Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - MEGA FIGHT (4) eleven-start maiden expected to get off the mark here. Slowly away at latest before making giant strides late when an unlucky second over 1500m at Hawkesbury on June 25. Ready for the mile and no excuses here. BALMIERRO (1) thereabouts in similar company and looks the main danger after holding on well when fourth over 1550m at Canterbury on June 19. Go on his sound second two back over this course and trip when assessing his chances. FAYE RUNAWAY (6) is trained on the track and much better showing when a plugging third over 1600m here on June 20. Three weeks between runs at latest and strips fitter today. PIERANT (9) best performance in four runs when powering late to finish second over 1500m at Hawkesbury on June 18. Handles the going and sure to be strong late.

RACE 2 - Tricky race with a lot of these on debut in the testing conditions. THE GREY (1) showed good early toe on debut when holding on well to finish second over 1100m at Wyong on June 13. Wadick rides again with the claim and can go one better here. CUBAN RAIN (7) came from last on the turn at first outing when a fast finishing fourth over 1000m here on June 20. Further improved and expected to race closer from the low draw. Has solid top-three prospects. VALABING (11) lightly raced filly from the David Payne yard with a ton of upside. Resumes here after tiring late when eighth in the G3 Magic Night Stakes over 1200m at Rosehill on March 2. Fitted with one quiet trial and look for her charging late. ART'S ALIVE (5) resumes for third prep after finishing a gritty fourth in the Black Opal Preview over 1000m at Canberra on February 23. Fitted with two trials and expected to go close.

RACE 3 - DU CAP (5) finds her race today in this easier contest after tiring late when fourth over 1100m at Wyong on June 13. Has a fitness edge over most of these and will take catching. LADY ICHIKAWA (7) lightly raced mare returning from a long layoff. Ran on late when second over 1300m at Scone on October 16. Not asked to do much in a recent 845m trial at Wyong. Tim Clark takes the ride and market moves must be closely monitored with the blinkers added. MONCAROLINIA (3) is a three-start maiden who resumes for her second prep. Big run from the outside gate when second over 1000m at Wyong on March 14. Tuned up with a recent 1030m trial at Rosehill. Has the ability to take this out. INTRUDER (1) resumes from a ten-month spell without a trial. Tired late when fifth over 1300m at Randwick Kensington on September 6. This looks easier and lone placing came at this track.

RACE 4 - FLYING RANI (5) lightly raced filly with upside. Found the line late on resumption when second over 900m at Scone on June 11. Lone win came second-up and maps to get the right run. Go close with Jason Collett engaged. EASTERN FRONT (4) promising Russian Revolution gelding returning for the in form Joe Pride yard. Went out a winner when scoring over 1100m at Wyong on February 22. Fitted with two trials and Tim Clark rides from the inside gate. Can continue where he left off last time in. ZARAGOZA (1) nice type resuming for Price yard. Showed a ton of ability in all three runs at his first prep and looks primed here with two slick trials under the belt. Ticks plenty of boxes and can take this out. SCISSOR ME TIMBERS (3) got off the mark at start six with a gritty on-pace victory over 1400m at Nowra on June 13. Gets through the conditions and trained locally.

RACE 5 - EVERYBODY RISE (9) well-bred Snitzel gelding who resumed with a fast-finishing second over 1150m at Randwick Kensington on June 12. Come back well and will prove hard to hold out over the 1200m. JAWHARAT DUBAI (7) placed six times from eight starts and is due for a change of luck. Will find this more to her liking after stalking the speed when a tough second over 1400m at Randwick Kensington on June 12. Back in trip for this and can stalk the good speed and play a leading role. FUGITIVA (6) consistent filly with her hoof on the till. Resumed from a spell with an encouraging third over 1200m at this track on June 20. Drop in weight suits and expected to be thereabouts again. DARK GLEAM (12) two career runs have been okay and warmed up late when third over 1200m at Wyong on June 13. Should get the right tempo again to take a hand in the finish.

RACE 6 - FRENCH MARINE (7) holding his form well and will find this more to his liking with the 2kg claim. Showed plenty of grit with the 59kg when a fighting second over 1315m at Coffs Harbour on June 14. Has the speed to get across from the draw and brings the right figures to take this out. WORLD ALLIANCE (2) progressive gelding with the solid record of three wins from six starts. Resumed with an authoritative 0.8 len victory over 1100m at Hawkesbury on June 18. Fitter now and will need a good ride from the sticky gate. CRAVING MAGIC (1) racing in career-best form and going nicely through his classes. Failed to fire at Sandown (L) two-back before returning to form with a strong victory over 1280m at Canberra Acton on June 14. Gets map favours from the good gate. SHE'S JESSIE (9) has a sound record over this track and trip and will appreciate the drop in weight after finishing seventh over 1300m at Goulburn on June 21. Can add value to the exotics.

RACE 7 - LIGHTS OF PARADISE (9) led all the way on debut for a dominant victory over 1300m at Scone on June 11. Has the upside to tackle this tougher contest after returning good figures on debut. NEFERTARI (4) came with a well-timed run after stalking the good tempo when a nose winner over 1300m at Hawkesbury on June 18. Maps well again and Jason Collett keeps the ride. Genuine contender. VEGAS DREAM (6) trained locally and at his top for this. Went out hard in the heavy (8) going before fading late when fourth over 1400m at Newcastle on June 22. Senior rider on and can give a great sight again. MADAM RUPEE (7) sharp form reversal at ($101) when a fast finishing maiden winner over 1200m here on June 20. Finally drawn a decent gate and the extra trip will suit.

RACE 8 - Tough way to end the day. FROM THE BUSH (3) appreciated the drop in class when a tiring third over today's trip at Hawkesbury on June 25. Backs-up quickly with the claim again and the wide gate shouldn't pose a problem this late in the day. Due for a change of luck. HIGHBALLER (2) smart gelding who comes to hand quickly. Sat on the speed with the 60kg on resumption when a sound second over 1400m at Nowra on June 13. Goes equally as well second-up and Braith Nock rides with the 3kg claim. SILVAKIA (12) fitter after two runs back and will keep improving as she gets out in trip. Failed to sprint with them on the tight Wyong track when fifth over 1600m on June 13. Gets the claim again and sure to be strong late. UTOPIAN WINE (7) had no luck from the wide gate here on resumption when a close-up 11th over 1300m here on June 20. Undefeated second-up and the wide gate is of no real concern on the rain affected track.