Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BOBBY IS KING (1) has a solid soft track record and much better effort when ran on late to secure second over 1200m at Casino on April 13. A repeat of the latest will see her hard to hold out. SUPREME LUCAS (4) five-start maiden who turned in career-best effort when warmed up late to secure fourth over 1200m at Casino. Strips fitter now and can take a hand in the finish. WESTOAK (7) Hellbent gelding who looked good four back when placing first-up at Doomben. Disappointed at the latest when 11th over 1300m at Toowoomba on March 28. Drawn to stalk the speed and gets the services of Ben Looker. Worth another chance. LA CACHE A VIN (3) thereabouts of late and on the quick back-up after catching the eye when fifth over 1106m at Grafton on April 14. Placed on soft going and can run in the minor money.
RACE 2 - SHEZ LETHAL (7) hard fit mare with her hoof on the till. Trained on the track and gave her all to the line when second over 1425m at Grafton on March 25. Due for a change of luck and should be going close here. THE RIDDLER (9) finished in the minor money at three of his last four starts. Drops sharply in weight after running through the line late when third over 1410m at Grafton on April 14. Backs-up quickly and is expected to figure prominently. SUPREME LUCAS (8) best performance in five starts with the 59kg when fourth over 1200m at Casino. Gives the impression this trip will suit. Value runner. LIL' BIT VAIG (6) had to work hard from the sticky draw when ninth over 1410m at Grafton on April 14. Trained on the track and expecting more from the soft draw.
RACE 3 - EXTREME MERGER (6) tough gelding who gives his all at every run. Started a solid ($2.50 fav) when travelled wide from the sticky gate to finish a close-up second at Moree over 1200m on April 2. Ready for this distance now and gets all the map favours. ROSSY'S TYPA GIRL (4) holding her form well in stronger company and nice return with the 57kg when an unlucky second over 1250m at Taree on April 2. Looks to have come back well and has good figures this track and trip. NOBLE MISSILE (1) has a fitness edge over most of these and is undefeated on a heavy track. Up in trip when powered late for a sound fourth over 1410m at Grafton on April 14. A repeat here will see him have genuine top-three claims. TAKE THE JACKPOT (2) had mixed luck at the provincials at his last four runs and should appreciate the drop in grade. Sat on the speed and not that far away when seventh over 1350m at Wyong in BM68 company on April 11. Don't underestimate.
RACE 4 - IVY'S WAY (7) has race experience on her side now fourth-up and will relish the sharp drop in grade. Sat on the speed before failing to finish off when eighth over 1100m at Hawkesbury on March 19. Go on debut placing at Newcastle when assessing her chances. THE BELL JAR (11) is an eight-start maiden who had her first run for the Dwayne Schmidt yard when a tiring eighth over 1020m at Grafton on March 25. Fitter now and improvement is expected from the better draw. MUM KNOWS (10) is a four-start maiden trained on the track. Fitter after two runs back and not that far away when eighth over 1106m at Grafton on April 14. Has each-way prospects. MEDITERRANEAN MISS (9) started favourite on debut when led early before tiring late to finish seventh over 1025m at Grafton on April 1. Strips fitter now and worth another chance.
RACE 5 - BOAMBEE BEACH (4) promising Hellbent filly holding her form well. Sat on the speed from the good gate when a dominant on-pace winner over 1100m at Toowoomba on April 6. Gets through the going and trained on the track. SPEEDY TARGET (3) had a month between runs when he came out hard to score untouched over 1030m at Grafton on April 9. Starting to build a nice record and can win again. NASDAQ DUBAI (9) is at his top for this but needs everything to go his way as he lacks early tactical pace. Rattled late when third over 1025m at Grafton on April 1. Conditions suit and should get the right tempo. CLIPPER SHIP (5) total forgive from the outside gate when up in grade for a plodding ninth over 1195m at Grafton on March 25. Best form is over this track and trip.
RACE 6 - I STOLE IT (1) solid effort for new stable when he finished a close-up third two back at Ballina. Was sent to town and had no luck from the wide gate finishing tenth over 1110m at Doomben on April 3. In the right grade today and drawn to stalk the speed. No excuses here. RUM REVOLUTION (5) lone win came over this trip and drop in weight suits today. Sat on the pace when a plugging fifth over 1230m at Grafton on April 9. Near her top now and has genuine each-way prospects. BRING ME TO LIFE (11) has only the one win from 18 starts and is due for a change of luck. Came out hard from the wide draw before being nailed late when third over 1230m at Grafton on April 9. Trained locally and will take catching from the gate. PERSONAL SPACE (6) resumes after only having the one run last time in when a struggling fourth over 1200m here on January 22. Fitted with a recent trial and the claim will help. Can run into the minor money.
RACE 7 - BEEF WEEK PRINCESS (1) tough mare with an excellent record. A month between runs when drifted back with the 62.5kg when 14th over 1615m at Doomben on April 13. Strips fitter now and expected to turn things around here. LJUNGBERG (3) racing well on the provincial circuit and has a tidy record over this track and trip. Extra distance suits after running fourth over 1200m at Newcastle on April 13. Will take holding out if he can produce his best. OLAKAU'ATU (7) racing in tougher grade this time in and likes the soft going. Warmed up late when fourth over 1400m at Tamworth on April 8. Three of his four wins have come at this track. LION CLASS (11) hard fit now and better draw helps today after powering late when fourth over 1200m at Newcastle on April 13. Value play.
RACE 8 - REGINA'S GIRL (10) broke her maiden status three back, and up in trip at the latest when an encouraging seventh over 1630m at Grafton on April 1. Gets in light with the claim from the inside gate. GLOBAL SENSATION (7) has his hoof on the till after two sound runs back. Knocked up late when a close second over 1400m at Armidale on April 15. Will look the winner at some stage. Go close. INTROVERT (1) Matt Dunn-trained gelding who resumed from a lengthy spell with a plugging sixth over 1430m at Grafton on April 1. Extra trip suits and has placed second-up in the past. ENDANGERED SPECIES (9) up in trip when he failed to get into the contest finishing tenth over 1630m at Grafton on April 1. Go on earlier efforts when assessing his chances.
