Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - NATURE BOY (3) tough old gelding racing in career-best form. Relished the claim when sitting on the speed for a dominant 2.5 len victory over 2220m at Grafton on August 20. Will prove hard to get past again on the quick back-up. CENOTES (1) back in grade when stepping up in trip for a slick win over 2100m at Tamworth on August 16. At his top now and carries the big weights well. Go close. GRENOBLE (2) fourth-up for this and a win looks imminent. Attacked the line late when a solid second over 1800m at Bathurst on July 30. Stays in the calculations. BILL PEYTO (7) looks the best of the rest with the 4kg claim from the low draw. Improving surface helps.

RACE 2 - EL BEATLE (1) former Victorian sprinter having his first start for the Sylvester yard. Sat on the speed with the 59.5kg when a narrow second over 1100m at Pakenham Synthetic on August 12. Will go forward again and prove hard to catch. ISADAMI (4) returns after four months in the paddock. Came to the end of her prep when a tiring ninth over 1000m at this track on April 26. Ran some nice races last time in and the regular rides sticks with the claim. Visors come off from the good gate. MARTINDALE DANCER (5) is a five-start maiden who gets her chance in this contest after finishing fifth over 1000m at Kempsey on July 30. Can sneak into the minor money. SARAYA (8) is a filly by Headwater out of Lucky Kitty on debut for the Kris Lees yard. Has the two even trials under the belt and finds the right race today.

RACE 3 - MIGHTY ZOU (4) was not far away on debut when a gritty fourth over 1300m at Scone on August 19. Blinkers go on and the winkers come off. Expected to go close. WITHSTAND (11) is near his top now and looks close to shedding his maiden status. Came from near last on the turn when an eye-catching third over 1100m at Scone on August 19. Looker rides again from the inside gate and will prove hard to stop. IT'S SHOWTIME (3) in a leading country yard and has his hoof on the till. Surged late when third over the 1200m here on August 16. Looking for the 1400m now and sure to be strong late. BLAZED PRINCE (1) returned to form with an eye catching second over 1200m here on August 16. Will drift back and surge late.

RACE 4 - MOON TREATY (3) fitter after two runs back and returned good final figures late when sixth over 1100m at Scone on August 2. Placed this trip and the tongue-tie goes on. OCEAN PROUD (10) placed two-back at Ipswich, before disappointing as fav when a tiring 10th over 1200m at Toowoomba five-and-a-half weeks ago. In a strong country yard and the blinkers and tongue-tie come off. LET'S GO LEO (7) finished runner up at his last three outings and drawn out again. Drops in weight for this and sure to be doing his best work late. LONDON STAR (4) returned from a lengthy break with a plugging fifth over 1310m at Moruya on August 5. Should have trained on and look for her late.

RACE 5 - HULU (3) was having her first run for the Cameron Crockett yard when a fast finishing second over 1280m at Muswellbrook first up on July 29. Kept up the mark with a recent trial placing and expected to go close. TURBO CHARGED (4) resumes after going out a winner when scoring by a head over 1280m in a Gilgandra Super Mdn on January 7. Fitted with two trials and looks well placed from the inside gate. MAJOR MAKEOVER (5) almost a month between runs when a disappointing 11th over 1400m here on July 19. Kept fresh again and will relish the drop in weight today. Likely improver. KICKAMUSHU (9) was rewarded for her consistency when a dominant 1.75 len winner over 1400m at Nowra two weeks ago. Confidence is high and can go close again.

RACE 6 - TOULON FACTOR (6) retains his zest for racing and will prove hard to hold out again with the 4kg claim after going under narrowly when second over 1300m at Moree on August 8. Won two of his last five and gets map favours again. DEEP ROUGE (3) kept fresh and comes out of a strong form race after running on late to finish sixth behind Cavalier Charles in a 1175m contest at Grafton five-and-a-half weeks ago. Brings the right numbers here with the claim. LIFE'S A PARTY (5) lightly raced mare with ability. Ready for the extra trip now after closing late to secure second over 1100m at Dubbo on August 14. Expected to go close. CYCLONE RUPERT (8) in leading country yard and saves his best for this track and trip. Charged late when fourth over 1100m at Dubbo on August 11. Sure to be strong late.

RACE 7 - LORD FINLAND (8) six weeks between runs when a tiring ninth over 1605m at Tuncurry on August 9. Has a good record here and strips fitter now. Genuine each way contender. TAPA KICK (1) returned from a seven month break with the 61kg when a plugging third over 1400m at Dubbo on August 11. Goes just as well second-up and expected to go close. ALWAYS SPLIT TENS (7) won here in good style three-starts back and holding his form well. Trained on the track and will give plenty of cheek from the inside gate. INVINCIBLE RED (4) relished the extra trip when a tough winner over this trip at Moree on August 8. Looker sticks and has good figures here.

RACE 8 - SACRED DELAGO (7) held on well with the big weight first-up when a narrow fourth over 1000m here on August 16. Nice weight drop with the claim and looks to have returned in good order. SOARING PHOENIX (8) won well two-back and then tackled city class when an eye-catching eighth over this trip at Randwick in Highway grade on August 10. In career-best form and has genuine top-three prospects. SPARKINGLY (6) consistent gelding who warmed up late from a wide draw with the 60kg when fourth over 1005m at Tuncurry on August 9. Brings the right numbers to take this out. CRIMSON BONNET (12) resumed in good order when getting through the heavy conditions to secure third over 1000m at Scone on August 2. Clearly come back well and has further improvement to come. Must respect.