Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - The locally trained ZAHDI (7) comes back in trip today after racing on the speed but failing to finish the race off over 1300m at Kembla last start. Looks nicely placed under today's scale, carrying the same weight as last time but with a senior jock aboard. Very fit and poised to break through. MAGNATEAR (1) has not raced since he worked home well to finish third as a short-priced favourite over this distance at Wyong in June. Won a recent trial at Gosford so he looks forward enough to run well. IMPRESS (5) settled at the tail over 1010m at Orange last time out and was left with too much to do. Probably goes back again but with a decent tempo over this slightly longer trip she comes into calculations. WARTHOG (6) is first-up from a 19-week spell for a new stable. Best effort last prep was first-up over 1200m so he is capable of a bright return. LAST DITCH EFFORT (2) was a little disappointing as favourite first-up over 900m at Albury. Placed 3/4 at this trip so can improve.

RACE 2 - RHESUS (8) has found the line with purpose at both runs this prep in shorter races. Loomed up on the corner and looked a chance but found one better last time over 1200m at Kembla. Should settle closer today and over an extra furlong he is clearly the testing material. JARED (6) missed the frame for the first time this prep when a modest fifth over 1200m at Gosford last Thursday. Went back in distance that day which didn't suit. Perfectly placed out to seven furlongs and he races well here. BIG BAY WOLF (4) made late inroads without threatening when third on debut recently over 1200m at Kembla. Bred to stay so this is a far more suitable assignment. BURGUNDY BUBBLES (5) has been well held in two runs this prep over 1200m. Looking for this journey now. OUTLANDER (1) is meeting a better field today but has last start third over this trip at Bathurst was an eye-catcher.

RACE 3 - JUMEIRAH BEACH (2) will find this a lot easier than his last outing when a close fifth in open company over 1350m at Newcastle. Perfectly placed out to this distance and should be peaking at the third run back. Plenty to like about his chances. CARING LASS (7) has not been produced since finishing down the track in the Queensland Oaks in June. Will be better for the run but her best figures stack up favourably so a big run while fresh will not surprise. EYEQUE (3) placed twice in a row then finished just 0.7 lengths behind Jumeirah Beach in that open sprint at Newcastle recently. Won at his only visit here and looms as a serious threat. IVERSON (4) is back a little in trip after a tough win over the mile at Gosford last time. Very fit and should run well again. JACK DUGGAN (5) is next best although he will improve off this run, his first in nine weeks.

RACE 4 - DRIFT NET (7) has shown ability in her three runs to date and looks ready to break through. Led in a change of tactics last start over this distance at Kembla but found one too good late in proceedings. Should be hard to catch around this tighter circuit. KIND WORDS (10) tackled the Reginald Allen at Listed level last time out and was not up to the task. Good effort when resuming at Newcastle the run before and back at the provincials she is a live chance. ELECTRIC TIGRESS (8) returns from a 23-week spell. Was only beaten 3.6 lengths in a black-type at Eagle Farm at her latest outing. Three recent trials should have her right up to the mark. CRANBERRIES (6) gets a pass mark for her return at Newcastle three weeks ago. Open to plenty of improvement. AIN'T SHE SWELL (1) did enough on debut last time to suggest she has an each-way chance here.

RACE 5 - AMARANTZ (4) flashed home from a mile back to grab second when resuming over 1500m at Rosehill two starts ago. Was a bit flat last time out over 1800m at Randwick in a run worth forgiving. New to this trip but looks up to the task. CELESTIAL FURY (3) raced on the speed but couldn't overcome Rise To It here over 2000m recently. Maps to enjoy an easy time of things up front and if that unfolds as expected he will be very hard to catch. LORD DESANIMAUX (7) appreciated the step up in trip last time when an eye-catching third over 1800m at Randwick. Placed up to 2400m so won't have any issues with the trip. DOMINGO (5) is pre-post favourite following a strong second over this distance at Gosford last time out. Should be about to peak after three runs back from a lay-off. FRANKIE'S ME DAD (6) is ready to find some form at the third run back from a spell.

RACE 6 - STEELY (5) was most impressive when successful over 1400m at Eagle Farm two runs back. Settled near the rear of a big field at Randwick last time and made no impression. Drops sharply in the weights and loves Hawkesbury so he deserves another chance. SKYMAN (1) raced on the speed and put up a tremendous fight to finish a very close third in the Group 3 Craven Plate over 1800m at Randwick last start. Class runner of the field, with the step back to 1500m the only knock. NEW MANDATE (2) didn't have the clearest of runs when midfield over the Randwick mile recently. Cherry ripe after three runs back and the addition of blinkers is significant. PROMITTO (7) hasn't featured in a couple of sprints since resuming. Better placed at 1500m so with the light weight he might be a big improver. JOJO WAS A MAN (3) did little in the Sydney Stakes first-up as expected. Can do a lot better in this more suitable assignment.

RACE 7 - ZERKHAN (6) showed no ill-effects from pulling up when resuming two runs ago when he was beaten a whisker in heavy going over 1500m at Kembla 12 days back. Lightly raced colt who has plenty of scope for improvement and should relish the mile. KIRIKAN (5) may have resented being cluttered up between runners when a well-beaten favourite over this distance at Gosford recently. Finished second to subsequent Carbine Club winner Kaizad the run before which is a better form reference. ANDERSON BRIDGE (4) worked home well on a bog track at Kembla last start when lining up for just the second time. Suited by the step up in trip and has more to offer. CINQUE TERRE (10) is a progressive filly for Godolphin who should enjoy getting to this distance for the first time. DIVAZINO (7) made late ground first-up at Kembla. Finished second here at the same stage last prep so must be considered.