Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - WHISKER TO WHISKER (4) has returned in good order this prep and looks ready to peak at the third run back. Settled midfield then worked home well once clear to get up for third over this trip at Hawkesbury a fortnight ago. Blinkers go back on today in a sign of intent from the stable. GENETIC FREAK (1) went back from a wide gate then made good inroads to finish fourth when resuming over 1400m at Newcastle last start. Better placed out to the mile so watch for him putting in the big strides late. PRINCESS CRUIZER (7) continues to improve this time in work but is finding a win elusive. Dropped back to 1300m at Newcastle most recently when she charged home to just miss. Looks perfectly placed out to this trip for the first time. INVINCIBLE SPY (3) led all the way to win on debut last time out. Plenty of improvement in store so this isn't beyond him. HIGHBORN HARRY (2) failed in the Gloaming last start but is a chance back in this more suitable race.
RACE 2 - UNQUESTIONABLY (2) wasn't popular with punters on debut last start over 1500m at Kembla but did well to battle on for third after being prominent from the outset. Should enjoy a bit more ground this time so follow up on this $1.7 million yearling purchase. CATHAY BRACELET (3) is on the quick back-up after boxing on fairly to be beaten just over three lengths over 2000m in heavy going at Kembla on Saturday. Only petered out in the dying stages that day so this slightly shorter trip on a tighter circuit suits. RAPID IMPACT (7) raced near the speed then couldn't go with them in the final stages when fourth in a Class 1 over 2000m at Kembla recently. Very fit now after three runs back from a spell and he will appreciate the return to maiden company. HEAVEN BOUND (4) did her best work late and was only 0.4 lengths away when the judge called a halt over the mile here last Thursday. Lightly raced filly who will enjoy the extra 300m. ICHIBAN (5) is also a chance on a seven-day back-up.
RACE 3 - MAJESTIC STYLE (3) was having her second run back from a two-month lay-off and a change of stables when a commanding winner last start over the mile at this track. Had one run over today's distance when trained in Victoria and was successful. Sure to prove tough to beat again. NOBLE EMPRESS (4) settled handy but couldn't quicken when required and just missed the placings last time out over the mile at Newcastle. Loves racing here and needs this sort of journey now. BEETSON (2) made it two wins from three this prep when he scraped home over 1600m at Scone 17 days ago. Progressive type who should enjoy getting to this distance for the first time. KIKIKAPOW (8) finished 2.1 lengths behind Beetson at Scone when second-up. Strips fitter and is an each-way hope. Last start Warwick Farm winner LADY REDWOOD (1) is back in trip but on a one-month freshen-up deserves some thought.
RACE 4 - KEYSBOROUGH (2) has not been far away in his two runs this prep. Stalked the speed then found the line well to finish third last start over 900m at Newcastle. Draws a better gate today and the extra 100m is what he needs. Great chance to break the maiden status. BELYAEV (3) started favourite but missed the frame at Kembla over this trip three weeks ago. Worth another chance with the winkers going on. FIELD OF MYRTLE (8) did some early work before being swamped late when resuming a month ago. Can offer a bit more resistance this time. FLYING RANI (4) is a first starter by Flying Artie from a Marju mare who has produced seven winners from eight foals. Big trial winner at Warwick Farm recently. Watch the betting. STORM THE RAMPARTS (1) returns from a 32-week spell as a gelding. Scratched from the Kenso yesterday to be saved for this. Talented and sure to play a major role.
RACE 5 - STAR LEGACY (4) put the writing on the wall last start when he attacked the line strongly to be beaten a neck over 1300m at Hawkesbury. Crying out for this trip and with the in-form Hyeronimus to steer he looks set to grab that elusive maiden victory. SIBERIAN BULL (8) is a sparingly raced colt who made some ground without threatening at Newcastle recently. Stays at the same trip but the addition of blinkers might be the spark required. GUNSLINGER (7) didn't have the best of luck at Kembla last time. Capable of playing a role in the finish at the fourth run back. ARMED CONFLICT (12) has only raced twice. Wasn't beaten all that far at Nowra last time in a much better performance. Getting to the mile is a positive. YOU AND I (6) is rock hard fit. Can roll along in front and give a bit of cheek.
RACE 6 - SPEYMALT (5) is a tidy mare back from a 110-day spell. Raced just three times in the maiden prep, her second on debut over 1150m at the Kensington track the pick of the runs. Trialled well recently and back at the provincials looks set for a winning return to racing. NEW FOREST (3) copped some interference on straightening then just plugged away from there on debut last start over this distance at Warwick Farm. Won't find this as tough so watch for a much better showing. UP THE COUNTRY (9) is a Sooboog filly on debut for Bjorn Baker. Won a recent 1200m trial at Warwick Farm so she looks forward enough to give a good account. JARED (2) made it three minor placings from as many runs this prep at Hawkesbury a fortnight back. Genuine gelding who will be thereabouts again. WATCH MY GIRL (10) first-up from a 20-week break is worth monitoring for market support.
RACE 7 - Very open affair. THEO LEGION (7) did his best work late when a close fourth over 900m at Newcastle on 14 October. That was the first run for 23 weeks and he has never fired when fresh in the past. Far better placed at today's trip and he should be featuring in the finish. TIM'S PRINCIPAL (9) hasn't won for 74 weeks but comes under notice after a flashing third over 1100m at Scone last Friday. Veteran who rarely runs a bad race. SURFERS ROYALE (6) is back from a five-month spell. Opened last prep with a minor placing at Hawkesbury so he is in the mix. COOL LAD (1) raced wide so forgive the last start failure at Warwick Farm. Not without claims back at the provincials. RAKOMELO (2) is ready to peak third up over this slightly longer journey.
RACE 8 - JUST GISELLA (3) registered her second win of the campaign when she got home narrowly over 1300m at Newcastle last time out. Honest filly whose only misses have come in town. Big chance again. MISS FABERGE (4) resumes. Talented mare who has contested five Stakes races. Went well in a recent Randwick trial and if anywhere near right she can take this out. SILENT RAINDROPS (7) has been disappointing at both runs this prep but she did win at her only other third-up run so don't write her off just yet. CECILIA (1) went close when resuming last start and has won 4/6 second-up so she deserves plenty of respect. MAGGIE NOW (6) is on a seven-day back-up and second-up from a six-week break. Fitter and sure to be prominent for a long way.