Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - IRISH ANTHEM (4) disappointed as a $2.60 fav last time out on the soft (7) going when a tiring seventh over 1600m at Gosford on February 24. Trained on the track and expected to hold a forward position here and improve sharply. CUNNING KITTY (7) 19-start maiden who gets weight relief with the claim today. Warmed up late when an encouraging fourth over 1700m at Grafton last time out. Blinkers go on and has solid claims. DECEMBER SKY (1) fifth-up for this and a win looks imminent after launching late when a close-up second over 1600m at Gosford on February 24. Leading apprentice on and sure to be strong late. FASCINATION ALLEY (8) career best performance when resumed with an eye catching second over 1400m at Bathurst on February 29. Clearly come back well and stable having a good run of late.
RACE 2 - HELL OF A SHOW (5) underrated gelding who looks well placed today from the good gate. Fourth-up for this after launching late from the wide gate when an unlucky third over 1100m at this track on March 9. The one to beat on the quick back-up. BROWNED OFF (9) another near his top now fourth-up. Sat on the speed before tiring late when seventh over 1200m at Newcastle on March 8. Quick back-up suits and looks good each way value. DREAMS OF THUNDER (7) resuming from a four-and-a-half month break. Ran two okay races in two career runs last time in. Expected to have strengthened up over the break and ran third in a recent 845m trial on March 4. IVY'S WAY (6) fitter after two runs and looking for the 1100m now. Well drawn and should be able to hold a forward position here.
RACE 3 - CORMAC T (1) well-bred gelding who caught the eye at Australian debut when a sound fifth over 1500m at Rosehill on February 28. Looks to have plenty of upside and desperate for this trip and further now. No excuses from the good draw here. HOOLIGAN TOMMY (4) is improving with racing as he gets out in trip. Came from near last on the turn when a gritty third over 1600m at Newcastle on March 2. Trip suits and senior rider on for this. Sure to be strong late. BANK HEIST (2) fitter after two career runs and stuck on well when third over 1500m at Kembla Grange with the 58.5kg at latest. Ready for further now and has solid top-three claims. COTO DE CAZA (3) resumed as a solid ($2.35 fav) when a fast finishing second over 1500m at Kembla Grange on March 5. Will keep improving as he gets out in trip. Stays in the mix.
RACE 4 - CALIFORNIA SUNRISE (6) returns from a lengthy break after motoring late from last on the turn on debut when a sound third over 1200m at Warwick Farm 11 months ago. Fitter for two recent trials and gets his chance from the inside gate. GENEROUS HARRY (2) sharp improver at second race start with the claim when ran on late to secure second over 1300m at Newcastle on March 2. Improver who brings the right figures here. PARADE GROUND (4) huge performance from a wide gate on resumption when a fast finishing second over 1200m at Kembla Grange on March 5. Looks to have come back stronger and extra trip helps. MR CALEB (5) seven-start maiden due for a change of luck. Got well out of his ground second-up when a plugging third over 1400m at Kembla Grange on February 29. Can race closer today and can take a hand in the finish.
RACE 5 - Group 2 placegetter WOLVES (4) will relish the massive drop in grade after running a gritty second over 1200m at Moonee Valley in BM64 grade on March 8. No excuses here from the good draw. BUSH TELEGRAPH (7) showed good speed from the wide gate on debut when a tenacious 0.6 len win over this track and trip on February 21. Has the ability to win again. CANDLELIT (1) fitter after two runs back and due for a change of luck. Bumped into a smart one when a tough third to Audrey's Lane over 1300m at this track on March 9. Senior rider on here and can return to winning form. ABUSE OF POWER (3) showed good speed from the sticky gate when second to Audrey's Lane over 1300m here at latest. Doesn't have to improve much to take this out.
RACE 6 - ADAGIO (6) stretched out to the 2000m for the first time when bumped into the promising Vaguer, finishing 7 lens adrift (second) at Canberra on March 10. Will find this more to his liking and can give them something to catch. PARABELLUM (5) lightly raced mare kept fresh for this after having her first try at the 1900m when a plugging fifth over at Canterbury on February 16. This looks easier and stable in good form at present. TOKYO RUN (9) returned good figures when a strong maiden winner at start ten over 1600m at Dubbo on March 8. Gets in light with the claim and can win again. BY NINE (1) holding form well. Stepped out to the 2000m for the first time when ran on late to finish fifth over this track and trip on February 21. Sure to be strong late.
RACE 7 - BYRON (2) returns from a let-up and will take plenty of catching in this company. Had to work hard from the wide draw when a wilting tenth over 1300m at Warwick Farm on January 26. Go on earlier efforts when assessing his chances. SMART LITTLE MISS (5) looks set to explode second-up after motoring late when a sound fifth over 1200m at Canterbury on February 23. Claim helps and sure to be strong late. NEVER SORRY (4) comes here off a 29-day let-up. Has a tidy record and gets in light with the 3kg claim after scoring a solid 1.1 len win at Muswellbrook over 1280m on February 19. Maps to get the right run. POSEIDON RULER (3) back marker returning from a 38-day let-up. Rattled late when third in a small field at Newcastle over 1600m on February 10. Can sprint well fresh with the recent 1000m trial under the belt.
RACE 8 - FIDDLERS GREEN (6) promising Merchant Navy gelding who returned with a strong on-pace second over 1400m here on February 14. Undefeated second-up and Chad Schofield retains the ride. Looks hard to stop. MAH ALI (7) came out fast from the inside gate when a tenacious second over the mile at Moonee Valley in similar company on March 8. Looks to have come back well and has fitness on her side. FORTRESS AUSTRALIA (8) showed good early speed when returned from a let-up before fading late to run fifth over 1200m at Kembla Grange on March 5. Ready for this trip now and has solid each way prospects. LOCKDOWN GAMBLE (2) well supported at latest when a fighting winner of the CDRA Championship Qualifier over 1400m at Mudgee on February 25. 3kg claim helps and racing in career best form.
