Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - NIPOTINO (5) was rewarded for his consistency with a fast-finishing victory over 1100m here on June 8. This is no tougher and looks even better suited over this trip with the 3kg claim again. Go close. TICKLEBELLY (12) stretches out to the 1200m for the first time today and strips fitter for this. Returned from a let-up with a gritty third behind Nipotino here on June 8. Gets her chance from the gate and expected to be in this for a long way. ALL ASTERN (15) promising mare who returned in good order with a game second over 1175m at Albury on June 7. Undefeated second-up and drops sharply in weight with the claim. Has solid each-way prospects. TAI LUNG (13) recent runs have been encouraging but needs everything to go his way. Returned good final splits when came from near last on the turn to finish fourth over 1100m here in this company on June 8. Desperate for this trip and will need a Berry special from the draw.

RACE 2 - SONOFDEC (5) promising gelding with the four wins from eight starts. Drops sharply in grade and trip after failing to get in the race when a plodding 13th in the G1 Qld Derby over 2400m at Eagle Farm on June 1. Expected to freshen up nicely and go on his previous two wins when assessing his chances. VANQUISHED (8) at his top now and looks ready for the rise in grade after scoring a tough on-pace win over 1550m at Canterbury on June 10. McLucas rides again with the claim and will take catching late. INQUIRING MINDS (3) gives the impression the Randwick track will suit after disappointing when eighth over 1600m at Warwick Farm on June 6. Reunites with McDonald who won on him two back. Improvement is expected and watch for him late. ASSOCIATE (9) progressive gelding who deserves his shot here after powering late when third over 1500m at Rosehill in Highway-C3 grade on June 1. Claim helps again and has each-way prospects.

RACE 3 - HEAD OF THE HERD (13) third-up today and won third-up in the past. Big effort with the 60kg from the wide gate when a fighting sixth over 1300m at Kembla Grange on June 4. Ready for this trip now and drawn to stalk the speed with the sharp drop in weight. ALWAYS SURE (4) consistent miler with a good record over this course and distance. Indicated he was close to another win when charging late to secure third over the mile at Warwick Farm on June 5. Clark sticks and expected to be strong late. PURE HYDROGEN (14) comes out of a strong race after getting back early from the wide gate before catching the eye late to run third over 1600m here on June 8. Can race closer and figure prominently. NOVEMBER FALLS (11) is holding her form well this time in and is due for a change of luck. Will need some McDonald magic from the wide gate today after being nailed late when second over 1600m here in Midway company on June 8. Stays in the mix.

RACE 4 - IT'S A WONDER (13) finds the right race today over the 1800m and no surprise to see her race a little closer. Gave them a big start on straightening when ploughing through the heavy conditions late to finish a narrow fourth over 1600m here on June 8. Schiller rides on the limit weight and will take plenty of holding out. BRIGHT RED (8) big improver at latest when she pounced late with the 53.5kg to score a head victory over 1600m here on June 8. Maps well again and the 1800m shouldn't pose a problem. MASCARET (4) enigmatic mare who indicated she was near her top when motoring late to finish fifth over 1600m here on June 8. McDonald rides and best form can see her play a leading role. NANA'S WISH (5) tired late when a month between runs finishing sixth over 1600m here on June 8. Can hold a forward position and expected to get the trip. Sharp improver.

RACE 5 - NEED SOME LUCK (4) progressive colt expected to go quickly through his grades. Relished the inside gate at second run back when a commanding winner over 1250m at Canterbury on June 10. Looks well in again at the weights and drawn to stalk the good tempo from the low gate. KERGUELEN (8) Lonhro gelding who was backed off the map on debut when clearing out for an impressive 9 len victory over 1200m at Kembla Grange on May 18. Kept up to the mark with a recent Rosehill trial over 1030m on June 11. Has come up very short and will need everything to go right from the outside gate. YANKEE ONE (11) two runs back have been encouraging and a win looks imminent. Drops 4kg in weight for this after going under narrowly when third over 1250m at Canterbury on May 29. Good each-way value and has the talent to play a leading role. SETOMBE (12) has returned a much stronger filly this time in and ready for this third-up. Will relish the hot tempo and look for her swooping late.

RACE 6 - AMBERITE (13) has impressed in two Australian starts and well placed here after finishing a narrow second to FOUJITA SAN in good time over 2000m at Caulfield on June 1. This looks much easier and won over this trip two back. Should be able to get cover early from the gate and take stopping. TIME QUEST (14) got the race on protest at latest when a nose winner over 1600m at Warwick Farm in much easier company on June 5. Has always shown above average ability and placed over the trip. Expected to be strong late on the limit weight. AKASAWA (4) Scone-trained gelding with the excellent record of eight wins from 18 starts. Anchored with the 65.5kg when rattling late to finish a narrow third over 1600m at Gunnedah on May 26. Ready for this trip and not to be underestimated. EAGLEMONT (7) hard fit now and will find this more to his liking after disappointing when 11th over 1800m at Eagle Farm in the G3 Lord Mayors Cup on June 1. Can hold a forward position from the low draw. Place claims best.

RACE 7 - YISKA (13) nice gelding who has the upside to take this out. Sat off the good tempo before rounding them up with ease when a 2.75 len winner over 1100m at Rosehill three weeks ago. Gets the right race set-up again and looks hard to hold out in this tougher contest. COSMONOVA (15) lightly raced filly who resumed with an unlucky fourth in easier company over 1100m at Warwick Farm on June 5. Drops 7.5kg in weight for this and has the upside to figure prominently in this harder event. Value runner. DIPSY DOODLE (10) Godolphin filly resuming after placing in tougher company last time in. Stable has tinkered with the gear and two recent trials were full of merit. Go close. DOLLAR MAGIC (2) won well at Scone two back before tiring late from the wide gate when fifth over 1100m at Canterbury on June 10. Has a good record here and drawn to stalk the good tempo. Can take a hand in the finish.

RACE 8 - Tricky race. EXCELLADUS (11) saves his best for this track and trip and appreciated the drop in weight when a tough nose winner over the 1300m here on June 8. Can get cover from the gate and figure prominently again. DIAMOND DIESEL (12) consistent gelding racing in career best form who deserves his shot here. Stormed out of the pack late when a smart 1.3 len winner over this course and trip on May 25. Brings the right figures and has genuine each way prospects. TAMERLANE (1) returns from a short break and proven in this company. Best form is over this trip and kept ticking over with a recent trial win over 1030m at Rosehill. Second-up record is strong and gets his chance from the low draw. Group 1 placegetter STRAIT ACER (4) has failed to live up to expectations this time in and gets the blinkers on for the first time today after running on late when eighth over 1350m at Doomben in the G3 BRC Sprint on May 25. Can sit off the speed and launch late.

RACE 9 - FLEETWOOD (19) talented gelding undefeated in two runs this time in. Back in trip when picked them up effortlessly to score a 1.4 len victory over 1000m here on June 8. Will need a bit of luck from the sticky gate but desperate for the 1200m now. Looks hard to stop. KING OF NAPLES (21) returned in good order after sitting on the speed with the 60kg when a gritty fourth over 1100m at Scone on May 18. Saves his best for this track and trip and looks one of the main players if he gains a start. WITH YOUR BLESSING (12) solid effort first-up then had no luck from the outside gate when ninth in the LR June Stakes over 1100m on June 8. Drawn the inside gate today and sharp improvement is anticipated. IOWNA MERC (3) loomed up strongly to win second-up before failing to go on with the job when a narrow second as favourite over 1100m in the LR June Stakes at this track. Will get back again from the wide gate and be ridden for luck.

RACE 10 - Tough way to end the day. IVAN'S HERO (10) returns from a 35-day let-up after being plagued by wet tracks. Comes out of a very strong race after finishing seventh to ELSON BOY over 1300m at Scone on May 18. Firmer deck helps and will prove hard to hold out over the 1400m from the low draw. STARMAN (5) finding it hard to break through this time in and will appreciate the services of Nash Rawiller today. Never comfortable in the heavy (9) going when a plugging third over 1400m here on June 8. Firmer track can see him go close. WEST OF AFRICA (13) big improver third-up when launched late with a narrow victory over 1300m at Warwick Farm in easier company on June 5. J Mac sticks and sure to be thereabouts again. DEFINING (12) meets WEST OF AFRICA better at the weights here after finishing a nose second at Warwick Farm at latest. Has a good record over the 1400m and looks solid each way value.