Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - THE THREE HUNDRED (7) started in the red when resuming last start over this distance at Hawkesbury but got a mile back due to early interference before rattling home for a close third. Will tighten right up following that run and with even luck can feature in the finish. CALIFORNIA BAY (1) raced handy and had his chance but found one better on debut last time out over 1300m at the Kensington track. Will prove tough to hold off with a little natural improvement to come. ESPINHO (2) resumed with a tidy third behind the smart Mergeila over 1250m at Canterbury a fortnight ago. Talented colt who will improve off that outing. EXTREME DIVA (11) gets in nicely under today's scale and is very fit after three runs back. MONTE VEEBEE (5) wasn't disgraced in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty last start. Serious chance in this company.
RACE 2 - DIDDLE DUMPLING (3) ran on boldly for a minor placing first-up then started at $1.55 but after a contested lead dropped out late over this distance at Kembla last start. Was competitive against the likes of Manaal and Eneeza last prep. Big chance if she puts her best foot forward. ETON (6) was ridden back over 1100m at Canterbury when lining up for the first time recently. Worked home well for third on that occasion so a bigger track and a bit more ground looks ideal. AYE AYE CAPTAIN (11) is back from a 24-week spell. Showed ability in the two runs of her maiden campaign. Likely to measure up. JUST THINK TWICE (8) is worth monitoring on debut. Trial form not flash but it's Waller and McDonald so there is certain to be interest. Victorian visitor PANTOJA (9) is worth monitoring for betting support first-up from a spell.
RACE 3 - Not the strongest staying field ever assembled so Gai and Adrian's Irish import NEWFOUNDLAND (4) gets his chance. His two Australian runs have been over 1900m at Canterbury, the latest a strong third when fresh from a ten-month break. Went around in 2400m+ races in Ireland so this is more to his liking. OLYMPIC GAZE (7) found the frame for the first time in 17 starts when third to Whisker To Whisker over 2300m at Newcastle last start. Dour type who has contested six stakes races so he has a class edge on most of these. KING OF CLUBS (1) has been easily accounted for in a couple of races won by Matusalem since resuming. Fitter and back in the midweekers. Likely improver. WHISKER TO WHISKER (8) scrambled home over Karmazone and Olympic Gaze at Newcastle recently. Will stay all day and on the limit weight is in the mix again. FUN SUNDAY (5) struggled in metro Saturday company last time but is a chance back in this more suitable contest.
RACE 4 - Lightly raced mare SEAFALL (7) began awkwardly then recovered to chime in late and just prevail over 1580m at Canterbury last start. Gets beyond the mile for the first time but it looks the right option. Hard to hold out again. McDonald hops off Seafall to ride stablemate MISTERKIPCHOGE (8) who caught the eye when fourth to that mare at Canterbury last time. Placed up to 11 furlongs last prep so this trip looks ideal third-up. Competitive at stakes level last season so he has a touch of class. CRISTAL CLEAR (10) made it two wins on the trot when he led all the way in a 1600m Hawkesbury Class 1 recently. Progressive colt who still has more to offer. CAPTAIN MAVERICK (2) scored convincingly over this journey at the Kensington track last time out. Has only raced five times so there is improvement to come. KADAVAR (1) wasn't far off Seafall first-up and meets her 5kgs better after the claim. Big chance on those numbers.
RACE 5 - NEED SOME LUCK (1) was backed off the map but after looming to win was shaded late when resuming over 1250m at Canterbury last start. Improved sharply to win with ease second-up last prep so punters who were stung last time should back up. Anthony and Sam Freedman bring ETINCELLE (8) north after he opened this campaign with an eye-catching second over 1240m at Geelong 19 days ago. Promising gelding who won his maiden at Sandown second-up last prep. Right in this. DAZZLE LEGEND (2) is back from an eight-month spell. Genuine performer last prep, including a close third to kick off that campaign. Saturday class galloper who is good enough to test these. EYE PEA OH (9) has been in the money three times in a row, all at 1100m. Finding the line well so the extra 100m might be the key. RAVENCLAW (4) can improve on his first-up effort over 1100m at Canterbury.
RACE 6 - Handy mare MAKENA (10) sat back then launched a big finish to get the cash last start over this distance at the Kensington track. Carries the same weight today to tackle the boys. Maps nicely behind a strong tempo and will be hard to hold out again at just the third run of the prep. PIERCING ARROW (8) led and wouldn't lie down but eventually found a couple better close to home when resuming over 1150m at the Kensington track last time out. Improved significantly second-up last prep so he has plenty to offer. CARPACCIO (13) is racing very well at the provincials, placing at all four runs this prep. Nice effort over this distance at Hawkesbury last time and he drops sharply in the weights. Each-way hope in this tougher contest. WEMBANYAMA (11) resumes. Opened last prep with a win at Kembla over this distance so must be respected. GETAFIX (12) has bumped into same very handy gallopers in his three runs this campaign. Big chance down in the weights.
RACE 7 - Most of the top chances come out. HELLBENT ON YOU (6) wasn't far away when resuming in a Midway over 1200m at this track last start, working through the line nicely. Should settle a lot closer today over the extra trip in a race that lacks genuine speed. Has placed 2/2 when second-up so she makes plenty of appeal at decent odds. Early favourite MERGEILA (10) was fresh from a two-month let-up when an impressive winner last time out over 1250m at Canterbury. Progressive filly who is bred to be very good. Can go right on with the job. Lightly raced four-year-old PIPPIE BEACH (4) did a fair job to get home for fourth when resuming over this distance at Warwick Farm recently. Scored convincingly at this stage last prep so she is open to plenty of improvement. WATERVILLE (9) resumes. Trialling well and has the coveted inside gate so she comes right under notice. DANCES WITH HOOVES (16) also resumes. The winner of four from eight so she is sure to be competitive.
