Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CORMAC T (1) progressive import starting to show his staying potential as he steps up in trip. Sat on the speed at his second Australian start when a gritty nose winner over 1800m at Hawkesbury on March 19. Conditions suit and will go close again. SHE'S GOT VEUVE (8) handy filly with a fitness edge over most of these. Looks ready for this trip after finishing a strong fourth over 1600m at Gosford on March 16. Berry rides and stays in the mix. Group 3 placegetter HIAWATHA (2) is a four-year-old gelding making his Australian debut for the Neasham stable. Last raced when third in the G3 Eyrefield Stakes over 1811m at Leopardstown 17 months ago. Fitted with two trials and market moves must be closely monitored. DUNALOCE (5) racing in career best form and gives the indication of getting the trip after finishing third over 1700m at Scone Cl1 on March 22. Hard fit and stays in the mix.
RACE 2 - PRIMO (5) warmed up late on resumption over 1200m at Newcastle with a solid fourth on March 21. Extra trip suits and a repeat of latest will see him hard to hold out with the blinkers added. SUMMONS (2) back from a lengthy spell when he plowed through the heavy (8) going to finish a narrow second over 1400m here on March 23. Strips fitter now and drawn to get the right run again. DEVON COUNTY (1) staying bred gelding from the Sargent yard returning from a lengthy break. Last appeared when a tiring fifth over 1850m at Newcastle Mdn-Sw on August 19. Since fitted with a recent trial placing over 1200m at Randwick and has placed first-up in the past. Tongue-tie goes on and is expected to get through the conditions. CAN EXPECT GREATER (9) first-up after four months second last of 7 at Hawkesbury over 1300m on March 19. Extra trip suits and can take a hand in the finish.
RACE 3 - UNSTOPABULL (3) underrated gelding who looks placed to advantage in this class. Strong through the line when third over 1000m at Wyong in BM64 class on March 14. Can sit off them here and pounce late. PARTY DOLL (2) returned from a lengthy spell with a slashing 0.5 len second over 900m at Newcastle on March 21. Undefeated second-up and placed this track and trip in the conditions. Has the right figures to play a leading role. NIGHTINGALE (5) lightly raced filly who returns from a spell of eight months. Sent to NSW at third race start when a slick on-pace winner over 1200m at Newcastle on July 29. Fitted with two sharp trials and has top-three claims. CINEMATIC STAR (8) strengthened up over the break and rewarded for consistency when a tough long-neck win at Goulburn Mdn over 1000m on March 12. Place claims best.
RACE 4 - AMERICAN STARLET (6) stalked the good tempo on debut when a sound second over 1200m at Newcastle in a stronger company on March 21. Looks to have ability and will take stopping. POINT OUT (4) third-up for this and should find this easier after running fourth over 1200m at Beaumont (Newcastle) Mdn-Sw on March 25. Wide gate no concern and must be kept safe. MIDNIGHT AFFAIR (8) ran on late when returned from a four month break with a gritty fifth over 1200m at Beaumont (Newcastle) on March 25. Can run into the minor money. ADELAIDE STRYKER (5) three-year-old filly by Adelaide out of Counter Stryke on debut for the Price stable. Trained on the track and not a bad effort when fourth in a recent 820m trial here on December 18. Claim helps and should handle the conditions.
RACE 5 - BROADCAST BOOGIE (7) sat up on the speed at debut when stuck on well to run third over 1000m at Gosford in a tougher race on March 16. Should have trained on for this and expected to run out the 1200m. ZEITUNG (13) two career runs in town have been full of merit and will find this more to her liking. Will relish the 1200m after catching the eye from last on the turn when sixth over 1100m at Kensington on March 27. CATOGGIO (1) sat on the speed on resumption before knocking up late when fourth over 1100m at Randwick Kensington 2yo C&G on March 27. Fitter now and this grade suits. SKOGAFOSS (6) Resuming. Showed ability on debut two back before bumping into Anode when fifth over 1100m at Randwick 2yo over 1100m on December 16. Watch for him charging late.
RACE 6 - ZAHDI (17) progressive mare who looks up to this after finding the line late when second over 1200m at Newcastle on March 21. Close to her peak now and maps to get the right run. PROUD IMAGE (11) useful mare. Has a handy heavy track record and at her top for this after finishing third over 1200m at Wyong on March 30. Expected to swoop late. HERB (3) underrated mare resuming. Won on a heavy track and back in class for this after disappointing last time in when ninth over 1200m at Randwick in Midway company on December 23. Has first-up form and claim suits. DE FORERUNNER (8) returns from a break of six months. Has won first-up and will appreciate the sting out of the ground. Concussion plates come off and since fitted with a recent 1010m trial. Can run into the minor money.
RACE 7 - BUSH TELEGRAPH (6) lightly raced filly with a ton of potential. Won well on debut before jumping in class when a neck away in third over 1300m at Hawkesbury on March 19. Conditions suit and measures up strongly. FLYING BANDIT (3) trained on the track and looked good at second career run when a gritty 0.6 len winner over 1300m at Goulburn Super Mdn on March 24. Handles the going and Jay Ford sticks. VIESTE (2) has raced in much stronger company this time in and since fitted with a recent trial over 900m at Nowra on March 31. Gets in light with the 3kg claim and is trained on the track. REALLY MOTIVATED (10) returns from a three-and-a-half month break. Smart on her day and looks ready for this with two trials under her belt. Can add value to the exotics.
