Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SUPERTRAIL (1) stepped up sharply in distance last start and battled on fairly to finish fourth over 2200m at Scone. Gets a gear change today and that last run should tighten him right up. Looks ready to win again. RAPID IMPACT (6) is a 22-start maiden but is racing well. Finished 3.3 lengths behind subsequent Oaks placegetter Aethelflaed in a Class 1 over 2000m at Kembla two runs back then flashed home for a close third here last time at 1900m. This looks a lovely race for him. BLUE AS BLUE (7) has only raced twice and failed to threaten at or about the mile. Bred to want this sort of ground so certainly worth another chance. The only other chance looks to be GALLIVANTER (3) who wasn't beaten far last time and should enjoy getting out to this journey.
RACE 2 - YANKEE ONE (5) was well in commission on debut last start over 1100m at this track and got the job done comfortably, coming from midfield on the turn with a nice change of gears. Nicely drawn and should be even more effective over this slightly longer trip. SUCCESSFUL (6) justified her short quote last time out when she collected her second career win, scoring by a length over this distance at Bathurst. Very fit mare who rarely runs a bad race so she must come into calculations. SILENT RAINDROPS (4) improved sharply last start at the third run of the campaign, closing strongly to be beaten under a length over 1200m at this venue. May show a bit more enterprise early in the race with blinkers on today. Should be about the money again. CHAMPERS GIRL (2) has returned in good order. Unproven at this distance but she is lightly raced and still progressing. BALLISTIC THERAPY (1) is going extra well this prep on the south coast. Freshened up and capable of mixing it with these.
RACE 3 - AVONVIEW (3) was close enough on the bend but lacked a turn of foot recently over 1400m at the Kensington track. Beaten under a length in a 1600m maiden here earlier in the prep which is a more suitable assignment. Looks very hard to beat in a race weakened by scratchings. YOU AND I (11) was handy to the corner but couldn't go on with the job last start over this course and distance. Finds a very shallow maiden today and with a map to suit he should stick on well. TYPHOON RAY (10) led and gave a bit of a kick but eventually succumbed last time out over 2000m at Kembla. Worth another chance coming back to the mile on this smaller track. HONGKONG HARMONY (6) failed on a soft track last time out. Placed 3/7 on firmer ground so he is open to improvement under today's conditions. GLEBE (5) did nothing on debut last start but can improve over this longer journey.
RACE 4 - BORDER CONTROL (2) made a highly impressive return from a 24-week spell last start over this course and distance, winding up from worse than midfield on straightening to win by a widening 1.5 lengths. Faces a similar assignment today and can get the job done again. SHOTMAKER (1) came from last on the turn to get up for fourth behind Border Control when fresh from a five-month spell last time out. Meets him 2kgs better and fares a lot better at the barrier draw so should make things interesting. MARTIAL MUSIC (6) is back from a 24-week lay-off. Opened last prep with a dominant all-the-way win over this distance at Kembla. Sure to give a great sight. FLOWER PRESS (4) needs a bit further but she is capable of sprinting well fresh from a lengthy spell. STENSON WALLMAN (5) is back from a three-month break. Unbeaten but facing his stiffest test. Worth some thought.
RACE 5 - COSY CORNER (9) registered her third minor placing from five career runs when an eye-catching second last start over 1200m at Newcastle. Kept fresh for this assignment. Maps nicely up on the speed and will be tough to beat around this tighter circuit. UNCUT GEM (8) went to the front in a new role last time out but weakened at the end of 1300m at Kembla to miss the frame. Gets a host of gear changes and the shorter trip will suit so she is a big chance to make amends. FIELD OF MYRTLE (10) has raced twice this prep and just missed the placings on both occasions in 1000m dashes. Should appreciate the step up to six furlongs so keep her safe. RAVISHER (6) returns from a 19-week spell for Waller. Just fair in her maiden prep but is open to plenty of improvement. Kris Lees' first starter TIGON PRINCESS (13) won a recent Beaumont trial and from gate one deserves plenty of respect.
RACE 6 - NEWSBEAT (6) has progressed nicely after a poor debut three runs ago, the latest effort a nice fifth over 1200m at Scone after making good late ground. Watch for him to be charging home again. FIRST PERSON (11) raced handy all the way and held on for third over this course and distance last time out. Fitter for two runs back and is perfectly drawn so she gets her chance. FLYING RANI (7) wasn't far away on debut here over 1000m 12 days ago. Likely improver with definite claims. MATHKHOORA (8) is back from a 31-week spell. Only raced twice in the maiden prep and didn't set the world on fire. Trialled well recently so might be improving. Waller's debutant TANNENBURG (15) hasn't done at a lot at the trials but has been kept safe in betting. Must be respected.
RACE 7 - MY TRUTH (1) returns from a five-month spell. Form tapered at the end of last prep after he had put a couple of wins together over the mile at Hawkesbury. Will be better for this outing but a big effort while fresh would not surprise at juicy odds. KADALL (5) last raced when a narrow maiden winner over 1400m at Kembla in July. Has been gelded over the break and won a recent trial so he looks to be in for a bright campaign. Distance specialist CALMER KARMA (6) has won two of his last four, the latest in a Bm66 over today's trip at Wagga. Consistent gelding who gets in well with the claim and is a chance despite the rise in class. GEEWIZ JOHNNY (8) can be forgiven his last start failure as the 1007m at Taree might have been a bit sharp. Placed seven times from seven runs at Gosford which is a compelling stat. ANNULUS (3) was poor first-up at Randwick but will find this more to his liking.
