Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - METAPHORICALLY (7) drops sharply in weight with the 3kg claim after resuming with a tiring fifth over 1250m at Canterbury on November 15. Maps to get the gun run again and looks one of the leading players. TASORAAY (4) showed a ton of early speed at his first run back when a fighting second over 1200m at Doomben on October 30. Started a firm fav when sent south to finish a close-up fourth over 1200m at Canterbury on November 20. Brings the right numbers to get off the mark at start four. CALL ME MOJO (1) has come back much stronger after resuming with a fast finishing second behind the promising SCORCHING LEGEND over 1250m at Canterbury on November 15. Strips fitter and Collett keeps the ride. Winning prospect. OCCULT (11) returned from a lengthy break with a narrow third over 1200m at Kembla Grange on October 26. Kept fresh and likely to come out fast from the draw and figure prominently.
RACE 2 - SISTER DAAE (5) nice return when working home strongly to finish a close-up third over 1300m at Newcastle on November 2. Further improved now and sure to be strong late. CANTARITO (1) another from the Waller yard who was unwanted in betting on debut when a surprise 1.3 len second over 1300m at Kembla Grange on November 16. Can race a little closer here and prove hard to beat. ALINEA (7) is third-up for this and yet to be tested beyond 1100m. Was just under a month between runs when a plugging fourth at Canterbury over 1100m on November 15. Maps well and has each-way prospects. SHARON DRIVE (17) returned from a spell with an even sixth over 1200m at Kembla Grange on November 5. Gets the right run and the trip suits. The chances don't end there.
RACE 3 - CANDLEWICK (5) improving filly who scored a slick win on debut, before running on late when a sound second over 1200m at Wyong on November 23. Ready for this trip and sure to make a big impact. STING IN THE TAIL (8) rounded them up effortlessly on resumption with a smart maiden victory over 1500m at Hawkesbury on November 12. Nose-roll goes on and expected to take a hand in the finish. JOYNER (3) kept fresh and showed good early dash from the inside gate when leading throughout to score over 1200m at Canterbury on November 20. Drawn out for this and not without place prospects. VALETUDO (4) went out a winner last prep and returned from a seven-month break when a solid fifth over 1250m at Canterbury on November 15. Will appreciate the 3kg claim in this easier event and goes into the exotics.
RACE 4 - HARRY'S BAR (2) progressive mare who sat on the good tempo when fourth over 1200m at Kembla Grange in BM78 class on November 23. Big class drop with the 3kg claim from the good draw and should prove too good for these. RED HOT LIZZIE (6) showed potential when shedding her maiden status last July. Fitted with the two trials when a fading fifth over 1100m at Canterbury on November 20. Tongue-tie goes on and expected to take a hand in the finish. MANWE (3) big drifter in betting on resumption when closing off strongly for third over 1100m at Canterbury on November 15. Look for him swooping late. ONE LAST SHOT (4) undefeated in two runs this time in and going nicely through his grades. Ready for this stiffer test and should be able to get across with cover from the draw. Each way.
RACE 5 - CHEVAL SAVANT (2) indicated a win was imminent when a much improved third over 1900m at Canterbury in BM72 class on November 15. Rawiller sticks and will take holding out. BARAZIN (4) thereabouts in easier company last time in and liked the way he finished off first-up with the 57.5kg when second over 1600m at Wyong on November 23. Looking for the extra trip now and this track will suit. ANGEL OF LIGHT (6) thereabouts of late and will appreciate this easier contest. Strong through the line when fourth as fav over 1900m at Canterbury on November 15. Genuine each way contender. THE RIGHT REIN (7) lightly raced gelding racing in career best form. Deserves his shot here after demolishing his rivals when a 7 len winner over 2000m at Queanbeyan on November 29. Goes close.
RACE 6 - LIBERTY STATE (7) promising mare with the upside to go quickly through her grades this time in. Sat on the good tempo first-up when a gritty second over 1250m at Canterbury on November 15. Undefeated second-up and has the early speed to take up a position from the sticky draw. Will prove too good for these. GOLD BULLION (1) underrated gelding resuming from a six-month break. Finished a long last in the G1 Qld Derby at Eagle Farm over 2400m on June 1. Fitted with the two soft trials and can run into the money with the claim. CAPTAIN MAVERICK (3) undefeated this track and trip and kept fresh with a recent tick over trial. Narrowly beaten when a gritty second over 1800m at Rosehill on October 2. Back sharply in trip and has each way prospects with the 3kg claim. ALL MACHIAVELLIAN (9) third-up for this and won third-up previously. Wound up late when fourth over 1400m at Kembla Grange on November 23. Goes into the exotics.
RACE 7 - DECEIVE (8) kept safe in betting on resumption when drifting back early before running on late when fourth over 1200m at Canterbury on November 20. Has a good second-up record and sure to be thereabouts. THE REPLICANT (1) tough gelding who resumes after racing against stronger opposition last time in. Fitted with the two trials and maps to get his chance with the 62kg. One of the leading players. BINDI'S CHOICE (4) kept fresh and back in trip when scoring a well-deserved win as fav when saluting over 1300m at Hawkesbury on November 12. Drawn out and fitness should take her a long way. ALL BLACK (3) resumes from a lengthy break and now in the Nathan Doyle yard. Won his last two races in Victoria in good style and since fitted with the two trials. Blinkers and tongue-tie come off and stays in the calculations.
