Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - QUEEN GEE EM (4) returned for second prep with a fighting on-pace second over this track and trip on March 21. Strips fitter now and will relish the 2kg claim from the good gate. Go close. FIRST PERSON (10) well-bred All Too Hard filly from the Kris Lees yard resuming. Showed ability last time in and expected to have strengthened with two quiet trials under her belt. Needs luck from the gate but has the potential to take a hand in the finish. DUKE OF BRONTE (1) returns from a break of five months after starting favourite at both career runs last time in. Since fitted with two sharp trial wins and gets the services of the 4kg apprentice Leeschelle Small today. Will prove hard to run down. SHIRVINGTON (8) Capitalist colt out of Mabkhara on debut for the Bjorn Baker yard. Showed ability when second in a recent Rosehill trial on March 18. Can sneak into the minor money.
RACE 2 - RANTAN (7) I Am Invincible filly from Sweet Kiss on debut for the Ron Quinton yard. Fitted with two slick trials over the 740m at Randwick and expected to go close at her first outing. RIVANA (8) started big odds on debut ($91), when an even fourth behind Too Darn Lizzie over 1000m at the Gold Coast on January 13. Further improvement expected this time in and maps to get the right run. BLUE MOVES (5) is a filly by Blue Point from Turnstiles on debut for the Michael Freedman yard. Looked to have plenty up the sleeve when a commanding trial winner over the 740m at Randwick on March 22. Will need a good ride from the awkward draw. FLYING EMBERS (6) Shalaa filly out of a Pierro mare having her first run from the John Thompson stable. Had two even trials in readiness for this. Stays in the mix.
RACE 3 - KOTAISHI (9) progressive gelding getting out to his right trip today. Worked hard early from the wide gate when an even fourth over 1600m at Wyong on March 20. Should appreciate this roomier track and has the credentials to take this out. PRESLEY (10) sharp improvement at second race start when sat on the speed for a plugging second over 1500m at Goulburn on March 1. Another who will appreciate this trip and looks good each way value. IMPUNITY (7) returns from a 46-day let-up. Anchored with the 58.5kg when a fighting second over this track and trip on February 17. Fourth-up today and gets the tongue-tie added. Respect. DECEMBER SKY (1) holding form well and a win looks imminent after coming from near last when a fast finishing second over 1500m at Hawkesbury on March 19. Gives every indication this trip will suit.
RACE 4 - EXTREMELY FRILLY (1) six-start maiden with her hoof on the till. Has come back much stronger this time in and looks ready to win fourth-up after sitting on the speed when a gritty second over 1200m at Gosford on March 16. Has a massive fitness edge over these. SUMMER SOIREE (10) fitter after two career runs and will appreciate this track and trip after running on late when fourth over 1100m at Wyong on March 20. Looks to have solid top-three prospects. BIANCO NERO (12) resumes from a six-month break. Placed first-up and since fitted with two quiet trials. Has the figures to finish over the top of these. JOURNO (4) fitter with racing in his first prep and showed plenty of tenacity with the 59kg when third over 1000m at Canberra on March 20. Maps to get the right run and looks great value.
RACE 5 - ALL TOO SNEAKY (7) ran on late when resumed with a fast finishing second over 1200m at Gosford on March 16. Goes just as well second-up and gets all the map favours with the claim. CALLISTEMON (3) promising filly who returned from a four month break when a fighting nose win here over 900m on March 21. Gets in light again with the claim and should handle the extra trip. INVINCIBLE WHIP (2) resumes from a lengthy spell today on his home track. Has a ton of upside and since fitted with two quiet trials. Best from can see him take this out. SPIRIT OF STORM (9) holding form well and her best figures are over this track. Rattled late when third over 1200m at Gosford on March 16. Has the ability to take this out.
RACE 6 - DANCES WITH HOOVES (10) well-bred Real Steel filly who looks to have an exciting future. Created a big impression at start four when she decimated a field by 5 lens over 1600m at Tamworth on March 10. Will relish the extra trip and should handle the rise in grade with ease. Go close. UNCLE HARRY (3) won well here two back over the 1300m, before jumping sharply in grade when 13th over 1400m in the Provincial CQ at Kembla Grange on March 23. Showed staying ability last time in and no surprise to see him bounce back to the winners' list. KINGDOM OF LOGRES (7) Camelot gelding given plenty of time to mature. Massive run first-up over an unsuitable trip when flashed late to run third over 1400m at Kembla Grange on March 15. Track and trip suits and has sound second-up figures. ABOUT A GIRL (9) fourth-up for this and will appreciate the drop in grade after failing to make an impression from the wide gate when 13th over 1600m in the G3 Kembla Grange Classic on March 15. Stays in the mix.
RACE 7 - WILLINGA FREEFALL (6) classy gelding who finally draws a decent gate. Had to be dragged back from the wide gate on resumption before launching late with an eye-catching third over 1200m at Gosford in the Provincial CQ on March 16. Will sit just off them today and take plenty of stopping. TERRA MATER (9) promising mare who won three-straight last time in, before resuming with a fast finishing fourth over 1200m at Gosford in the Provincial CQ. Goes equally as well second-up and reunites with Rawiller today. Look for her powering late. BALTIC COAST (10) first-up after three months had to be taken back from the draw when a tough fourth over 1400m in the Provincial CQ at Kembla Grange on March 23. Smart on his day and looks good value. CLOUDLAND (2) another of the Kris Lees runners who will need a good ride from the wide gate. Near his peak now and no surprise to see him come out hard. Don't dismiss.
RACE 8 - FIDDLERS GREEN (1) two runs back have been encouraging and should appreciate the extra trip and drop in grade today. Ran on late from near last when a sound neck second over 1500m at Hawkesbury on March 19. Can get cover from the gate and prove hard to hold out. LADY DEVINE (10) lightly raced mare with a ton of upside. Finished off strongly from well back when returned with a solid second over 1300m at Hawkesbury on March 19. Dylan Gibbons sticks from the good gate. Lone win came over this trip and looks exceptional value. COLOURS OF AUTUMN (4) fitter now third-up and back sharply in class after having no luck when 12th over 1600m in the G3 Kembla Grange Classic on March 15. Stable and apprentice are in form and looks a serious contender. HELLBENT ON YOU (7) finally got off the mark at start eight when a dominant 5 len winner over 1300m at Wyong on March 14. Returned good figures at latest and has the ability to play a leading role today.
