Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MOGWAI (5) resumed here a fortnight ago over 1300m when he ran on well to finish second to Keenan - that colt went on to run third in the Brian Crowley on Saturday so it's a strong form line. Can settle a pair closer from this better draw and over the extra 100m he looks tough to hold out. UNTIL VALHALLA (8) got back to near last on the turn on debut last start over 1100m at Hawkesbury before unleashing late to just miss. A couple of subsequent winners have come from that maiden. Watch for her to be flying home again over this more suitable journey. ROCKOLA (3) copped some early buffeting then battled on well for third over 1300m at Newcastle recently. Progressing well and another top-three finish is on the cards. AVONVIEW (1) had a six-week lay-off before his last start third at Hawkesbury. Strips fitter and will be competitive. KENOLOGY (4) should be about the mark but he has had plenty of chances.
RACE 2 - PRETTY RHO (8) appears for the first time since failing on a heavy track at Newcastle in March. Opened last prep in the Group 3 Magic Night so the Price stable has an opinion of this Lonhro filly. Two recent trial wins suggest she is coming back in great shape. Big watch on Joe Pride's first starter RAGGA RAGGA (9) who won a recent trial in a canter. By Toronado from an Exceed And Excel mare who has thrown a couple of winners. Godolphin's TULLE (5) is a four-year-old mare also on debut. Dam has produced Group 1 stars Alizee and Astern. Trialled nicely at Hawkesbury recently. Must be respected. RUNWITHTHETIDE (3) returns from a 23-week spell and was gelded over the break. Placed first-up when last in work over 1200m at Kembla. Likely improver this time around. MISS EMMA (7) also resumes and is worth including in exotics.
RACE 3 - PETERSHAM (6) was ridden quietly first-up over this course and distance before unleashing late and just running out of ground as a well-backed favourite. Suited by this small field and did score a big win at this stage last prep. The one they have to beat. Stablemate ZELTA (7) won her maiden first-up then found the Listed Reginald Allen a bridge too far last time. Sure to appreciate this drop in grade and if King can control things in front she might be tough to catch. ALLAPERCANTO (8) followed a 1400m maiden win with a moderate effort most recently over 1850m at Newcastle. Worth another chance coming back to a more suitable journey. The consistent HINCHINJIVE (5) beat Petersham home last start so she must be respected. Hard to make a case for the others, headed by STRAY (3).
RACE 4 - THE ENGLISHMAN (7) put the writing on the wall last time when he stormed home to be beaten narrowly over the mile at Kembla. Fitter for two runs back from a spell and the extra trip is a tick. Probably races a bit closer today and in a race that lacks genuine pace he should get a run to suit. BUILLT (6) disappointed in a similar race here a fortnight ago after a tough win at Warwick Farm the start prior. McDonald takes the ride so expect he is up for this. YET HE MOVES (8) ran a nice race here at this trip seven days ago, finding the line with purpose. Rarely far from the money. LYRICAL GANGSTER (9) caught the eye here last Wednesday and will be peaking at the fourth run back. GO TROPPO (3) dominated at Newcastle last start. Stick with him now that he is back in form.
RACE 5 - Just about all of these have winning claims. WALKIN'TALKIN' (4) worked hard to lead then knocked up and finished midfield last start over 1100m at Randwick. Suited coming back in trip and the return to midweek racing. Nice chance in a difficult race. DISNECK (5) got clear at the furlong then sprinted hard to win with a bit in hand last time out over 1100m at Hawkesbury. Will enjoy a sit behind the hot pace and can finish over the top of them. IRON HAT (9) was lining up for the hat trick when beaten under two lengths here at this trip a fortnight ago. In-form four-year-old who can run well again. VEGAS RAIDER (7) had an eight-week break before his narrow win over this distance at Kembla recently. Well drawn and capable of matching these better horses. VALIANCY (3) is back after a five-month spell. Goes well when fresh and is worth monitoring for market support.
RACE 6 - EAGLE NEST (7) resumed with an authoritative all-the-way win over this distance at Gosford four weeks back. Genuine mare who gets all the favours from the inside alley and looks a great chance to go back-to-back. ROCKETEER GIRL (8) returns from a 41-week spell. Has only raced three times, with a commanding maiden win over 1200m at Canterbury the highlight. Two recent trial wins suggest she is wound up for this. DIVINE VICKY (10) didn't have the best of luck in the straight last time, the first time she has been out of the money. Well drawn and can play a big role. BURNETT (13) could surprise at big odds dropping back to a more suitable distance. WELCOME GYPSY (9) disappointed first-up at Warwick Farm but did win second-up last prep so don't write her off.
RACE 7 - MASTER COPY (15) turned in an eye-catcher when resuming over this distance at Newcastle last time, coming from next to last on the bend to be beaten under a length. Up in class but gets some nice weight relief and his second-up form reads very well. MAYROSE (7) met with support in the 1600m Coonamble Cup on 8 October but failed to fire. Form prior to that in Saturday company was decent. Very fit now after three runs back from a spell and is a knockout chance at big odds. ATLANTIC OCEAN (14) has been freshened up since a tidy second over this course and distance eight weeks ago. Has been costly for punters and the McDonald/Waller factor sees him come up as early favourite again. TAVI TIME (3) returns from an eight-month lay-off. Promising gelding with three wins from just five starts. Bolted in first-up last prep at Taree before tasting success in town. Major player. SHIPSHAPE (4) hasn't threaten in his two runs this prep but did win at his only third-up run so keep him in mind.
