Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - Tricky race to start the day. PALLATON (7) is a well-educated son of Wootton Bassett on debut for the Michael Freedman yard. Has impressed in both trials and Tommy Berry retains the ride. Will sit up on the speed from the draw and figure prominently. ALBANY ROAD (1) is a two-year-old colt on debut from an elite family that includes black type success, being by Exceed And Excel from Miss Toorak Flyer. Had the two mixed trials in readiness for this and expected to go close. QUIETLY ARROGANT (8) first starter by Capitalist out of Single Sapphire from the Snowden camp. Hit the line when second in his only trial over 850m at Randwick Kensington on December 9. Looked to have plenty up the sleeve on that occasion and shapes as an each-way player. CENOTAPH (2) is on debut and has the right profile to figure in the finish.

RACE 2 - TEXAS FIREBALL (1) two runs back in Queensland have been sound and expected to go close as he gets up to his favoured trip. Attacked the line from last on the turn when a slashing second over 1350m at Ipswich in C4 grade on November 28. Will drift back early and relish the fast tempo. Hard to hold out. MORITZ GIRL (5) Maurice mare racing in career best form this prep. Unsuited on the leader-biased track when an eye-catching fifth over 1400m at Kembla Grange on November 23. Form has been franked and since fitted with a 900m trial placing. Leading contender. IN SUMMER (8) Autumn Sun mare who stretches out to the mile for the first time today. Gave her all in the heavy (8) going when a tough second over 1500m in this class at Rosehill Gardens on December 7. Poorly drawn but has the upside to take a hand in the finish. MAGIC PHAROAH (9) drops in weight on the quick back-up after failing narrowly as fav when a close second over 1600m at Dubbo on December 9. Each way.

RACE 3 - CALLISTEMON (13) underrated mare fourth-up for this and ready to win. Should get the right tempo today after finishing seventh to REDBREAST over 1400m at Rosehill in BM78 grade on November 30. Extra trip in her favour as well as the drop in grade from the good draw. Solid each-way chance. RAPT (3) progressive mare who returned strong figures on resumption when an eye-catching fourth to DANNY'S ST DARCI over 1300m in the LR Just Now at Eagle Farm on December 7. Goes well second-up and undefeated over this trip. Looks set for a good prep. DIRECT FIRE (8) holding his form well in this company and stretches out to the mile for the first time this prep. Will appreciate the firmer surface and play a leading role again. DR EVIL (1) tough old campaigner with a solid record in this class. Scored an effortless 2 len win last time over 1600m at Warwick Farm and no reason he can't do it again in this slightly tougher contest.

RACE 4 - INFATUATION (1) fitter after three runs back and has had excuses in all three runs. Went out fast in the heavy (10) going and left a sitting shot late when third over 1300m at Rosehill in this class on December 7. Should be able to get control early with the claim and prove hard to run down. LULUMON (5) expected to go through her grades this time in after scoring a decisive victory over 1300m at Rosehill on December 7. Fitter now and can win again despite rising 2.5kg in weight. TERRESTAR (3) consistent mare with her hoof on the till. Gave weight to the smart REDBREAST when a narrow head second over 1400m at Rosehill on November 30. Wadick's 2kg claim will help her cause despite drawing out. PIPPIE BEACH (6) frustrating mare who was snagged back from the outside gate when a fast finishing fourth over 1400m at Rosehill on November 30. Can race much closer here and figure prominently.

RACE 5 - CODETTA (4) smart filly who keeps raising the bar and chasing her fourth straight victory. Beat a smart field second-up in city class over the 1250m at Canterbury on November 29. Wadick sticks and gets her chance again from the low draw. DAWN SERVICE (1) lightly raced colt resuming after going nicely through his grades last time in. Won the LR Exford Plate over 1400m at Flemington, before disappointing when last in the G2 Stutt Stk over 1600m at Moonee Valley on September 27. Returns with two trials and can sprint well fresh with Osmond's 3kg claim. MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE (3) racing in career best form and just failed to make it three straight when a tenacious third over 1200m at Rosehill on December 7. Has the speed to get across from the wide gate and figure prominently. METAPHORICALLY (6) improving Written Tycoon colt who looked good second-up returning smart figures when scoring his maiden victory over 1300m at Randwick Kensington on December 6. Gets map favours and stays in the mix.

RACE 6 - GILDED WATER (3) English import who had the race run to suit at his Australian debut when a gritty 0.5 len winner over 2000m at Kembla Grange on November 23. Further improvement expected and should be even stronger over the 2400m. Goes close again. CALIFORNIA GRASS (10) improved sharply at each run this time in and deserves her chance in this tougher contest. Strong through the line when a dominant 1.4 len winner over this trip at Warwick Farm on December 4. Lloyd keeps the ride and drops 2kg in weight for this. Worthy each way player. GOOD BANTER (4) fifth-up today and looks primed for the 2400m. Recent efforts have been encouraging and doesn't have to improve much after finishing third in the heavy (10) going over 2000m at Rosehill last time out. BE REAL (5) backed off the map when she swooped out wide for a comprehensive victory in the heavy (10) going over 2000m at Rosehill on December 7. Bred to get the trip and has top four claims.

RACE 7 - BRIGHT RED (7) classy mare getting out to her preferred trip today. Third-up now after launching late when a close-up second over 1500m at Rosehill in the heavy (10) going on December 7. Maps well again and placed to advantage to go one better here. O'ZIGGY (9) progressive Ace High gelding who can go quickly through the grades this prep. Relished the step-up in trip when a classy on-pace winner over 1600m at Hawkesbury in weaker grade on December 8. Will go forward again and has the ability to take this out. FIDDLERS GREEN (6) another exciting type who was never comfortable in the heavy (10) going when a disappointing fourth over 1500m at Rosehill in this grade on December 7. Will get the trip and appreciate the firmer surface. Each way. HEED THE OMENS (10) frustrating gelding with his hoof on the till. Back in trip when sitting on the speed for a fighting third over 1800m at Rosehill in the heavy conditions on December 7. Blinkers go on and stays in the calculations.

RACE 8 - UZZIAH (8) tough gelding racing in career best form. Had genuine excuses when up in trip from the wide draw, finishing a tiring 12th over 1500m in the G3 Festival Stakes at Rosehill on November 30. Should get control early from the good gate and take catching with Tim Clark aboard. ELETTRICA (10) underrated mare who won well two-back at Rosehill, before tiring late when a gritty fourth to CHORLTON LANE over 1400m at Canberra on November 24. Hard fit now and has the numbers to take this out. ANG POW (9) no match for UZZIAH first-up, before looming strongly in the heavy going when a much improved second over 1400m at Rosehill on December 7. Best form is over this trip and ready to peak. SO RISQUE (7) Hayes-trained gelding with a slick second-up record. Anchored with the 60kg first-up when a plugging ninth over 1400m at Ballarat on December 7. Drops 7kg for this and can take a hand in the finish.

RACE 9 - TIME TO BOOGIE (8) classy sprinter returning from a lengthy break. Comes to hand quickly and his two recent trials suggest he's primed for a first-up assault with the in form Rachel King aboard. Goes close. OUR KOBISON (1) tough Gosford-trained sprinter who maps to get the gun run with Bourke's 2kg claim. Sat on the speed when resuming for a tiring second over 1100m in the LR Starlight Stakes at Rosehill on November 30. Has excellent second-up credentials and sure to be thereabouts. IN FLIGHT (7) drifted in betting when resuming for an even fourth in the LR Starlight Stakes at Rosehill over this trip. Drawn out for this and can sit off them from the draw and pounce late. GARZA BLANCA (2) big improver second-up when stalking the speed before claiming them late when taking out the LR Doveton Stakes (Cleary Stakes) at Caulfield on November 30. Races well at Randwick and not to be underestimated. The chances don't end there.

RACE 10 - YORKSHIRE (13) Snitzel gelding who came a long way in his first prep winning three of his four races. Up in trip and grade when leading throughout for a gritty victory over 1400m at Warwick Farm on August 21. Given the two searching trials and yet to race on anything better than a soft (5). Has a high cruising speed and expected to go close. ACCREDITED (9) clearly strengthened over the break and this should be the prep where he reaches greater heights. Gave them a galloping lesson when a smart 3 len winner over 1200m at Warwick Farm on December 4. Can get in with cover early and win again. FLYING DESTINY (3) smart return when he loomed strongly in the soft (7) going for a close-up second over 1100m at Rosehill behind EYE OF THE STORM on November 30. Fitter now and the claim helps again. Genuine player. ROMEO'S CHOICE (11) came out fast in the heavy going before surging clear for a sharp 3.5 len win over 1250m at Canterbury on November 29. Can add value the the exotics.