Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CHOICE LEGEND (4) returned from an eight-month spell with a game third over 1100m at Hawkesbury last start. Consistent mare who should settle up on the speed again and with that run under her belt will be hard to hold out. BELLA CORAZON (6) was very easy in betting when fresh from a spell over 1100m at Canterbury a fortnight ago but managed to find the line well to get up for third. Lightly raced filly who will enjoy the longer run home at the Kenso. Expect her to progress from that latest effort. ASTERIDE (8) is back from a three-month break. Back-marker who didn't have the best of luck in her three runs last prep. No trial form to assist but on her best figures she should be competitive. EROTAS (1) exceeded expectations on debut at Kembla recently and has plenty of scope for improvement. Early favourite I FOUND YOU (7) is a half-sister to Deep Field and Shooting To Win on debut for the Snowdens. Trialling like a good horse.
RACE 2 - MOSTRO (2) resumes. Raced just once last prep on 27 September, finishing second over 1200m at Rosehill after leading for the judge. Going well at the trials and looks to be in for a strong campaign. ALTAIR I AM (4) was in the market but failed to flatter on debut over 1300m at Kembla in February 2023. Gelded since that outing and a recent second in a Rosehill trial suggests he is ready to run despite the long lay-off. DETENDU (1) resumes from a 16-week break. Runner-up at all three runs in the maiden prep. Hard to knock. EVERYBODY RISE (6) has not raced since finishing third to the smart Spywire on debut over 1100m at Rosehill in November. Recent trial winner who looks set for a strong resumption. Trapeze Artist debutant REBEL RHAPSODY (7) is going great guns at the trials and deserves plenty of thought.
RACE 3 - FATHER'S DAY (1) led and looked home only to be nabbed in the shadows last start over 2000m at Rosehill. Fitter for two runs back from a spell and will appreciate dropping back to midweek company. Runs a strong 2400m so he will be hard to catch despite going up to 60.5kgs. KADAVAR (7) is a progressive three-year-old who was tested at stakes level last time out but failed in the Rough Habit over 2000m at Doomben. Half to Oaks winner Miami Bound so expect he will get the trip at his first attempt. Major player down on the limit. AWESOME WONDER (3) caught the eye late over this distance on the course proper when a month between runs recently. Honest mare who will be rock hard fit for this. HIAWATHA (2) boxed on evenly and finished alongside Awesome Wonder last time out. In the mix. SO SLEEK (5) is a chance over the extra furlong on a seven-day back-up.
RACE 4 - Selected JAWHARAT DUBAI (12) on top at $3.20 before five or six key rivals were scratched, leaving her now as a standout but in the red. Registered her fifth minor placing in a row when beaten a whisker over this distance at Newcastle last start. Won't be too far away in transit in the small field. Blinkers for the first time and McDonald going on are significant ticks. Fangirl's little brother WIPEOUT (7) returns from a 21-week lay-off. Didn't have the best of luck in the two runs of his maiden prep. Worth a look with blinkers on for the first time. WILD FLASH (6) led but found a couple better late in the piece when even-money favourite in a Gunnedah maiden over this distance last time out. Should lead and give a sight. AL RAS BLUES (8) is back from an 18-week break. Opened last prep with a minor placing over 1100m at Wyong. In the mix. Stablemate CHARMING LEGEND (2) has placed in a couple of recent trials and is worth considering on debut.
RACE 5 - Small field but each of the seven runners has legitimate claims. MORPHEUS BRAGI (2) tackled Saturday company last time out when a battling fifth on a bog track over 1100m at Rosehill. Far better placed today and the 2kg claim helps. Can bounce back. ART VOLANT (13) knuckled down impressively to just arrive in time when fresh from a spell over this distance at Hawkesbury recently. Big step up today but McDonald's engagement is a vote of confidence. Market watch on the Hawkes-trained GRAND LARCENY (10) making the Victoria/NSW switch. Led but tired when resuming over this trip at Sandown. Went from Bendigo first-up to Newcastle second-up last prep and won easily. Major player. REBEL DEAN (5) is a strong fresh performer returning from a 15-week lay-off. Performed well in Saturday grade when last in work so he is good enough to test this field. The unbeaten APIC RUN (7) goes very fast and could easily pinch this.
RACE 6 - NINGALOO STAR (1) wasn't suited dropping back in trip last start when a battling sixth over 1100m at Rosehill. Bolted in at the midweekers here the run prior. Is a winner at 1400m so back in this company she makes plenty of appeal. EMMADELLA (7) continues to race well this prep, beaten under a length at all three appearances. Charged home late to grab third at the latest outing over this distance at Kembla. Blinkers going on might give her that extra spark. ZOUPHORIA (6) failed to make an impression when resuming down the Flemington straight recently. Won second-up over this course and distance last prep so it will be no surprise to see her improve sharply. NANSHE (10) is worth some thought off a 30-day freshen-up despite a tricky gate. UNTIL VALHALLA (12) goes well at this circuit and will be cherry ripe after three runs back from a spell.
RACE 7 - The lightly raced PURE ALPHA (9) returned from an 18-week spell last start with a desperately close second over 1300m at Warwick Farm. Scored at $1.40 when second-up last prep over today's course and distance. Likely to meet with strong support and should get the job done. HEADLEY GRANGE (11) attacked the line with purpose to just get up last time out over this trip at Kembla. Finished third here the run before in a strong form race. Will get back from the wide gate but watch for him late. BUNKER HUT (1) made his run from well back on the corner last start but just missed out over 1250m at Canterbury. Starting to become costly but going too well to rule out, particularly with the step up in distance. GREEN SHADOWS (2) has been freshened up after struggling in a couple of Saturday class races over longer trips. Can bounce back. The chances look to end there, with DR EVIL (4) best of the remainder.
