Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - HEROMANIA (5) only the one win from 18 starts but showed enough at latest when caught the eye late to finish fourth over 2208m at the Sapphire Coast on February 19. Danny Beasley takes the ride and a repeat of latest will see him hard to hold out. GENJIRO (2) holding form well this time in and kept finding when a gritty second over this track and trip on March 1. Backs-up quickly and gets the right run with the claim. Top-three player. JUST BOOGIE (1) stepping out to this trip for the first time after scoring a tough on-pace win over 1850m at Mudgee last time out. Maps well again and stays in the mix. STEAMED HAMS (4) racing well and stretches out to this trip for the first time today. Backs-up quickly and stays in the mix.
RACE 2 - STROMNESS (5) solid debut when sat up on the speed before being collared late for a close-up third over 1200m at Wagga on February 25. Expected to have trained on with the run under her belt and gets every chance from the good gate with the claim. The one to beat. TEXAS OPEN (11) 14 start maiden down sharply in weight for this after charging late from the good gate when second over 1200m at Wagga on February 25. Drawn the outside gate today and will need a good ride. Has top-three claims again. FLYING NED (10) underrated gelding who was a total forgive from the outside gate at latest when tenth over the 1010m at Moruya on March 3. Backs-up quickly and go on Canberra placing two back when assessing his chances. BEDOUIN BEAR (9) 30-start maiden racing well. Sat on the speed from an outside gate when a gritty third over 1300m here on March 1. Wide barrier makes it tough again. Place best.
RACE 3 - PICKSIX (3) Sydney-trained filly kept safe in betting on debut when rounded them up effortlessly to salute over 1000m at Canberra on February 23. Further improved now and expected to swoop late again. Looks hard to hold out. ANINI (7) backed-up her handy form with a well-deserved maiden victory at start ten with a gritty performance from the wide gate here over this trip on February 15. Maps well and expected to figure prominently. BOWIE OF DUBAI (2) resumes with a solid fresh record after tiring late when seventh over 1000m at Scone on November 13. Since fitted with a recent trial and must be kept safe. KISS THE COLOURS (4) has a good first-up record and returns here from a four-and-a-half month spell. Looks well placed with the claim and will take catching from the good gate.
RACE 4 - Tough race! QUALITY MISS (9) third-up for this and much better showing when held on well in the heavy (9) going to finish second over 1000m at Muswellbrook on February 19. Drawn to stalk the speed today and will relish the firmer track. CINEMATIC STAR (6) returned for second prep when wound up strongly from well back to run a slick second over 1000m at this track on February 15. In leading stable and watch for her powering late. Among the leading chances. REINE OF NINE (10) Ryan/Alexiou-trained filly who will appreciate the drop in trip after finishing third over 1200m at Newcastle on February 26. Blinkers and tongue-tie go on today. Sure to be strong late. BIG SHOOTER (1) lightly raced gelding resuming after having mixed fortunes last time in. Up in trip when a plugging fourth over 1300m at Hawkesbury on October 19. Fitted with a recent trial and not to be underestimated. The chances don't end there.
RACE 5 - ELEMENTAL (1) former New Zealand trained gelding now in the care of the John O'Shea yard. Impressed as favourite on debut when a gritty winner over 1400m at Avondale last July. Given further time to develop and since fitted with two 1200m trials. Gets the blinkers added and finds a winnable race to kick off. TOM CRUISING (10) got off the mark at start five when a determined winner over this trip at Wyong on February 22. This no tougher and returned good figures at latest. DON STEFANO (8) third-up today and a win looks imminent after running on late with the 60.5kg when third over 1400m at Bathurst on February 29. Ready for this trip and has solid winning claims. SHADOW DANE (5) holding form well and looks desperate for the mile now. Charged late from well back when fourth over 1400m at Wagga on February 25. Trained on the track and no excuses today.
RACE 6 - Group 3 placegetter GODZILLA (4) needed the run first-up when a disappointing seventh over this trip at Hawkesbury on February 13. Maps to get the right run again and expecting a much better performance here. ART VOLANT (9) racing without luck and not that far away when fourth over 1400m at Scone on February 27. Can race closer here and no excuses against some of these. WEXFORD MISS (11) in need of the run at debut when drifted back before making late ground when fifth over 1400m at Hawkesbury on February 21. Gets the blinkers added and no surprise to see her finish in the minor money. WILLABELLE (12) well-supported on debut when a disappointing sixth over 1200m at Canberra over 1200m on February 9. Looking for this trip and don't underestimate.
RACE 7 - MISSILE SEEKER (8) underrated gelding who was strong through the line when resumed in the heavy (8) going with a head second over 1100m at Nowra on February 26. Clearly come back stronger and goes just as well second-up. Extra trip and firmer deck will see him go close. JUST GO BANG (5) resumed from a five-month break with an unlucky third along the inside over the 1200m on March 1. Strips fitter now and looks good value. INVASIVE (3) Neasham-trained gelding who sat on the speed second-up when a gritty long neck winner as fav over 1290m at Orange two-and-a-half weeks ago. Gets weight relief with the claim and has the speed to get across from the wide gate. Keep safe. DISCREET MISS (10) even return on the heavy (8) going when fifth at Nowra over 1100m on February 26. Strips much fitter now and looks good each way value.
RACE 8 - MISS SCOOP (4) returned good figures on debut when a slick 3 len winner over 1100m at Nowra on February 11. Kept fresh for this and Chambers rides again with the claim. No reason she can't make it two-from-two. STRAIGHT FIRE (5) safely held by Miss Scoop on debut before charging late from near last when a barnstorming winner over 1200m at Wagga on February 25. Rises in weight today and finds a fairly soft Cl1. CHASING A QUID (2) has fitness on his side and will find this easier after disappointing when seventh over 1400m in the Guineas Preview at Canberra on February 27. Gets the right run and don't underestimate. LETME ENTERTAINYOU (3) fitter after two runs back and needs to lift after finishing a plugging fifth over 1000m at Wagga in Cl3 company on February 25. This much easier and not to be underestimated.
