Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - KAZOTSKY (4) sat near the speed then battled on well for a close third when resuming over 1300m at Newcastle last start. Lightly raced four-year-old who must be a slight query at the mile but this isn't a strong maiden so he gets his chance. MORE VOLTAGE (5) registered his seventh minor placing in 20 starts when a game second after leading over 1500m at Hawkesbury last time out. Won't be far away in the run and he should give backers a sight again. IRISH ANTHEM (3) is another perennial placegetter. Closed well to finish third, 0.6 lengths behind More Voltage, at Hawkesbury most recently. Blinkers on for the first time might do the trick. DUBAI DAME (7) missed the kick before making late inroads to get up for third at her latest appearance over 1400m at Goulburn. Strips fitter and looks ready for this distance now. EQUILIBRIST (1) is unreliable but with a soft run from gate one can sneak into the frame.
RACE 2 - AUDREY'S LANE (4) gets a pass mark for her two runs this prep. Did a little bit of work early before tiring near home to finish fifth last start over 1400m at the Kensington track. Nicely placed back in this company and looks ready for a crack at the mile. GRACEFUL ARTIST (11) progressed in good style last time out at the second run of the campaign, picking up late to grab fourth over 1500m at this track. Should be tough to hold out over this slightly longer journey. SATNESS (2) looked to have every chance but disappointed over 1400m at Hawkesbury last time out. His record at the mile is outstanding so if he gets a quiet time up front he might prove tough to catch. COLOMBE D'OR (5) wasn't all that far away over this trip at Wyong recently. Hasn't won for 12 months but cannot be ruled out. Last start Goulburn maiden winner ALL GUCCI (9) has plenty of upside although facing a much stiffer test this afternoon.
RACE 3 - Six runners, six chances. SO SNEEKY (6) has been freshened up since a decent effort in a Class 6 over this distance at Wyong on 18 August. Came off a similar break two back over 2400m here and went okay in a race that was a bit far for him. Bourke's claim brings him in nicely so a big run is on the cards. SPITFIRE (2) had been finding the line well in mile races until last time out when disappointing at this track. Has a win and a placing from three tries at this trip so he might be looking for the ten furlongs now. OLD GREGG (4) struggled at the end of 2300m at Newcastle recently. Seven tries at this trip have yielded six top three finishes. Very fit and can bounce back. HIGHBORN HARRY (3) caught the eye late in a similar race to this at Hawkesbury three weeks ago. Arrives here fourth-up and ready to find peak form. SOCRATES (7) likes Kembla and cannot be ruled out despite 33 days between runs.
RACE 4 - HALO PHENOMENA (15) resumes for Godolphin after a five-month spell. Raced exclusively in Victoria in the maiden prep, the highlight a close second over 1400m at Geelong at start two. Now a gelding and is trialling well so expect bigger things this prep. ROCK REVOLUTION (12) for Waterhouse/Bott comes under notice with blinkers on for the first time. Did a reasonable job to finish third on debut last time out over 1000m. Likely to dictate in the small field and will take some running down. CENTURY SONG (8) is a first starter by Microphone for the Price stable. Trialling well and looks set for a bright introduction to racing. GENEROUS HARRY (2) showed pace but was weak late over 1100m at Hawkesbury last start. Fitter for two runs back from a spell and can improve. IMPERIAL STATE (14) was safely held at Canterbury last time but will find this easier.
RACE 5 - CELESTIAL BLING (1) is the class runner back from a 12-month spell. Was beaten a whisker by Manaal in the Gimcrack at her only appearance to date. Five trials since June should have her forward enough to run well. Clearly the one to beat despite shouldering 62kgs in a race decimated by scratchings. I AM WILD (18) missed the kick and struggled to get involved when resuming over this track and trip recently. Expect a better effort this time. FLYING EMBERS (6) worked home nicely when resuming over 1100m at Canterbury last time. Suited by the small field and is a likely improver over an extra 100m on a bigger track. OBSCURE (17) was just fair first-up over 1000m at Hawkesbury. Better placed out to this distance so anticipating a better run today. ZEEMA (12) resumes. Opened last prep with a placing at Hawkesbury so keep her safe.
RACE 6 - ELEGANT EMPRESS (3) was six weeks between runs when a tiring seventh over this trip at the Kensington track last time out. Distance specialist who strips fitter and is nicely placed back at the provincials. MISTY LEGEND (4) has been freshened up since a disappointing effort over this distance at Warwick Farm six weeks ago. Best form stacks up so he deserves another chance. ISLAND DEC (11) has not been produced since a barnstorming winner on debut over this course and distance on 20 June. Will go back again from the wide alley but watch for her late. The Neasham/Archibald stable has a couple of promising types resuming, headed by NETTLES (7) who is back from a 28-week spell. Came of age last prep, closing off with back-to-back wins. This is short of her best but while fresh she comes under notice. SUPAIRO (13) last appeared when successful in a Lismore maiden 13 months ago under Matthew Dunn's care. Won a recent Randwick trial so looks ready to fire.
RACE 7 - A capacity field reduced to four. BUSH GIRL (2) settled midfield and battled on evenly without threatening first-up over this distance at Hawkesbury. Wasn't disgraced in races like the Adrian Knox and Australian Oaks last prep. Prefer over more ground now but with just three opponents she gets her chance. WEST INDIES (8) was in the betting on debut last start over 1300m at Hawkesbury but peaked on his run late and just missed the placings. Will benefit from that experience and should give a good account. Stablemate BLACKLIST (17) never got involved when resuming over 1200m at Kembla recently. Faces the easiest assignment of his six to date so a win will not surprise. UNDER THE HOOD (7) is finding the line well in shorter races and should appreciate getting up to 1400m in a small field.
RACE 8 - FUGITIVA (5) won two on the bounce before a moderate effort over 1300m at Newcastle last start. This looks a bit easier and she likes Kembla so don't write her off. Worth another chance with the aid of the inside gate and a slight step up in distance. JACOB'S TIME (2) has switched stables and resumes after a 20-week spell. Contested a couple of Group 3 three-year-old races last prep so the previous trainers obviously had an opinion of this fellow. Won a recent Canberra trial in good fashion so he looks set for a positive return. DEVINE OUTCAST (13) worked home well when the race was all over last start over 1200m at this track. Better placed over today's trip so she should prove tough to hold out. TRAPEZE PLEASURE (8) didn't pick up as hoped last time out in a BM68 over this distance at Hawkesbury. Given a little break since that run four weeks ago and this doesn't look as strong so he can improve. POINT OUT (10) is up in grade on his first-up run at Nowra but isn't out of the equation