today.

RACE 4 - Some key scratchings thin this race right out. SATIN SPARKLE (3) from the Waller camp lines up for the seventh time, and for the first time away from town or the provincials. Runner-up three back at Wyong which is strong form for a race of this calibre. BEAST OF BURDEN (5) resumes. Has raced just once since August 2023, a midfield finish at Doomben in December. Trialled well recently for new trainer Brett Cavanough. Betting the key. Stablemate BIRD WHISTLE (8) is by Brutal from a So You Think mare. Won a trial here on 25 June and looks ready to run well on debut. Zoustar filly MACHRIMORE (10) lines up for the first time. By Zoustar from a Written Tycoon mare. Placed in her latest trial at Canterbury. Good early support suggests she will be highly competitive. HOT LUCI (6) has not raced since showing pace before tiring on debut at Goulburn on 20 December. Three trials since early May should have her ready to go.

RACE 5 - THE BIG BLUE (6) returned from a fifteen-month spell with an encouraging third last start over 1350m at Wyong, doing his best work late. Bred to relish the step up to a mile so with that comeback run out of the way he looks poised to break through. Lightly raced filly GRAINNE (9) improves at each appearance, the latest offering a solid second at Kembla when tackling the mile for the first time. Carries the same weight in an easier maiden so she is right in contention. GHAZNAVI (1) backs up five days after storming home to miss by a whisker over 1400m at Mudgee. Now seventeen races without a win which is a concern - one for the exotics. TARRANT COUNTY (5) impressed at Narromine last time and is open to further improvement. It would be a big surprise if the winner came from outside this quartet.

RACE 6 - Many of these bring winning form to the table, including GRANDINI (2) who made it two on the trot when she chimed in late to get the job done over 1400m at Bathurst last start. Big step up in trip today but it looks the right move at this stage of the prep. The testing material again. LADY FELINA (10) put a poor first-up run behind her when she raced handy and proved too strong in a 1400m Bathurst maiden last time out. Lightly raced filly bred on stout staying lines so today's journey should see further improvement. FEJER DAWN (11) relished the step up to 1600m recently when she collected her maiden win at Tamworth. Interesting move to put the blinkers on for the first time at this stage. Capable of taking on this better opposition. BELLINI SPRITZ (7) got a long way back and struggled to get involved over the mile at Taree last start. Form before that was hard to fault so she deserves another chance. OFF THE SCALE (3) bolted in at Port Macquarie last start. In the mix again.

RACE 7 - READY AND LUCKY (2) returned from a spell last start with an eye-catching third over 1200m at this track, just failing to pick up the promising Solitario (engaged in Race 3). Only needs to maintain that form to be a major force again. CRESTA RUN (4) has a comparable profile, resuming last time out in the same race as Ready And Lucky and closing with similar venom, getting up for the closest of seconds. On trial at this trip but it looks ideal based on that last effort. PANTA RHEI (1) raced handy but was swamped and finished fourth in the same race as the top two picks here recently. Lightly raced filly who is sure to run another big race. PINDORAMA (7) started at a short quote and got the job done comfortably on debut over this course and distance eighteen days ago. Meets a deep field this time but there is a stack of room for improvement. On-pacer WILD SENSATION (3) is racing well and should be in contention for a long way.