Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Market the key with so many first starters engaged. Siding with SHALAA GOLD (1) who led and held on well for second on debut over 1000m here a fortnight ago. Well backed that day and ran up to expectations. Likely improver who can go one better. PRIVATE LIFE (11) started warm favourite but couldn't overcome an early check and finished fourth on debut last start over this distance at Canterbury. McDonald sticks so certainly worth another chance. Dual Group One winner September Run's full brother STEEL STRIKE (8) faces the starter for the first time. Won a recent trial so he looks ready to run well for Gai and Adrian. Godolphin's TARTAGLIA (9) resumes. Showed ability in the maiden prep and is likely to have come on over the 15-week break. APEX (2) has been trialling well for Team Hawkes and should give a good account.
RACE 2 - Kiwi import LITTLE JEANIE (4) has settled in well for Waller this prep. Placed twice in a row before a commanding win at $1.55 last start over 1550m at Canterbury. Steps out of maiden grade now and is five weeks between runs but she has the talent to match this line-up. PROFESSOR PICKLES (5) scored an easy win over the mile at Wyong two runs back then has struggled to get longer trips at his two subsequent outings. Sure to prove tough to peg back on his return to this more suitable journey. The consistent FIDDLERS GREEN (2) went back from a wide gate then made late inroads to grab fourth last time out over this trip at Wagga. Good each-way hope from a better draw today. Last start Newcastle maiden winner BE REAL (10) takes a big leap today but is lightly raced and progressing well. SENSORY (6) from the inside gate is a likely improver.
RACE 3 - UK import INQUIRING MINDS (5) made his Australian debut off a 37-week break and finished an encouraging second last start over 1500m at Kembla, making up a stack of late ground. Draws a lot better today, gets some welcomed weight relief, and McDonald goes on - plenty of positives. TIME QUEST (3) has enjoyed an eight-week let-up since disappointing over 1550m at the Kensington track. Had only missed the frame once in nine previous appearances. Will be better for this outing but he can win without surprising. ONE AYE (8) found the Listed Wagga Cup too rich last start. Handy mare who steps back from open class races for the first time in a while. Worth a look at odds. THE LITTLE PUMPER (1) struggled first-up in the mud but is open to plenty of improvement. Hard to get too excited about the other two runners.
RACE 4 - ANDERSON BRIDGE (11) ran a couple of decent races at Group level before struggling on a heavy surface over this distance at Newcastle (metro) last start. Very fit three-year-old who will appreciate this step back in grade. Ready to win. GOTTABESAVVY (4) has been brought north by Busuttin/Young after an impressive win over 2000m during the recent Warrnambool carnival. Good weight carrier who wasn't far away in a Melbourne mid-weeker two back so he should be up to this. On-pacer O'ZIGGY (12) led but couldn't quicken over 1800m at Hawkesbury last time. Fitter for three runs back from a spell and he will appreciate less pressure up front over today's trip. The lightly raced BULLETS HIGH (13) worked home well over 1800m at Eagle Farm a fortnight ago. Looks ready for this sort of journey. THOUGHT PROVOKING (7) is ready to peak after three runs back from a spell.
RACE 5 - BEST INTENT (5) flashed home to just arrive in time when resuming over 1000m at Wagga during their recent carnival. Placed 2/2 second-up and will relish the slightly longer trip. Can win again. PERENNIAL (2) was first-up after an eight-week let-up when fifth behind the smart Martini Mumma in a Highway over this distance at Rosehill last start. Maps nicely from a good draw and with that run under his belt is sure to be very competitive. UNSTOPABULL (7) worked home well but was no match for Cinematic Star over 1000m at Kembla six weeks ago. Meets her 2kgs better today. Good fresh performer who will be putting in the big strides late. CINEMATIC STAR (9) finished an eye-catching third over 1200m at Canterbury following that Kembla success. Cannot be ruled out. PINK CASHMERE (10) is trialling well and looks ready for a bright return.
RACE 6 - PHYSICAL GRAFFITI (12) was there to pounce at Canterbury last start but didn't finish off as expected over 1200m. Talented gelding who can put things back on track here with the blinkers going on for the first time. FLEETWOOD (4) is back from a 21-week spell. Opened last prep with a fast-finishing second over this distance at the Kensington track. Has been gelded and could be ready to show his full potential. RINGAROSA (5) chimed in late to beat all but Stars And Bars when resuming here over 1000m here recently. Second-up form is poor which is a worry but she looks to be back in great order. STARS AND BARS (10) gets up in the weights and has drawn wide but his last win here off a 39-day let-up was full of merit. ACCREDITED (9) has won 2/2 when fresh from a spell so he comes right into calculations coming off a 19-week break.
RACE 7 - ABLE WILLIE (3) settled a long way back then passed a few in the straight when midfield over this distance at Rosehill last start. Better placed back at the mid-weekers and isn't badly treated after the claim. Ready to win again at the fourth run back from a spell. GELATIN (5) closed well to get up for third in the heavy conditions when resuming over this course and distance a fortnight ago. Good second-up performer who will be tough to hold out. HOKKAIDO (6) has been a bit plain in his two runs this time in work. Fitter now and worth another chance with the blinkers going back on. ATLANTIC OCEAN (8) caught the eye when third over 1250m at Canterbury last start, his first outing in four months. Saves his best for this track so he is a definite contender. DEFINING (7) beat all but the promising Pippie Beach here a fortnight ago. Consistent mare with strong each-way claims.
