Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The babies kick us off with a few at the races for the first time. Of the raced brigade USEAPIN (14) wasn't too far off them on the Randwick Kenso when well in the betting on debut. Where there's smoke there's fire and must be respected from the Waller barn. Looks the hardest to toss. MISHANI LILY (1) has been racing well this preparation including a win over this course and distance first-up. Will be rock-hard fit now and looms as the main danger. ALPHA BRAVO (4) placed here first time facing the starter, draws the inside alley, and gets 1.5kg off with the claim. Ticks a few boxes. WANTCHOO (15) is a Better Than Ready filly stepping out for the Sears camp. Was an impressive trial winner that also warrants consideration, especially if the late money favours.
RACE 2 - ICHIBAN (1) has hit some form since coming up north including a win and a placing from three starts around this circuit. Will be at his peak now and the step up to the 2020m looks to suit. Should be in this for a very long way. The penny has dropped for MOSZUR (2) who has put two wins back-to-back and is racing with a lot of confidence now. Hard to ignore winning form. BILPA MOREA (10) has been right there in recent outings and gets in well at the weights with the claim. Top-three credentials. ELLE MAGIC (7) is a bit of a hit-or-miss type but draws the inside alley and may earn some minor money if she brings her best. The well-related RHODES (5) (half to G2 winner Paximadia) best of the rest.
RACE 3 - DISPUTED RIVER (7) has hit a purple patch of form of late with three wins and two placings from his past five starts including one around this circuit. Gets 2kg off with Wheeler's claim and looks the one they all have to run down. CLYDE (6) loves this staying journey with a win and three placings from just four attempts. Is another to get some weight relief and rates a leading player against this line-up. SHEZADANDI (10) is yet to miss a drum in three starts over this trip and has been racing consistently of late. Top-three contender. BAK DA MAN (8) returned to form last time out and must be respected from the Bruce camp. In the mix. WARP SPEED (2) hails from a handy family (half to G1 winner Nom Du Jeu) and can figure in the finish if he brings his best.
RACE 4 - CHINNY BOOM (3) is a very consistent campaigner who rarely puts in a poor effort. Goes well here with a win and two seconds from just four outings and will be at peak fitness for this. Looks the hardest to catch. NASHIRA (9) has a win and a second from three spins around this circuit and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside marble. Top-three hope. OSAMU (4) is a two-time winner when second-up from a spell and is a must for the multiples. NED'S GULLY (6) is next in line in a race with only a handful of chances.
RACE 5 - BLAZEN BOOTS (11) is a two-time winner around this circuit and gets the deadly Gollan/Maloney combination. Has never missed the frame when third-up from a break and rates among the leading hopes. SIMPLY REFUSE (14) placed over this course and distance at the latest effort and looks to be nearing another victory. Solid top-three prospects. REDWOOD SHADOW (6) is a bit of a hit-or-miss type but can play a role if he brings his A-game. THIS'LLBETHEONE (8) is a last-start winner who cannot be ignored.
RACE 6 - XTRAVAGANT STAR (7) wasn't disgraced in Group 3 company at Rosehill last time out and the form out of that race has since stacked up. Has three wins and a second from just four attempts at the trip and will strip fitter third-up from the break. Rates the testing material. MUSCHIALLI (5) is one from one over this course and distance and gets 1.5kg off with the claim. Can return to winning form here. JEMELDI (8) has been thereabouts in recent efforts and looks a genuine top-three candidate on best form. APOPHIS (12) has won four from seven overall and is drawn to get a soft run from gate four. Shapes as a key hope.
RACE 7 - RED DEFCON (2) doesn't win out of turn but is a very honest campaigner and strikes a winnable contest here. Is yet to miss a drum over this distance range and strips fitter third-up from the break. Will prove tough to hold out. LAYDOWNLILY (9) just missed the placings last time out but had strung three wins together on the bounce prior. Winning hoop Graham returns to the saddle and gets the benefit of her 1.5kg claim. Looks a serious danger. JEALOUS (13) has been thereabouts and must be respected from the Heathcote stable. In the mix. The well-related TORABELLA (10) (half to 5xG1 winner Shoot Out) has looked good winning both starts to open the career and cannot be discounted. BETTERLETMEDANCE (11) next in line.
RACE 8 - RANCH HAND (6) has looked handy placing in both runs since joining the new stable and looks to be nearing another victory. Will be at his peak third-up from the spell and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Rates on top. OCEAN TREATY (12) has a solid record around this circuit with three wins and two placings from ten starts. Can run a race while fresh. AT WITZ END (10) has won his past two outings here and at Grafton and is racing with a lot of confidence. Worth plenty of thought. ARENTEE (7) has won over this track and trip and is one for the exotics players. OSCAR ZULU (1) best of the rest.
RACE 9 - STARZAM (7) wasn't too far off them when resuming and will have come on with that run now under the belt. Gets 1.5kg off from the low draw and the step-up to the 1350m looks to suit. Ticks plenty of boxes. BRENTWOOD (1) grows a leg for Orman who has three wins and a placing from just six steers. Disappointed last time out but expected to bounce right back to form against this line-up. ARGYLE PINK (12) returned in winning order with a strong victory at Eagle Farm and should get a nice run on speed here. Will give backers a sight. SONORA (8) is having her first run for the Gollan barn and any market confidence must be noted. EVOCATOR (6) next best on the back of a last-start victory.
