Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The three-year-old maidens kick us off. The Chris Waller-prepared IONACELTIC (2) has been plying his trade in harder NSW contests and should appreciate the slight drop back in company here. Strips fitter third-up from the spell and should be right there at the business end. LOCH AWE (4) has hit the top five in both starts to date and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Looms as the main danger. OCTABOOM (7) is usually thereabouts, draws low and gets some weight relief with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. LADY BOSSA NOVA (6) best of the rest.
RACE 2 - Tricky race to assess with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade TORERA (16) has hit the top-five in all four starts this campaign and looks to be nearing a maiden victory. Hard to leave out. VANISHING ACT (11) is on debut but has shown ability at the trials and is sure to be well-educated from the Gollan camp. Respect any market confidence. AIR WE GO (3) is another at the races for the first time and a watch on betting is advised.
RACE 3 - AITUTAKI (7) has been right there at the past three outings and looks to be building up to another win. Has placed over this track and trip and will be at peak fitness for this. Rates the testing material. TO WISH (11) has been just behind the placegetters of late and strikes a winnable contest here. Winning hoop Orman reunites and can play a major role in the outcome. PINKUS (3) gets 2kg weight relief with the claim and is a genuine top-three candidate on best form. SCRIBBLE (4) was a touch flat at the latest effort but go on the close-up second to start the campaign. Worth another chance. READY AND LUCKY (10) next in line from the Gollan yard.
RACE 4 - The well-related SUNLORD (5) (half to 2xG2 winner Splintex) has placed three of four over this distance range and has been given a bit of a freshen-up since just missing the placings in town last time out. Should find this assignment a touch easier and gets Maloney on board to navigate from the sticky draw. Sure to be right there when the whips are cracking. FLYWHEEL (2) broke the maiden status when resuming before just running into one better at the latest effort. Has to be included in calculations. Former NSW galloper STAR ACT (11) is having her first run for the new stable and any market support must be noted. CRYPTIC PRISM (1) doesn't know how to run a bad race and is a must for the multiples. STARLIGHT NATION (3) next best in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 5 - DAWYN'S CHOICE (7) has a handy record over this track and trip with two wins and a second from five attempts and is yet to taste defeat when first-up. Ainsworth sticks in the saddle and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. DIAMOND LASS (8) has placed over this course and distance, draws the inside marble, and gets in well at the weights with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. BECAUSE THE NIGHT (2) is a two-time winner over this sprint journey and should get a gun run in transit from gate two. Top-three contender. ALBION SQUARE (9) is usually thereabouts and is one for the exotics players. HOKUSAI (12) rounds out the selections.
RACE 6 - This could turn out to be a strong form race. NO NAME FRANK (1) hasn't put a hoof wrong stringing two victories together to start the career and winning rider Cartwright sticks in the irons. Is one from one over this course and distance and can continue the picket fence here. THANKYOU HENRY (2) is a consistent conveyance who has two wins and two seconds from just four outings and is yet to put in a poor one. Cannot be underestimated. SHADOW POWER (3) resumes here but the form he showed in his first preparation was good enough to feature prominently in this. Top-three aspirations while fresh. SUJEED (7) has won two of three overall and gets some weight off from the low draw. Include in multiples. The well-related GILIANA (11) (half to G3 winner and G2 placed Garibaldi) best of the rest in a race with plenty of depth.
RACE 7 - FAST DA (1) shed the maiden tag in impressive fashion at the Gold Coast last time out and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Winning rider Hammersley sticks in the stirrups and could make it back-to-back wins. SCHOONA THE BETTER (11) has hit the top five at his past four outings and is usually thereabouts. Can feature in the finish. The well-related LASQUETI BOOM (9) (half to G1 winner Lasqueti Spirit) strips fitter second-up from the break and is drawn perfectly in gate two. Hard to discount. MAPLE DOOR (5) also hails from a handy family (half to G2 winner Oak Door) and saves his best form for this distance range. In the mix.
RACE 8 - Open race to close out the card. ABLE SEAMAN (1) shed the maiden tag when resuming before maybe suffering from the dreaded second-up syndrome last time out. Winning hoop Orman reunites and will be near his peak now third-up from the spell. Should be right there when the judge calls a halt. The honest RECANATI (5) has placed three from four around this circuit and is racing very consistently of late. Only needs some luck from the sticky draw to trouble the judge. HARD TO DISMISS (10) saves her best form for this six-furlong journey and rates a top-three candidate. IMEZAAKI (2) is having his first run for the new stable and any betting moves must be monitored. SMART ACTION (6) next best.
