Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - HERB (3) racing well and maps to get the right run. Taken back from the wide gate and total forgive with the 59kg when ninth over 1400m at Rosehill on August 3. Can bounce back here at the good each-way quote. SMASHING EAGLE (4) drifted back early and warmed up late when a sound third behind Bundeena over 1100m here on August 10. No surprise to see J Mac have him a little closer in the run today. WELL TIMED (5) progressive gelding who knuckled down strongly on return before tiring late when second over 1100m here on August 10. Ready for this trip and further now. Has the speed to get across from the wide gate and play a leading role. BUNDEENA (2) is racing in a rich vein of form but will have his work cut out here after jumping in weight and drawing wide. Schofield sticks and is expected to take a hand in the finish.
RACE 2 - KUREDER (5) loomed up strongly with the 57kg but found Awesome Wonder too sharp over the 2400m here on August 10. Maps to get the gun run again and expected to go one better with J Mac sticking. STRATHTAY (2) three weeks between runs when he attacked the line out wide for a solid fifth over 2400m at this track on August 10. Senior rider on today and expected to figure prominently. JABBAWOCKEEZ (1) showed plenty of grit over the 2400m for the first time when holding on well to secure third at Sandown-Hillside on July 21. Well drawn and looks good each-way value.
RACE 3 - KREON (16) promising entire resuming after bolting in by a big space as favourite on debut over 1180m at Gundagai nine months ago. Looked to be trucking in his recent Moruya trial and the blinkers go on for this. Big jump in grade but the stable has a nice opinion of him. Go close. BRIAL ROSE (9) racing in career-best form and chasing her third straight victory. Ploughed through the heavy (8) going when a tough long neck winner over 1000m at Gundagai on August 6. Will give them something to catch. COOL STORM (10) lightly raced mare with a stack of ability. Sat on the speed before being collared late when third over 1200m at Rosehill in a harder race last time out. Genuine contender.
RACE 4 - Scratchings thin things down. MEDATSU (12) staying type who circled the field on resumption with a surprise victory over 1500m at Rosehill in easier company on August 3. Clearly returned well and open to further improvement. Given a nice chance to follow up and win again. Hardest for him to beat will be WEST OF AFRICA (1) who racing in career-best form and chasing his fourth win from five starts. Jumps 3kg in weight today after returning good figures at latest. The inside gate is a bonus. AWASH (3) had excuses last time and can quickly bounce back to form along with PEACE OFFICER (4) who continues to give a good account.
RACE 5 - ELIYASS (3) resumes with a dynamite fresh record and undefeated over this trip. Looked to have plenty up the sleeve when he launched late at his first Australian start for a slick 1.75 len victory over this track and trip in the LR Mayor's Cup on June 8. Fitted with two searching trials and expected to start a firm favourite. Go close. REDSTONE WELL (7) much better performance from the inside gate when a tenacious on-pace third over 1800m at this track behind the promising Golden Path on August 10. Gets map favours again and the 2000m shouldn't pose a problem. Multiple Group 3 placegetter SIR LUCAN (4) resumes after going out a winner last prep when taking out the LR Winter Cup over 2400m at Rosehill on June 15. Fitted with two trials and has won over this track and trip. Stays in the mix. TOURISTIC (6) racing in career best form and kept fresh for this. Up in trip when loomed strongly to finish second over 2350m in the LR Grafton Cup on July 18. Not to be underestimated.
RACE 6 - ATC Sires' Produce Stakes winner MANAAL (1) returns from a spell and looks to have come back even stronger after impressing in two trials. Has to give her opposition weight but she has the acceleration to finish over the top of them with the fast tempo anticipated from the good gate. Group 3 placegetter AMEENA (4) returns from a four-and-a-half month break. Showed ability in all four runs in her first prep including an unlucky ninth in the G2 Percy Sykes over 1200m here on April 13. Latest trial was full of merit and clearly J Mac has an opinion of her. Group 3 placegetter HALLETT (6) resumes after struggling in the heavy (9) going when third here in the G3 Kindgarten over 1100m on April 6. Impressed in her two trials and will prove hard to catch from the inside gate. ERNO'S CUBE (2) was rewarded for her consistency when taking out the G2 Reisling over this track and trip last time in. Strengthened over the break and will be doing her best work late.
RACE 7 - OUR KOBISON (14) classy Gosford gelding facing his toughest test to date. Won with plenty up the sleeve on resumption in fast time with the 59kg over 1000m here on August 10. Expected to prove hard to hold out on the limit weight from the good gate. JOLIESTAR (8) Thousand Guineas winner resuming. Undefeated over this trip and this looks a good starting point for a promising spring campaign. Primed after two sharp trials and expected to go close. Multiple Group 3 placegetter AIRMAN (6) returns from a four-and-a-half month break with good fresh figures. Maps ideally from barrier 2 and looked to be trucking in his Rosehill trial placing. This could be the prep where he goes to new heights. Group 1 placegetter ENCAP (10) resumes from a spell of four-and-a-half months. Raced in Group 1 company last prep and returns with one trial under the belt. Look for him powering late. The chances don't end there.
RACE 8 - Multiple Group 1 winner FANGIRL (6) resumes after going amiss last March. Won this race last year in good style and looks to have come back just as well after her two trials. Will sit off them and swoop late. ZOUGOTCHA (9) resumes after taking out the G1 Queen Of The Turf here over the mile on April 13. Went to another level last time in and the two trials suggest she's in for another big prep. Will give Fangirl something to catch. Multiple Group 1 placegetter SEMANA (10) has residual fitness on her side after charging late when second to Bella Nipotina in the G1 Tattersall's Tiara over 1400m at Eagle Farm on June 29. Looks set for a first-up assault here after recording a smart 4 len trial win over 1000m at Warwick Farm. Value play. Group 1 placegetter DETONATOR JACK (2) returns from a three-month spell. Comes to hand quickly and gets the right run with the two searching trials. Don't dismiss.
RACE 9 - THE BLACK CLOUD (10) progressive mare returning from a let-up who deserves her shot in this Group 3 race. Sent to Victoria when leading throughout with the 59kg over 1100m at Flemington on June 22. Kept up to the mark with a recent trial placing over 800m and can win again from the inside gate. LADY LAGUNA (1) Group 1 winner who resumes after going to a new level last time in. Came to the end of her prep when 18th in the G1 Doncaster Hcp here over 1600m on April 6. Only the one trial in readiness for this and comes to hand quickly. COMMEMORATIVE (11) Godolphin mare undefeated over this trip resuming. Rattled off slick sectional times when a fast-finishing winner of the LR Denises Joy over 1100m at Scone on May 18. Impressed in her recent trial and is dynamite fresh. Group 2 placegetter OPAL RIDGE (2) has the smart record of four wins from five first-up starts. Has some residual fitness after disappointing in the G1 Tatts Tiara over 1400m at Eagle Farm on June 29. Keep safe.
RACE 10 - INVADER ZIM (9) improving gelding up in class today. Ploughed through the heavy (8) conditions when charging late to score a nose victory over 1300m here on July 27. Will appreciate the firmer surface and has a good closing finish. Expected to go close third-up. SPRING LEE (7) shuffled back early on resumption before getting out late when a narrow second over 1100m at Rosehill on August 3. Ready to peak second-up with Mark Zahra taking the ride. PANIC (3) undefeated first-up and won three-in-a-row last time in. J Mac rides after being fitted with two mixed trials. Look for him swooping late.
