Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - WAIKATO FLYER (3) progressive staying type ready to peak fifth-up. Expected to go one better here after running second over 2018m at this track on October 29. Gets every chance today. IRISH KNIGHT (2) appreciated the rise in distance when a slogging second over 1700m at Grafton on October 31. Maps well again and expecting another top-three finish. STELLA SIMONE (8) is an 11-start maiden who can improve sharply out to the 2000m. Outclassed when last over 1600m at Hawkesbury on November 9. Quick back-up and drop in grade suits. CHARMED DESTINY (1) indicated another win was imminent when stuck on well to secure fifth over a 2200m contest at Grafton a week-and-a-half ago. Best figures have him right in this.
RACE 2 - REBEL ONE (9) improving with racing and looks placed to advantage today after finishing a close-up fourth over 1312m at this track a week-and-a-half ago. Blinkers go on and the booking of Ben Looker is a big plus. UNCLE SMOKEY (8) best career run when resumed with a gritty second over 1312m at this track on November 7. Will need luck from the draw but a repeat showing will keep him in the mix. TALMA I LOVE HER (10) is third up today after sitting on the speed for a close-up fourth over 1250m at Kempsey on November 1. Ready to win and just needs luck from the sticky gate. POWER TO DECEIVE (6) gets some weight relief with the claim after disappointing when seventh over 1200m at Scone on November 13. Extra trip helps.
RACE 3 - BELIEVE SO (2) all three wins have come over this trip and back in grade here. Stalked the speed when a fighting fourth over 1450m at Kempsey on November 10. Backs-up quickly and expected to take plenty of stopping. DUBLE MEMORY (8) doesn't boast the best winning strike rate and back in class when a plugging second over 1614m at this track on November 7. Races well this track and trip and expected to take a hand in the finish. CURRACABUNDI (5) returned to form at latest when wound up strongly to go under narrowly when second at Scone over 1600m on November 13. Maps well again and ticks plenty of boxes here. VARDON (4) has struggled at the provincials at his last two outings and should be near his top now fourth-up. Best form can see him take a hand in the finish.
RACE 4 - DEFIANT HEART (1) racing well in town of late and looks placed to advantage today. Comes out of a strong form race after finishing a close fifth to WAY TO THE STARS over 1100m at Rosehill on November 4. Goes well this trip and looks the hardest to best. ZAKOR (5) has been a model of consistency this time in and defied a big market drift when a tenacious neck winner over 900m at Muswellbrook on November 7. In light with the claim and maps well. OUTREACH TO HENRY (9) two runs back have been full of merit and has a good record over this course and distance. Raced handy when a fighting third over 1000m at Randwick in Highway grade on November 7. Fitter now and don't underestimate. TIME FOR VICTORY (4) resumes today with okay fresh form. Looked sharp in a recent trial over 1000m here. Has top-three claims.
RACE 5 - SOLUTIONIST (6) impressive return when demolished her rivals by 2.5 lens over 1150m at Beaumont (Newcastle) on October 30. Dylan Gibbons keeps the ride and finds a fairly weak C1 today. Expected to go close again. RECAP (3) is close to her top now third-up and not that far away when sixth over 1300m at Newcastle on November 4. Will need a good ride from the draw and this looks easier. BEAR'S A STAR (1) is building a nice record after three career runs. Resumed with an encouraging third over 1007m at this track on October 29. Won second-up last time in and trained on the track. GOLDEN HONOUR (4) broke his maiden status at start 10 with a strong on-pace display over 1450m at Kempsey on November 10. Backs-up quickly and not to be underestimated.
RACE 6 - RUSSIAN ZARINA (14) excellent debut when wound up strongly to finish a nose adrift in third over 1000m at Queanbeyan on October 29. Maps well again and expected to take plenty of holding out. OAKFIELD BADGER (6) nice debut two back before disappointing as fav over 1300m at Newcastle when tenth on November 4. Much better than that and can turn things around today. I'M BRAZILIAN (10) recent efforts have been better than they appear. Not far away from the wide gate when a gritty fifth over 1000m at Muswellbrook on November 7. Expecting more from the inside gate. JO JO SUN (4) nice return with the 59kg when a close-up second over 1000m at Muswellbrook on November 7. Will need a good ride from the draw.
RACE 7 - Group 3 placegetter I'MINTOWIN (4) dominated at his Australian debut with a strong on-pace display scoring by 1.2 lens over 1500m at Rosehill in Bm78 class on November 4. Untried beyond 1600m but gives every indication it shouldn't be a problem. Will take catching. ROGUE BEAR (5) looks set to peak fourth-up after catching the eye late from well back when fifth over 1500m at Randwick on November 7. Has the ability to get the job done. ROLLER COASTER (7) holding form well and has a win to his credit over the 2000m. Tried hard with the 62kg when third over 1900m at Kempsey on November 10. Backs-up quickly. MADE BY KHAN (6) tough on-pace stayer who improved sharply when third over 1800m at Rosehill a week ago. Can figure in the minor money.
RACE 8 - MR TABASCO (8) mixing his form up and go on run two back when sat on the speed from the wide gate before tiring late to run fourth over 1200m at Coffs Harbour on October 13. Has won this track and trip and best figures have him right in this. SIR BOO (9) lightly raced gelding building a solid win record. Resumed with a dominant 3 len victory over 1120m at Grafton on October 24. Has the upside to go to the next level. BANTARKI (3) far from disgraced in town last start when a close-up seventh over 1400m at Rosehill in Highway company on November 11. Beautifully placed here on his home track with the blinkers added. INNERVOICE (11) nice return after five months when came from near last on the turn to finish third over 1000m at Dubbo on November 4. Goes even better second-up and extra trip helps. Can take a hand in the finish.
