Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - DIAMOND DISCOVERY (1) put it all together last start at the third run of the campaign, racing handy in a small field then proving a bit too strong at the end of 2100m at Goulburn. Won't find this any harder and there is improvement still to come. Looks the goods in a modest line-up. BRIEF SONG (6) caught the eye first-up over a mile at this track then failed to feature last time at Newcastle. Lightly raced mare on trial at this distance but must be respected with blinkers going on for the first time. ALPINE KANDY (7) has been handed a big task first-up from a ten-week break. Best effort last prep was second-up over 2300m when beaten narrowly. Trust the stable has this consistent mare fit enough to run the staying trip while fresh. STRELITZIA (4) hasn't won for over two years but could sneak into the frame. A SILVERY WARRIOR (2) the only other hope.
RACE 2 - AICHI ICON (2) turned in a moderate performance when fresh from a six-month spell over 1400m at Hawkesbury last start, battling on evenly for a midfield finish. Finds an easier assignment today and should enjoy a soft run up on the speed. Nicely placed to score. LAST STRAW (1) has failed to threaten in her two runs this time in work. Narrowly beaten in town last prep so she has more class than her rivals. Expect a return to form today in a softer race. TOKYO RUN (3) was never a factor first-up in the rich Panorama over 1300m at Bathurst. At his best over the mile so back in grade with added fitness he makes plenty of appeal. ELLENMAC (4) is going well and can figure again on a five-day back-up. REALLY MOTIVATED (7) is a non-winner but is worth including in exotics.
RACE 3 - EQUITABLE (1) started favourite but after showing pace to the bend tired late to finish midfield on debut over 1000m at Taree six months ago. Perfectly drawn and over this sharper trip he should be right in the finish. GIMME GIMME (12) returns from a 45-week absence. Kicked off the maiden campaign with a decent effort in stakes grade before finishing fourth to the highly regarded Erno's Cube over this trip at Newcastle at her only other run. Trialling in great fashion and has the quality to test her older rivals. SNITZENEGGER (3) ran a decent race on debut recently over 1000m at Muswellbrook. Open to plenty of improvement. SPEEDY ONE (10) won a recent trial here and is worth considering on debut for the local Luke Pepper stable. MISS REBEL (6) hasn't raced since November 2022. Has ability so watch the market carefully.
RACE 4 - Most of the main chances have been scratched which opens it right up. PASSALACQUA (7) was lining up for just the second time when he missed the kick then made a sustained run from the back of the field to get up for second over 1500m at Muswellbrook recently. Not sure coming back to seven furlongs is ideal but the small field suits and he should be heavily involved again. RELUCTANT DIVA (13) finished 1.7 lengths behind Passalacqua when they clashed last time. That was only her second run and was a big improvement on the debut performance. Capable of playing a major role. BLUEBIRD BAY (5) is a colt by The Autumn Sun on debut. Has been to the trials six times dating back to February. Shows ability and is ready to make his mark. KOVANOS (4) returns from a six-month lay-off. In the money at all three runs last time in work. Should feature again. YOU WAHNG (14) did a good job on debut last start at Muswellbrook. Should improve over this slightly longer trip.
RACE 5 - Lightly raced four-year-old ECLAIR (11) has improved noticeably this prep after a switch to the Brett Cavanough yard. Trailed the leading division then let down impressively to score by a neck over 1100m here last start. Sure to relish the extra furlong and gets the right run out of the inside stall. PARIS LAD (3) worked home well but just failed to pick up the first couple when resuming over 1200m at Moree recently. Genuine gelding who will be tough to hold out over this slightly longer trip. CORPSMAN (12) found 1000m way too slick when resuming at Muswellbrook last time. Placed 2/2 at this distance so can improve sharply. OUTBACK ARCHIE (10) has good second-up stats so he can do a lot better than the first-up effort. NEWS BOUND (5) started deep in the red but found a couple better when resuming over 1100m at Bathurst last time out. Worth another chance over the extra furlong.
RACE 6 - PORTFOLIA (4) overcame a tardy start to lead before finding a couple better on debut recently over 1000m at Kembla. Meets a weaker line-up today and will no doubt take a lot from that experience. Sure to prove tough to catch, particularly with so many key rivals coming out. MIAMI BABY (10) showed pace and wasn't beaten far on debut at Hawkesbury last start. Won't meet with as much pressure up front this time. Comes in a lot closer with all the scratchings so he is right in the mix. DEEL ME A QUEEN (13) is a Dundeel filly on debut for Paul Messara. Won a recent trial in good fashion so although a longer trip will eventually be her thing this looks a winnable race. BROKERAGE (1) is racing well without winning at the provincials. Very fit and must be included. TRAPEZE LEGEND (5) has been kept fresh since a nice debut over 900m here in heavy ground eight weeks ago. Sure to have something to offer.
RACE 7 - The race has fallen apart around MEDINAH (5) who tackles his easiest assignment since a first-up win at Mudgee. Too bad to be true in a Rosehill Highway last time. Distance specialist and Bullock back aboard is significant - he has three wins from five rides on the five-year-old. The in-form SMART SHOT (7) worked home well to win a Class 1 over this journey at Tamworth two back. Having just four opponents will suit his racing pattern. Looms as the obvious danger. FEIRME PRINCE (8) gets some weight relief today and can improve on his last start fifth in a very strong form race at Mudgee. The other two runners HOT WOK (10) and NOTHING'S SACRED (11) will need to improve sharply to trouble the other three.
RACE 8 - DOLLY BIRD (9) made her first appearance in 14 months when a respectable fifth over this distance at Queanbeyan recently. Sure to take a lot from that outing and will be tough to stop at good odds in an even contest. The lightly raced NEGATION (11) returns from a 24-week spell and has transferred to the Cameron Crockett stable. Ex-Queenslander who has placed 3/5 when fresh so she is in the mix first-up in what looks a much easier race than those encountered when last in work. SARDONYX (10) is back from a 28-week break. Opened last prep with a thumping win at Dubbo then started favourite at the next three runs but let punters down. Big threat while fresh. WILLINGALE (5) was beaten a length in a Class 1 over this distance at Newcastle two starts ago which is strong form for a race of this calibre. Last start Kempsey winner CATCHY TUNES (6) is in the mix again with the help of a nice gate.
