Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - EXCEED THE SKY (9) has a fitness edge over most of these fourth-up and looks ready to win. Sat on the speed and collared late when 0.9 lens third over 1300m at Kembla Grange on November 18. Bred to get through the going and will take catching. MISS EMMA (7) third-up and looking for this trip now. Ran on late from well back when a gritty third over 1100m at Canterbury on November 17. Should get through the going and take a hand in the finish. VERY SEWREEL (8) resumes after having mixed luck at first prep. Fitted with two searching trials and expected to come out hard from the wide gate. DENOTE (1) is a well-bred Justify filly back for her second prep. Ran on late when third over 1350m at Doomben on July 12. Fitted with a recent trial over 1050m at Deagon on October 31. Will be strong through the line.
RACE 2 - VIVEZZA (7) solid debut when stalked the speed for a gritty 1.5 lens third over 1400m at Rosehill on November 15. Strips fitter for this and drawn to get the right run again. Go close. IL TEVERE (6) excellent return for second prep when sat on the speed before tiring late when third over 1250m at Canterbury on November 17. Will have little trouble in the going and should relish the extra trip. Genuine top-three contender. DUKE OF LANCASTER (1) has a fitness edge over these and two career runs have been full of merit. Strong through the line when second over 1400m at Warwick Farm on November 22. On the quick back-up and looks like a serious player. DETERMINATION (4) wasn't far away on debut when finished a close-up fifth over 1250m at Canterbury on November 17. Worth noting that Rawiller jumps off to ride Duke Of Lancaster.
RACE 3 - SCARLET PRINCE (7) consistent gelding in need of the run when sixth over 1550m at Canterbury two weeks ago. Has solid wet track credentials and ran a strong fourth three runs back in Bm78 grade. TYMPANIST (11) sharp drop in grade and will appreciate the extra distance after resuming with a plugging sixth over 1400m at Rosehill on November 11. Look for him motoring late in the rain-affected going. BRYNNER (6) hard fit for this assignment after swooping late for a well-deserved victory over 1900m at Canterbury on November 17. Likes the conditions and can win again. IRISH KISSES (1) consistent mare who gives the indication this trip will suit after hitting the line strongly when third over 1600m at Newcastle on November 18. Can race closer from the draw and is not to be underestimated.
RACE 4 - ZOUPRINCE (3) strong return when sent forward for a fighting long neck second over 1200m at Rosehill on November 15. Looks to have come back much stronger this time in and won on rain-affected going last time in. Go close. CELESTIAL SPIRIT (2) won previously first-up and resumes here after a break of six months. Raced in stronger company last time in and since fitted with two searching trials. Has won on the slow and heavy tracks and looks well-placed with the claim. ANGARA (6) is racing well and will be in peak form for this third-up after scoring a dominant 5 len victory over 1300m at Scone on November 20. Ready for this grade now and not to be underestimated. TREIZE (8) progressive mare resuming for the Sargent yard. Fitted with two trials and handles the conditions.
RACE 5 - CLOUDLAND (2) progressive gelding with a strong winning record. Sat on the speed with the 60.5kg second-up before being collared late when second over 1300m at Rosehill on November 15. Dylan Gibbons retains the ride and loves rain affected going. LOUISVILLE (4) lightly-raced gelding who was heavily backed on resumption when a fast finishing winner over 1250m at Canterbury on November 17. Has won second-up and will keep improving as he gets out in trip. REBEL SHADOW (3) has a fitness edge over most of these and back in grade tonight. Improves with the sting out of the ground and the engagement of Jason Collett is a positive. CHARLEMAGNE (6) consistent Goulburn-trained gelding who wound up strongly when resumed with a solid third over 1250m at Canterbury on November 17. Goes just as well second-up and on rain affected going. Keep safe.
RACE 6 - PINK BAROQUE (8) hard to catch on her day and looks better suited out to the 1400m. At her top for this now after finishing fifth over 1200m at Canterbury two weeks ago. Has the ability to finish over the top of these. BOWERY BREEZE (2) fitter after two runs and on the quick back-up after coming from near last when a sound fourth over 1400m at Kembla Grange last Saturday. Handles the conditions and looks like a genuine contender. MISS FABERGE (5) won first up in good style at Gosford, then settled well back before catching the eye late when fifth over 1300m at Rosehill on November 15. Fitter now and the extra trip suits. SERENE NIC (4) fourth-up today and kept up to the mark with a recent tick-over trial after scoring a dominant 2 len victory over 1300m at Kembla Grange on October 28. Handles the going and look for her late.
RACE 7 - WALKIN'TALKIN' (12) fifth-up tonight and placed this track and trip. Best figures have him right in this from the good gate and maps well. COOL JAKEY (3) promising Pierro gelding resuming for the Pride stable. Showed a ton of ability last time in and since fitted with two sound trials. Go well. DODI (14) third-up tonight and back in grade after disappointing when ninth at Canterbury over 1100m in Bm78 grade on November 17. Handles the going and look for a sharp improvement. BYRON (5) solid return and goes even better second-up. Will need luck from the draw and place prospects look best.
