Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - LILY BOBTAIL (7) fought on gamely fresh up and then showed sharp improvement second-up at Taree 15 days ago when finishing runner-up, a neck from the winner. She is perfectly placed third up with top country hoop Clayton Gallagher in the saddle and is the one to beat. WITHSTAND (6) tried hard in all 4 starts during his initial prep on wet tracks earlier in the year before being put aside to mature. Aaron Bullock picks up the ride for his return and the pair merit healthy respect. Can win. NEVERMISTA (2) worked hard and overrated fresh up at Scone nearly 2 weeks ago and did well to finish third. He will trim down second up and should naturally improve. A wide draw makes it tricky but he won't be in this class for much longer. FOREMOST (8) has the blinkers on for her debut and is in good hands. She has a suitable draw and the markets will be an important guide. Watch closely.

RACE 2 - ARCHAIC FORCE (4) looked good at the trials and franked his most recent win there with a hard-fought victory at Taree by a neck on debut 15 days ago. He won't find this much harder and with a kilo less to carry this time, he can double the dose. WATER LAD (3) ran on late when resuming from a spell at Scone and finished fourth and only half-a-length behind the winner. His only win came second up and he will be hard to hold out in this. STAFFA (6) has improved since joining the Holly Williams stables and some time to mature has also done him no harm. She got the job done easily by over 2 lengths at Armidale last time out and carries the same weight again. Now that the penny has dropped, she should go on with it. Each way. SPECK (5) ran out of condition fresh up at Scone in a 4-horse field and will be better for the run. She only needs to tidy up her act at the start to be a big threat in this. Include in all combinations.

RACE 3 - ALL HUNKY DORY (1) is an ex-Hong Kong gelding who is resuming from a long spell. He has improved in each of his 2 trials and should have no trouble handling a country-class maiden for his Australian debut. He has pole position and will attract plenty of attention from the punters. On top. WHAT A GENT (5) led for a long way on debut when finishing runner-up. He then bombed the start at Scone last time out and is worth another chance with a better beginning. Stick with him. IT'S A WRITTEN (7) has got back in the field in her last couple of starts and has been making up a lot of late ground. She may be ridden more positively early on this time and is capable of taking this out. REAL HOUSEWIVES (12) was running on when resuming at Muswellbrook 2 weeks ago over 1280m and will relish the extra 300m on offer here. The blinkers are on for the first time and she is ready to put her best hoof forward. Each way value.

RACE 4 - BURRANEER BUOY (1) has been mixing his form since winning fresh up on a heavy track here in August. All of his 3 career wins have been on this circuit and with a slight drop in class from the pole position, he can bounce back into the winners' circle. JUDGE JACK (6) won his debut on this track on Melbourne Cup day and is bred to improve with racing. He steps up to 1400m and only needs some luck from a tricky gate, to be right in the finish again. SENSATIONAL REWARD (2) is dropping back in grade from his last couple of starts and did win his only start over this trip at Armidale in October quite comfortably. He has a handy draw and as long as the track is good, he will be an each-way threat. DUBLINER BOY (4) and I SHOT THE SHERIFF (5) are both worth including in all combinations.

RACE 5 - IMPRESSIONISM (2) looks to have some talent and is progressing nicely after finishing runner-up at Armidale just over 3 weeks ago. He hit the line strongly that day so the extra 100m should be in his favour third up. He will have no problem with a wet track and can go one better. TEA OR COFFEE (1) has been off the scene for nearly 3 years and won the latest of 2 trials this season. He is looking to make up for lost time and from a handy draw, he can have a say in the finish here. The markets will be your best guide. ALL TOO WILD (11) will be peaking third up and gets to start from the pole position this time. This field is not the strongest and she is worth including in all combinations. NOT MY PROBLEM (9) is on debut with a couple of trials under his belt and in a positive move, she has the blinkers on. She is bred to improve with racing but can't be totally ignored as a winning chance in this.

RACE 6 - LORD PROTECTOR (3) has thrived since making the move from Victoria and the extra time to mature would have also helped as he made it 2 wins in a row for his new connections at Quirindi 18 days ago, scoring by half-a-length. Aaron Bullock takes over from an apprentice and the hat-trick beckons. TORNADO EXPRESS (11) will be peaking third-up after a pair of fourth-place finishes to open her season. Senior hoop Mitch Bell takes over from an apprentice. Can win. STAR BING (12) strips fitter second up and from a handy draw, she is expected to improve quickly. HARBOUR GOLD (1) has been mixing his form but will appreciate the 4kg for this assignment. He will backing up quickly and is not out of this.

RACE 7 - TIGON PRINCESS (4) had a fairly tough trip fresh up at Taree and stuck on strongly when finishing fourth just over 2 lengths from the winner. She will relish the immediate step up to a mile and should go close to taking this out. FLYING BANJO (3) is a durable locally trained veteran who has been thereabouts all season. The key this time is top country hoop Aaron Bullock picking up the ride for the first time and maybe he can coax that little bit extra out of him where it matters most. HARDYO (2) is another hardy veteran who is racing as well as ever and closed his most recent run off very strongly for second at Inverell 9 days ago. He has a solid record over a mile and will give another honest account of himself. ELLENMAC (1) finds it hard to win and would not mind some wet track conditions. She is down in class and from a good gate with Clayton Gallagher in the saddle, she can't be ruled out as a winning chance. Stick with her.