Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - KERVETTE (7) registered her third straight placing, and fourth overall from seven starts, when edged out over this distance at Wyong last start. Very fit galloper who gets the senior rider today and is close to breaking the duck. The lightly raced ROYAL STANDARD (4) returned from a year-long absence and a gelding op with a respectable fourth over 1300m at Hawkesbury last time out. Made significant late ground that day suggesting the mile is going to suit. Serious contender. INVESTMENT (6) progressed nicely at her latest run when second-up from a spell, leading but just failing to hang on over 1400m at Kembla. Ready for the mile now. LUCILAGO (8) has been settling back and racing without much luck of late. Could be a surprise packet if things go right. Ciaron Maher's BLACKLIST (2) is yet to land a glove in three runs but can improve with the blinkers applied.

RACE 2 - DRESSED IN GRAY (7) returned from a ten-month spell for new trainer Matthew Vella with a real eye-catcher last start over 1100m at Hawkesbury, overcoming a slow beginning to be beaten a neck. Coming back to 1000m is a query but on that latest effort she looks the testing material. VOIGNER (5) appeared for the first time since January 2023 when just outside the placings over 1100m at Armidale last time out. Missed the start on that occasion which was costly. Should race handy and will be tough to beat this time around. TELLEMALIE (9) ran a decent race here first-up over today's trip then floundered in heavy going at Taree nine days ago. Worth another chance if this track isn't bottomless. The sparingly raced LET'S GO JOHNNY (1) is back after a 12-week break. Showed ability in the two runs of his maiden prep, both here, and can win without surprising. Kris Lees' debutant REIGNING CAPTAIN (3) won a recent trial at this track and must be respected but is very short.

RACE 3 - PHYSICAL GRAFFITI (6) hasn't raced since finishing third in the 2022 Breeders Plate at Randwick when he started favourite. Has trialled twice recently, including a win at Randwick on 22 March, so he looks forward enough to test this field. MONEY TEAM (3) last appeared when down the track on debut in the Group 3 Ken Russell Classic over this distance on the Sunshine Coast last May. Now with the Mick Price/Michael Kent yard and deserves plenty of respect if there is any market move. SNATCHREILLY (7) was edged out when fresh from a ten-month spell over 1000m here 19 days ago. Did a bit wrong on that occasion and will benefit from the hit-out. Pay to follow. NEVER JOKING (4) hasn't made an impression in his two runs this prep but the addition of blinkers by Ciaron Maher might make a difference. PALIKARI (5) is a first starter for Waterhouse/Bott. Going well at the trials so keep him in mind.

RACE 4 - A couple of important scratchings pave the way for SO SNEEKY (5). Saluted over this distance at Wyong two runs back then had a six-week let-up before a modest effort at Hawkesbury last time. Strips fitter and can bounce back. GULF OF TOMINI (4) made it three minor placings from as many runs this prep when an eye-catching second over 1800m at Eagle Farm recently. Cherry ripe and certainly in contention in what looks an easier assignment. Last start Scone victor SILENT RUSSIAN (3) is up sharply in trip but cannot be overlooked after showing plenty of fight in recording that win. Should dictate and might be tough to catch. LOVELY THOUGHTS (7) is racing extremely well at or around this distance in softer contests. Gets some weight relief today so cannot be overlooked. SIAN (8) is capable of sharp improvement third-up from a spell.

RACE 5 - CROSS YOUR HEART (2) made it two in a row when she stalked the pace then let down well to get home by three-quarters of a length over this distance at Wyong last start. Finds a comparable race today under a similar weight after the claim. Can do it again. PARISIAN ROSE (9) worked home well to finish a couple of lengths away in fourth to Cross Your Heart when resuming at Wyong three weeks ago. Strips fitter so it will be no surprise to see her close that gap. QUEEN BESS (5) clocked in alongside Parisian Rose at Wyong last time when lining up for the hat trick. Back to Gosford where her record is two starts/two wins. Major player. Distance specialist COMMANDMENT (3) is back from a 15-week spell. Might need the run but from a good gate she cannot be left out. IMPULSIVITY (4) defeated the boys over this trip at Newcastle last start so she is in the mix also.

RACE 6 - DAGON (6) won his maiden when resuming at Newcastle two runs back then finished just half a length from the winner in a BM64 over 1000m at Wyong last start. Probably needs this trip now. Lightly raced three-year-old ready to take the next step. PAR FIVE (7) got back in the field and found 900m too sharp a fortnight ago at Newcastle. Better placed this time and can make amends. The consistent ZARU (4) returns after a five-month spell. Has registered an impressive five placings from eight first-up runs. Each-way hope. RAPIDO (2) is back from a six-month break as a gelding. Showed ability when last in work and a recent strong trial suggests he is up for this. LION CLASS (9) tried hard but just missed last time out over this distance at Grafton. Harder here but not out of the equation.

RACE 7 - GOLD LOVER (8) improved out of sight last start at the second run of the prep, leading and battling on gamely to be beaten under a length over 1100m at the Kensington track. Ready to peak third-up and will be tough to catch back to this distance on a tighter circuit. UNSTOPABULL (10) is the danger, scratched from the previous to be kept for this. Worked home with gusto to just miss last time out in a comparable race to this at Wyong. Perfectly drawn to take a sit and present in the straight. SICILIAN (2) is a query runner first-up for Waterhouse/Bott. Placed in the Group 3 Quezette over 1100m at Caulfield in the Spring. Good fresh performer who has trialled three times heading into this. BODGIE (11) arrives here with strong recent Gosford form and is in the mix again despite a sticky draw. RHETTARA (13) was a convincing winner first-up last prep so she deserves plenty of thought coming off a six-month break.