Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BRIMSTONE (1) did it tough here last start off a wide run but still kept on at the finish to run third. He cops another wide gate but these fields are always so open and it usually comes down to whoever gets the best run wins. His fitness is still on the up and he deserves a win in a nice race. SEBRENCO (14) has raced her way back into full fitness and has hit form at the right time, with back-to-back third placings most recently. She can secure the run of the race early on and has a big chance to improve her track record. Each way value. PUTT FOR DOUGH (16) was a touch unlucky fresh up at Warwick Farm and then peaked on his run late there last time out finishing fourth. He is suited by an inside gate and will relish the extra 100 metres on offer third up. He is poised to put his best hoof forward in this. WOLVES (17) has kept on improving this year and scored a well-deserved win at Warwick Farm 11 days ago. This is harder but she is in a good space and can repeat the dose.
RACE 2 - ZEYREK (1) won this race last year third up and is following the same path this prep. He was not beaten far in Group 1 company a week ago and will be spot-on with his fitness for this. He is perfectly weighted down in class and should be the one to beat. SERPENTINE (2) led all the way for a brave win at Randwick 3 weeks ago and has come back in tip-top order. The key here is he drops 1.5 kilos in weight and is likely to set them up in front again. He will take all sorts of pegging back in this. RENAISSANCE WOMAN (9) ran on gamely in the Group 1 Coolmore Stakes here a fortnight ago. She looks nicely placed in this with an extra 500 metres to travel and is capable of taking this out.
RACE 3 - LINEBACKER (6) only beat maiden company at Hawkesbury on a heavy track when making his debut but the manner in which he hit the line that day really caught the eye, careering away to score by nearly 4 lengths. He has won another trial since then under a vice-like grip and could just be better than his rivals here. On top from a perfect inside gate. ANODE (1) is very promising and was second here a fortnight ago with the form of that race since being franked in the Golden Slipper. The extra furlong will suit him more than most and he can get the job done here, despite a tricky gate. SILMARILLION (4) just missed out on winning at Stakes level by a nose at Randwick 3 weeks ago. She is a very progressive filly who will relish the step up in distance. She is peaking third up and can't be underestimated. ODINSON (2) only got into his work late at Canberra last time out and the run is better than it looks on paper after he had to work hard early on. The blinkers will help. Stick with him.
RACE 4 - WYMARK (3) confirmed his recent improvement by making it a hat-trick of wins here a fortnight ago in BM78 grade when scoring by well over 2 lengths. This contest will be no walk in the park and is his toughest test to date but he has a touch of class about him and can get the job done again. KINTYRE (2) got going too late in the lead-up to this race over 1500 metres here a fortnight ago, flashing home into third. That is the second time in a row he has caught the eye and he gets his chance to settle a touch closer to the pace this time with the step up to a middle distance. He is a very progressive gelding who will carry on to better things this year. Can win with a positive jockey change to Jamie Kah. TEXAS FIREBALL (8) was a last-start winner at Eagle Farm 4 weeks ago and has come right at a good time. This is another step up but his trainer has a knack for peaking his charges at the right time. Go again. SALTCOATS (5) he is worth another chance with a step up in journey. Each way.
RACE 5 - MAKARENA (13) has been in good form without winning in all of her 3 starts this prep and dug deep off a tough trip to finish runner-up here a fortnight ago, less than 2 lengths from the winner. She is drawn to get a beautiful trip early on and is perfectly weighted at 53 kilos. She is set to win this. RUTHLESS DAME (1) was not really suited fresh up down the straight run at Flemington fresh up at Group 1 level where she finished eighth. The step up to 1500 metres should be more suitable second up and Jamie Kah back in the irons gets on well with her. The pair merit healthy respect. VIENNA PRINCESS (6) closed off her run strongly in the Coolmore Classic a fortnight ago on a soft track. Her record on a firmer surface is far superior and she will now be ready to show us what she is made of. She can't be risked in this. OLENTIA (5) is a quality mare nearing her best form again. She is on a 7-day backup and can get a slice of this.
RACE 6 - COAL CRUSHER (2) was a last start fourth in Group 1 company at Randwick 3 weeks ago and is back to his more favoured trip of 1200 metres here. He will be peaking his fitness after 3 runs back from a spell and could find himself in a beaut stalking position with a lot of early pace underneath him at the start. He is knocking and the door could open this time. SHINZO (4) is a quality 3-year-old colt who is resuming from a summer spell after finishing third at Group 1 level in Melbourne last spring. He has been tuned up with 3 trials and won't be using lack of fitness as an excuse if he is beaten here. James McDonald keeps the ride and they will be right in the finish. HAWAII FIVE OH (1) tried hard in his last couple of starts in the spring when chasing the very best sprinters in the land. His recent spell would have done him the world of good and he will be spot-on for his return after a couple of recent trials. Can win. ZOU TIGER (7) is not to be ruled out fresh up. Each way value.
RACE 7 - ORCHESTRAL (1) is another sensational filly from New Zealand who beat her male rivals in the derby over there 4 weeks ago with consummate ease. She dealt to the best fillies there as well before that and her trainers know what it takes to win in Australia as well. She is drawn to get all favours and with James McDonald in the saddle, there is no need to look any further for the winner. ZARDOZI (2) was the Oaks winner in the spring and is back to that sort of form with a big win here over 1500 metres a fortnight ago. She won with a leg in the air that day and will only be even better over a longer trip here. She is the main threat to the top pick, if there is one. KIMOCHI (3) put in one of the runs of the day when finishing third in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic here a fortnight ago. The step up to a middle distance should not pose a problem and she can figure in the finish again. AUTUMN ANGEL (4) is a staying filly on the rise and her last start win at Flemington was top-class.
RACE 8 - BUCKAROO (1) is a lightly tried stayer who has been handled patiently. He is having his third run back from a spell here and is backing up quickly from his last start third at Group 1 level over 2000 metres. It will be interesting to see how he copes with the step up to 2400 metres but he has long been held in high regard and it's time to step up. ASHRUN (3) showed that as an 8-year-old he is far from a spent force with an easy win in the Pakenham Cup just over a fortnight ago. He can secure the run of the race and has been a proven weight carrier in the past. This is a good chance for him to add a Group 1 win to his resume. POST IMPRESSIONIST (5) is a UK raider who was just too strong here a week ago in the Manion Cup over 2400 metres. He is up sharply in weight but the quick turnaround will not be an issue. Stick with him. MILITARY MISSION (2) is up to his preferred trip third up and he should be peaking his fitness. He is not out of this. Each way value.
RACE 9 - ANOTHER WIL (17) has been unbeatable in Melbourne this year and made it 3 wins on the bounce when scoring over a mile at Flemington 4 weeks ago. He has won a trial on this track recently and though the Doncaster next week is his main goal, this race is not to be sneezed at. He is weighted to win. COIN TOSS (12) resumed from a spell with an easy win at Canberra nearly 3 weeks ago and is likely to set them up in front here over 1500 metres. He is another that is perfectly weighted and will give them all something to peg back here. VON HAUKE (10) opened up stylishly when rolling the odds on favourite at Flemington last time out. That run booked his ticket North to Sydney and he is a progressive gelding who is more than capable of winning again. NEW ENDEAVOUR (20) has improved in each of his 3 lead-up trials and won the latest of them at Randwick earlier in the month. A wide draw hurts but he can get a slice of the finish here.
RACE 10 - WILLAIDOW (15) has picked up from where he left off last season and has continued his fine run of form, especially for Deanne Panya who doesn't get many opportunities in the city. He drops 3.5 kilos from his last start and will again be among the hardest to beat. GRINGOTTS (8) is very honest and has compiled a very good record. He starts favourite more often than not and has been tuned up for his return with a recent trial win at Warwick Farm. He comes to hand quickly and with James McDonald in the irons, he has to be respected. RAZORS (13) strips fitter after resuming with a solid effort for third on a soft track here a fortnight ago. He had 3 trials before that run so can be expected to improve quickly second-up. He maps to get a cosy run early and is capable of letting down quickly when presented in the home stretch. Each way. IKNOWASTAR (3) is very much win or bust. He usually takes a run but has had 2 trials and could well be on song fresh up for this. Include in all multiples.
