Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Looks a race in two and the betting backs this up. HEAVEN BOUND (8) led and just failed to hang on in an 1800m Hawkesbury maiden two runs back. Outclassed in the Group 3 Adrian Knox subsequently. Back in her right race and will be hard to catch bowling along in front. The lightly raced ROYAL STANDARD (6) has found the line well at both runs this time in work, last time out getting up for third over 1600m at Gosford. Ideally placed out to this trip on a bigger track. QUEEN OF DRAMA (9) is a one-paced filly who has found her two runs this prep a bit sharp. Watch for a better run with this step up in journey. FRENCH DELIVERY (1) is racing well including a solid second here at a similar trip last time. Now 17 without a win which is a worry. HIMEROS (2) is another consistent performer with top-three claims.
RACE 2 - CURL CURL (1) has been gelded and returns from a 32-week spell. Opened last prep with a very close third over this course and distance. Bolted in in a recent trial here so this lightly raced three-year-old looks set for a bright campaign. GODELBA (8) resumed in a similar maiden to this three weeks ago and worked home fairly to get up for third. Should take a lot from that run and looks the logical threat. IVY'S WAY (6) dropped right out when attempting 1100m for the first time at Hawkesbury five weeks back. Freshened up and more at home over today's trip so worth another chance. I'M BRAZILIAN (9) is in the mix first-up from a 16-week absence. Zoustar first starter ZOUBABY (10) looks above average based on a string of strong trials.
RACE 3 - SHALL BE (3) showed plenty of dash on debut last start over this course and distance and dug deep to hang on for second, beaten only 0.6 lengths. With a little natural improvement he can go one better. GLORIOSO (7) returned from a four-month spell last time out and made it three minor placings from as many appearances when beaten under a length here at this trip. Needs luck from a wide alley but good enough to test this field. MOONRAKER (2) last appeared when a tiring sixth of six on debut over 1100m at Randwick in December. Won a recent trial over 1045m so he looks forward enough to run a big race. QUEEN OF A HAND (10) is an All Too Hard debutante from the John O'Shea stable. Trials have been modest so the betting holds the key. Godolphin's VOILE (11) resumes. Won a recent trial and looks to be in for a decent prep.
RACE 4 - OUR UPTOWN GIRL (8) is back from a five-month break. Charged home to finish third behind the smart Our Gold Hope when resuming last prep over 1200m at Kembla. Seven furlongs looks an ideal trip to kick things off. JARED (4) was ridden closer to the speed and tried valiantly but just failed last time out over 1350m at Wyong. Cherry-ripe after three runs back and with blinkers on for the first time he looks a serious contender. MIDNIGHT AFFAIR (7) has found the line well without threatening in a couple of shorter races to launch this campaign. Should see the best of her out to this journey for the first time. TAIPAN LEGEND (1) failed over the mile at Gosford a fortnight ago. Use the good second at 1500m the run before as a guide to his chances. GALSTON GORGE (5) made late ground on debut here over 1250m recently. Well-bred colt who should enjoy the extra 250m.
RACE 5 - GENERAL SOHO (2) has been freshened up since failing over 1350m at Wyong five weeks ago. Races well here and drops significantly in class on the last couple of runs. Big chance to make amends, particularly with Bullock back aboard. SAILOR (1) struggled in a couple of Provincial Championship qualifiers before a game win last time out over the mile at this track. Gets in with the same weight after the claim so he should be a major player again. JESSANDI (8) gets back in her races and finds it hard to win. Worked home okay without threatening most recently over 1600m at Canberra. Each-way hope. EDGE OF REWARD (4) raced on the pace and was far too good last start over 1400m here. Won't mind the step up in trip so another win will not surprise. GAGO (3) is rock hard fit after three runs back so from a better gate this time he should figure in the finish.
RACE 6 - MAJESTIC STYLE (5) appreciated the step up in trip last start, making up a ton of ground to be beaten narrowly over 1600m at this track. Is a winner at this distance and is cherry-ripe after three runs back - expect her to be peaking for this. SONNY FELLA (7) raced back in the field and wide so his effort to pass a handful of runners in the straight last time out over 1600m here had some merit. Again draws poorly but with a bit of luck he is a serious threat. TRAJECTILE (9) started in the red and had little trouble disposing of a maiden field over 1500m here 18 days ago. Lightly raced filly who should relish getting out to this trip, being a daughter of a VRC Oaks winner. GLOBAL ENCOUNTER (12) improved sharply last start with the blinkers back on. Genuine hope on an eight-day back-up. Market watch on SO SLEEK (2) having his first run under Kerry Parker.
RACE 7 - RUBI'S SERVE (10) has raced just twice and impressed on both occasions, most recently beaten half a length over 1200m here. Progressive filly who should race up on the speed and prove tough to catch. MOGUL MONARCH (12) finished second to a very smart type on debut a fortnight ago over 1100m at Gosford. Will improve off that run and the extra distance is sure to be to his advantage. HYDROMETER (7) used the inside gate to lead and gave a sight before tiring to finish third when facing the starter for the first time last start over 1200m at this circuit. Will be prominent for a long way again. FIFTH FORCE (6) is in the mix first-up from a break with the help of the inside barrier. Waller's debutant CAPTAIN FURAI (4) won a recent trial in good style and has been well found in early markets.
RACE 8 - INQUISITIVE LEGEND (9) led all the way to win with a bit in hand first-up recently over this course and distance. Lightly raced filly who has returned a better horse this prep and is ready for this tougher assignment. LULUMON (3) had to pull out all stops to just get the prize in a keenly contested 1200m maiden here 18 days ago. Doesn't know how to run a bad race so expect her to be in the finish again. Backmarker MAJOR ORE (6) won on debut here two runs back and is capable of figuring in the finish. EXTREME SPIRIT (1) returns from a 30-week spell. Recent trial winner who is worth keeping safe with blinkers on for the first time.
