Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - HIAWATHA (1) lightly raced stayer who finds his race today third-up. Gets the blinkers on for the first time after chipping away late when fifth over 2400m at Rosehill in BM78 grade on November 9. No excuses here. IMPUNITY (2) Dundeel gelding due for a change of luck. Attacked the line late when a solid third over 2418m at Eagle Farm last time out. Back in trip and looks the main danger. THAT'S OUTSTANDING (8) working towards a victory after making up good ground late when second over 1900m at Canterbury on November 20. Looking for this trip now. Each way. DIAMOND SHOW (7) improving Almanzor filly fitter after two career runs. Desperate for this trip and further now after chipping away late when fifth at Wyong over 1600m on November 9. Can sneak into the minor money.
RACE 2 - THE GREY (7) improving Deep Field gelding who's finished in the minor money at three of his four career runs. Sat on the speed on resumption when a gritty second over 1100m at this track on November 12. Gets the right setup today with the senior rider on. KINGSLAND (6) three-year-old gelding by Dundeel from Serene Miss on debut for the Kris Lees yard. Has shown ability in three trials and is expected to play a leading role from the draw. DONWON (4) has fitness on his side fourth-up after disappointing behind the smart Quartz Legend when sixth over 1000m at Kembla Grange on November 16. Recent runs on his home track were satisfactory and the winkers go on. THE IRON STAR (8) unwanted in betting on debut when making up ground late to finish fifth over 1100m here on November 12. Tongue-tie goes on and further improved for this.
RACE 3 - NICCONORI (3) has finally drawn a decent gate at his third run back after fading quickly when working hard early to finish sixth over 1300m at this track two-and-a-half weeks ago. Maps to get the gun run with the winkers going on. Value player. REASONABLE (4) fitter now and will find this easier after disappointing in a 1300m Super Mdn at Kembla Grange on October 12. Kept fresh and can turn it around with the blinkers going on. AL FLORES (9) back in trip and has his hoof on the till. Kept finding on the line when third over 1500m here on November 12. Brings the right numbers to have solid top three prospects. SHAMBRETTA (2) gelding by Shamexpress from Lambretta on debut for the O'Shea & Charlton yard. Had the four sharp trials and gets his chance from the good draw.
RACE 4 - Tricky race. FIRST MISSION (3) was unplaced on debut then bumped into the smart Candlewick when second over 1200m at Wyong on November 9. Nose-roll goes on and at his peak for this. CARNEGIE HILL (1) kept coming on resumption from the inside draw when a narrow second over 1300m at this track on November 12. Maps well again and looks one of the leading players. SWIFT GUN (9) returns from a 35-day let-up after turning in his best effort to date when a fighting second from the wide gate over 1100m here on October 24. Fitted with a searching 1000m trial since and will be in this for a long way. LONE ARTIST (7) resumes after running on late at debut when third over 1100m at Wyong on June 13. Gelded over the break and returns with the two trials. Watch for him late.
RACE 5 - HOW MUCH BETTER (2) lightly raced All Too Hard gelding with a stack of upside. Jumped in trip second-up when a gritty second over 1500m at Kembla Grange on November 16. Looks suited on the Hawkesbury track and can stalk the solid speed. Great chance to break through. NANTUCKET ISLAND (6) won well on her return here two runs back, then jumped in grade when sixth to the promising Concordia Wind over 1500m at Rosehill in BM72 grade on November 13. Expected to bounce back to form from the inside draw. JACOB'S TIME (1) fifth-up for this and will relish the 3kg claim again after drifting back when sixth over the unsuitable 1200m at Kembla Grange a week-and-a-half ago. Back to his favoured trip and sure to be thereabouts. LUCKY BAY (3) was sent to town last time out when a fading fifth over 1900m at Canterbury in BM64 class on November 20. Expecting a better showing here.
RACE 6 - OPAL FIELDS (6) is undefeated at this track and has been freshened since struggling in town when sixth over 1150m at Randwick Kensington in BM72 grade on October 30. Races best with her runs spaced and will find this more to her liking from the low draw. GLORIOSO (4) registered a strong win at this track two runs back, then failed to see the 1200m out when fourth over 1200m at Rosehill on November 13. This is her pet track and trip, and she finds a suitable race with the 2kg claim. SEANCE (8) showed plenty of early speed on debut when a determined head winner over 1100m here on November 7. Good enough to be thereabouts again. INQUISITIVE LEGEND (5) returned from a five-month break when going out hard before tiring to finish seventh over 1200m at Kembla Grange on November 5. Will come out fast again and improvement is expected.
RACE 7 - CASSIEL (2) two solid runs back have him ready to break through today with the winkers going on. Powered late with the 59kg when a narrow third over 1200m at Kembla Grange in this class on November 5. Can race closer and no excuses here. CRYPTONIC (4) rewarded for his consistency when returning for a strong maiden win over 1000m at Wyong on November 9. Ready to tackle this stiffer assignment on his home track. Can win again. MISSILE SEEKER (5) dynamite fresh gelding resuming with a good record over this track and trip. Fitted with the one trial and look for him doing his best work late. SUMO STAR (7) good fresh gelding resuming. Came to the end of his prep when a poor ninth over 1250m at Canterbury in BM72 class on August 7. Has the one 821m trial under the belt and stays in the mix.
RACE 8 - MAGIC SHADOW (5) brings some of the strongest numbers here and appreciated the soft draw when a close second over 1300m here on November 12. Gets the right set-up again and not without solid top three claims. HAPPY SATURDAY (3) knocked up late on resumption with the 59.5kg when a close-up fifth over this track and trip on November 12. Goes equally as well second-up and is good enough to take this out. TUNED (4) smart win on debut two-back, before sitting on the speed for a tenacious second over 1400m at Kembla Grange on November 5. Drops in trip will give a ton of cheek again. SARRISMO (6) created a big impression on debut when holding on for a tough nose victory over 1300m here on November 12. Will prove hard to catch again from the low draw.
