Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - Kiwi import CITY GOLD READY (1) had his first run for Ryan/Alexiou and was returning from a six-month spell when a decent fifth over 1500m at this track last start. Contested the three-year-old classics back in NZ so he needs this sort of trip. Nicely placed to score. Perennial placegetter LADY GOLD (6) worked home well but found one better as she often does recently over 1625m at Wyong. Untried at this journey but gives every indication she will run it out. BLAZING SWORD (11) is a progressive maiden who has been in the placings at his last two, most recently in a Class 1 over 1800m at Hawkesbury. Blinkers going on may add some spark. EVERLASTING KISS (5) is back from a short spell for a new stable. Will be better for this run but has ability and might surprise. IRISH ANTHEM (9) caught the eye late at Hawkesbury last start and will appreciate the extra trip on a bigger track.

RACE 2 - NO STATEMENT (3) raced handy but didn't quite finish the race off as hoped when sixth over 1000m at the Kensington track last start. The key to his chances is coming back to 900m over which his record is hard to fault. Perfectly placed to return to the winner's list. Another distance specialist in OUTISHKA (2) poses the biggest threat. Led for home then extended for an impressive win in the 950m Moree Town Plate last time out. Goes extra well for apprentice Stapleford who is back aboard. Sure to give backers a great sight. KIRIBATI (4) has turned in a couple of poor performances recently on soft tracks in town. Eased out of the contest last time and pulled up lame. Freshened up and can bounce back. Veteran mare LEAVE ME SOME (8) retains a zest for racing with three consecutive top-two finishes. Gets back so this might be too short but she can run on into the placings. SMART AND DAPPER (6) first-up is also a contender.

RACE 3 - JUPITER HILLS (10) appreciated the step up in distance and produced the best run of her three to date when a game third after leading over this trip at Hawkesbury last start. Expect her to lead comfortably from the good gate and with Tim Clark rating her perfectly can gets the cash. MY PHAR LADY (11) was lining up for just the second time when a respectable third over this distance at Canberra recently. Open to plenty of improvement so worth some thought despite taking on a better field today. PESCHIERA (4) comes here with a couple of minor placings at Canterbury from her two runs this prep. Big weight to shoulder but that city form reads well. EXTREME DIVA (1) has contested four stakes races, finishing third to Manaal last prep in the Sweet Embrace. Big chance in this company. GOLDEN SMILE (3) is an interesting import with Kris Lees. First-up since her third on debut in May 2023. Market the best indicator.

RACE 4 - DOLLARS (8) started at $51 on debut but did a reasonable job to finish fourth over 1200m at Kembla. Picked up nicely that day which suggests the extra trip will suit. Has plenty of upside in a mediocre race. THE BENTLEY (16) filled a minor placing here at this distance two back then disappointed at Wyong most recently under a big weight. Better placed today so he can bounce back. ROLLING MAGIC (4) closed well to get up for second when resuming over 1250m here recently. Strips fitter and gate one doesn't hurt. COUNTERPART (12) resumes. Hasn't fired in three runs to date but is worth another try this prep after being gelded. TOP SECRET (1) on debut for Waterhouse/Bott must be respected on the back of some decent trial form.

RACE 5 - OVERRIDING (8) blew the start and any chance of winning when resuming over 1200m at Rosehill last start, but she really quickened late and wasn't beaten far. Small query at 1400m but she is back in great order and looks nicely in on 55kgs. Genuine mare TERRA MATER (5) started in the red in the Listed Mona Lisa at Wyong last time out and got the prize, albeit narrowly. Loves this trip and can improve further at just the third run of the campaign. HELL HATH NO FURY (2) wasn't given much hope first up in the Mona Lisa with the big weight but she worked home impressively and was only beaten 0.7 lengths, her first placing when fresh from a spell. Can improve greatly on that run and from a lovely gate is a major player. HELLAVADANCER (9) wasn't far off them in the Mona Lisa at her first try in stakes company. Not sure she can turn the tables but a top-three finish is on the cards. AUSBRED FLIRT (7) resumes. Group One competitive last prep so she is good enough if forward enough.

RACE 6 - REDSTONE WELL (3) led from the outset and made an absolute mess of his rivals in the Tatts Cup over 2400m at Randwick last start. Reached a new high that day and looks the testing material again in a race where few of his rivals are shooting the lights out. ETNA ROSSO (9) started public elect in the Wyong Cup off strong Benchmark form but was beaten 2.2 lengths and out of the placings. Can improve at the fourth run back from a spell. LUNCIES (1) is the best horse in the race but it has been a long while between drinks. Closed strongly but couldn't catch Lion's Roar in the Wyong Cup. In the mix again. SIR LUCAN (2) hasn't been sighted in two runs this prep but is good enough to turn things around. TOURISTIC (4) has been runner-up in three consecutive black-type races since coming up from Victoria. The small field suits his racing pattern and he is sure to run well.

RACE 7 - HERE TO SHOCK (1) gave the very classy Another Wil a scare first-up over this distance at Caulfield last start. Won the Group 3 Victoria Hcp over this trip last prep. Good weight carrier who will be handy in the run and give backers a tremendous sight. CHORLTON LANE (11) had a five-week freshen-up before his eye-catching third in the Goulburn Cup over this distance last time out. Draws a far better alley this time and drops 3.5kgs so he should be highly competitive. UCALLEDIT (5) has raced on the speed but just failed to finish things off in his two runs this prep. Yet to place in five runs at this level but his best figures suggest he is up to the task. ROBUSTO (9) wasn't beaten far in the Rowley Mile last start and from a good gate can run boldly. BERKSHIRE SHADOW (3) blew the start and was never a hope first-up behind Ceolwulf. Competitive in the Doncaster last prep so he is certainly up to this.

RACE 8 - Tough race with plenty of runners at decent odds worth considering. MACLEAY (11) came from the clouds to win the 1400m Moree Cup last time out which followed some sound lead-up form. Will go back again from the wide alley but can storm home on the back of a strong tempo. WHATADILEMMA (12) was excellent first-up from a spell over the mile at Kembla recently, knuckling down late but just missing out. Has a fine second-up record so although coming back in trip he looks a serious contender. OENOLOGY (13) appeared for the first time in 13 months when a close second over 1400m at Tamworth last start. Meets a better field today but draws nicely and drops 2kgs so he is right in the mix. BEHIND THE STORM (15) was a big winner over this distance at Muswellbrook two back and can play a role with a repeat of that effort. Pre-post favourite CORMAC T (4) resumes. Raced through the grades impressively in his first Australian campaign. Needs further but should be very competitive while fresh.