Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - BARCELONA EXPRESS (5) undefeated at this track and his best form is over this trip. Backs up quickly after running on late with the 61kg when fifth over 1012m at Ballina on November 28. Claim helps from the low draw. MONTE OUTLANDER (3) huge drop in grade second-up and finally drawn a good gate. Snagged back from the wide draw when 14th over 1200m at Rosehill in Highway company on November 9. Kept fresh and a sharp turnaround is expected. STOINKA (6) was a month between runs when a tiring sixth over 1410m at Grafton on November 25. Fitter now and go on earlier efforts when assessing his chances. DUBAI DAME (7) got off the mark at start six with a solid maiden victory, before drifting back from the draw when fourth over 1006m at Grafton on November 25. Ready for this trip now.

RACE 2 - VENOM WOLF (7) big jump in grade when outclassed at Doomben two-back over the 1650m. Stretched out in trip when surging late from well back to finish fifth over 1912m at Ballina on November 28. Hard fit and finds a fairly weak BM58. Goes close. ROTHESAY'S RUBY (5) racing in career-best form after scoring two-back, before holding on well when fourth over 1540m at the Gold Coast Poly on November 23. Drops in weight with the claim and brings solid figures here. TALAKAI (6) is undefeated at this track and her lone win came over the mile. Sat on the strong tempo before wilting late when sixth over 1600m at Grafton on November 25. Genuine each-way contender. SPIELE (3) best form is over this trip and maps to get the right run with the claim. Three weeks between runs when seventh over 1412m at Ballina on November 28. Further improved and stays in the mix.

RACE 3 - CORVALIST (1) comes off a 44-day let-up after returning from a lengthy break when a tough on-pace third over 1125m at Grafton on October 22. Has placed second-up and has genuine winning prospects. ELITE DELIGHT (4) failed to fire in her two career runs on the provincial circuit. Kept fresh and back in trip after bumping into the handy DIDDLE DUMPLING when eighth over 1400m at Hawkesbury on November 7. Better effort is on the cards. COUNTERPART (3) resumes for new trainer Stephen Farley. Returned for his third prep when a disappointing 12th over 1400m at Newcastle on September 20. Fitted with the one trial when fifth in a 1030m contest at Rosehill. Tongue-tie goes on in this weaker event. BELLASCENT (2) nine start maiden resuming. Showed ability on the provincial circuit last time in and since fitted with the one trial. Will find this more to her liking.

RACE 4 - RISK FOR REWARD (2) brings some of the best form here in this very weak maiden. Fourth-up today after attacking the line late when second over 1410m at Grafton on November 25. No excuses from the low gate. COOL MACHINE (7) is an eight-start maiden who was just under a month between runs second-up when a plodding seventh over 1262m at Ballina on November 28. Will relish the claim and the lone placing came at her home track. Can race closer from the good draw. WHATEVER IT TAKES (6) lightly raced gelding working himself into form. Indicated a win was imminent when sitting on the speed from the wide draw to secure third over 1410m at Grafton on November 25. Trained locally and shapes as a key runner. IT'SALLSAIDANDONE (9) was a narrow second at Ballina two starts back, then hit the line with plenty of intent to finish fifth over 1410m at Grafton on November 25. Expected to play a leading role again.

RACE 5 - MR DAMAGE (1) lightly raced gelding with plenty of upside. Returned in career-best form after placing first-up before recording his first win over 1000m at Kempsey on November 8. Luke Rolls keeps the ride, and he gets a similar set-up again. This is no tougher. WHITSUNDAY SESSION (6) is a four-year-old mare having her first run for the Sally Taylor stable. Comes from Queensland after finishing in the money at all six runs. Concussion plates (front) go on and has a good fresh record. Leading contender with the claim. RHUMB LINE (3) anchored with the big weight on resumption when a disappointing 10th over 1050m at the Gold Coast Poly on November 23. Gets the claim again and his lone win came over this trip. ONCE A LADY (7) fourth-up for this from the good draw after having to work hard early when fourth over 1000m at Port Macquarie on November 14. Will go forward again with the claim and give plenty of cheek.

RACE 6 - THEIR FINEST HOUR (5) Brave Smash gelding who looks to have strengthened up over the break. Finished runner-up in decent races last time in and since fitted with the two sharp trials. Gets his chance here. PAL'S REIGN (1) showed a ton of grit on debut when spearing across from the wide draw to hold on gamely for a tough fourth over 1030m at Grafton on June 8. Returns with the one trial and looks one of the major players. WESTERLY (3) gave his all with the 59kg on resumption when a fighting fifth over 1006m at Grafton on November 25. Fitter now and can race a little closer from the draw. SWEET MARLENE (10) resumes from a six-and-a-half-month break and now in the Cassandra Schmitd stable. Sat on the good tempo when a plugging second over 1200m at Moe on May 14. Blinkers go on and returns without a trial. Leading player.

RACE 7 - MOSKEETA (5) is in career-best form and has an excellent record over this course and distance. Covered ground in the run and hit the line with plenty of intent when a slick second in fast time over 1100m at Grafton on November 6. Kept fresh and drops even further in weight with the 3kg claim. Hard to stop. HEIR APPARENT (10) is another in a rich vein of form with two wins from his last three runs. Stalked the speed and pulled out plenty late when a nose winner over 1000m at Kempsey on November 8. Will appreciate the weight drop in this stronger contest. MONTE DRIFTER (11) all four wins have come at this trip and deserves his chance in this tougher event. Rounded them up effortlessly when a soft winner over 1006m at Grafton on October 29. Has the figures to play a leading role. CECIL STREET LAD (1) resumes after finishing a courageous ninth in the LR Ramornie Hcp at Grafton over 1200m on November 15. Returns with the one trial and sprints well fresh.

RACE 8 - SUNNY'S GIRL (7) has returned in good order this campaign. Powered late from well back first-up when a slick maiden winner over 1215m here on November 2. Up in class when returning good figures late for an encouraging third over 1350m at Doomben on November 13. At her peak now and senior rider on today. The one to beat. KEY LEGEND (3) fourth-up now and drops in weight after finishing fifth at Grafton on December 1. Expecting a better effort on the quick back-up. GOT THE SMARTS (2) has come back a much stronger mare after demolishing her rivals first-up. Narrowly beaten second-up when an eye-catching second over 1006m at Grafton on November 25. Claim helps again and desperate for this trip now. VEECEE (1) big jump in grade with the 61kg when eighth over 1000m at Taree on November 17. In his right class here and go on his placing two-back when assessing his prospects. Minor money hope.