Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ETCHED IN TIME (5) fourth-up today and firmer deck will help his chances from the good gate. Never comfortable on the heavy (9) track when a tiring seventh over 1500m at Muswellbrook on February 19. Drops sharply in weight and the booking of McEvoy is a good lead. Go close. BANK HEIST (2) encouraging debut when stalked the speed for a close-up fourth over 1300m at Hawkesbury two weeks ago. Further improved and this trip and further will suit. HIMEROS (6) has a distinct fitness edge over these and is due for a change of luck. Sat just off the speed and launched late when second over 1600m at Wyong on February 22. Senior rider on here and no excuses today. COTO DE CAZA (3) staying type resuming from a four-and-a-half-month break. Had mixed luck last time in and since fitted with two recent trials. Look for him late.
RACE 2 - JOURNO (2) kept coming on debut when a solid fourth over 1000m at Hawkesbury on February 21. Likely improver on the firmer track who gets the right run again. Hard to hold out. HELLDANCER (6) back for second prep when sat on the speed for a fighting third over 1000m at Goulburn on February 15. Has the right figures to play a leading role. ALABAMA STATE (12) fitter after two runs in town and drop in weight helps. Had no luck from the wide gate when sixth over 1200m at Canterbury on February 16. Can run into the minor money. MONTE BRAVEHEART (3) locally trained gelding back from a spell of four-and-a-half months. Has placed first up in the past and expected to sprint well fresh with a recent trial win under his belt.
RACE 3 - REIGNING KING (2) underrated colt who resumed for second prep with a gritty on-pace second over 1000m at Hawkesbury on February 21. Jennings keeps the ride and undefeated second-up. Tongue-tie added and set for a big preparation. LAYIN' FOUR (5) is racing in career-best form and has the figures to take this out. Heavily backed when a slick 1.75 len maiden winner over 1100m at Hawkesbury on February 13. Gets the right run again and is expected to go close. ROYAL BOMBADIER (3) broke his maiden status at start five first-up with a strong on-speed performance over 900m at Newcastle on February 10. Has clearly come back stronger and can win again. DEFYING (4) trained on the track and turned in a solid debut when second at Newcastle over 900m on February 17. Strips fitter now and gets all the favours from an inside draw.
RACE 4 - Group 3 placegetter MAKE A CALL (5) resumes from a spell of four months and having his first run for the Joseph Pride yard. Made up a bit of ground late when ninth in the G1 Vic Derby over 2500m on November 4. Gelded over the break and strips fitter with two trials under the belt. Gets in light with the claim and can finish over the top of these. BRIASA (2) Smart Missile gelding from the stakes-winner Mary's Grace on debut for the Hawkes yard. Three trials have been solid including latest second over 900m at Rosehill. Gets his chance from the gate. PARADE GROUND (6) resumes for second prep after having mixed fortunes last time in. Not asked to do much in two quiet trials and forward showing expected. SIGLO DE ORO (8) resumed for second prep with a disappointing eighth over 1100m at Hawkesbury on February 13. Can sneak into the minor money.
RACE 5 - CAPITOL QUEEN (1) lightly raced mare dropping sharply in grade. Nice return with the 61kg when a plugging seventh over 1250m at Canterbury in BM64 company on February 9. Maps well with the claim and no excuses against this lot. FORTRESS AUSTRALIA (2) second-up. Comes off a 45-day let-up after tiring late when seventh over 1200m here on January 20. Since fitted with a recent trial and drawn to map well. Improver. HEADLEY GRANGE (8) resuming for the Joe Pride yard after finishing second last of 7 at Eagle Farm over 1400m on October 25. Fitted with two quiet trials and market moves must be monitored. SPIRIT OF VARANASI (11) fitter after three runs back and has a good record on her home track. Failed to stretch out in the soft (7) going when a poor sixth over 1000m at Hawkesbury on February 21. Expecting a sharp turnaround today.
RACE 6 - TURNED DOWN (4) promising gelding who won well on debut two back, before jumping in grade when a plugging fourth at Canterbury over 1550m on February 9. Fitter now and will find this more to his liking with the 2kg claim. Hard to hold out. ALLHALLOWTIDE (8) Savabeel gelding who indicated a win was imminent when loomed up late to finish fifth over this trip at Newcastle on February 17. Well drawn again and expected to race closer today. Solid top-three prospect. EXTREME FREEDOM (6) racing out of his right grade this time in and hard fit now. Best form is over his home track and the blinkers come off and winkers go on. Keep safe. DULCET (7) resumed from a four month break with a plugging fourth over 1550m at Canterbury on February 16. Fitter now and will keep improving as he stretches out in trip.
RACE 7 - SCOPICS (6) handy gelding who comes out of a strong race after getting out late when fourth over 1400m at Mudgee in the CDRA Champ on February 25. Winning rider Olivia Chambers back aboard with the claim and has excellent figures this track and trip. The one to beat. STARS AND BARS (4) fitter after two runs back and best form is over this trip. Bumped into Marquess and Strait Acer last time in and looks ready to win from the inside gate. Group 3 placegetter OVERLORD (3) has needed the two runs back and looks well placed with the 3kg claim here. Covered plenty of ground from the wide gate when tenth over 1200m at Randwick in Highway grade on February 10. Maps to get the right run and can finish in the minor money. OPITO BALLERINA (12) holding form well and will relish the drop in grade. Stuck on well when fourth over 1250m at Canterbury in BM72 company on February 23. This more to her liking and due for a change of luck.
