Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - In a modest maiden to kick off the day BALMIERRO (3) gets his chance. Got out to the mile for the first time last start and battled on well in heavy going to finish third at Kembla. Very fit and capable of taking care of this lot. DUNALOCE (5) returned from a six-month spell with a respectable third last time out over 1400m at Newcastle, her first outing since crossing from South Australia. Should take a bit from that run and will appreciate the extra furlong. DJAPANA (9) finished fourth at Hawkesbury last start, her sixth run without registering a placing. Hasn't been far away of late and the booking of an in-form Tommy Berry is a positive move. DORASKAYA (4) won't find this a lot harder than her eye-catching second at Taree when resuming over 1300m last start. LADY BRULEE (6) is fitter for two runs back and looks the only other chance.
RACE 2 - Five-year-old mare HAWKWIND (4) showed pace on debut here at this distance last start and boxed on well to hold second. Will progress from that run and she shouldn't be a maiden for too long. GETTY (2) started deep in the red when resuming over this course and distance last time out but was easily accounted for after an awkward getaway and settling further back than planned. Better than these on his best figures so worth another chance. BOBBY IS KING (1) has not raced since March 2022. Beat Hawkwind by 2.5 lengths in a recent Wyong trial. Betting the clue to his chances. SWEET PATRIOT (8) is a first starter by Starspangledbanner from a Lonhro mare who has produced seven winners from eight foals. Betting watch advised. Debutante LADY EXTREME (5) has looked good in her two trials and should acquit herself well.
RACE 3 - YANKEE HUSSEL (6) has raced four times this prep, all at a mile or less, and failed to make her mark. Started at $2.50 last time at Canterbury but lost all hope when checked on straightening. Ran nice races in the Roses and Oaks in Brisbane last Winter. Ready to make her mark out to this trip. CHEVAL SAVANT (1) improved sharply last start at the second run of the prep, working home well for second over the mile at Warwick Farm. Finished just 2.2 lengths off Bank Maur in the G2 Alister Clark over 2040m at Moonee Valley as a three-year-old. Has the class to test these. FOUR O'CLOCK KNOCK (2) did his best work late to get up for third over 1900m here most recently. Very fit now and proven at this distance. MUCKABOUT (3) ground out a narrow win in a Bm64 over 2300m at Newcastle last start, his first career success at start 21. Capable of another big run. KLIPSPRINGER (9) is lightly raced and ran a better race last time.
RACE 4 - RANHITA (4) just missed over 1280m at Muswellbrook two starts ago then was too bad to be true at Newcastle last time. Beautifully drawn and Jason Collett goes on so she is expected to bounce back to form in this plain affair. HOT JIVE (7) closed late but just missed last time out over 1010m at Orange in heavy conditions. Wasn't beaten far in October first-up at Hawkesbury so she can cope with provincial racing. Peaking now and a serious threat. DIFFERENT ROAD (1) chimed in late and was beaten under a length when fresh from a spell over 1100m at Hawkesbury recently. Sure to prove tough to hold out over this slightly longer trip. BEACH PARTY (3) resumes. Needs more ground but in a shallow maiden, she can fill a top-four spot. Recent Kembla trial winner ALL TOO LUCKY (6) must be respected on debut. Well-bred, being by All Too Hard from an Encosta De Lago mare.
RACE 5 - The sparingly raced colt SPEED OF LIGHT (7) returned from a four-month spell last start and looked home as favourite but was claimed late and finished third over this distance at Kembla. Fitter and will be tough to overcome this time on the tighter circuit. The speedy SURREAL LILY (10) led for home but was ambushed late and just missed the placings in a blanket finish over 900m at Newcastle last time out. Her only win came here at today's distance. Sure to give backers a sight. COSY CORNER (4) has hardly put a foot wrong lately. Won here at this trip in maiden company two runs ago then led and just missed last time, again over 1200m at this track. Sure to play a major role with the help of the inside gate. MAGIC STELLA (9) resumed with a dominant maiden win here at this journey recently. Unproven on firmer ground but looks to be heading the right way. STORM THE RAMPARTS (1) gets to this trip for the first time but has been very good in his two runs this time in work.
RACE 6 - SATIN AND SILK (8) won as favourite over 900m at Scone last start when resuming from a spell. Scored a tough win second-up last prep at Kembla. From a good draw looks well placed to repeat the dose. IN A STEP (12) has recorded five minor placings from six runs this prep with the latest resulting in a third over 1000m at Taree. Meeting a tougher field here but on her best form she should be figuring in the finish. TEMPLE RUN (3) has not been produced since fading to finish fifth over 1000m at Canberra two months ago. Good fresh performer who has a fine record at this distance. One of the leading chances. SHARKIM (1) led from the outset to record a gutsy first-up win over 900m at Newcastle recently. Must be included. The undefeated WHO GOES THERE (4) is back from a 31-week spell. This is his biggest test but a recent trial win over the smart Akasawa suggests he is on track.
RACE 7 - STREET CANDI (6) placed twice in a row then tackled a Midway at Newcastle last start and found that beyond her. Back in her right grade today and her three wins and three placings from eight tries at the mile is compelling. Ashley Morgan is a key booking - he is yet to miss the frame in six rides on the mare. HOPE UNO (8) appreciated the drop in grade when she got home in a Class 3 over 1600m at the Sapphire Coast ten days ago. That was her first try at the trip which is encouraging going forward. Big chance with the light weight. BAK DA MAN (1) is back from an 18-week spell. Ran some nice races last prep in town so although he will improve off this outing he has the quality to play a big role. DRESDEN (4) led but compounded in the straight when fresh from a spell over 1400m at Kembla recently. Best form comes at this trip with Reece Jones aboard so he is a likely improver. PATRIKA MIST (3) was outclassed at Randwick last time but her figures stack up in this company.
