Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BALMIERRO (7) found 1300m at Warwick Farm too short when he resumed from a four-month spell last start. Placed 2/2 at this trip and performs better with a run under the belt. Will enjoy a cheap run from gate one and should be tough to hold out with the light weight. LITTLE JEANIE (1) made it two minor placings from as many appearances this prep when runner-up over 1300m at Warwick Farm 16 days ago, beating home a few of today's key rivals. Open to further improvement. KOTAISHI (4) wound up strongly at the end of 1850m at Newcastle recently. Back in distance but the blinkers will sharpen him up. GLEBE (6) wasn't beaten far when fresh from a 19-week break over 1400m at Kembla last start. Will be running on hard. DOLZINO (3) is racing well at the provincials and with a soft lead might be hard to catch.
RACE 2 - AYE AYE CAPTAIN (3) led and tried hard but was edged out on the line on debut last start over 1100m at Gosford. Boots forward from the wide gate to potentially take up the running again. Sure to take a lot from that last run and will be tough to beat. TRAFALGAR SQUARE (2) grabbed third in a photo over Aye Aye Captain at Gosford two back then was outclassed behind Espionage in the Kindergarten on day one of the Championships. Big chance back in this company with the aid of the inside gate. CANARA (1) missed the kick before making up many lengths to finish fourth when fresh from a spell over 1300m at Warwick Farm recently. Needs luck from the draw but should be thereabouts. CELTIC SIN (4) is a first starter by Yes Yes Yes from the O'Shea stable. Betting watch advised. HEAVENLY KISS (5) is a full sister to dual Group 3 placegetter Fortunate Kiss on debut for the Quinton stable. Sure to have ability.
RACE 3 - IMPERIAL FORCE (2) is a $1.6 million yearling purchase who started in the red on debut last time out over 1100m at the Kensington track but could only manage to finish second after looking to have every chance. Needs a bit of luck from the wide gate but with the race experience on board he is the testing material. CATOGGIO (1) led but found one better in the heavy going over 1200m at Kembla recently. Will take full advantage of the inside gate and with blinkers applied today he will be hard to peg back. DARK ARTS (4) last raced in late December when fourth on debut over 1200m at Randwick after meeting with solid market support. Finds a softer target to launch this prep so he comes right under notice. MONTE VEEBEE (10) trialled well at Warwick Farm recently and is one to watch closely from the Price stable. Big watch on Waller debutant GREAT WHITE SHARK (5) with McDonald up.
RACE 4 - TERRESTAR (8) has been about the mark at her last couple of runs, both over 1400m at Warwick Farm. Very fit mare who looks perfectly placed out to this distance after four runs back. Has the coveted inside draw and with the limit weight she makes plenty of appeal. TAVS (6) came from last at one stage to finish fifth in a 1400m Kembla Provincial Championship qualifier last time out. Backmarker who will need a bit of luck from the inside draw but the small field suits. Sure to be charging home. HOLLYWOOD HERO (2) turned in a real eye-catcher when resuming over 1400m at Rosehill recently, coming from next to last to just miss the placings. Hard to hold out back to midweek company over the longer journey. KUREDER (3) found 1400m too sharp when resuming last start. Might need one more run but could sneak into the frame. HUESCA (4) has raced well all prep and should appreciate getting out to this trip for the first time.
RACE 5 - CASUAL CONNECTION (2) worked through the line with purpose to be beaten just a length last time out over 1550m at the Kensington track. Ready to peak at the third run back and this distance is more to his liking. NATURAL DEDUCTION (11) is a promising three-year-old who came with a powerful finish to score a dominant win recently over 1600m at Hawkesbury. Tackles his toughest assignment to date but getting out to this distance should see further improvement. FOR VICTORY (7) made it three minor placings in a row when a closing third over the mile at Warwick Farm last start. Sure to be competitive. SMART LEGEND (10) has been about the mark without winning of late. New to this trip but must be respected. EARTH DANCE (4) found the line well first-up over 1400m at the Kenso. Five weeks between runs is a worry, particularly over an extra 500m, but he is talented.
RACE 6 - EBONY KING (1) ran a couple of nice races at or around this distance before failing to beat one home over 1350m at Wyong last start. Freshened up and back to his preferred trip today so watch for a far better performance. BALKANS (12) has been disappointing in three runs this prep since being gelded, the latest at Wyong when he tired badly after leading. Like the engagement of Nash this time - give him one more chance. Distance specialist WIZARD OF OZ (4) led but was swamped late when second-up over 1200m at Kembla recently. Has won three from five third-up and might be tough to catch around this tighter circuit. ANAGAIN (5) caught the eye when resuming at Wyong. Placed 3/4 second-up so she should hold that form. CAPTAIN AMELIA (7) is worth some thought first up. Tackled the cream of the crop last prep and will find this far easier.
RACE 7 - GOLD REVOLVER (1) made it two wins from as many runs this prep when he led all the way to win with a bit in hand over 1150m at the Kensington track three weeks ago. Won third-up last prep so around this tight track he will prove very tough to reel in again. NO STATEMENT (2) showed pace but couldn't kick and just missed the placings last start over 1000m at Warwick Farm. Down significantly in class today and his best efforts have come over this trip. Major player. RHYTHMIC PULSE (9) is racing well without winning, last time out missing by a whisker over 1200m at Warwick Farm. Drops 3kgs and this slightly shorter trip is more suitable. STANISLAUS (8) was poor first-up but has trialled well since and can make amends. SMASHING EAGLE (7) resumes. Has won 2/4 when fresh from a spell and his Saturday form last prep stacks up favourably.
RACE 8 - Hardest race of the day despite a multitude of scratchings. ADMONISH (9) began awkwardly and failed to recover last time out over 1150m at the Kensington track. McDonald sticks which is a positive sign. Nicely drawn and if she does things right is good enough to test this field. SICILIAN (5) resumes. Beaten 1.7 lengths in the Group 3 Quezette over this distance at Caulfield last prep which is strong form for this. Three recent trials should have her ready to run. QUEEN OF THE MILE (3) is back from a five-month spell. Bolted in at Wyong first-up last prep and a couple of recent trial wins suggest she is on target for another bright return. Progressive filly IMPULSIVITY (13) made it two wins from three runs this prep with a tough victory over 1200m at Newcastle six weeks ago. Freshened up and in the mix again. RHETTARA (16) is back from a 28-week lay-off. Won easily when returning from a long spell last prep so keep her in mind.
