Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - DIVINE CONCLUSION (1) races forward and followed the Albury Maiden win with a near miss at Gundagai over 1800m. He was heavily bet and the extra 200m shouldn't be an issue. TAUMATA (3) was back to a mile at Albury and plainer. He'd been freshened for that and is better suited over this distance. He won this grade/trip at Wagga three back. MARKS ICON (2) peaks and wasn't far away at Goulburn over 2145m. He will be better for the experience and is on a quick backup. GHAZNAVI (5) raced over a mile on the same day can't be ruled out over the longer journey.
RACE 2 - PERIGEAN (3) resumes and has switched from the premier Brisbane stable. He's speedy and his figures stack right up. He has trialled at Rosehill and will ride the speed from a low gate. ONIGIRI (2) is an import resuming after 155 days for a local stable. He has a small claim and good ability. The betting will be key. HELL OF A SHOW (4) gets in well with the 3kg claim and is busting to win. He can go better than the early odds suggest. MIKKI SHIMA (5) strips fitter fourth-up and can add some juice to the exotics.
RACE 3 - INVINCIBLE MADISON (7) resumes and shapes as another strong winning chance for the Snowden yard. The high-priced filly raced at Group level on debut and was spelled after one run last time in. Brings good city trials and will get every chance from an inside gate. HIGHWIRE FLYER (5) led and placed at Orange on debut and drew wide at Wyong following and was slow to recover. She draws awkwardly again but will be fitter and also represents a strong Sydney barn. CAPITAL BABE (6) debuts for Canberra's premier yard and trialled sharply here. She has a handy 2kg claimer aboard but the tricky gate also needs managing. Ditto with SHAFT ATTACK (1) who's also trialled well at the track. Owen is a positive jockey booking.
RACE 4 - Tricky. Neasham-Archibald-trained LOUISBURGH (4) resumes gelded and showed enough in town on debut to say this is winnable. He has trialled nicely and maps for a soft run. Snowden-trained CALIFORNIA BLUES (3) placed at Hawkesbury showing better form. He is fourth-up today and is suited back to country grade. A chance with average luck in the run. MORE THAN BUBBLES (12) debuts and is also Sydney-trained. She's been well-trialled and the latest at Warwick Farm was sharp. The 2kg claim is handy but she also needs a good ride. EASY GIRL (10) is a stablemate to the top selection and can show more third-up. Maps for the run of the race and 20% course striker Collett is reunited.
RACE 5 - Competitive. MISS GHENT (8) raced favourite here last time beaten 1.3L over this distance. Penza takes over from the 2kg apprentice and she gets the nod. ICEBREAKER (5) resumed in a CL1 on the same day and was much too good over this trip in a CL1. He'd switched to the Matt Smith yard and has more to give. Fitter and has weight relief. Well-capable of going back-to-back. LES GOH (7) was back to her best at Gundagai narrowly beaten. It was a good effort and dropping back 200m shouldn't be an issue. She will likely giveaway a start but carries 2kg less and can hit the line. RONNY ROCK ART (4) races forward and is busting to win. Heywood is reunited and he just has to run it right out.
RACE 6 - The $200,000 Community Chest is competitive. Maher-trained CHORLTON LANE (1) placed in the Big Dance Wild Card at Randwick and was beaten a nose there last time in an 88. That's good form and he just needs average luck from a wide gate to threaten. ELETTRICA (6) rates strongly on the near miss at Rosehill where she raced forward. The gate is tricky but she tumbles in weight and has claims. BATTLETON (5) was a touch plainer at a Newcastle 94 back in trip but impressed winning a 78 at Rosehill prior. He also draws awkwardly but is good enough to feature. THE PRODIGAL SON (3) resumed much improved winning a 84 at Randwick. He's proven second-up but jumps from the inside barrier and risks getting strung up. SUPER HELPFUL (4) is going better than his form reads this campaign. Took this out last year and has a sense of occasion for dominant local barn.
RACE 7 - TOES IN THE WATER (2) resumed for the Nick Olive yard and rates best. He's been racing in stronger and races well this track/trip. He's trialled well and the 1.5kg apprentice sticks from that. Just needs average luck from the awkward barrier. MIGHTY MYRTLE (7) made it a hat trick winning here first-up and then didn't manage a wide gate at Rosehill. She has the rail today and McDougall is a positive jockey booking. Fitter and she's a decent chance to bounce. ANNOUNCING (9) settled too far back at Randwick but won a 65 comfortably here prior. That was a good effort and the longer sprint should suit. Collett is a positive jockey booking. SISTERS PICK (1) led and was an easy 82 winner at Warren. Peaks today and the 3kg claim brings her into it.
RACE 8 - The promising BRAZEN CRIME (9) started at a short quote and was an easy Maiden winner here on debut. He has a handy gate and Penza takes over from Owen. Fitter and can go back-to-back for the premier local barn. Owen sticks with FIFTY FIVE MUSTANG (5) who resumed with a nose defeat at Albury. He is proven second up and maps for the run of the race. Gets the winkers for the blinkers and is feared. MOUNTAIN CHATTER (3) was back to his best narrowly beaten here in stronger. Peaks and Cahill goes aboard. He also has claims. RANGATIRA (2) was quickly back to his best narrowly beaten at Gundagai and has a 2kg claim today. He will be around the mark.
