Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - TOOTSIE (8) thirteen start maiden with a handy record over this track and trip. Jumped in trip when a plugging sixth over 1710m at this track on August 20. Well drawn and go on his placing here five-back. HIGH CLASS ROLLER (10) improving with racing and looks ready for this trip now at start four. Sat on the speed in the heavy going when third over 1550m at Murwillumbah on August 23. Maps well and can shed his maiden status today. DESCENDING MIST (2) tough gelding holding his form well and due for a change of luck. Backs-up quickly after charging late when second over 1600m at Moree eight days ago. Distance suits and look for him late. KITSILANO (3) should be able to race closer today from the low draw after doing his best work late when fourth over 1605m at Taree on August 26. Stays in the mix.
RACE 2 - AMAYA'S SECRET (10) strengthened over the break as was evident when a sound second on resumption over 1006m at this track on August 20. Well placed with the claim and can go one better. STAVRITZEL (5) lightly raced gelding with his hoof on the till fourth-up. Chased hard with the 59kg when second over 1200m at Murwillumbah on August 23. Maps well and brings the right form here. HYPOTHERMIA (6) resuming today from a seven month spell. Sent up from Victoria last prep when failing to fire in two runs at Newcastle. Returns without a trial and looks placed to advantage here. HUMPHREE BEAR (9) has had one public trial prior to this race, when second at Grafton on August 20 over 946m. Rates a place chance.
RACE 3 - HIGH AND MARTY (3) resumed for his third prep with an eye-catching second over 1000m at Tamworth on August 27. Clearly come back well and the extra trip suits. HERE'S MASON (11) starting to find a bit of form and ready to win after powering late when second over 1175m at this track on August 31. Can race a little closer today and figure prominently. TOP ACT (15) resumes today after a strong maiden campaign, failing to break through but finishing in the placings at all four starts. Major player. HE'S POPLAR (1) good effort on debut last start when he found the line strongly to finish fourth at Lismore over 1110m. Will kick on following that run.
RACE 4 - GURU CLASS (5) finds her race today with the 4kg claim after sticking on well to finish third over 1200m at Murwillumbah on August 23. Undefeated at this track and will prove hard to catch. HARDLEY GREY (3) recent form had been sound before jumping in grade when a plodding eighth over 1200m at Murwillumbah on August 23. Won this track and trip and expected to bounce back here. VETOED (9) failed to set the world alight at his last couple of outings and drops in trip for this. Kept safe in betting when a poor 13th over 1600m at Coffs Harbour on August 2. Fresh and comes into the mix. MADAME MOTH (8) resumes here with the one win from four starts. Has a good first-up record and primed for this with the two searching trials under the belt.
RACE 5 - DE FORZA (6) went one better at second race start when a solid on pace winner over 1006m here on August 20. Drawn out here and no surprise to see him prove hard to stop again. SACRED DELAGO (2) had been racing well before jumping in class when a tiring ninth over 1000m at Tamworth on August 27. Can bounce back today. SEPTEMBER GIRL (7) thereabouts of late and due for a change of luck. Sat on the good tempo when a narrow second over 1006m here on August 20. Each way contender. LADY TULESSA (1) back in trip and relished the 4kg claim again when a determined head winner over 1006m here on August 20. Well drawn again and hard to dismiss in this current form.
RACE 6 - OCTAVIO (6) finds a fairly weak staying race today and expected to bounce back after disappointing in tougher company when ninth over 2220m here on August 20. Go on solid recent efforts when assessing his chances. WICKED GAMES (12) holding his form well and a win looks imminent. Strong through the line when a close third over 2200m at Scone on August 30. This looks easier and the blinkers come off and the winkers go on. Expected to play a leading role. DON QUIXOTE (1) thereabouts of late and total forgive from the wide draw when closing late to finish sixth over 2200m at the Sunshine Coast on September 1. Can stalk the speed here from the good gate. Go close. THE VOCALIST (13) lightly raced Shocking gelding with upside. Stepped out in trip for the first time when third over 2200m at Ipswich on August 23. Leading rider booked and capable of taking this out.
RACE 7 - FRAPPES (6) racing in a rich vein of form and back in trip after sitting on the speed when a gritty second over 1610m here on August 20. Gets the claim again from the low draw and will prove hard to catch. NICKELBACK (2) back in trip on the quick back-up when a dominant 2 len winner win over 1400m at Casino a month ago. Kept fresh and all three wins have come over this distance. Can play a leading role again. WONDERWHEN (1) two runs back have been solid before disappointing when seventh over 1400m in the Casino Cup on August 10. Open to further improvement and races best this course and distance. SMOOTH TORQUE (3) usually races well second-up so can improve on her disappointing run when resuming at Sunshine Coast.
RACE 8 - YELLOWHAMMER (1) placed to advantage today in this easier contest after failing to handle the heavy going when ninth over 1200m at Doomben on August 17. Maps to get the good run here and the tongue-tie comes off. Hard to stop. OUR LIONESS (8) was unwanted in betting at the second race back when a surprise winner over 1000m at Tamworth on August 27. Blanch rides again with the claim and the latest performance was full of merit. PICUPSTIXX (3) trained on the track and a month between runs when he caught the eye late to run third over 1181m at this track on August 20. Winkers go on and has to be included again. CALL ME SUPER (7) should give this a shake.
