Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ENDURE (4) sound debut when taking good ground off the handy BURJ late when second over 1300m at Newcastle on December 1. Expected to have come on strongly since and looks hard to hold out. RED ENVELOPE (6) well-bred Shalaa filly who resumes from a lengthy break. Easy in betting on debut when a tiring sixth over 1100m at Warwick Farm on June 26. Returns with two average trials and expected to go forward and prove hard to run down. ANARITA (7) returned good sectional splits late when an eye-catching neck third over 1000m at Hawkesbury on December 8. Desperate for this extra trip and has genuine top-three prospects. VETWELVE (3) another returning from a lengthy break after finishing a close-up sixth on debut over 1250m at this track on May 29. Fitted with the one trial win and gets in light with Bourke's 2kg claim.
RACE 2 - MADAM INSTRIFE (7) four-year-old mare who's placed in all three runs. Knocked up late from the wide draw on resumption when a fighting second over 1250m at Newcastle on December 7. Winkers go on and should prove too good for these. EVERYBODY RISE (3) showed ability in all four runs last time in and returns from a layoff of four-and-a-half months. Expected to shed his maiden status quickly this time in after his two strong trials. Gelded over the break and looks the main danger. VIACONI (1) is another who resumes from a spell of four months. Desperate for a firmer surface and looks well placed with Osmond's 3kg claim from the low draw. Each way player with the two recent trials. HUKA FALLS (4) hard fit fourth-up and can sneak into the minor money in this small field.
RACE 3 - ICONIFY (5) specked in betting on debut when ran on late for a promising fourth over 1300m at Hawkesbury three weeks ago. Looks a progressive colt who will relish this extra trip from the middle draw. Hard to hold out. SHE REX (9) nice filly who's yet to draw a decent barrier in three runs. Covered ground on the speed when a tenacious third over 1250m here on November 29. Goes close if she can get across early without any trouble. CALIFORNIA BLUES (4) has fitness on his side and no excuses tonight on the quick back-up. Drifted back early and chipped away late when second over 1600m at Hawkesbury on December 8. Can race a little closer here and has genuine each-way prospects. CANTARITO (6) had excuses in two career runs and will appreciate the extra distance. Snagged back early and never in the contest when seventh over 1300m at Randwick Kensington on December 6. Look for her launching late.
RACE 4 - SWEET PROPOSAL (5) consistent mare who ran on late when resuming with a plugging third behind CANDLEWICK over 1400m at Randwick Kensington on December 6. Comes to hand quickly and can stalk the good tempo from the low draw. FRANKLY ELEGANT (2) gave weight to the improving PIER PRESSURE when a gritty second over 1550m here first-up on November 29. This looks an easier contest and will prove hard to stop. PIONEER LASS (1) has impressed in two runs back. Strong through the line when second over 1600m at Warwick Farm on December 4. Senior rider on and might be looking for slightly further now. AUTUMNMATION (3) saves her best for this course and distance and will appreciate the drop in grade. Failed to get into the contest first-up when a plugging eighth over 1400m at Rosehill on November 30. Can race closer from the inside draw and take a hand in the finish.
RACE 5 - FIDDLERS GREEN (4) exciting gelding who demolished his rivals on resumption, before jumping in class and never being comfortable in the heavy (10) going when fourth over 1500m at Rosehill on December 7. Can sit off the good tempo and assert his authority late. Goes close. BAT OUT OF HELL (2) was rewarded for his consistency when booting up from the inside draw to lead throughout for a smart win over 1550m here on December 13. Expected to hold his form but does go up 5kg in weight tonight. Stays in the mix. CAPTAIN MAVERICK (3) two months between runs when a wilting last over 1400m at Randwick Kensington on December 6. Senior rider on and can improve sharply here. PHYSICIST (7) working towards a win. Comes out of a strong race after finishing second to DR EVIL over 1600m at Warwick Farm on December 4. Undefeated this track and expected to go close.
RACE 6 - DANCE TO THE BOOM (8) progressive type who gave them a galloping lesson on debut when a slick winner over 1200m at Kembla Grange four months ago. Returns with two strong trials and she can race quickly through her grades this time in. Hard to hold out. MANUSCRIPT (2) jumped quickly in grade after shedding his maiden status first-up, then a fading fifth behind PRIVATE HARRY over 1200m at Rosehill in BM72 grade on December 7. Clark keeps the ride from the low draw, and he can turn it around quickly. APEX (1) handy gelding with a bright future. Returned good figures when winning on resumption, before failing narrowly behind CODETTA when second over 1250m at this track on November 29. Gets the right run again and has the ability to take this out. REVOLT (5) strong maiden winner at Wyong last time out and can take a hand in the finish.
RACE 7 - DEMIANA (8) unlucky not to win here first-up over the 1200m, then jumped in grade when failing to handle the heavy (10) conditions to finish fourth over 1300m at Rosehill in BM78 class on December 7. Maps to get the gun run and McEvoy keeps the ride. SHINES (6) raced without luck all prep and indicated a win was imminent when charging late for a narrow third over 1100m here on November 20. Extra trip suits and he looks a genuine each-way prospect. SHALAILED (2) saves his best for this track and looks close to his peak third-up. Came out fast early before tiring to finish sixth in the heavy (8) going over 1100m at Rosehill in BM88 class on December 7. Goes close from the draw with the 3kg claim. SALISANO (4) has great first-up credentials and looks primed for this with the two good trials. Watch for her late with the claim.
RACE 8 - GALANO (6) is desperate for this trip now and like the way he finished off when fifth over 1800m at Rosehill on December 7. Hard fit now and will prove hard to stop with Nock's 3kg claim. HEAVEN BOUND (7) nice mare in form who gets a similar set-up tonight. Sat on the speed and failed to give up when third over 1900m here on December 13. Can figure prominently on the quick back-up.
