Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - EXCEEDAQA (8) showed ability in two runs last time in and looks to have strengthened over the break. Fitted with two searching trials and will be hard to hold out in this easier contest. The blinkers come off today. LULO ROSE (4) back for her second prep after finishing a respectable fourth over 1000m at Nowra four-and-a-half months ago. Two trials have been sound, and the inside gate helps. Go close. LARS (2) is a nicely bred four-year-old gelding by Better Than Ready from Hidden Flair on debut for the Alan Hayden yard. Not asked to do much in a recent 1000m trial and looks to have each-way claims in this contest. RIBELLA (5) first starter by Cluster out of Letsgetrhythm on debut for the Todd Howlett yard. Has shown enough in two recent trials to stay in the calculations.

RACE 2 - UNCUT GEM (10) returned in good order with a fast finishing third over 1250m at Kempsey on July 30. Handles all conditions and should get the right tempo with the 2kg claim. Fitter now and expected to go close. WELCOME BACK (11) drops in trip after backing up quickly when a plugging fifth over 1400m at Coffs Harbour on August 2. This looks easier from the inside gate with Grima's 3kg claim. Rates highly. QUIET APPROACH (3) had been racing well prior to drifting back and failing to get into the contest when seventh over 1250m at Taree on July 23. Better than latest and can turn it around today. ROCK ARE STEINER (4) fitter after two runs back and improvement expected after finishing fifth over 1250m at Taree on July 23. Can run into the minor money.

RACE 3 - CRUSHEEN LASS (10) stretches out to her favoured trip today after holding on well when fifth over 1600m at Wyong on July 25. Placed to advantage here and drops in weight with Ben Looker taking the ride. Hard to hold out. LITTLE OUTLAW (8) fifth-up for this and a win looks imminent. Sat on the speed and gave his all when a tenacious third over 2000m at Queanbeyan on July 19. Likely improver with strong prospects. SPECIAL DAY (4) has been a model of consistency this prep and due for a change of luck. Strong through the line when fourth over 1895m at Newcastle six days ago. Distance suits and no shock to see her take this out. KILLZY (6) returned to form at his last two outings and drops in weight for this. Anchored with the 59kg when running on late to finish a narrow second over 2000m at Taree on July 23. Can go one better here.

RACE 4 - KITSILANO (4) ten-start maiden who gets out to the mile for the first time this prep. Charged late from well back when a narrow seventh over 1450m at Kempsey on July 30. Gets the claim again and ready for this trip now. AMPLE TIME (6) will find this more to her liking after finishing third over 1600m at Kembla Grange on July 18. Down in weight and has fitness on her side in this easier contest. WICKED GAMES (14) has been around the money of late and looks ready for the 1600m now. The 2kg claim is a bonus and look for him swooping late. LE SOUCI (7) at her top now after finding form third-up when an eye-catching third over 1600m at Wyong on August 4. Gets map favours again and a win looks imminent.

RACE 5 - MONTE CRUISE (5) racing in a rich vein of form and going nicely through her grades. Led throughout when a gritty winner over 1000m at Taree on July 23. Gets in light again with Fitzgerald's claim and expected to go close. SPARKINGLY (2) has been a model of consistency this time in and looks well placed here. Comes out of a strong race after powering late when second over 1000m at Grafton in BM66 class on July 18. Looks the main danger. ORSUM (8) racing in career best form and kept fresh for this. Stretched out to the 1425m at Grafton when running on late to secure fourth on July 7. Winkers come off and is undefeated at this track. ZOE SHARK (4) handy mare back from a spell of five months. Has an okay fresh record and looks primed for this with a solid trial placing over 845m at Wyong.

RACE 6 - LORD FINLAND (4) racing in a rich vein of form and going nicely through his grades. Knuckled down late with the 59kg when a tenacious head winner over 1600m at Tamworth on June 28. Races best with his runs spaced and all his form is over the mile. HOTZINO (6) third-up here after having no luck from the outside gate when a poor eighth over 1400m at Taree on July 23. Will race closer today and can return to form. THE YOUNG YEARS (8) was a month between runs when down in weight for a surprise nose victory over 1600m at Taree on July 13. Farr rides again with the 4kg claim and can play a leading role. INTOXICATION (11) sat on the speed and gave her all to the line when a close third over 1600m at Taree on July 13. Brings the right figures here.

RACE 7 - HIT SONG (7) broke his maiden status in good style two starts back then turned in a sub-par performance when a tiring ninth over 1400m at Inverell on July 20. Comes up against a fairly average lot here and can quickly return to form. WANDJAD (5) resumed from a lengthy break with a gritty on-speed victory over 1250m at Taree on July 23. Returned good figures last start and will prove tough to beat again. AYE AYE SKIPPER (3) handy gelding who's been plagued by bad barriers at his last two outings. Covered ground on the speed when a narrow 1.1 lens fourth over 1000m at Taree on July 23. Jumps in trip and stays in the mix. MISS ARIZONA (8) last two runs have been full of merit, including latest fourth over 1250m at Kempsey on July 30. Expected to take a hand in the finish.

RACE 8 - RUN RORY RUN (1) tough gelding carrying the big weights well. Not that far away with the 60kg when fifth over 1250m at Kempsey on July 30. Has a good record over this track and trip and the 4kg claim only enhances his chances. Go close. NEVADA SMOKE (8) recent runs have been sound and looks close to another victory. Powered late from well back when second over 1250m at Kempsey on July 30. Finally draws a decent gate and looks one of the main players. MONTE DRIFTER (5) looked good when scoring at Grafton three-back but recent efforts have been below par. Made a little ground late when sixth over 1200m at Ipswich on July 11. Each-way prospect. SPIRIT OF PLUTO (2) returns from a 35-day let-up after disappointing when sixth over 1200m at Tamworth on July 5. Go on his solid earlier efforts when assessing his chances.

RACE 9 - HOT BANDIT (9) lightly raced gelding resuming. Finished third at his last two outings and expected to have strengthened up over the break. Finds the right race to kick off and sprints well fresh. SUPREME COMMAND (5) shed his maiden status in commanding style two back before jumping in grade with the 61.5kg when a plugging sixth over 1000m at Kempsey on July 30. Fitter now with the claim and can bounce back today. LAIZABOUT (6) created a big impression on debut as fav when leading throughout for a slick 6 len victory over 1000m at Taree on July 23. Expected to go close again. TOY STORY (11) underrated gelding fitter after two runs back. Well drawn for this and showed enough last time in to suggest improvement is expected.