Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky race with all of them at the races for the first time and each one coming off strong trial form. Backing Waterhouse/Bott two-year-olds at this stage of the season is a good default position so ENCHANTED BY (2) gets the nod. By Written By from a Snitzel mare with three winners from as many starters. Nice trial winner at Randwick on 8 October so she looks up for this. Godolphin's Exceed And Excel colt BURMA STAR (1) has trialled twice and improved sharply from the first to the second. McDonald taking the mount is a strong leg-up. Zoustar filly HAD IT ALL (3) narrowly defeated Ole Kirk filly SAVEUR (6) in a recent Rosehill trial. Both girls look above average and should give good accounts. ICARIAN DREAM (4) is by Blue Point and hails from the Ciaron Maher stable. Won a trial on 23 September and looks a nice filly in the making.
RACE 2 - More like a provincial maiden. JUSTICE PLEASE (8) impressed first-up over 1250m at Newcastle, settling in the second half of the field then unwinding late to get up for fourth. Ideally placed out to this trip in a small field so she is sure to prove tough to hold out. IKUMA (7) has been just out of the placings in her two runs to date, both over 1250m. Might race a little closer today over the longer trip. Well related filly who gets the right conditions to show her best. DORADUS (1) is back from a six-month spell. Has been gelded since last prep, which he opened with a solid third over 1300m at this track. Trialling well and looks ready to go to a new level this time in work. IMPERIAL STATE (4) found 1200m a bit sharp last time at Kembla but he did rally late to grab third. This is a far more appealing assignment. ICEMAN (6) is very fit and capable of a top three finish.
RACE 3 - MANOS (6) is back after a 16-week break. Started favourite at both appearances in the maiden prep and wasn't beaten far, most recently at Newcastle when he led over 1300m but found one better. Trialling well and with McDonald aboard looks well placed for a successful return. MARAIS (7) made it six minor placings from as many starts when runner-up to Creek over 1250m at Newcastle recently. Has been $3.50 or shorter at every run so the SP profile is strong - just needs to find another length or so. STRAAND BEAUTY (8) ran a cheeky race first-up at Rosehill, leading for home then battling on when challenged to hold third. Should dictate and is a likely improver with that run under the belt. The only other hopes in the race appear to be a couple of the unraced brigade in FIRST MISSION (4) and ENGINE ROOM (3) who are trialling well - keep a close eye on the betting.
RACE 4 - Irish import NEWFOUNDLAND (3) opened his Australian account at Rosehill a fortnight ago, easily accounting for a BM72 field over this distance. Meets some of the rivals from that race here on much worse weight terms, but at the third run back he should have plenty of improvement to come. VRC St Leger winner AHURIRI (4) started favourite last time out over 2140m at this track but was eased up late after putting in some rough strides under pressure. Must have pulled through okay and getting to this trip is welcomed. Worth another chance. Waller brings TAJANIS (7) to Sydney after four Victorian runs this prep. Will find this tougher than his last start fourth over 2100m at Benalla but he has placed 3/4 at 2400m and gets a bit of weight relief. Victorian mare FRETTA (8) was a shade disappointing over 2550m at Flemington recently at her first try beyond ten furlongs. Capable of better. RATTLE AND HUM (1) found Newfoundland too strong last time but at the weights can narrow the gap.
RACE 5 - CONFESS OUR DREAMS (2) has led for home and given a kick but been edged out late in her two runs this prep, both over this distance in Saturday grade BM78 contests. Big drop in class today and despite copping 61kgs Widdup has not opted for a claim. Talented mare who is ready to win. VANISHING (11) resumed in a BM64 for mares over 1200m at Mornington last time out where she made good late ground but missed by just under a length. Having her first run this way of going but she is a lightly raced mare showing promise. CROSS YOUR HEART (5) has been just fair in her two runs this time in work, the latest here at this trip. Drops 3.5kgs today after the claim and did peak third-up last campaign so she is open to sharp improvement. OPAL FIELDS (8) beat some of today's rivals home at this track last start so she must be respected. LET'S GO AGAIN (9) has been flying this prep out of town and cannot be dismissed.
RACE 6 - FIRE STAR (12) was rewarded for consistency when he easily defeated the in-form Bonita Queen over 1100m at this track nine days ago. Won't mind the extra 100m and the quick back-up is a positive sign from the stable. The one to beat again. MIDNIGHT OPAL (8) returns from a five-month break and has been gelded. Showed glimpses of ability last prep including close-up efforts in the South Pacific Classic and Darby Munro. Won a recent Newcastle trial and might be ready to go to a new level this time in work. VICTORY LANE (7) raced near the tail then took a while to get clear before storming home over 1300m at Rosehill last time. Coming back in trip is a query but he should be strong late again. RAVENCLAW (10) bolted in over this trip at Rosehill a fortnight ago. Up a little in grade but has improvement to come at the third run back. Zeditave Stakes winner RAIKOKE (1) ran a nice race at Randwick last start and has the class to test this field.
RACE 7 - ZONDEE (7) has been freshened up since a strong effort to be beaten by just a length in a BM78 won by Firestorm over 1500m at Rosehill a month ago. Drops 4kgs today and reunites with Tyler Schiller who is 2/2 aboard the four-year-old. TIME QUEST (2) returned from an eight-week break with an unflattering performance over 1400m at Rosehill last start. Came from last to win the Coffs Harbour Cup over this trip the run prior. Strips fitter and can turn things around. JAMBEROO (8) has not raced since he led but found one better over 1800m at Bathurst a month ago. Goes well with the runs spaced. Major player down in the weights. TAVI TIME (1) gave away a huge start but made late inroads when resuming over 1400m at Rosehill recently. Strong second-up performer with three wins from four tries at the mile. Sure to run a big race. KOKORO (10) will be better for his first-up run here three weeks ago and is in the mix down on the limit.
RACE 8 - EDITED BY (1) went to the lead and had to dig deep when the gutsy winner of a similar race to this at Rosehill a fortnight ago. Drops 1kg today with Zac Wadick's claim. Loves the seven furlongs and he can win again. The lightly raced WEMBANYAMA (9) returned from a 20-week spell with an encouraging third behind Edited By at Rosehill last start, working home in good style. Meets him a little worse at the weights for a 2.2 length defeat but he strips fitter and should be tough to hold out. ETINCELLE (13) was looking for more ground when just outside the placings over 1200m at Rosehill last start. Nicely placed and will strip fitter at the third run back. BAT OUT OF HELL (5) ran on nicely at Newcastle last time and can feature without surprising. RIP OFF (15) disappointed at $1.80 at Newcastle last start. Form prior to that was hard to fault so worth another chance.
