Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - ANABAA'S SPIRIT (5) unwanted in betting on debut ($41), when a gritty fifth over 1100m at Hawkesbury five-and-a-half weeks ago. Further improved now and gets the map favours in this easier contest. Go close. THEBES (8) has race fitness and experience on his side third-up. Stuck on well in the heavy (10) going when a close-up third over 1200m at Scone on July 2. Will need a good ride early but sure to be strong late. AUTOMATED (1) two-year-old colt by Trapeze Artist out of She's Bionic on debut for the Ryan and Alexiou yard. Two recent trials have been solid and looks to have genuine top-three prospects. DELRICO (6) drifted back from the good draw on debut and never comfortable in the going when seventh over 1200m at Warwick Farm on July 10. Look for him late from the outside gate.

RACE 2 - COMIC CULTURE (5) was never comfortable on the heavy (10) surface on debut when a plugging fifth over 1200m at Scone on July 2. Will relish the firmer track today and expected to take catching. CRISTAL CLEAR (6) resumes for second prep after struggling on debut when fifth over 1300m at Newcastle on March 8. Fitted with two searching trials and the tongue-tie goes on for this. Forward showing expected from the inside gate. ZOUSAIN BOLT (8) ran on late at second race start when improving to finish second over 1300m at Hawkesbury on July 11. Race experience should take him a long way here. TOKYO LADY (12) fourth-up today and a much better performance when she sat on the pace to secure third over 1300m at Hawkesbury on July 11. Claim helps again and has the speed to get across from the wide gate.

RACE 3 - LONE FORCE (7) resumed for his second prep with a plugging third over 1300m at Hawkesbury in the heavy (8) conditions on July 11. Strops fitter now and can race closer from the draw. SPANISH FOX (9) returns from a spell of four-months after finishing runner-up to some handy types last time in. Fitted with two solid trials and the stable has tinkered with the gear. Expected to go close. ELLE HUDSON (4) staying type who found the 1200m too short on resumption when sixth at Kembla Grange on June 20. Kept up to the mark with a sharp trial win over 1200m at Warwick Farm on July 15. The lugging-bit comes off and sure to be doing his best work late from the wide gate. DU CAP (11) holding her form well and will find this easier after finishing fifth over 1100m at Warwick Farm on July 10. Well drawn again and has genuine top-three prospects.

RACE 4 - RAMPAZETTO (1) looks ready to peak here fourth-up after running on late when a narrow second over 1450m at Muswellbrook on July 11. Chad Schofield rides and gives every indication of running out a strong 1600m. WAAMIL (2) Waterhouse & Bott filly who's hardly set the world alight in three career runs. Tired late on resumption in the heavy (10) going when fourth over 1600m at Scone on July 2. Strips much fitter now and finds a fairly weak maiden on an improving surface. SIZZLING TALE (10) on-pace mare who gets Stanley's 2kg claim again here after folding up late when fourth over 1500m at Hawkesbury on July 21. Synthetic hoof filler goes on and expected to take a hand in the finish. JED (8) hard fit for this and races on his home track for the first time today. Ridden quietly early before making up ground over the closing stages when fifth over 1600m at Newcastle on July 16. Well drawn for this and should get into a stalking position from the good gate.

RACE 5 - ODEGAARD (1) returns from a let-up after creating a big impression on debut when a tough winner over 1350m at Hawkesbury nine weeks ago. Tim Clark keeps the ride and expected to go close again. LIGHTS OF PARADISE (8) is a well-bred I Am Invincible filly who got off the mark on debut before holding on well to secure third over 1300m at Scone on July 12. Has race fitness on her side third-up. LET'S GO JOHNNY (3) trained on the track and shed his maiden status here three back in good style. Failed to see the trip out when a plodding fifth at Scone over 1600m on July 2. Back to his right trip today. WOODLANDER (2) unwanted in betting at the latest when sitting on the speed for a surprise second over 1200m at Newcastle on July 16. Wadick rides again with the claim and no shock to see him take this out.

RACE 6 - MISS CARTEL (2) promising mare racing in a rich vein of form chasing her fourth-straight victory. Going nicely through her grades and gets all the map favours again after scoring a dominant victory at Muswellbrook on July 11. COOL LAD (10) is back in grade for this after looming strongly late when fourth at Warwick Farm over 1300m in BM72 grade on July 10. Tempo suits and has genuine top-three claims. STAR DIESEL (6) improving gelding fitter after two runs back. Placed here three-back in a strong C1 and will appreciate the drop in weight despite rising in grade. Taken to the front with the 61.5kg when a narrow neck second over 1206m at Canberra Acton on July 10. Stays in the mix. EQUIPAGE (12) improving filly who will relish the firmer track today. Returned in good order and expected to take holding out fourth-up.

RACE 7 - CAPITAL HEART (1) total forgive from the sticky gate when returning from a four-month break with a plodding 10th over 1200m at Newcastle on June 29. Well drawn for this with Tommy Berry taking the ride from a low draw. Will race closer and looks hard to stop. GLOBAL EMPIRE (3) had mixed fortunes after two runs back and lone win came at the Wyong circuit. Kept up to the mark with a strong trial win over 795m at Warwick farm on July 15. Drawn out again and look for him doing his best work late. EASTERN FRONT (4) fitter after one run back when never comfortable in the heavy (8) going when seventh over 1100m at Hawkesbury on July 11. Maps to get the right run and improvement is anticipated. DRAMA DODGER (11) trained on the track and total forgive second-up when failed to stretch out in heavy (9) conditions finishing fifth over 1200m at Warwick Farm on July 10. Placed here two-back and expected to play a leading role.

RACE 8 - REBEL'S EDGE (4) tough gelding back in his right grade for this after drifting back from the wide draw when ninth behind Cepheus over 1610m in the South Grafton Cup on July 14. Backs up quickly and can turn things around in this contest. WATERVILLE (10) two-year-old filly improving with racing. Raced on the speed and tough to the line when third over 1400m at Randwick on July 13. Can run into the money despite drawing out. ELLENMAC (12) has only the two wins from 23 starts and will find this easier on a drying surface. Drifted back and never comfortable in the heavy (9) going when 11th over 160m at Warwick Farm on July 10. No excuses today. SCALEXTRICS (1) chasing his fourth-straight victory after powering from midfield to score at Muswellbrook over 1450m on July 11. Has each way prospects in this tougher contest.