Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SUGARFIRE (12) Hellbent filly resuming from a spell of five months. Sat on the speed and was not that far away when fifth over 1200m at Pakenham on February 22. Since fitted with two trials and will prove hard to hold out from the inside gate. ALPINE SKI (1) colt by Exceed And Excel making his first appearance for the Godolphin yard. Recent trial performances have been solid and looks forward enough for this. FORTINGALL (4) two-year-old colt by I Am Invincible out of Tilia Rose on debut for the Waterhouse & Bott yard. Has looked sharp in two recent trial wins and looks ready for a first-up tilt. GLISTENING PEARL (11) even debut from the outside draw when running on late to finish fourth over 900m at Newcastle on June 29. Fitter now and stays in the mix.
RACE 2 - SCOUNDREL (3) sound debut from the wide gate when holding on well for a gritty third over 1300m at Newcastle on June 29. Strips much fitter now and expected to play a leading role here. MONTE TIANA (8) is improving with racing and is trained on the track. Strong through the line when third as fav over 1200m at Moruya on June 28. Hard fit now and the extra trip suits. CALIFORNIA WAVES (2) two-year-old gelding by Too Darn Hot from River Jewel on debut for the Snowden camp. Since fitted with two recent trials and a forward showing is anticipated. ILOVENEWS (1) returns from a break of six-and-a-half months. Stretched out in trip when a solid third over 1600m at Wyong on January 6. Tuned up with two searching trials and the in-form Zac Lloyd takes the ride.
RACE 3 - CHEERGAL (9) looks set to shed her maiden status at start five today in this easier contest. Up in distance when powering late to secure third over 1550m at Canterbury on June 19. Gets all the favours here and no excuses from the inside gate. PIERANT (12) fitter after three runs back and kept fresh for this. Relished the extra trip when running on late to finish a narrow second over 1500m at Hawkesbury on June 18. Brings the right numbers to have genuine top-three prospects. MEGA FIGHT (5) frustrating gelding who should be able to race closer today from the good draw. Motored late from well back when third at Hawkesbury over 1500m on July 11. A repeat of the latest will see him play a leading role. DENOTE (10) third-up today and ready for the mile now after running on late when fifth over 1350m at Wyong on June 27. Blinkers come off and can sneak into the minor money.
RACE 4 - CALIFORNIA SUNRISE (6) has race fitness on her side third-up and kept fighting to the line when second over 1400m at Newcastle on June 15. Kept fresh and will have little problem getting the trip on the firmer track. IRISH BLISS (3) improving gelding who was a month between runs when a plugging fourth over 1500m at Hawkesbury on July 11. Strips fitter now and has genuine each-way claims. PRETTY RHO (11) taken back early from the wide gate before launching late with a slashing third over 1650m at Moruya on June 28. Has a good record on her home track and drops 4kg in weight on latest. Stays in the calculations. VIVEZZA (4) got off the mark at start six with a dominant 1.75 len win as fav at Scone over 1600m on July 2. Can play a leading role again.
RACE 5 - OH DIAMOND LIL (6) had the two mixed career runs and will appreciate the firmer surface. Sat off the speed and failed to get through the heavy (9) conditions when fourth over 1200m at Canterbury on July 3. Jason Collett sticks, and a sharp improvement is anticipated in this easier contest. MYTHICAL MOOCHI (8) nice return over an unsuitable distance when flashing late from well back to secure second over 1000m at Goulburn on July 5. Clearly come back well and is desperate for this trip and further now. Expected to take a hand in the finish. STRATIFIED (9) went forward early when resuming with a tiring eighth over 1200m at Newcastle in the heavy conditions on June 22. Fitter now and the blinkers come off. Expecting more on the improving surface. ZOOMORPHIC (3) three-year-old gelding by Zoustar out of Group 1 winning mare Spright. Fitted with two recent trials and the blinkers and lugging-bit go on. Stays in the mix.
RACE 6 - FRENCH MARINE (9) comes out of a strong race after sitting on the speed before fading late to finish fourth over 1250m at Canterbury on July 3 in BM72 class. Senior rider engaged and will relish this easier contest from the good gate. RAHNI FACTOR (5) has a good record over this track and trip and back in class after struggling when eighth over 1100m at Canterbury on the heavy (9) track on July 3. Worth another chance with the claim on the improving track. HEADSTOCK (10) resumed in good order two back with a solid fourth here, before failing to get into the contest when ninth over 1300m at this track on June 20. Drops 2.5kg from the good gate. Has genuine each-way claims. ALL MACHIAVELLIAN (7) saves his best for his home track and back in trip from a better gate. Snagged back to last from the wide draw when a plugging sixth over 1400m at Newcastle two-and-a-half weeks ago. Expecting more today and go on his win three back when assessing his prospects.
RACE 7 - REBEL DEAN (2) trained on the track and has a sound record here. Beaten for early speed and was a total forgive in the conditions when 11th over 1100m at Warwick Farm on June 26. This is easier and has a good third-up record. Can return to form. RUSSIAN ASSASSIN (6) was anchored with the 63kg when a gritty close-up third over 1010m at Moruya on June 28. At his top for this and has placed here. Drop in weight suits in this slightly tougher contest. Go close. AMAZING NICCI (7) relished the atrocious conditions with a hard-fought nose win over 1000m at Nowra on June 13. Drops in weight and expected to be thereabouts again. KIRIBATI (1) progressive gelding from the Maher stable who returned with a slick win over 1000m at Hawkesbury on June 25. Has clearly come back well and is expected to play a leading role again.
RACE 8 - PRESIDES (3) scored a very impressive 4 len maiden victory to get off the mark at start four over 1300m at Scone on July 2. Further improved again and can make it two-in-a-row on the improving track. TENDERIZE (6) is back in his right class after having mixed luck in town at his last two outings. Offered little from the wide gate when 11th over 1400m at Rosehill in BM72 company on June 29. Anywhere near his best would see him go close. STRUFF (10) has shown improvement in two runs back and looks good each-way value from the low gate. Tired late at second run back when fifth over 1300m at Hawkesbury on June 18. Stays in the calculations. MADAM RUPEE (9) big improver at third race start when swooping late to win at ($101) over 1200m here on June 20. In leading yard and must be kept safe.
