Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - WITHOUT YOU (8) has race fitness on her side fifth-up after running on late when fifth over 1600m at Wyong on February 22. Comes out of a strong race last start and looks hard to hold out. OAKFIELD ECHIDNA (2) best effort in three runs when up in trip for a plugging third over 1500m at Muswellbrook on February 19. Likely to go forward and place prospects look best. SANBANO (5) unwanted in betting and ran accordingly when tenth over this trip at Wyong on February 22. Fitter now and improvement is expected. FRENCH DELIVERY (1) much better effort at latest and can sneak into the minor money with the claim.
RACE 2 - INSIDER TRADER (4) has sound figures this track and trip and drops sharply in grade for this. Stuck on well when fifth over 2400m at Rosehill in BM78 (74) grade on February 28. Drawn to get the right run and can return to winning form. BONAVENTURE (8) returns from a 34-day let-up after getting off the mark at start 12 when a dominant 1.75 len victory over this track and trip in Cl1 company on February 3. Races best with runs spaced and can win again. TINA'S ROCK (10) is racing in career-best form and looks well in with the 2kg claim after running on late when fourth over 2100m at Gosford on February 24. Can play a leading role. GLOBAL ENCOUNTER (6) is near his peak now fourth-up and comes out of a strong race after finishing second to Jack Duggan over 1890m here on February 17. Should have little trouble running the trip out.
RACE 3 - PHOTOGRAPH (12) well-bred Blue Point filly who was dragged back from the outside gate on debut before warming up late with a slick fourth over 1200m at Canterbury on February 16. Has the experience now and maps to get the right run. Go close. KINGDOM UNDERSIEGE (5) tough assignment on debut when stuck on okay to finish eighth to Castanya over 1000m in the LR Lonhro Plate at Randwick four weeks ago. Extra trip suits but will need a good ride from the sticky gate. BROADSIDING (1) shuffled back early on debut from a low draw before hitting the line late when a sound fourth over 1100m at Ballarat a week and a half ago. Further improved and looking for this trip now. LAST COMMAND (6) started a solid ($2.90 fav) on debut when never comfortable in the soft (6) going finishing fifth over 1200m at Canterbury on February 16. Firmer deck helps and expected to go forward from the wide gate.
RACE 4 - NY KEE (9) is back for second prep when resuming with a gritty on-pace second over 1100m at Wyong on February 22. Finds a fairly strong race but maps to get the right run. Go close with McEvoy booked. OVERVIEW (10) has fitness on her side third-up and will find this more to her liking after running in town at her two runs back. Back in trip for this and look for her charging late from the sticky gate. THE NEW SINATRA (7) heavily supported to start a ($2.50 fav) on debut when a fighting third over 1100m at Gosford on February 24. Well drawn again and expected to play a leading role. LADY DORIS (8) has shown enough in two career runs to be a genuine contender today. Gets the blinkers on here after running on late when third over 1100m at Wyong on February 22. Drop in weight suits and no excuses from the gate.
RACE 5 - EDITED BY (2) third-up today and showed enough at the latest from the wide gate when running on late to secure fifth over 1200m at Rosehill on February 28. Extra distance suits and expected to race closer from the good gate. DUNEDIN (4) resumes today after making a tidy debut when fourth over 1400m at Kembla on October 21. Not asked to do much in two recent trials and can play a leading role here. JUST IMMORTAL (3) three-year-old gelding by Justify out of Black Mamba on debut for the Waterhouse/Bott yard. Had two mixed trials and the stable can never be underestimated. NEW PHAROAH (1) resuming today. Nice effort last time in when sixth in the LR Phoenix at Eagle Farm on June 3 over 1500m. Ran second in a recent trial and look for him late.
RACE 6 - LJUNGBERG (1) racing well over this track and trip and back in grade today. Had to work hard from the wide gate when battled to the line for a solid second over 1200m here three weeks ago. Maps to get the gun run and due for a change of luck. UNWRITTEN (4) back in grade second-up when improved sharply to finish a close-up third over 1200m here on February 10. Since fitted with a recent trial and has the figures to play a leading role. IMPULSIVITY (12) is a nice filly having a great first prep. Broke her maiden status two back, before finishing a tough third over 1000m at Wyong on February 8. Maps well and the 1200m shouldn't pose a problem. MAJOR MURPHY (11) second-up today after finishing a creditable fourth over 1000m at Randwick in BM72 Midway grade on February 17. Trip suits and no excuses from the gate.
RACE 7 - JIMMYSSTAR (10) progressive Maher-trained gelding who gets all the map favours from the good gate. Left a sitting shot late after going a touch too early as a ($1.26 fav) when second to Makram over 1400m at Flemington in LR grade on February 17. Looks hard to run down with race fitness on his side. Group 2 winner LOCH EAGLE (3) is a classy gelding returning from a 55-day let-up. Total forgive from the wide gate when eighth in the LR MM Cup over 1400m at the Gold Coast on January 13. Has strong fresh figures and the recent 1000m trial was encouraging. UNSPOKEN (2) underrated gelding resuming. Went through his grades nicely last time in and has a dynamite fresh record. Looked to have plenty up his sleeve when second in a recent 1207m trial on February 12. Can sit just off them and pounce late. UCALLEDIT (5) third-up today and won third-up previously. This is his pet trip and will appreciate the drop in weight. Will go forward and can take a hand in the finish.
RACE 8 - BINDI'S CHOICE (2) has returned a much stronger mare this time in and at her peak for this third-up. Comes out of a fairly strong race when stalked the speed to finish a close-up third over 1400m at Randwick Kensington in tougher company on February 14. Undefeated this track and sure to be strong late. DECIMUS (5) two runs back have been strong and never comfortable in the soft (7) going when fifth over 1600m at Gosford on February 24. Best form can see him take a hand in the finish. SUPER (4) comes here off a 29-day let-up. Better suited back to his home track and no excuses from the good gate. GAGO (7) first-up from a break of seven months and has an okay fresh record. Fitted with two trials and stays in the mix.
