Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MONTE KATE (10) promising mare trending in the right direction. Tired late on resumption when fourth over 1100m at Warwick Farm on August 21. Undefeated second-up and Berry keeps the ride from the good gate. Go close. LOVERO (3) comes out of a strong race when resuming with the 60kg to finish third over 1100m at Warwick Farm on August 21. Drop in weight suits on the firmer surface. ALABAMA STATE (15) heavily supported when resuming with a dominant 1.5 len victory over 1100m at Hawkesbury in C1 company on August 22. Returned good figures last start and looks up to the rise in grade. SILENTSAR (2) fourth-up today and desperate for a firmer surface. Faded late when fourth over 1250m at Canterbury on August 7. Races best fresh and has solid prospects.
RACE 2 - INTERVARSITY (1) created a big impression here two-back when a strong winner over the 1300m, before jumping in class when a gritty fourth over 1350m in the LR Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong on September 1. Will relish the 3kg claim and prove hard to hold out. AGIRLSBESTFRIEND (12) returns from a 43-day let-up and all three wins have come over this distance. Stretched out to the 2000m when a gritty sixth at Coffs Harbour in the Ken Howard BM87 on August 2. Look for her charging late with the good tempo. OCCHIATA (11) caught the eye late in this grade first-up before disappointing when sixth over 1300m at Goulburn on August 25. Down sharply in weight and improvement expected out to her favoured trip. SPIRITS BURN DEEP (14) surprised at big odds over this track and trip when a close-up second in Highway-C2 company on August 31. Gets a similar set-up again from the low draw.
RACE 3 - UNUSUAL LEGACY (7) sound return after getting back early before savaging the line late when third over 1500m here on August 31. Undefeated second-up and looks well placed at the weights. Group 3 winner RAF ATTACK (2) has the needed the two runs back to bring him to his top and will find this easier finishing fourth over 1600m at Hawkesbury in the LR Rowley Mile on August 22. Trip suits and the cross-over nose band comes off. Multiple Group 3 placegetter UP AND UNDER (8) flopped badly second-up when a dismal 13 len tenth over 1500m here on August 31. Since fitted with a tick over trial and the stable has tinkered with his gear. Sharp improver. FORECASTER (9) is nearing a win after placing at his past three starts, including a second at this track most recently.
RACE 4 - KUREDER (9) well in the market at latest when a disappointing fifth over this trip at Randwick on August 24. Go on his solid second two-back to Awesome Wonder over the 2400m when assessing his chances. Can bounce back in this easier contest. CAMPALDINO (11) former NZ gelding with a strong third-up record. Big jump in trip when a narrow second over the 2200m at Warwick Farm with the 58.5kg on September 4. Up sharply in grade but will roll to the front and give plenty of cheek. MATUSALEM (7) circled the field when he sprinted quickly to score a commanding 2.75 len win over 2000m here on August 31. Racing in career best form and stretches out to this trip for the first time. FIRST LIGHT (4) kept fresh at second run back when warming up nicely late to finish fourth over 2000m here on August 31. Desperate for this trip and looks one of the major players.
RACE 5 - CADETSHIP (3) at his top for this after going under narrowly with the 60kg when second over this track and trip on August 31. Will relish the 3kg claim from the good gate and can go one better. Multiple Group 2 placegetter VIVY AIR (13) has her hoof on the till third-up after surging late when second over 1500m here on August 31. Can get cover early from the wide gate and play a leading role. HIGH DANDY (17) progressive Ace High entire starting to hit his straps. Made it two-in-a-row when leading throughout for a slick win over 1550m at Canterbury on August 28. Has the speed to get across from the wide barrier and prove hard to hold out in this stronger contest. Group 3 placegetter CHICA MOJITO (8) returns after racing in much stronger company last time in. Fitted with the two trials and look for her late.
RACE 6 - JOLIESTAR (3) talented mare on a TAB Everest path. Returned in devastating style when she rounded them up effortlessly to score by 3 lens over 1200m at Randwick in the G3 Show County on August 24. Expected to prove too good again. SUNSHINE IN PARIS (2) returns from a five month spell after taking on the top echelon in the TJ Smith and All Aged Stakes last prep. Has the two trials under the belt and a solid first-up record. Genuine contender. MAKARENA (8) underrated mare who returns from a five-month break. Raced without luck last time in and has the two searching trials in readiness for this from the good draw. Must be kept safe. MUMBAI MUSE (6) finished among the placings last time when third at Randwick and should be further improved. Each-way.
RACE 7 - LAST COMMAND (8) circled the field and showed a good turn of foot when resuming to score a slick 1.5 len win over 1250m at Newcastle on August 29. Has always promised plenty and looks ready for this stiffer test. Go close. HENLEIN (10) smart Dundeel gelding resuming after catching the eye late when a sound third over 1420m at Flemington on June 22. Two solid trials in Sydney will have him primed for a strong first-up run. IRON HAWK (6) up sharply in grade at his third race start when he launched late for an encouraging fourth over 1300m in the G3 Up and Coming Stakes here on August 31. Trip suits and is a genuine value play. CLEAR PROOF (2) won at big odds on debut before surprising again when second over 1100m in the LR The Rosebud at this track on August 17. Desperate for this trip and can take a hand in the finish.
RACE 8 - STORM BOY (2) demolished his rivals on resumption for his 3yo season when leading throughout for a slick 3 len win over 1100m in the G3 San Domenico Stakes at this track on August 31. Will continue to improve as he gets out in trip and is still in the TAB Everest picture. Go close. SWITZERLAND (3) resumes after a break of six months and he always looked like making a better three-year-old. Fitted with the two trials and can sit off the slick early tempo and pounce late. TRAFFIC WARDEN (1) consistent colt who returns from a five-and-a-half month break. Has the two searching trials in readiness for this and expected to take a hand in the finish. BUSTLING (4) former WA gelding who comes here with an impressive record. Primed for this with two trials and gets his chance from the good gate.
RACE 9 - PUNCH LANE (8) Mornington-trained gelding who thrived in Queensland over the winter carnival taking out the LR Glasshouse Hcp at the Sunshine Coast over 1400m on July 14. Has a dynamite fresh record and his two recent trials were impressive. Go close. BOOM TORQUE (14) comes here with a fitness advantage over these third-up. Sat on the speed with the 60kg as fav when a commanding winner over 1200m at Doomben on August 24. Won twice over the trip and looks up to the stiffer test. BASES LOADED (9) entire resuming after being rewarded for his consistency when a dominant on-pace winner of the G3 Gunsynd over 1600m at Eagle Farm on June 15. Won his latest trial by a big space and the wide gate is of no real concern. Each way. CELESTIAL LEGEND (1) comes here fresh from a win at the elite level in the Doncaster Mile five-and-a-half months ago over 1600m at Randwick, scoring by 0.7 lengths. Keep safe.
RACE 10 - BLANC DE BLANC (14) solid return with the 59.5kg when came out of the pack late to run second to the promising Briasa over 1100m here on August 31. Can stalk the good speed and surge late. BARBER (7) smart gelding resuming who failed to come up last time in when sixth over this trip here in BM94 grade on April 27. Given a decent break and McEvoy rides with the two trials under the belt. Genuine contender. OSTRAKA (4) improving gelding who returns from a three-and-a-half month spell after charging through his grades last prep. Won with plenty in hand when a slick winner of the LR Qld Day over 1200m at Eagle Farm on June 8. Had the two soft trials and watch for him late. THE BLACK CLOUD (11) was strongly fancied on resumption when fading late to finish eighth over 1100m in the G3 Toy Show Quality at Randwick on August 24. Back in grade for this and kept up to the mark with a recent trial. The chances don't end there.