Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - JUST PARTY (1) gave favourite backers a bold sight on debut, only to be captured late. Sure to have come on with that run under the belt and has Tim Clark sticking. Expecting another positive ride and for him to take plenty of catching. BENGAL (2) only warmed to his task late on debut but got going nicely to finish fourth. Expect him to drift back from the draw and be charging hard over the concluding stages. OKAMI STAR (7) comes in on the fresh side for his third-up assignment but has kept the legs ticking over with a solid Warwick Farm trial placing. Likely improver with winning prospects. IRREGULARITY (4) is a Too Darn Hot colt stepping out on debut for Ciaron Maher. Worked well in his most recent trial and any late market support should be respected.

RACE 2 - KHAZNAH (6) has stuck on soundly into the placings here in both career starts. Cherry-ripe now and gets weight relief over the shorter journey. Ready to make a major impact. RAVENCLAW (2) has found the maiden win elusive but it certainly hasn't been without trying, going desperately close again last start when beaten under a length on the Kenso. Expect him to be conservative from the draw, before charging hard late. EMPRESS OF WONDER (4) is ready to make her long-awaited return after a promising debut prep, producing solid efforts in black type company at every start. Takes benefit from two lead-up trials and is expected to make her presence felt. SUMMER SOIREE (9) should bounce straight to the front from her inside alley and could prove tough to reel in with a run under her belt.

RACE 3 - FUNAMBULIST (4) returns and usually runs well fresh. The form-lines from last campaign are strong, with an abundance of subsequent winners. Strips fitter for two Pakenham jump-outs and is drawn favourably with talented English hoop Marquand piloting. Bright return anticipated. PIRAEUS (6) doesn't win out of turn but is knocking on the door, placing at his last four outings. Gets 3kgs off his back after making solid inroads behind what looks like an above-average type. Cherry-ripe now and will take some stopping. SKY OUT (1) has progressed nicely with each run under his belt this time in. Carries more weight for the drop in grade but steps out to a winning trip and is among the key chances. QUEENMAKER (5) was no match for them last start in the G3 Aspiration after sustaining a tough run. The engagement of Zac Lloyd is a positive move. Best efforts measure up so worth another chance back in this grade.

RACE 4 - AUTUMNMATION (2) finds it tough to break through but it certainly hasn't been through a lack of effort. Closed off nicely to the line again last start, only to be headed late. Cherry-ripe now and only has to hold her form to prove hard to beat. ECLIPSION (1) showed good early muster when sent out public elect last start and gave a good kick in the lane, only to be nabbed on the line. Strips fitter third up and is drawn to advantage with the gun hoop in McDonald sticking. Will be in this for a very long way. HARTMAN (8) improved sharply last start on the Kenso when digging deep to hold down fourth. Gets in lighter on the short turnaround and is among the contenders. KERVETTE (5) gave another solid account of herself last start when finishing in the placings at Warwick Farm. Gets in low at the weights with the 3kg claimer engaged and is in the mix. BLACKLIST (3) caught the eye last start when closing off sharply into a midfield finish. Jason Collett is the perfect booking.

RACE 5 - TYCOON JENNY (4) gave backers another bold sight and fought on well, only to be overrun late. Ready to peak now and will take plenty of reeling in. PAJANTI (7) also showed great early dash last start but was able to go on with the job at Rosehill. Sparingly raced and has more to offer but the extra journey might test her. VADAMOS QUEEN (5) returns and while she's shy of a preferred trip, she has scored fresh over a similar distance before. Has the pace to hold a prominent position from the draw and should be forward enough following two trials. Capable of testing this field. DISNEY CASTLE (9) put in another strong chase to the line last start when again beaten less than a length. Gets weight relief for the slight rise in grade and can't be underestimated.

RACE 6 - EBONY KING (6) is ready to break through after being beaten narrowly last start by the fast-finishing Able Willie. Gets in lighter at the weights for the slight rise in grade and has Rawiller sticking. Leading player. WINDSHADOW (4) returns and has run well fresh without winning. Is drawn to advantage from the inside pillar and strips fitter for a solid trial placing in readiness. Can make a bright return. SIR ARTIE (2) wasn't able to make it three on the bounce last start but was far from disgraced. No tougher this time and gets weight relief with the 2kg claimer engaged. Can atone. MCHALE (8) returned with a bang in his first run as a gelding at Warwick Farm, rattling up the inside to score impressively. Open to further improvement and can take the next step.

RACE 7 - Competitive race. STANISLAUS (5) returns for the blue jackets and has scored fresh before. Ran into some smart operators last time in, most notably finishing not too far away from subsequent G1 winners Ozzmosis & Celestial Legend in the LR Heritage Stakes. Has impressed in his lead-up work and reunites with McDonald, who's 1/1 when partnering. Leading player. ONCE AGAIN MY GIRL (11) was well fancied when resuming last start in Highway company and proved too strong. Has a liking for this trip and can go on with it. NEGOTIATIONS (9) hasn't taken a step wrong in his two runs back as he shoots to bring up the hat-trick. Will have to go up a rung or two but is down in the weights and deserves plenty of respect. LE MELODY (3) is yet to taste defeat when resuming and strips fitter for two trial wins in readiness. Have to consider over this preferred trip. Smaller cases can also be made for the resuming FIRE LANE (4) and CURTIS ISLAND (8).

RACE 8 - Intriguing contest to close things out. COMMEMORATIVE (9) is a highly touted filly set to return for the Blue Army. Couldn't quite reach the heights many expected her to hit last time in, after attracting a lot of attention with her impressive debut win at Canterbury. Has trialled like a bomb in readiness and gets the key booking of McDonald. Will take plenty of beating. SILVANITO (2) returns and makes his stable debut for Nathan Doyle. Steps out over a winning trip and strips fitter for two nice trials in readiness. Shoulders his share of ability and can give this a shake. BALKANS (7) is yet to strike through this time in but has produced two strong efforts. Cherry-ripe now but is another that will need some luck from the wide gate. LOVERO (4) next best.