Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Godolphin's OBSCURE (8) is a first starter by Exceed And Excel from a Street Cry mare. Looks ready to run after a nice trial win at Warwick Farm recently. Well found in early markets which is a positive sign. THE EYES HAVE IT (10) last appeared when fifth behind subsequent Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot in the Widden in February. That form is good enough to test this field. SEASCAPE (9) is a full sister to stakes winner Zarastro on debut for Michael Freedman. Trialled well at Randwick recently so worth plenty of thought. NOVARA (7) is another Godolphin debutante who should be popular with punters. Recent trial winner MOGUL MONARCH (2) is another first starter worth monitoring closely.
RACE 2 - HARTMAN (5) is nearing a maiden win judging by his game second last start over this distance at Wyong when he led until the closing stages. Should lead comfortably and will be very tough to catch. TAIPAN LEGEND (1) appreciated being ridden a little quieter last time out when runner-up over 1500m at Hawkesbury. Ready to peak third-up and the step up to a mile looks ideal. LADYKING (4) was reported to be slow to recover when she failed over 1700m at Scone recently. Lightly raced filly capable of better. MISS REILLY (2) did a good job to battle on for third when resuming over 1300m at the Kensington track last start. Bred to want a trip so the mile second-up looks perfect. Looks a race in four with QUEEN OF DRAMA (9) next best.
RACE 3 - FAY'S ANGELS (6) brings some decent form to the table, most recently finishing off well to grab second over 1800m at the Kensington track. Carries no weight and won't mind this step up in distance. The one to beat. AWESOME WONDER (4) finished 2.8 lengths behind Fay's Angels at the Kenso last start when fresh from a 221-day spell. Will derive great benefit from that run and this trip is more to her liking. Can make things interesting. Promising stayer VAGUER (3) made it two big wins in a row when he easily accounted for a Bm66 field over 2400m at Albury last time out. This is his biggest test but there is sure to be more to come from this Neasham-trained four-year-old. PIRAEUS (5) continued a frustrating run of minor placings when edged out over this distance at Wyong recently. Good each-way hope once again. RATTLE AND HUM (2) is on an upward trajectory for an in-form yard. Must be respected.
RACE 4 - VADAMOS QUEEN (7) closed well to get up for second when resuming over 1350m at Wyong last start. Stepped up from 1300m to the mile last prep at Canberra and was edged out in a strong form race. Big chance to go one better. SENSORY (8) battled on well to hold second when fresh from a spell last time out over 1400m at Newcastle. Meets a better field this time but drops 4kgs and is nicely placed out to this journey. PIERCING ARROW (4) was lining up for just the third time when a solid second in a 1400m Bm78 at Albury recently. Very fit and should be in the firing line for a long way. ZOUATICA (1) comes off a couple of decent efforts in Country Championship qualifiers, most recently finishing second at Goulburn behind Associate. On trial at the mile but too good to leave out. BULLETS HIGH (3) strips fitter after an eye-catching second over 1400m at the Kensington track a fortnight ago, his first run for two months. Serious candidate.
RACE 5 - GAN TEORAINN (4) settled back in the field and never looked likely in the 1600m Group 3 Aspiration Quality when resuming last time out. Talented mare who mixed it with some much better types than this last prep. Staying at the mile is the query but her class will go a long way. STREET GOSSIP (7) led but knocked up in the Group 2 Emancipation recently over 1500m at Rosehill. Good miler on the limit and can improve at the third run back. PERVADE (3) gets a pass mark on his first-up run at Rosehill over 1400m. Might need one more hit-out but his mile form is strong so don't rule him out. PHAROAH'S REIGN (8) is struggling but can sneak into the finish on her best form. BETHENCOURT (2) is back from a spell and worth some thought if popular in betting.
RACE 6 - A race knocked about badly by scratchings. DRAMA DODGER (14) has been excellent this prep with two wins from as many runs, the latest by a skinny margin over this course and distance. Should race up on the speed from the good gate and there is no reason she cannot keep the ball rolling. SLINKY (13) led and dominated in a maiden over this journey at Kembla recently. That rating suggests she is up to a race like this so this lightly raced filly cannot be underestimated despite the class rise. SHOWBOAT (16) has not appeared since a narrow win on debut in August. Two recent trials should have him forward enough. Betting watch advised. EYE OF THE FIRE (10) led from barrier rise and destroyed his rivals on debut over this distance at the Beaumont track recently. Different kettle of fish today but the authority of that win is hard to ignore. KEEP YOU COOL (5) won her maiden first-up on the Kensington track four weeks ago. Can go on with the job.
RACE 7 - CECIL STREET LAD (1) stripped fitter and appreciated the drop in class when a gutsy winner over 1000m at this track last start. Sure to relish the extra furlong at this stage of the campaign. Well in after the claim and can win again in a race weakened by some key scratchings. BIOGRAPHER (6) brings decent form to the race. Closed well to just miss the frame at his latest run over 1150m at the Kensington track. Loves Gosford and generally peaks third-up so he is a significant threat. Bomb-proof filly MISS HADES (13) is back from a 21-week spell. Yet to miss the placings in five runs with the pick of her efforts a comfortable win over 1500m at Rosehill to close last prep. Trialling well and is sure to play a big role. NEGOTIATIONS (4) gave away too much start over 1000m at Wyong last time. Looking for this trip now so worth another chance. ZOUPRINCE (12) disappointed first-up at Wyong but is better than that.
RACE 8 - MEMORIA (1) drops in class and is the one to beat. Finished a close third over 1250m at Canterbury two runs back then wasn't disgraced in a Provincial Championship qualifier here at this trip last start. A good draw and handy claim tick a couple of other boxes. WAIKIKI (9) has been in the money at both runs this prep, each time over slightly shorter journeys on the Kensington track. Finding the line well and looks ready to peak now. SMART LITTLE MISS (3) came with a well-timed run to win with a bit in hand last time out over 1300m at Hawkesbury. Goes well here and her 1200m record is strong. Plenty to like about her chances. FLYING SHELLY (10) has been knocking up in races so the addition of blinkers today might be significant. LINGUEE (15) resumes. In the mix from the inside alley with the light weight.
