Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - THORNYCROFT (4) was eye-catching when resuming at Kembla Grange but struggled to follow it up last start. Can improve sharply third-up and the booking of Tommy Berry is a good push for his chances. FINE EXAMPLE (5) hasn't taken a step wrong in her last two and now shoots to bring up the hat-trick. Going too good to ignore and is one of the main chances again. VADAMOS QUEEN (1) didn't give her rivals a sniff last start at Canberra when leading pillar-to-post. Winning rider Alysha Collett pilots again and should be poised up on the speed again. Can give this a big shake. FORUM ONE (6) lengthened nicely to get the verdict last time at Newcastle. Tougher this time but a similar effort puts her right in the thick of it.
RACE 2 - JURISPRUDENCE (10) stepped up to the mile for the first time last start at Warwick Farm and produced a solid chasing effort to again find the placings. Shouldn't find this as tough and is open to further improvement. Leading player. KIRIKAN (11) has found the line well in his two runs back, without threatening the winner. Likely improver with strong prospects third up. BLUE AS BLUE (3) settled in the leading division on debut last start but wilted close to home. Better for the hit-out and gets the blinkers on first time. Also worth noting she gets in low at the weights with the 3kg claimer engaged. Can give this a shake. WILD CALM (5) next best.
RACE 3 - PHAROAH MAGIC (2) enjoyed a similar return to the track last start at Kembla Grange. Was off a long break, so worth treading lightly but is drawn well. Must consider. REIGNING KING (7) also got off the mark last start when saluting here. Has good early toe and is drawn to advantage. Capable of taking the next step. LET'S TRY (1) went close to making it two on the bounce last start at Newcastle. Only needs to hold his form to be competitive. MR TRACKSIDE (6) finished among the placings last time when third at Newcastle and should be further improved, rates one of the chances.
RACE 4 - EAU DE VIE (1) returns. Faces a trip short of her best but can take up close order from the inside alley and will be strong late. Right in this. ALWAYS IN (5) resumes also. Has won fresh-up before and well drawn is worth following up. MISSOUK (7) will be rock-hard fit now following a nice effort at this track last start when third. THERE THERE (3) lightly raced mare who progressed nicely last start with a win by 0.7 lengths over 1300m at Newcastle. Can go on with it.
RACE 5 - BROKERAGE (2) is a Capitalist gelding stepping out on debut for Michael Freedman. Found the line nicely in his most recent Rosehill trial in readiness and Tommy Berry sticks. Just has the wide alley to overcome. Bright start anticipated. NARCISSIST (3) also appears for the first time, a Menari gelding stepping out for Richard & Will Freedman. Is another that has impressed at the trials but also has an outside draw to contest. Looks to have his share of ability and is expected to make his presence felt. CLOSE ENCOUNTER (1) looks the best chance out of the raced lot, savaging the line at Newcastle over the 900m on debut. Sure to come on with that run under his belt. Resuming gelding ROYAL TRAPEZE (4) also deserves safekeeping.
RACE 6 - WATERSKI (13) is a Street Boss filly returning for James Cummings. Failed to live up to market expectations on debut at Warwick Farm before being sent back to the paddock. Looks to have taken the right steps forward in readiness for her return, scoring impressively in her most recent trial. Zac Lloyd reunites. Bold return is anticipated. MARCHESI (5) failed to pay the punters on debut here when sent out as public elect but did show good fight to hold onto a minor placing after a testing run. Sure to have taken benefit from that hit out. Likely improver. Debutants INVADER ZIM (3) and YANKEE ONE (14) are others that have shown ability in their lead-up work. Will be worth paying attention to any market support.
RACE 7 - ROMA AVENUE (2) finished a lot closer to the winner last start at Kembla Grange when ridden more prominently. Sure to improve third-up and Tommy Berry sticks. Will prove tough to stop. BELLEISTIC KIDS (5) closed off strongly to the line last start at Coonamble to make it two on the bounce. Stays at the winning trip and gets in well at the weights with the 3kg claimer engaged. Can go close. MISS LENORR (7) was always well back last time out in town and struggled to come on. Finds an easier assignment and can find winning form. SOCRATES (3) showed good early dash last start here but couldn't go on with it late. Rates highly on best figures. Can atone.
RACE 8 - Have to put a line straight through the return effort of LUCKY VARIETY (1) after losing her rider. Had worked well in the lead-up to her return and rates highly on best efforts. The booking of Tommy Berry is a good push for her chances. Leading player. Group 3 placegetter SHOTMAKER (2) resumes. Struggled at the back end of last prep but had been racing in good order prior. Has won first-up before and strips fitter for two solid trials. Can play a major role fresh. BORDER CONTROL (5) also returns and will be looking to emulate his win at this track when returning from a spell last prep. Could land in a sticky spot from the inside marble but is a top-three chance on best efforts. FLORIDA SKY (3) resumed with a win at Newcastle but couldn't follow it up last time in town. Has never missed the frame when third-up from a break. Can bounce back.
