Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - DANGEREUSE (4) looked to be all over the winner at Barcaldine last time out until being bombed in the last stride and running second by a short-head. He will be rock hard fit for this and with 100 metres less to travel this time, he can go one better. MADAM ROCK (6) had an excuse at Roma last time out as the kickback on that track can upset horses at times. She can avoid all that with a good start from the pole position and is expected to finish closer this time. GUTHO (1) has been mixing his form on the picnic circuit and can make full use of his handy gate early on here. Each way value with a peak effort. NYTHE (3) is heading the right way with his form and as long as he does not get too far back in the running, he can figure in the finish. Include in all combinations in a wide open contest.

RACE 2 - HARCH ROAD (2) made steady progress in his last prep earlier in the year and after finishing third at Mackay as favourite in his last run, he was put aside for a spell and changed stables. He won't be hard to place on the picnic circuit and can take this out fresh up. SON OF BEEBEE (1) was third fresh up for his new trainer at Roma a month ago and has plenty of early pace which will suit this course. He strips fitter and can pick up his next win at short notice. DEEP SILENCE (7) followed up an easy trial win with a brave victory by a nose at Bluff just over a fortnight ago. She cops a wider gate this time but can continue to improve this prep. Stick with her. POMPEY'S VALOUR (4) broke through for a deserved maiden win at the recent Ilfracombe picnic meeting and draws handily here. He has enough early pace to hold his spot early from a good gate and there is no reason why he can't win again.

RACE 3 - THE SQUIRE (2) is a very handy performer in this area but he still has a few tricks at the start and blew it most recently as favourite at Alpha just over 3 weeks ago. He has trialled up nicely since then to the satisfaction of stewards and is the one to beat on his best behaviour. DIZZY DEVINE (9) was runner-up at Longreach just over 5 weeks ago and has been placed in her only start on this track which is a decided advantage. She cops a tricky draw but is still a sound each-way chance in an even lineup. BURDEKIN (1) won in this grade fresh up and has been racing thereabouts in 3 runs since then. He was a well-beaten third most recently at Bluff and with a drop back in class, he can figure in the finish again, despite having a sharp rise in weight. FINANCE HARLEM (4) is resuming from a long break and was last seen racing in Victoria. He comes to hand quickly and looks to be very well placed at this level considering some of the form he showed down South late last season. Can win.

RACE 4 - BEST SIDE (4) has come of age this prep and after making a slow start to his campaign, he has won 3 of his last 4 starts, including an easy win 9 days ago at Roma. He has been placed on this track in his only start here and has the draw to take them all of the way. NOTQUITELIKEJACK (9) only battled as favourite in his last start at Goondiwindi before having a spell and should be a lot stronger this prep. He is nicely placed in this company and from a good draw, he can make his presence felt fresh up. ENTREPRENEURIAL (1) has been mixing his form in this campaign despite being well-found in the markets. He did not do much at Barcaldine a fortnight ago but is worth another chance in a slightly easier lineup here. ISSHEGREY (10) is another that did not show much at Barcaldine last time out after a solid run for second at Emerald before that. Include in all combinations.

RACE 5 - DAULAT MACHTIGKUDA (4) turned around some average form with an easy win at Ilfracombe 9 days ago when scoring by well over 3 lengths. He has the right draw to secure a cosy run early and can take the next step immediately. DEVIL ENUFF (7) was reported by his jockey to not have coped with the middle distance at Bluff last time out and the drop back to 1400 metres looks to be ideal. He won by a nose at Mckinlay before that and can bounce back into the money immediately. PREFERRAL (2) has not run a bad race since leaving his former Victorian stable earlier in the year and was third at Barcaldine a fortnight ago. Having Paul Hamblin in the saddle is a strong lead and he will be hard to hold out in this. PRIOR THOUGHTS (9) came home with a rush when fourth in the same race as the top pick and even though she has a furlong less to travel this time, she does have a superior gate. She can have the last say here.

RACE 6 - HEYINGTON STATION (3) bolted home against a similar lineup by 5 lengths 9 days ago at Ilfracombe and was penalized 2 kilos for that victory. He has a handy gate and more importantly, has already been placed twice on this track which is an advantage. Hard to beat again. PROUD WITH PRIDE (9) has been in rock solid form this prep and was only beaten by a short-head as favourite at Barcaldine a fortnight ago. She is up in class and jumps from a wider gate here but does get 7 kilos of weight relief. Stick with her. Can win. CAFFREY (6) is probably better over longer journeys as he showed last start at Alpha when scoring by more than 7 lengths over 1700 metres. Watch for him to be charging home late in this. Each way.

RACE 7 - LEGISLATE (3) has copped a wide draw to go along with his big weight but he is racing in good heart and an extra 400 metres on offer here will do him no harm. Each way claims in a very even contest. BADGE (1) won in a tougher grade in his penultimate start and then ran on from last to finish fourth at Barcaldine last time out. The extra 100 metres will help and he can have the last say in this, despite drawing wide. SCOTTISH FARMER (7) has improved since joining the Scott Rodgers stable and although he was a well-beaten third at Roma 9 days ago it was a good run considering the circumstances that day. A wide draw is no help but with a drop in grade, another honest effort can be expected. READY MADE (6) was a last start winner in a higher class at Charleville just over 2 weeks ago when scoring by a short-head. He can mix his form but is worth following up in this from a good draw.