Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - TREZZAMINA (10) finds the maiden win elusive but has turned in some handy efforts. Went close to breaking the ice last start at Wagga. Similar performance will have her hard to beat. DEVGRU (2) has had his fair share of opportunities at breaking his maiden without doing so but has caught the eye in his last two. Expect him to drift back from the draw and be charging hard late. FLYING JEWEL (4) showed improvement second-up when running into the frame at the Sapphire Coast. Can take another step in the right direction third-up and is in the mix. ZILLENIAL (6) was also better at the latest in just his second start. Expecting him to also be competitive.
RACE 2 - DUKE OF BRONTE (1) continues to knock on the door. Was again well found by the market last start at Hawkesbury in what has proven a strong form race. Drawn to advantage and is a leading player. KICKAMUSHU (7) is ready to make her return for the Bateup camp. Has shown positive signs in her first two preps without being able to land the winning blow. Can give this a big shake fresh. JINSOKU (2) also resumes and strips fitter for two solid trials in readiness. Don't take lightly. PUZZLER (9) ran well below market expectations when resuming at Goulburn when she was too bad to be true. Keeping safe.
RACE 3 - HOWLING VICTORY (11) was well below her best last start on the Canberra Acton when beaten a stretch. Drops back to a preferred trip and is drawn favourably. Can bounce back sharply. PRETTY RHO (5) defied the market last start when scoring comprehensively at Kembla Grange to shed her maiden tag. Plenty to like about that win and she deserves much more respect this time. EXCEEDINGLY HOT (2) was an impressive all-the-way winner two back at Albury but struggled last time at Wagga. Willing to forgive. GEOSTORM (6) showed improvement third-up and can continue in the right direction.
RACE 4 - ZAZEL (6) returned in good order at Canberra Acton when driving hard to arrive just in time to get the verdict. Will be better for the hit-out and should be featuring prominently again. BAMBI BELLE (11) made light work of her opposition at the Sapphire Coast when leading pillar-to-post. Winning hoop sticks and is drawn favourably. Expect her to give backers a very bold sight. MOOSHAKA (2) chased gamely into the placings when resuming over the Albury 900m. Fitter and will appreciate the extra journey. Drawn favourably under the big weight and is among the key chances. RUSSIAN ASSASSIN (3) closed off nicely into the placings behind Zazel when returning at the latest. Concedes weight to the winner but is better for the run and is worth considering.
RACE 5 - MONTE TIANA (8) chased hard to fill the frame two back at Hawkesbury and then followed it up with another solid effort last time despite finishing out of the placings. Should be ready to peak now and is a leading player. GOOD PRIZE (3) improved last start at the Sapphire Coast when chasing gamely into the placings. Has a wide alley to overcome but rates highly on best figures and can give this a mighty shake. MARTINIONTHESIDE (13) showed an improved effort at the Sapphire Coast when holding on to a minor placing. Gets in low at the weights again and is an each-way chance. COMB OVER CON (1) next best.
RACE 6 - REWARD WITH A ROSE (8) knuckled down gamely to get the verdict when resuming in testing conditions at the Sapphire Coast. Improvement to come and she is well-placed for another bold showing. DUPLI KATE (9) also returned a winner at the latest when making light work of her rivals at Albury. Expecting her to come on with that run under the belt and is drawn favourably. Main danger. DEVINE OUTCAST (7) returns for the R & L Price camp. Showed positive signs in her debut prep and strips fitter for a soft Kembla Grange trial in readiness. Should race prominently from the inside alley and is well-placed to make her presence felt. MERCHANT REIGN (4) progressed sharply second-up when leading pillar-to-post at Nowra. Plenty to like about that performance and he warrants plenty of respect.
RACE 7 - RUN TOMMY RUN (9) didn't give his rivals a sniff at the Sapphire Coast when leading the whole way. Has enough early dash to offset the wide alley and can repeat the dose. RANGATIRA (1) put the writing on the wall last start when beaten a head at Goulburn. Is aided under the big weight with the 3kg claimer going on. Best figures put him right in the finish. CHAMP PROFOND (11) improved last start when making late ground to finish in the frame. Carries fitness and is expected to be doing her best work again late. CLENDENNING (10) kept finding to get the verdict and shed his maiden tag last start. This is tougher but he warrants respect from the favourable draw.
RACE 8 - KING GUTHO (9) caught the eye first-up at Wagga when rattling home into the frame in this grade. Comes in off a freshen (56 days) but has kept the legs ticking over with a smart trial on the home track. Yet to salute second-up but he looks ready to buck that trend. ROUGE LUNE (7) returns after enjoying a successful prep last time in when tackling some strong opposition. Is unbeaten over the track and trip but will need a smart steer from the ugly draw. FERRARI GIRL (13) wasn't far away from bringing up the hat-trick last start. Has a ton of early speed and will give backers a very bold sight. GORUSH LIGHTNING (1) next best.
