Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - All of these face the starter for the first time. CANARA (7) for Chris Waller should attract attention after finishing second to the smart Trafalgar Square in a trial recently. Draws a perfect gate with McDonald to steer. VINNIRO (6) for Annabel Neasham has trialled twice and been in the placings both times. Worth some thought with the help on the inside alley. The Gary Portelli-trained FLYING ARGENTO (2) finished alongside Vinniro at his only trial. Worth considering at good odds based on that effort. SPYWIRE (3) is a $520k yearling purchase in the care of Maher/Eustace. Watch for any market support. EVERYBODY RISE (1) is by Snitzel and is a full-brother to dual Group One winner Russian Revolution. Went well in a recent trial so keep him in mind.
RACE 2 - SENSORY (7) jumped only fairly but worked through her gears nicely to get up for third on debut last start over 1300m at Newcastle. Will take a lot from that experience and with McDonald taking the ride from gate one she makes plenty of appeal. WAIKATO GIRL (9) caught the eye on debut recently over 1300m at Kembla, coming from last on the bend to get up for third in quick time. Bred to stay so the further the better for this promising filly. DOLZINO (1) led and just failed to hang on at Kembla at his latest appearance. Ran much slower time than Waikato Girl on the day so some question marks over the quality of that maiden, but still an each-way hope. Recent trial winner VIVEZZA (8) for Annabel Neasham is a debutante worth monitoring for market support. SO OUTRAGEOUS (3) is a So You Think first starter from the Ryan/Alexiou camp. Trials have been just fair but expect a bit has been left for race day.
RACE 3 - ARMED FORCES (7) has met some stiff opposition this prep and gets a reprieve today. Finished less than a length behind smart types Maharba and Brave Mead at Moonee Valley two back then wasn't disgraced in the Listed Brian Crowley over 1200m at Randwick last time. Beautifully weighted under today's scale and class should get him home. FLEETWOOD (2) came from last on the bend to beat all but Gustosisimo (won last Saturday) over 1100m at the Kensington track when fresh from a spell last time out. Finished third to Coolmore winner Ozzmosis at this stage last prep. Sure to play a major role. RUNWITHTHETIDE (4) is a consistent gelding who scored a tidy win first-up in a Kensington maiden. Meets a deeper field this time but is worth following. ZOUPRINCE (3) resumes. Found form quickly at the start of the maiden prep so don't write him off. DYNAMIC ONE (5) looks outclassed.
RACE 4 - MOLLY NAILS (2) has been scratched from race 5 to be kept for this longer trip. Started poorly then found the line with purpose to get up for fourth last start over 1400m at the Kensington track. Nicely in after the claim, loves Rosehill, and the extra trip helps. Ticks every box. The promising MISS HADES (5) narrowly missed the hat trick last time out when she worked home well for third over 1400m at Kembla. Gets a senior rider for the first time and will enjoy the slightly longer journey. MISS CHECKONI (3) hasn't been beaten far at her last couple in Highways over slightly sharper distances. Could be a big improver with blinkers going on for the first time. GALAXY BELLE (1) was poor last time out but she has placed at three of four runs at this stage of the prep so a better run is anticipated. SKY DIAMONDS (4) goes well at this trip and is a top-four hope down in the weights.
RACE 5 - CLOUDLAND (2) returned from a five-month break and narrowly defeated subsequent winner Shadows Of Love three weeks ago over 1250m at the Kensington track. Getting up in the weights but he is a lightly raced five-year-old who keeps improving so he should cope. IRON WILL (4) showed pace as usual last time out over 1200m at Randwick but capitulated in the final furlong. That run followed a break of six weeks so he will strip fitter and can show a lot more resilience this time around. ATLANTIC OCEAN (8) again let backers down when midfield at $4 over 1400m at the Kensington track a fortnight ago. McDonald sticks so the brave-hearted can give him one more chance. SUMPTUARY (7) settled further back than expected last time out over 1200m at Randwick but really found the line. Major player once again. STEP ASIDE (3) resumes. Strong fresh performer with a fine record at this trip so don't leave him out of calculations. THE KING (6) is in the mix as well but is pretty short.
RACE 6 - XTRAREVZ (6) was squeezed out at the start and was never a hope behind State Of America last start over this trip at Randwick. Fitter for three runs back from a spell and Nash's engagement is significant. Watch for a much better run. YOUTHFULL (9) settled off the speed and made some inroads in the run home when resuming over 1550m at the Kensington track a fortnight ago. Far better placed over this trip so although she might need one more do not rule her out at odds. BUILLT (7) had no luck early but rallied late to finish a close third over this trip at the Kensington track recently. Very fit gelding who should be there at the business end. GO TROPPO (3) clocked-in just behind Buillt at the Kenso after leading. Continues to race well deep into his prep and should give backers a sight again. STATE OF AMERICA (4) won at Randwick over this trip on Cup Day. Big weight to shoulder now but can't be left out on current form.
RACE 7 - THE LITTLE PUMPER (3) has been going around in far tougher races. Began awkwardly and couldn't get involved last start in the Group 2 Callander-Presnell over the Randwick mile. Won by over two lengths when he last raced in midweek company. Expect him to bounce back to his best today. FLYING TRAPEZE (4) also found the Callander-Presnell a bit rich last time after a decisive win over 1400m at the Kensington track two starts ago. Still has improvement to come at just the fourth run of the prep. Sure to give a great sight. HOKKAIDO (2) got into some bother last time out over this course and distance in Saturday company so forgive the run. Cherry ripe after three runs back and the booking of Rawiller is important - he has a 30% strike rate on Joe Pride runners. THE REPLICANT (5) generally goes well at this trip so on a quick back-up he is worth including. YET HE MOVES (11) is back in trip but racing very well and must be respected for the Waller/McDonald combination.
