Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CHATEAUX PARK (4) tough old gelding with a sound win over this trip. Ran on late with the 59kg when an encouraging fifth over 1850m here on June 29. Will be strong late and due for a change of luck. KARMAZONE (5) is another who gets back in his races and is ready for the 2200m. Placed over this trip and goes well here. Has top-three prospects. DREAMDEEL (1) is racing in a purple patch of form and stretches out to this trip for the first time. Sat on the speed with the 58kg when a tough on-pace second over 1850m at this track on June 29. Expected to take a hand in the finish. BY NINE (7) has needed the three runs back and was far from disgraced with the 58kg when fifth over 2370m at this track. Senior rider engaged and the blinkers go on for the first time.
RACE 2 - MONTY BE QUICK (1) imported gelding fitter after two Australian starts. Disappointed when failing to get through the heavy (10) conditions when a tiring fourth over 1300m at Scone on July 2. Backs-up quickly and will appreciate the firmer track and 1600m. Expected to go close. RATHORAN (2) was well supported when running on late to finish third over 1400m at Mudgee in easier company on July 7. Gives the impression the mile suits and is expected to take a hand in the finish. BELLASCENT (5) returns to her home track today after having mixed success in her last four runs. Maps well and can race closer to the slow tempo. Improver. FAYE RUNAWAY (3) improving with racing and will strip fitter for this after sticking on well to finish third over 1600m at Kembla Grange on June 20. Tongue-tie goes on and drawn to stalk the speed.
RACE 3 - DUMEBI (3) well-bred Lonhro colt who failed to handle the heavy (8) conditions when resumed for second prep with a plodding fifth behind Detendu over 1100m at Warwick Farm on June 26. Will enjoy the sharp class drop and go on his sound second two back when assessing his prospects. BEAUTY EDGE (1) tried hard in the atrocious conditions on debut when a fading third over 1200m at Canterbury on July 3. Firmer deck helps and sure to be thereabouts again. RAMIUS (6) is a six-start maiden who returned for an even fourth over this track and trip on June 29. Winkers go on and gets Wadick's 2kg claim. Can race closer here. NAY PEE CEE (5) showing ability on the country tracks and strips fitter for this after resuming for a fighting on-pace second over 1250m at Kempsey on June 20. Stays in the mix.
RACE 4 - SHARPEN THE KNIVES (9) progressive Snitzel filly who finds her race today third-up. Came out hard from the wide gate when a tenacious second over 1200m at this track on June 29. Trained locally and the tongue-tie comes off for this. Will go forward from the inside gate and prove hard to run down. FLYIN' THE PIN (1) Deep Field filly out of a Zabeel mare who stuck on well at debut when a plugging third over 1000m at Goulburn on June 21. Further improved now and will relish the extra trip with the winkers added. FROSTY JO (2) resumes for second prep and is expected to have matured further over the break. Tuned up with two recent trials and looks well in with the claim. Has solid each-way claims. MOUNTAIN TOP (3) well-bred filly who gave a glimpse of her ability in a couple of runs last time in. Fitted with two recent trials and sure to be strong late.
RACE 5 - LADY DEVINE (9) will find this easier after running on late at first run back when a sound third over 1300m at Hawkesbury on June 25. Maps well again and looking for this trip. ANGEL DOWN (2) Hellbent filly from the Waterhouse/Bott yard resuming from a lengthy break. Won two of his three starts last time in and since fitted with two searching trials. Claim helps from the good draw and will take stopping. ZARROSE (3) returns from a three-and-a-half-month break after placing behind Franz Josef last time in. Undefeated in two starts at this trip and not asked to do much in a recent 1050m trial. Big market watch. SHURI (5) has the two wins from four starts and returns from a let-up today. Drifted back from the wide gate and failed to get into the contest when sixth over 1550m at Canterbury over 1500m in F&M BM72 grade on May 29. Since fitted with a recent 1000m trial and look for her late in this easier contest.
RACE 6 - BLUE TONGUE (9) unwanted in betting on debut when a fast finishing third over 1200m at this track on June 22. Strips fitter now and the extra 200m suits. AMARETTO BO (13) jumped straight onto the speed at her second career start when a tough second over 1300m at Goulburn on June 21. Has further upside heading into this and stays in the mix. Group 3 placegetter CUSTOMIZED (11) was well in the market when returned for his second prep with a disappointing ninth over 1400m at Hawkesbury on June 25. The nose roll comes off and the visors go on. Expecting a big improvement on this track. STALLONE (12) total forgive from the outside gate at second race start when snagged back early and failed to get into the contest when last of 10 over 1400m at Hawkesbury on June 25. Sharp improver from the inside gate today.
RACE 7 - WORX (1) smart gelding building a nice record. Gave his all with the 60.5kg when a gritty third over 1300m at Kembla Grange in similar company on June 20. Won at this track four back and expected to go close again. AMICUS CURIAE (5) Mudgee-trained gelding who always gives 100%. Backs up quickly after charging late from out wide when a narrow second over 1400m at Mudgee on July 7. Gets weight relief with the claim and look for him swooping late. MALABAR (7) resumes from a four-and-a-half-month break and normally comes to hand quickly. Placed in town in stronger races last prep and will appreciate the 3kg claim for this. Has the two trials under the belt and a forward showing is expected. POCKET EIGHTS (13) Impending gelding who relished the heavy (10) going when a solid maiden victory over 1250m at Kempsey on June 20. Tackles a much stiffer assignment here but not without place prospects.
RACE 8 - HELL'S ITCH (3) progressive gelding who returned for his third prep with a dominant maiden victory over this track and trip on June 22. Finds a fairly average C1 and can win again from the inside gate. MAZ KANATA (10) two runs back have been sound, and a win looks imminent. Loomed late when fourth over 1200m here on June 29. Maps well and has the figures to take this out. VILLA TINO (6) starting to show his true ability after resuming with an impressive 2.25 len win over 1100m at Wyong on June 13. Has a tidy record at this track and is expected to go on with it this time in. DENMAN STAR (2) returns from a lengthy break and is now in the Angela Davies stable. Since fitted with two searching trials and gets the right run from the low gate.