Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - DENOTE (7) kept fresh for this after resuming with a plugging seventh over 1400m at Newcastle on May 25. This looks easier and no surprise to see her pounce on them late. Improver. MOSTRO (1) three-start maiden who resumed in the heavy (8) going with a tiring sixth over 1150m at Randwick Kensington on June 12. Strips fitter now and will relish the extra trip from the good gate. Will find this more to his liking. RESURRECTED (3) shown ability in seven runs and expected to have strengthened up over the break. Sat on the speed with the 58.5kg when a narrow second over 1400m at Scone on February 27. Since fitted with two trials and will hold a forward position. Go close. FLYING CHEVROLET (5) improving filly resuming from a lengthy break. Drifted back from the inside gate when she failed to get into the contest running seventh over 1500m at Goulburn on January 30. Returns with two trials under the belt and expected to play a leading role.

RACE 2 - EUROMASTER (1) finished runner-up at his last four outings and no excuses today out to the 1350m from the low gate. Taken back from the sticky draw and ran on late when a plugging second over 1200m at Kembla Grange on June 20. On the quick back-up and Zac Lloyd keeps the ride. FIREUP (3) sound debut when sat up on the speed for a fighting third over 1200m at Goulburn on June 3. Further improved now and should appreciate the extra ground. Will need a bit of luck early from the wide draw. SAPPHIRE KISS (9) improving with racing and trained on the track. Strong through the line when a solid third over 1000m at Muswellbrook on June 17. Stretches out in trip and should race much closer to the speed. CAN EXPECT GREATER (5) fifth-up here after mixing her form this time in. Never comfortable in the heavy (9) going when ninth over 1400m at Kembla Grange on May 18. Firmer track helps and the run two back was solid.

RACE 3 - DALIO (2) only the two career runs and much better performance at latest when sitting on the pace in the heavy (10) conditions when a plugging third over 1400m at Newcastle on June 15. Gets weight relief again with the 2kg claim and will prove hard to stop on the firmer surface. LA BELLE CLAIRE (9) Highland Reel filly close to her top now and will find this much easier. Placed two back at Hawkesbury before having to work hard early from the outside gate when a wilting sixth over 1550m at Canterbury on June 19. Claim suits and no surprise to see her take a hand in the finish. SKIP A BEAT (11) improving mare with her hoof on the till. Indicated a win was imminent when second over 1400m at Nowra on June 13. Up to this company and gets the blinkers and tongue-tie added today. Keep safe. VICUNA (12) only the three career runs and much better effort when sixth over 1300m at Hawkesbury on June 18. Gives the indication the extra trip will suit and look for her late.

RACE 4 - BROKERAGE (1) resumes from a lengthy spell. Showed good early toe from the wide gate on debut when a close-up fourth over 1000m at Gosford on October 26. Returns with two trials under the belt and drawn to stalk the good tempo. Berry rides and a forward showing is anticipated. LAST DRUID (11) Godolphin colt resuming after having the two runs in Victoria last prep. Finally draws a decent gate and the two sound trials should see him primed for this. PATIENCE IS VIRTUE (8) three-year-old filly by More Than Ready on debut for the Ryan/Alexiou yard. Had plenty up the sleeve when a dominant trial winner over 900m at Rosehill on June 11. Well educated and forward showing expected. EXOTHRILL (2) three-year-old gelding by Exosphere out of Thrill on debut for the Peter Green yard. Had two recent trials in readiness for this and the blinkers and tongue-tie go on. Keep safe.

RACE 5 - TOMMY THUG (7) Churchill gelding who made his Australian debut from a 10-month break with a tenacious second over 1500m at Newcastle on June 15. Strips much fitter now and will keep improving as he gets out in trip. Has the upside to go quickly through his grades. Ready to win. LYGON STREET (6) another import from the Lees yard who showed plenty of fight at his first Australian start when a sound second over 2000m here on June 13. Looks the main danger and further improvement is anticipated. SPECIAL DAY (5) only the one win from 19 starts and due for a change of luck. Held a forward position and gave her all to the line when a nose second over 2300m at Muswellbrook on June 17. Brings the right numbers and has genuine each-way prospects. TENNIEL (10) returned for second prep when snagged back from the wide gate on resumption before charging late when an eye-catching fourth over 1600m here on June 13. Best form is over this distance range and can race closer to the speed. Keep safe.

RACE 6 - IT'S A WONDER (3) finds her right race today over the 1600m and will appreciate the big class drop. Gave them a big start on straightening when ploughing through the heavy conditions late to finish a narrow fourth over 1600m at Randwick in BM78 grade on June 8. Schiller rides and should prove too strong for this lot. EXTERNUS (5) trained locally and kept fresh for this after running on late when fourth over 1600m at Dubbo on May 25. Kept up to the mark with a recent Wyong trial over 1000m. Drop in weight suits and can take a hand in the finish. AIX EN PROVENCE (2) progressive gelding racing in career-best form. Won his maiden two back before sitting on the pace with the 59kg when a game second over 1500m at Kembla Grange on June 4. Winkers go on and will be in this for a long way. Market best guide. TAKEOVER ARTIST (4) mixing his form this time in and the stable has tinkered with the gear today. Gets Stanley's 2kg claim again and his win two-back was impressive. Value runner.

RACE 7 - OSMAN (2) has been racing in great form this time in and looks the value play here. Gave his all with the 58kg when third over 1400m at Dubbo in the heavy (10) going on June 7. No shock to see him fight this out from the favourable gate. TAKING THE MIKKI (11) trained locally and racing in career-best form. Big run under the circumstances from the wide gate when a narrow second over 1200m at this track on June 6. Best form can see him take this out.

RACE 8 - MOUNT WARNING (6) tough mare chasing her third straight victory today. Taken to the front and never headed when a comfortable 0.9 len winner at the Sapphire Coast over this trip on June 9. Placed once over this track and can win again despite jumping in grade. SEPTIME (2) handy gelding who made a sound return with the 61.5kg when a fast finishing over 1000m at Goulburn on June 3. Can race closer from the inside gate and go one better today. MORPHEUS BRAGI (1) holding his form well in town of late and will appreciate the firmer deck today. Not far away with the 60kg when fourth over 1000m at Randwick Kensington, on June 12. Senior rider on here and sure to be there at the business end. BOSS (3) massive performance when resumed for a swooping seventh over 1000m at Hawkesbury on May 30. Best runs are second-up and he will be doing his best work late from the draw. Not to be underestimated.