Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - JOHNNY THE KID (1) was restrained from a wide gate then found the line well to get up for third when resuming over 1000m at Hawkesbury last start. Likely to go forward from the better draw and the extra trip is a plus. Sure to prove tough to beat. ALPINE SKI (3) was given very chance over 1100m at Warwick Farm a fortnight ago but didn't give a kick when presented. Blinkers go on today and McDonald sticks so he could be the big improver. ENRICHED (4) last raced when in commission on debut over 1100m at Randwick but found Switzerland and others a bit too nippy. Trialling well and must be respected in this far easier assignment. PERFECT JUSTICE (6) led to the 150m mark then battled on okay for third on debut at Wyong recently. Suited coming back in trip and should give backers a sight. EVERYBODY RISE (5) ran a better race at Kembla last start and is a top three prospect.

RACE 2 - AELIANA (9) debuted at Hawkesbury last start and couldn't go with them early over the 1000m dash but she did warm up late to just miss the placings. Sure to take a lot from that run and the extra 150m is ideal. DIDDLE DUMPLING (1) returns from a 16-week break. Wasn't far away in some strong races last prep, the pick a 1.8 length fifth to Eneeza in the Percy Sykes. The wide gate is a concern but otherwise she looks perfectly placed. ZOUNAKA (12) was snagged back from a wide gate then copped a check at the furlong so she did a good job to rally again and finish fourth when resuming over 1200m at Canterbury recently. Promising filly with a stack of room for improvement. GANGSTA GRANNY (5) is a Written Tycoon filly on debut for the Hawkes stable. Trialling in good style and is worth monitoring for market support. HAVASU FALLS (6) on debut is one to monitor following a recent Hawkesbury trial win.

RACE 3 - This feels more like a provincial BM72 so the promising YORKSHIRE (8) is a great chance to make it two wins from three starts. Led and did give a kick when challenged before eventually finishing third last start over today's distance on the course proper. Gets in with just .5kgs more in this far easier race. Looks the goods. TRUE TO FORM (4) did a great job to dig deep and score over this trip at Kembla last time when coming off a 45-week break and having his first run since coming from France. Gets a little weight relief today so he looks the obvious threat. GOLD TRACKER (9) flashed home but just missed over 1000m at Albury recently. That followed a six-week break so he strips fitter and will enjoy the extra distance. KADALL (2) finished four lengths behind Yorkshire at Randwick last time. Fitter for two runs back but a top four prospect only. LOVE SHUCK (3) is in the mix after a decent effort at Rosehill a couple of Saturdays back.

RACE 4 - PARTY DOLL (6) had a two-month let-up before scoring with authority last time out over this trip at Hawkesbury despite messing up the start. Lightly raced mare who Widdup might have found the key to judging by that last effort. Stick with her. CHIEF CONDUCTOR (2) settled last and just worked home evenly at the end of 1100m on the course proper recently. Back in class today and McDonald is a key jockey switch. Last start Tamworth winner MARKWELL DREAMER (5) will find this tougher but he races well here and has a better than 50% top-three strike rate at five furlongs. Pre-post favourite HEADWALL (1) is back from a nine-month spell. Finished a well-beaten third over 1000m at Kembla at the only run last prep. Has claims but not sure the price is justifiable. BORDER CONTROL (3) has won 2/3 when fresh from a spell so must be considered at his first run back from a five-month break.

RACE 5 - SERENE NIC (9) relished a six-day back-up last start when she won with a bit in hand over 1600m at Warwick Farm. Goes up 3kgs and takes on the boys today so it won't be nearly as easy, but her figure last time measures up favourably. Perennial placegetter THE REPLICANT (8) did it again last time out, battling on gamely but finding one better over 1300m at Warwick Farm. Cherry ripe after four runs back from a spell and he certainly looks ready for this step up in distance now. BELLEISTIC KIDS (6) is slowly finding form. Drops 1.5kgs on a decent fourth in the Forbes Cup last start. In the mix after drawing a good gate for a change. KING OF FLORIDA (3) has been plain in two runs since coming to Australia. Waller is persisting with the campaign so he is worth one more chance. ARISTONOUS (2) is a chance first-up from a spell but the early price on offer isn't great value.

RACE 6 - INFLUENTIAL (1) was two months between runs and started favourite when a close second last time out over 1600m at Warwick Farm. Competitive in a Flemington Carbine Club last season so he has talent. Big chance in a much easier race today, with the 3kg claim helping greatly. Waller stablemate DEMARCAY (3) is the danger. Backs up a week after a close sixth over 1900m at Canterbury. Coming back in trip is a slight query but he should be peaking today at the fourth run back. LUCONI (8) won with ease on debut at Scone then closed well but just missed at odds-on last time out over 1500m at Kembla. In the mix with further improvement likely. LET ME REIGN (6) started favourite but never looked likely over the mile at Warwick Farm a fortnight ago. Worth another chance with the blinkers back on. The consistent COUNTY KILKENNY (2) was beaten narrowly in a Highway over this distance last time. Always a chance in this sort of race.

RACE 7 - IMPOSANT (7) was there to pounce but didn't quite find the line as expected last start over 1500m at Rosehill, narrowly missing the placings. Might be better placed back to this trip, particularly in this easier race. Can bounce back. LONRIOLI (6) progressed nicely last time out at the second run of the campaign, finding the lead but being nailed late over 1250m at Canterbury. Score by four lengths at Goulburn at her only other third-up run. Big danger. EQUIPAGE (3) continued the fine form this prep with a barnstorming win over 1350m at Wyong last start. Capable of taking on this better field. KIRRAGIRL (10) returns for a second campaign following a 19-week break. Showed ability when last in a work and two recent trials should have her right up to the mark. ALVINA'S LUCK (9) has been hard to fault this prep. Drops 3kgs on the narrow defeat at Canterbury last time. Definite contender.