Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - KENMARE BAY (3) improving gelding who got off the mark at start three when a gritty maiden winner over 1600m at Kembla Grange on August 17. Further improved now and will park on the speed from the good gate. Go close again. BRIEF SONG (4) lightly raced mare with ability. Returned for her second prep with an eye-catching second over 1600m at Scone on August 19. Strips fitter now and expected to take a hand in the finish. BLIND DATE (8) holding her form on the Canberra Acton track and has fitness on her side. Don't let her get under the guard. ROCKBARTON ICON (2) gets in light with the claim and should handle the rise in trip.
RACE 2 - INTERJECTION (1) progressive Too Darn Hot gelding who returns for his second prep. Held on well behind Media World when fourth over 1400m at Hawkesbury on May 4. Returns with two trials under the belt and should prove too good for these. FIRM AGREEMENT (4) three-year-old gelding by Yes Yes Yes out of Money Magic on debut for the Neasham & Archibald yard. Fitted with four trials and looks to have ability. SAINT EMILION (6) first starter by Snitzel out of Kylikwong on debut for the Maher stable. Has two trials and the blinkers go on. MAYBE NOW (5) three-year-old colt by Dundeel out of If Perhaps. Had the two trials and gets map favours from the draw with the claim. Keep safe.
RACE 3 - COLOURS OF AUTUMN (1) handy mare who's raced against smart opposition throughout her career. Resumed with an eye-catching head second over 1200m at Kembla Grange on August 17. Goes equally as well second-up and should prove too good for these. ATOMIC FORTY SEVEN (6) third-up today and won third-up previously. Surged late in the heavy (9) conditions when third over 1280m at Muswellbrook on July 29. Will race closer today and can take a hand in the finish. TELL ME MA (4) never comfortable on the heavy (9) track when resuming with a plodding fifth over 1400m here on August 15. Firmer surface helps and expecting more here. JABALI BELLE (7) placed this track and trip and looks the best of the rest.
RACE 4 - MAGIC SHADOW (6) should be able to race closer after disappointing from the wide gate at Kembla last start. Placed this track and trip and go on his earlier efforts. WARILLA GORILLA (11) improved showing when strode forward from the wide draw when a plugging fifth over 1300m at Hawkesbury on August 13. Returned good figures last start and must be considered. BOTTLER (1) motored late when resuming with a solid third over 1080m at Canberra Acton on August 23. Placed second up at this track last time in and ready for this trip now. FERGHANA (4) returns from a five month break after having mixed luck on the country circuit last time in. Has the two trials under the belt and gets his chance from the low draw.
RACE 5 - LADY ICHIKAWA (6) ready to win at start seven after finishing third at her last three starts. At her top for this and no excuses from the inside draw on her home track. ALICE MAE (1) showed a ton of grit in the heavy (10) going when resuming for a narrow second over 1255m at Taree on August 16. Clearly come back well and has the ability to go one better. DRAMATIC (4) well-bred Snitzel mare out of the smart Shannara on debut for the James Cummings yard. Given plenty of time to mature and fitted with three recent trials. Inside gate is a bonus with Berry booked. AUSBRED MIMOSA (2) frustrating mare near her peak now third-up. Ran on late when an even sixth over 1300m at Hawkesbury on August 13. Finds a fairly weak maiden and should figure prominently.
RACE 6 - MARAIS (2) nice colt who resumed with a sound third over 1100m at Hawkesbury on August 13. Strips fitter now and should appreciate the Newcastle track. INDECISIVE (1) raced in stronger company last time in and made an encouraging return when powering late to run fifth over 1100m at Warwick Farm on August 21. Shouldn't be a maiden for long and the extra trip suits today. HARLEM QUEEN (6) is a locally trained filly resuming after finishing behind some handy types last time in. Primed for this with a nice trial win over 1000m at Scone on August 21. TACT (4) promising Autumn Sun colt resuming. Even debut in the heavy (9) going when second over 1200m at Nowra on June 13. Fitted with two trials and a forward showing is expected.
RACE 7 - ONE BEAT NO BEAT (3) resumes today and drops in grade after placing in Highway company at Rosehill on June 1. Fitted with a solid trial placing and looks well graded here. TIME FOR VICTORY (4) down sharply in class and near his top now after finishing seventh over 1005m at Taree two-and-a-half weeks ago. Reunited with Jeff Penza and expected to be thereabouts. TINKA'S LAD (7) sound return from back in the pack when running on late to finish fourth over 1200m at Kembla Grange on August 17. Comes out of a strong race and has genuine top-three claims. ICONIC TREASURE (5) big improver second-up when sitting on the pace for a dominant 2.75 len winner at Goulburn over this distance on August 25. Progressing well and can win again.
