Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - CAPITAL DANCER (6) set to peak third-up after sticking on well for a gritty second over 900m here on July 13. Bell keeps the ride and brings the best figures here. Go close. EXPLOSIVE TORPIDO (4) nice return when stalking the speed to secure third over 900m here at the latest. Looks to have come back well and maps to get the right run. STRATIFIED (1) underrated gelding who improved sharply second-up when a fighting third from a wide draw over 1200m at Kembla Grange on July 18. Back in trip and trained on the track. TOYGER (2) best form is over this track and trip and resumes from a six-and-a-half month break. Given every chance when fourth over this track and distance on January 27. Fitted with two solid trials and looks primed for a solid prep.

RACE 2 - WAR RIBBON (9) returned for second prep with a tough on-pace third over 1600m at Hawkesbury on August 1. Backs-up quickly and gives the impression this trip will suit. Looks hard to hold out in this contest. CHA CHA CHA (5) on-speed mare near her top now fourth-up. Tired late when three weeks between runs finishing fourth over 1600m at Wyong on July 20. Gets weight relief again with the claim and the extra distance suits. LOST ILLUSIONS (7) trained on the track and a win looks imminent. Drops sharply in weight with the claim today after powering late when second over 1700m at Grafton on July 17. Can race closer from the good gate. LUNA LEE (8) jumps in trip after plugging late when sixth over 1600m at Wyong on July 25. Has slim place prospects.

RACE 3 - ZALE (7) progressive gelding who created a big impression when winning here two-back on July 16. Up sharply in grade when a tiring sixth over 1600m at Warwick Farm on July 31. Big class drop today and expected to go close. HELL'S ITCH (2) lightly-raced gelding who got off the mark at start five on resumption two starts back. Shuffled back from the inside draw and failed to get into the contest when fifth over 1200m here on July 16. Drawn out here and watch for him swooping late. ZOUSAIN BOLT (8) comes out of a strong form race after shedding his maiden status when a tough winner over 1300m at Wyong on July 25. Extra trip suits on the roomier track. MEDIA FRENZY (9) returned good final splits on resumption when a flashing fourth over 1300m at Kembla Grange on July 18. Clearly come back well and looks to be one of the main contenders.

RACE 4 - PROMISCUOUS GIRL (8) well-bred Dundeel mare who made her debut two weeks back when an even sixth behind Red Hot Lizzie over 1200m at Canterbury. Strips fitter now and will find this more to her liking over the 1400m. Expected to go close. RIGHTEOUS LEGEND (9) comes out of the same race as Komodo Dragon when charging late from well back on debut to secure fourth over 1300m at Wyong. Will get back again from the gate and expected to be strong late. MARACAIBO SUN (1) two runs back in town have been sound and gets his chance here from the good gate with the claim. Stuck on well with the 59.5kg when fourth over 1200m at Canterbury on July 24. Stays in the mix. LONGINUS (3) four-year-old gelding by Pride Of Dubai out of Carolyn's Star on debut for the Neasham and Archibald stable. Fitted with two solid trials and drawn to get the right run.

RACE 5 - HARD PICK (10) holding his form well and on a five-day back-up after finishing a solid second over 1400m here. Well drawn again and maps to stalk the good tempo. Hard to hold out. MONDO (9) trained on the track and fitter after two runs back. Big improver at latest when chased the good tempo to finish a fading fourth over 1300m at Kembla Grange on July 27. Blinkers stay on and lone win came over this trip. INFERENCIA (8) up in grade and a total forgive from the wide draw when a disappointing 11th over 1410m at Grafton on July 14. Trained on the track and the tongue-tie goes on here. Improver. OH GOLLY GOSH (3) returns from a let-up with a sound record over this rack and trip. Finished a close third in a recent 1000m trial at Wyong on July 29. Look for her late.

RACE 6 - BAUHINIA (11) impressive debut when came from near last on the turn to finish a slick second to Red Hot Lizzie over 1200m at Canterbury on July 24. This is much easier and should appreciate the bigger track from the good gate. A repeat of latest will see her hard to hold out. MAORI CHIEF (8) three-year-old colt by I Am Invincible out of Heatherly on debut for the Chris Waller yard. Has looked sharp in his two recent trials and finds the right race to kick off today. Expected to play a leading role. COPACABANA (2) four-start maiden resuming after jumping massively in grade when a poor 14th over 1600m in the G1 Caulfield Guineas ten months ago. Primed for this with two solid trials and sure to be strong late. THE BENTLEY (18) Exceed And Excel gelding resuming for his second prep. Fitter with two even trials and can sneak into the minor money from the good gate.

RACE 7 - WINGS OF DESIRE (10) half to Winx who created a big impression as favourite on debut when coming with a barnstorming run to score over 1100m at Hawkesbury on July 21. Further improved now and will relish the extra trip from the inside gate. Berry sticks are expected to go close again in this tougher assignment. PRINCESS CRUIZER (4) just over a month between runs when up in trip and grade to finish a disappointing 12th over 1400m here on June 29. Kept fresh again and go on her sound second here two back. Improver. GOLD DUST (6) underrated mare who looks close to another win third-up. Two runs back have been strong and wasn't that far away when fifth over 1100m at Canterbury on July 24. No surprise to see her take this out. DREAMS OF THUNDER (5) improving mare who was taken to the front when holding on for a tenacious victory over 1200m at Wyong on July 20. Gets in light with the claim and sure to be thereabouts.

RACE 8 - CARPACCIO (8) progressive Merchant Navy gelding who returned for his second prep with a fighting on-pace third over 1200m at Wyong on July 20. Returned good figures first-up and can go on with the job now. Blinkers go on and looks hard to hold out. DENMAN STAR (3) Gosford-trained mare who resumed with the 58.5kg when a tenacious winner here over the 1200m on July 16. Come back even stronger this time in and gets nice weight relief with the 3kg claim. EASTERN FRONT (10) third-up today and should appreciate the spacious Newcastle track and extra trip after running on late when fifth over 1200m at Wyong on July 25. Likely to drift back from the gate and power late. Each-way. FORTINGALL (13) up sharply in grade and trip after scoring a fighting nose victory on debut over 1000m at Kembla Grange on July 18. Gets map favours again and can take a hand in the finish.