Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - HIGHWAY STRIP (6) resumes for his second prep. Nice gelding who attacked the line strongly on debut when a narrow second over 1200m at Moruya on April 26. Ran seventh in a trial at Moruya over 920m on August 5. Expected to go close. DEKADANCE (7) set to peak third-up and a win looks imminent. Went under narrowly when a head second over 1020m at Moruya on August 5. Trained on the track and looks the main danger. ROCAS GRANDES (3) returned to form in the heavy going when third over 1400m at Gundagai on August 6. Blinkers come off and the visors go on. Can run into the minor money. GHOST WALKER (1) showed good early speed on resumption before tiring late to finish third over 1180m at Gundagai on August 6. Maps well and stays in the calculations.
RACE 2 - CRISTAL CLEAR (3) comes out of a strong form race after finishing second over 1300m at Wyong on July 25. Kept fresh and should appreciate the extra trip.BLAZING SWORD (7) improving with racing and third-up in this easier contest. Stalked the speed but failed to finish off when fourth over 1600m at Hawkesbury on August 1. One of the leading contenders. CHA CHA CHA (9) is just ticking over this preparation, but could add value to betting with this suitable and a couple of ratings giving him a nice chance.
RACE 3 - OCCHIATA (3) underrated mare who resumed with an eye catching seventh over 1200m at Rosehill on August 3. Goes just as well second up and a repeat of latest will see her hard to hold out. MAZ KANATA (7) back in trip when returning to town with an even seventh over 1100m at Randwick on August 10. Fitter now and the extra trip suits. MISS STALWART (10) sound return with the big weight when attacked the line late to finish second over 1200m at Wagga on August 11. Down sharply in weight and not to be underestimated in this stronger contest.
RACE 4 - NATS ENOUGH (6) tough gelding who won here four back in good style. Three weeks between runs on the heavy (10) surface when sixth over 1600m at Albury on July 29. Reunited with Nick Heywood and sure to be strong late. RUFF (12) due for a change of luck after finishing in the minor money of late. Nice return in the heavy going when holding on to secure third over 1400m at Gundagai on August 6. Extra trip suits and finds a fairly even BM66. CALL ME ARTIE (13) tough old campaigner who saves his best for the mile. Big drop in grade when a gritty neck second over 1900m at Casino on August 10. Go close again on the quick back-up. SPIRITLY (8) will relish the drop in weight after running on late from the wide gate when sixth over 1600m at Moruya on August 5. Finally draws a decent gate and looks good each way value.
RACE 5 - LEASE (6) relished the sharp drop in weight with the claim when leading throughout to score by 1.75 lens over 1400m at Newcastle on August 15. Backs up quickly and will give them something to catch again. SASSY MISSILE (9) turned in a strong performance first-up when in the money at Sapphire Coast but disappointed last time when eighth at Kembla Grange over 1400m. Competitive if she can quickly put that behind her. GALLIC FOX (2) is the other danger to Lease and will also have to turn things around from last time. Ordinary one in town on the heavy but for prior shows he his better than that and this suits.
RACE 6 - ICONIC TREASURE (8) lightly raced gelding who strips fitter second-up after disappointing when fifth over 1100m at Wyong on August 4. Watch for him doing his best work late. SKY ARTIST (9) drops in weight after drifting back from an outside draw when resuming with a solid fourth over 1200m at Scone on August 2. Lone victory came here and not to be underestimated. STARLIV (6) ran a plain one at home last time but liked the Ballarat run prior and that rating puts her in the game.
RACE 7 - KINLOCH (2) resumes with a smart first-up record. Came from well back when a gritty fifth over 1300m at Scone in the LR Luskin Star on May 18. Since fitted with two trials and looks primed for this with Rawiller aboard. CHORLTON LANE (5) has been freshened for this after disappointing at his last two outings. Best form is over this trip and since kept up to the mark with a recent 1030m trial placing. Drops in weight and look for him late. ST LAWRENCE (7) his winter form in Victoria has been solid and comes here with a fitness edge over most of these. Drawn to stalk the speed and is a genuine top-three contender. Multiple Group 3 placegetter GRAVINA (6) is trained on the track and due for a change of luck. Charged late with the 57.5kg when third over 1300m at Rosehill on August 3. Lloyd keeps the ride and expected to go close. The chances don't end there.
RACE 8 - FORTINGALL (4) solid win on debut two starts back, before disappointing when tiring late to finish seventh over 1250m at Newcastle on August 8. Comes back in class and gets the blinkers added today. Will sit on the speed and take catching. NO SECOND THOUGHTS (9) fourth-up for this and looks desperately close to breaking through. Sat on the good tempo with the 60kg when a plugging third over 1200m at Nowra on August 12. Claim helps and no excuses here from the low draw. STRUFF (5) has been ticking over okay and lastest at Kembla was the best effort for the campaign so far. That stacks up.
