Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MANIK (3) lightly raced gelding with ability. Even return with the 57.5kg when fifth over 1100m at Scone on August 30. Will appreciate the claim again and strips fitter for this. MEDDLESOME (4) finished third at all three runs and has her hoof on the till on the quick back up. Gets all the favours again and no excuses here. FLEET FOOTED (15) covered ground first up when a plugging seventh over 1200m here on September 16. Trained on the track and best form can see him take a hand in the finish. OFF THE SCALE (12) three-year-old filly debutant solid enough in her most recent barrier trial leading up to this.\
RACE 2 - EL BEATLE (2) two runs for new stable have been solid and indicated a win was imminent after finishing a narrow second over 1000m at Kempsey on September 19. Claim helps again and sure to be strong late. RUSSLEY TIARA (5) strong through the line when resuming with plugging fifth over 1000m at Muswellbrook on September 10. Maps well again and best form can see her play a leading role. SIZZLING BOY (3) much better performance when sitting on the speed for battling third over 1005m at Taree on August 26. Strips fitter and the lugging bit comes off and the Norton bit goes on. Sure to be thereabouts again. BAKHITA (13) debuts. Placed in a recent trial and stable strike-rate with debutantes is strong.
RACE 3 - ARCTIC LEGEND (2) handy gelding undefeated over this track and trip. Won two-in-a-row last time in and since fitted with two solid trials. Maps well and expected to go close. ALWAYS A SAINT (5) surprised at big odds when sitting on the speed for a gritty nose win over 1100m at Bathurst on September 15. Up slightly in class but gets the 2kg claim again. LORD OF THE SUN (9) trained on the track and backs up quickly after charging late when eighth over 1200m here on September 16. Can race closer from the low draw and looks good each way value. KEITANY (7) in the mix.
RACE 4 - JACENZA (4) smart gelding undefeated at this track who can return to form. Blinkers come off here after failing to get out late when sixth over 1250m at Canterbury a week-and-a-half ago. Can get across from the wide gate and prove too sharp for these. RHYTHM IS A DANCER (2) returned from a break of six months with a solid fifth over 1000m here on September 18. Comes to hand quickly and can go on with the job today. CYCLONE RUPERT (9) going nicely through his grades and kept ticking over with a recent 800m trial placing at Muswellbrook on September 23. Maps well and saves his best for this track. RUSSLEY CROWN (1) can feature fresh.
RACE 5 - DON QUIXOTE (13) kept fresh for this after scoring a surprise 1.75 len victory over 2230m at Grafton on September 9. Now in the Jane Clement stable and will relish the drop in weight. Can surprise again. INTERVENTIONIST (15) swooped late first up over an unsuitable trip when a sound sixth over 1200m here on September 16. Down sharply in weight with the claim and desperate for the mile. Expected to go close. LEICA MODEL (6) failed to make it three straight wins when snagged back from the wide gate to finish seventh over 1420m at Grafton on September 9. Placed this trip and can race a little closer from the better gate. SYRIAN STAR (3) has claims.
RACE 6 - GREAT SIEGE (1) only the one win from 10 starts and a win looks imminent. Sat on the good tempo with the 61.5kg when a gutsy fourth over 1200m here on September 16. Ready for this trip now and just needs a bit of luck early from the draw. POWER BEAU (4) lightly raced gelding starting to hit his straps. Won well two back before taking advantage of the good draw when a fighting nose second over 1300m at Moree on August 6. Claim helps again out to this trip. Sure to figure prominently. OBVIOUSLY GOOD (8) got off the mark at start three then showed plenty of fight when a tiring fifth over 1200m at Moree on September 1. Grima rides again with the claim and should get the 1400m. PAMPUNI (7) can feature second-up.
RACE 7 - JET EMPRESS (2) big improver at second run back when powering late with the 60kg to scored a determined win over this track and trip on September 16. Ready for this tougher test with the claim and expected to go close. OUTTA DE LADY (6) found a bit of form at his last two outings and drops 4kg in weight for this. Goes well this course and distance and no shock to see him take this out. SIR FREDDIE (4) and WHO GOES THERE (1) are both in with a place chance.
