Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - LIKE LUKEY (6) improving filly with her hoof on the till. Ready for the mile now after charging late when an eye-catching third over 1412m at Taree on June 9. Gets in light with the claim and no excuses here. OUR COSMIC BELLE (8) fourth-up today and stretches out to the 1600m for the first time. Failed to sprint with them when a plugging fourth over 1300m at this track on June 4. Has the numbers to take this out. Keep safe. SHINE LIKE IT DOES (10) sharp improvement at second race start when she held on well to secure third over 1300m here on June 4. Ready for this trip now and gets every chance from the low draw. GOODNIGHT BARLOW (2) having his third career run today after making up good ground late when fifth over 1300m here on June 4. Ready for the mile now and has genuine claims.
RACE 2 - Tricky race with the bulk of the field on debut. BLUE ILLUSION (1) returned for third prep with a gritty third over 900m at Newcastle in the heavy (10) going on June 1. Maps to get the right run today and will appreciate the firmer track. Go close. VINNIRO (5) is back in class for this after resuming in the heavy (9) going when a plugging fourth over 1100m at Randwick on June 8. Beautifully placed and is sure to take plenty of stopping. GIRLS WEEKEND (8) two-year-old filly by Headwater out of a I Am Invincible mare on debut for the Waterhouse/ Bott yard. Two trials have been fair and will need luck from the wide gate. I AM A WINNER (2) Colt by Written Tycoon out of an I Am Invincible mare making his debut for the Richard and Will Freedman yard. Has shown ability in all three trials and must be kept safe.
RACE 3 - BALLET D'ESPRIT (2) well-bred filly who is held in high regard by the stable. Showed her ability in three runs last time in and has since been fitted with two trials. Maps well and market moves must be closely monitored. HARD PICK (5) stormed home late on resumption when a sound third over this trip in the heavy (9) going at Wyong on June 6. Will appreciate the firmer track and prove hard to hold out. TO THE EXTREME (3) resumes from a six-month break after showing ability at her first prep. Returns with two trials under the belt and is expected to play a leading role. PENITENT (8) further matured now and returned from a long layoff with a tough second over today's journey at Goulburn on June 3. Comes to hand quickly and Deanne Panya keeps the ride.
RACE 4 - EUROMASTER (1) finds his race today second-up after finishing strongly when a narrow second over 1200m at Wyong on June 6. Will appreciate the firmer deck and take plenty of holding out. BABY DAISY (8) has her hoof on the till after finishing in the minor money at her last three outings. Up in trip and down in weight here after finishing a plugging second over 1000m at this track on June 4. Gets her chance again from the low gate. CALL ME GROUCHY (5) is having his fourth career run today and not that far away at the latest when sixth over 1200m at Wyong on June 6. Looks one of the leading prospects. CRIMINAL ART (9) kept fresh for this and returned to form with a fast finishing second over 1300m at Hawkesbury on May 14. No surprise to see her go one better today.
RACE 5 - Tough maiden with plenty of chances. RECRUITER (4) comes out of a solid debut race when third to ART VOLANT over 1000m at Hawkesbury on May 30. Strips fitter now and Lloyd keeps the ride. LILY BOBTAIL (8) two runs back have been encouraging and desperate for a firmer track. Warmed up late when third over 1100m at Wyong on June 6. Fitness should see her play a leading role again. CAPTAIN EAGLE (2) three-year-old gelding by Per Incanto out of Nasaayim on debut for the Ryan/Alexiou yard. Two recent trials have been encouraging and looks ready to go from the inside draw. FUGITIVA (5) placed in three of her four runs in first prep and returns a much stronger filly. Trained on the track and was a strong recent trial winner over 800m here on June 11. Big market watch with Tommy Berry engaged.
RACE 6 - VOMO ISLAND (5) winning strike rate hardly excites but brings excellent numbers here. Much better run at second start this time in when he sat on the speed for a plugging second over 1400m on May 28. Has the speed to get across with cover and prove hard to stop. SMART ACTION (8) had mixed luck in two runs back. Sound return when he rattled late to secure second at Scone, before failing to handle the heavy (10) going when fifth over 1400m at Newcastle on June 1. Tongue-tie goes on and can bounce back sharply. FIRE TRIBE (4) close to his peak now and strong through the line late when fourth over 1250m at Canterbury on June 10. Quick back-up suits out to this distance. MONTE MAXIMUS (7) trained on the track and finished third two back over this track and trip on April 27. Kept fresh when he swooped late to win over 1300m at Hawkesbury four weeks ago. Looks to be racing best with runs spaced.
RACE 7 - CRYSTAL WATERS (10) best form is over this track and trip and a win looks imminent. Comes out of a strong race after finishing a close-up fourth over the 1600m here on May 28. Gets in light with the 3kg claim and no excuses. LINGUEE (6) up in trip after returning to form with a gritty nose victory over 1200m at Wyong on June 6. Has a victory over the 1400m so the 1500m shouldn't pose a problem. FUN SUNDAY (4) resumes after jumping in class and trip last time in. Since fitted with two searching trials and has a good record here. Must be respected with the claim. HINCHINJIVE (1) is back in grade today after powering late when an eye-catching second over 1550m at Canterbury on May 29. Gets the right tempo to be strong again late.
RACE 8 - WORX (2) is racing well this time in and due for a change of luck. Will appreciate the 1.5kg claim today after sitting on the pace before tiring late to finish fourth over 1250m at Canterbury on May 29. At his top for this and looks placed to advantage here. COOL LAD (8) fifth-up today and can turn his fortunes around from the low draw. Taken back from the sticky gate when tenth over 1300m at Warwick Farm in stronger company on June 5. Will prove hard to hold out. HEADSTOCK (17) seven weeks between runs when a sound fourth over 1300m at Kembla on June 4. Trained locally and worth noting Tommy Berry takes the ride. UTOPIAN WINE (10) has a good fresh record and resumes here after a break of five months. Came to the end of her prep when last of 8 behind NANA'S WISH over 1550m at Randwick Kensington on January 17. Had two trials in readiness for this and should be doing her best work late.
