Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - GALLO NERO (6) well bred two-year-old son of Wootton Bassett out of an I Am Invincible mare on debut for the M, W & J Hawkes yard. Has finished off strongly in both trials and finds a fairly average two-year-old race to kick-off. ICARIAN DREAM (1) gritty win on debut before jumping in class when a battling fourth over 1100m here in the G3 Golden Gift on November 9. Expected to take a hand in the finish. THE PLAYWRIGHT (9) two-year-old filly by Written By out of Sugarparma on debut for the Waterhouse & Bott yard. Fitted with the two trials and should have the necessary speed to get across early from the wide draw. Each way. BOMBAY BOOM (2) Spirit Of Boom colt out of Group 3 winning mare Steflara on debut for the Matt Dale yard. Has looked sharp in both trial wins at Warwick Farm and maps well.

RACE 2 - SIR REMLAP (9) speedy Rubick gelding who returned good figures when resuming for his second prep with a fast finishing maiden win over 1000m at Scone on November 19. Finds a fairly weak Highway today and can measure up in this stronger contest. MISS REBEL (3) starting to put it all together this prep with the two wins from four starts. Gave them a galloping lesson as fav over 1100m at Scone in fast time on November 11. Has her share of talent and will prove hard to run down. CLIMATE CONTROL (7) fourth-up today and a win looks imminent with the drop in weight after being nailed late when a neck second over 1100m at Scone on November 19. Will race handy from the gate and give a ton of cheek. RAMONES (1) tough on-pace gelding resuming from a six month spell. Raced in stronger company last time in and primed for this with the two good trials. Goes close with the claim.

RACE 3 - EXTREME FREEDOM (5) comes out of a strong contest on the quick back-up after finishing a close-up fifth behind Gilded Water over 2000m at Kembla Grange last Saturday. Back in grade and can score a well-deserved victory today. TOTOKA (13) underrated Brutal filly who stretches out to the 2000m for the first time. Caught the eye late when an encouraging seventh last time out over 1600m in the G3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle two weeks ago. Look for her hitting the line strongly on the limit weight. PIRAEUS (1) one of the unluckiest geldings in training who jumps out to the 2000m for the first time this prep. Placed at the one attempt at this trip and gets his chance from the draw. CASUAL CONNECTION (2) back in class and trip after fading late when fifth over 2400m at Randwick Kensington on October 30. Senior rider on today and can take a hand in the finish.

RACE 4 - DRIFT NET (11) carried the big weights well in two runs back and a win looks imminent from the good draw. Returned good figures late when second over 1300m at Rosehill in easier company on November 13. Goes close. REDBREAST (9) progressive American Pharaoh mare who showed a ton of ability in her first prep. Sent north after winning by a big space over 1400m at Randwick Kensington when a fading 13th in the LR GC Bracelet over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast on May 11. Returns with two trials and undefeated at this trip. SHE'S UNUSUAL (10) classy mare held in high regard by the stable, resuming. Made it two wins from three starts last prep when leading throughout to score by 2.5 lens at Randwick Kensington over 1550m on July 17. Has a dynamite fresh record and fitted with the two good trials. Forward showing anticipated. TERRESTAR (6) has a big fitness edge over these fifth-up and due for a change of luck. Maps well from the low draw and looks good each way value.

RACE 5 - BULLETS HIGH (3) consistent gelding looking for this trip and further now. Kept finding on the line when an unlucky nose second over 1600m at Newcastle in this grade on November 16. Any sting out of the ground will help his cause. The one to beat. MORNING SUN (1) returned from a lengthy break with a tenacious on pace win over 1800m at this track in easier grade on November 13. Gets Osmond's 3kg claim again and sure to figure prominently. HARLOW MIST (10) came off an unlucky run in the Four Pillars with a determined neck win as fav over 1600m at Newcastle in Midway company on November 16. Raced in stronger company last prep and worth noting Nash Rawiller keeps the ride. HAARACAINE (5) motored late with the 61kg when fifth over 1700m at Caulfield on November 16. Strips fitter now and capable of taking a hand in the finish.

RACE 6 - Tough race. BELVEDERE BOYS (6) fourth-up today and ready to peak at his first attempt at the 2000m. Like the way he savaged the line late from last on the turn when fourth over 1615m at Doomben on November 9. Brings strong figures here and looks hard to stop. LOCKDOWN GAMBLE (4) will relish the drop in weight with the 3kg claim on the quick back-up. Strong late with the 61kg when a narrow second in the Narromine Cup BM86 on November 24 over 1600m. Best form is good enough to play a leading role. FAY'S ANGELS (7) has been performing very well in Saturday class races and now lobs into a Country only race with no weight on her back. The draw makes things tricky, but she'll handle the going and she's a live chance. KNIGHTS ARMOUR (3) represents each-way value following a nice run at Canterbury last time out.

RACE 7 - CABALLUS (7) finally drawn a decent barrier at his fifth run back. Looks primed for this with the 54kg from the soft gate after finishing eighth to Dragonstone from the wide draw over 1100m at Randwick last time out. Races best this track and trip and will appreciate any sting out of the ground. Represents great each way value. PEREILLE (10) snagged back early from the wide draw first-up when a gritty fourth over 1100m at Randwick on November 5. Goes just as well second-up and since fitted with a recent 804m trial. Sure to be strong late. OUR KOBISON (4) has been freshened and back to the trials since disappointing at Randwick on September 21. his prior form shapes well for a race like this and he maps to get every chance. 1/1 on wet going and can be there at the finish. JEDIBEEL (5) should relish the conditions and looks a live chance.

RACE 8 - Strong edition of the Festival Stakes. MIGHTY ULYSSES (2) set to peak third-up and should get conditions to suit from the good gate. No match for Another Will and Jimmystar when seventh over 1400m in the G2 Linlithgow at Flemington on November 2. Leading prospect. ST LAWRENCE (6) racing in career best form and can continue on his winning ways. Surged late with the 60kg when a nose winner of the Little Dance at Randwick over 1600m on November 5. Form has since been franked and he brings some of the strongest figures here. KING OF THE CASTLE (14) drops 10kg in weight after failing to get into the contest on a leader biased track when ninth over 1600m at Kembla Grange in BM88 grade last Saturday. Blinkers go on and should get conditions to suit. XIDAKI (7) lightly raced gelding with a stack of potential who was set a big task second-up when 17th over 1500m in the Golden Eagle at this track on November 2. Go on his win in the G3 Winx Guineas when assessing his chances.

RACE 9 - TOWNSEND (14) exciting staying prospect who will relish jumping out to the 2000m in this stronger contest. Taken to the front and gave them a galloping lesson when a slick 3.5 len winner over 1850m at Newcastle on November 16. Tougher assignment today and will give them something to catch again. FLOATING (15) undefeated at this trip and any sting out of the ground will help his cause. Back in grade when finishing second to Townsend over 1850m at Newcastle. Genuine each way contender. STATE OF AMERICA (18) going quickly through his grades this time in and chasing his fourth straight victory. Deserves his chance on the limit weight after winning comfortably here over this trip on November 2. Don't overlook. CONVERGE (6) didn't have the best of luck last week in The Gong but he was good late there. Not out of this.

RACE 10 - JEWELLERY (10) Godolphin mare resuming who should get conditions to suit. Comes out of some strong form races last time in and will relish the fast tempo today. Fitted with the two trials and the tongue-tie goes on. Hard to hold out. CONFESS OUR DREAMS (5) exciting mare going nicely through her grades in fillies and mares company. Looks hard to stop again with the 3kg claim after running fast time over this track and trip last start. EYE OF THE FIRE (15) lightly raced gelding with a ton of upside who resumed with a slick win over 1100m at Canterbury in this grade on November 15. Has come back well and can take a hand in the finish. IRON MAN (7) has been around the mark this time in work and should relish the wet going. Live chance.