Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - LE PARRAIN (1) backed up his dominant maiden win with a commendable midfield finish in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes, beaten just under 2L by subsequent G3 Red Roses winner Mumbai Muse. MAFIA (4) returns a gelding for Peter & Paul Snowden. Tackled tougher company last time in and strips fitter for a recent Rosehill trial win. Looking to emulate his win at Wyong at the beginning of last prep. Sure to make his presence felt. STORM THE RAMPARTS (3) wasted no time getting off the mark this time in when scoring fresh at Gosford. Sure to have come on with that run under his belt and is drawn well. Can give this a big shake. DEBELLO (5) next best.
RACE 2 - CHEVAL SAVANT (3) returned in solid order and was doing his best work late last start at Randwick, despite finishing out of the placings. Strips fitter and can find the winners' list. HEADS YOU LOSE (7) hit the ground running on debut at Kembla Grange when saluting by the barest of margins. Sure to have improved with that run under his belt and the booking of James McDonald is a big push for his chances. Tougher this time but have to consider. FLIC EN FLAC (5) showed good early toe when resuming at Goulburn but lacked a fitness edge over the concluding stages. Expect her to give a bold sight again. In the mix. OFFSPRING (1) next.
RACE 3 - FIRST LIGHT (3) was below his best last start at Rosehill when finishing out of the placings but wasn't beaten far. Will enjoy the drop in grade as he steps out to a winning trip. Gets his chance to break a long run of outs. FATHER'S DAY (2) gave backers another bold sight last time out and led for most of the way before being claimed and finishing a long neck away in second over this trip. Sure to run boldly again. AUSPICIOUS CLOUD (1) has been an eye-catcher in both of her runs back. Strips fitter third up and shoulders a solid record over this trip. Definitely one to consider. LOVING CILLA (7) will be doing her best work late. Keep safe.
RACE 4 - ROCKOLA (1) should be peaking now after a pair of tight finishes. Has kept the legs ticking over in-between runs with a soft Hawkesbury trial. Only needs to hold his form to shed the maiden tag. JOEY D'OR (6) continues to knock on the door but just struggles to land the winning blow. Steps out in trip and gets some slight weight relief. Expect him to give this a big shake. DUKE OF LANCASTER (5) warmed to his task nicely late on debut at Kembla Grange to fill a hole. Sure to improve from the hit out and is among the main hopes. CHILLY CHARLIE (4) progressed nicely at his second outing when closing off solidly into the minors at Newcastle. Open to further improvement and is worth considering.
RACE 5 - PINK CASHMERE (8) finds the second win elusive but it certainly hasn't been without trying. Kept fresh for this with a solid tick over trial here in between runs. Rates highly on best figures and is a leading player. AFTERLIGHT (2) made a mess of his rivals fresh in tougher company but hasn't been able to go on with it. Steps back in grade and gets the key booking of James McDonald. Bold showing anticipated. DECEIVE (4) knuckled down smartly to get the verdict by the barest of margins last time at Wyong, making it 2/3 this time in. Keagan Latham who has scored on her two times retains the mount. Expected to measure up again. SILENT RAINDROPS (3) progressed nicely off her close finish two back with a gutsy win at Gosford. Doesn't need to improve much to be in the finish again.
RACE 6 - ACCREDITED (8) is ready to make his return after enjoying a promising debut prep. Looks to have taken the right steps forward during the break, on the back of two solid trials here in readiness. Drawn favourably and is a first up winner. The one to beat. MERRY MAC BOY (1) resumes and makes his stable debut for Joseph Pride after making the switch from Victoria. Started the last campaign impressively when in the placings over 1300m at Sandown-Hillside. Strips fitter for two solid trials and looks a winning chance. ONE DESTINY (3) progressed nicely second up when leading pillar-to-post to score at Wyong. Open to further improvement at this stage of the prep and is worth seriously considering. JACENZA (6) and AKAKA FALLS (2) next best.
RACE 7 - HOW'S IT KEV (1) has hit the line nicely in all three runs back without striking through. Can take much closer order this time from the inside draw and gets the key booking of James McDonald. Finds the right race and can find winning form. LET'S GO BRO (6) was denied a long neck of resuming a winner at Newcastle. Not as sharp last start but is expected to improve third run in. Can give this a big shake. POWER OF THE BRAVE (2) came with a big run from well back to only just miss the prize last start at Randwick. Open to further improvement and will be charging hard late. ATLANTIC OCEAN (5) doesn't win out of turn but does rate highly on best efforts and will enjoy the class drop. Among the key chances. HEAD OF THE HERD (11) dug deep to shed his maiden tag fresh. Comes in off a quick freshen and has kept the legs ticking over with a Randwick trial win. Expect him to burn across from the wide alley and prove tough to reel in.
