Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MEGHAN (8) returns from an 18-week spell. Opened the last prep with a strong second over 1050m on the Gold Coast poly track. Goes well at this trip and is drawn to advantage so she looks a great chance to finally break through. DIAMONDSAREMIO (4) showed pace on debut last start over this course and distance and battled on well but was no match for the winner. Wide gate is a small concern but with natural improvement she looks a major contender. LITTLE BUBBLES (12) returns for a second campaign. Finished just behind the placings at his two runs when last in work, the best effort over this trip on debut. Solid prospects despite taking on older horses. MR DAMAGE (1) resumes. Placed 4/5 in the maiden prep including all three runs at today's journey. Certainly in the mix. THE RIDDLER (2) is back from a break and while he probably needs the run a top four finish is not out of the question.
RACE 2 - TOY STORY (3) hasn't won for over a year but gets his chance today. Never a chance last start on a soft track over this course and distance. Ran some nice races prior to that, including a 0.8 length second to subsequent Group One placegetter Snow In May at Newcastle. The firm track is key to his chances. Stablemate HIGHLY TEMPTED (6) finished third in the same race as Toy Story at Newcastle two back then closed well but found one better here at this trip last time. Promising three-year-old who just needs a bit of luck from the wide gate to be in the finish. GET SOME FUN (11) bolted in here in a 1000m maiden recently when lining up for only the second time. Speedy filly who has to extend the brilliance beyond five furlongs for the first time but looks up to the task. ECLAIR (9) has a win and two narrow defeats from three runs this prep. Sure to give a great sight again. PONY SOPRANO (7) was very impressive on debut at Coffs Harbour last start. Ready to take this next step.
RACE 3 - JARED (1) is finding it difficult to shed the bridesmaid tag. Placed 8/12 including first-up over this trip at Newcastle where he led for home. Strips fitter and will be tough to reel in. JUSTICE WARRIOR (6) is back after a four-month absence. Finished third on debut at Canterbury to launch last prep. Trialling the house down so looks set for a strong return. VIALE (14) raced handy and wasn't beaten far when resuming over 1110m at Doomben recently. Will work over from a wide gate and give her backers a sight. The lightly raced TEQUILA BABY (12) won a recent Canterbury trial and is one to monitor for market support first-up from a five-month spell. First starter CHANNELLING (9) looked good in a recent Canterbury trial and should give a good account.
RACE 4 - PHENOM (13) has not been produced since showing pace but tiring late on debut over 1100m at the Kensington track in March. Respect the stable bringing her here in an attempt to open the account. Should be good enough to handle this field. NINGALOO REEF (8) has attacked the line strongly and been beaten under a length at both runs this prep, the latest over this distance at Kembla. Cherry-ripe and sure to play a big role. TURNING CIRCLE (14) is back from a five-month spell. Has only raced once and was just fair on a heavy track at Gosford. Went well in a recent Canterbury trial so she looks ready to run well. GIMME GIMME (10) did a good job to finish third when returning from a long break at Scone last start. In the mix over this more suitable trip. TAWFIQ TOM (9) gets a firmer track today so his effort on debut is worth forgiving.
RACE 5 - All but one of these looks a genuine hope. THE FACE (2) has been freshened up since finishing midfield in a BM78 over 1100m at Rosehill six weeks ago. Three-time stakes placegetter who has the quality to fully test this line-up. BONCASSIE (5) changed tactics and led last start then dug deep to score narrowly in a BM82 over 1300m at Coffs Harbour. Prolific at this distance and she drops 4kgs today. Plenty to like about her prospects from an ideal gate. TIME FOR VICTORY (7) raced handy and tried hard but found a couple better over 1000m here recently. Loves racing at this circuit and with a light weight from a nice draw he comes into contention. CROWIE'S SHOUT (8) led all the way for a dominant win in a BM58 over this course and distance last start. Far tougher assignment today but his stats at this trip are hard to ignore. Veteran mare LEAVE ME SOME (6) is a gun at this circuit, with three wins and two placings from five 1200m runs here. In the mix at the weights from an inside alley.
RACE 6 - MICHELLE'S GIRL (10) had a 44-day freshen-up before a modest effort last start over 1250m at Newcastle. Back to 1100m which is important - her only two wins have come at this trip. Back in grade and drawn ideally so she is nicely placed to return to form at massive odds. VEECEE (1) returns from a ten-week spell and has transferred from Ciaron Maher to local trainer Cassandra Schmidt. Placed first-up over 1200m at Caulfield last December which is excellent form for a race of this calibre. ENSIGN PARKER (4) is first-up since 7 July. Ran some nice races in Highways last prep, the pick of them a 1.6 length sixth over 1200m at Randwick. Expecting a bright return. KEVIN MCKEEN (9) worked home well to get up for fourth at his latest appearance over 1007m at Taree. In the mix over this slightly longer journey. TRYANZA (5) resumes. Beaten narrowly when fresh from a spell at Grafton last prep. Lightly raced gelding in for a good campaign.
RACE 7 - SIGSWORTH (9) settled just off the leading division then worked home well to be beaten a length last start over this distance at Taree. That run followed a 45-day break so he strips fitter and from a lovely draw can get the job done. BUCK PHAROAH (1) has raced three times this prep, all at today's journey, and has been about the mark without winning. Chimed in late to be beaten 1.1 lengths last time at this circuit. Drops in grade this time so he is a serious chance despite the big weight. OCTOBER REVOLUTION (3) progressed impressively at his latest run, beaten a long neck here at this trip and finishing ahead of Buck Pharoah. Fitter for two runs back from a spell and just needs luck from a sticky gate to be a major player. TELEGRAPH (10) failed over this distance at Taree last start after drawing a wide gate. Goes well here and worth another chance from a better barrier. Distance specialist DIS IS HEAVEN (11) is racing well this prep and appeals on an each-way basis.
RACE 8 - RAF ATTACK (3) had to work over from a wide gate to lead then dug deep under pressure and only conceded late last start over 1900m at Rosehill. Very fit gelding who won the Group 3 Gloaming this time last year which underlines his quality. Will give them something to catch. REDSTONE WELL (1) thrashed his rivals in the 2400m Tatts Cup at Randwick before a plain performance at $3.50 in the Newcastle Cup last time. Back in trip and has 62kgs but his class will take him a long way. STEEL BLAZE (11) has had two runs this prep over shorter trips and failed to feature. Tackled the best three-year-olds last prep and returned some nice figures in the process. In the mix out to a more suitable trip today. TWIGMAN (7) has turned in a couple of nice runs this prep, the latest when narrowly defeated over 1800m at the Gold Coast. Facing a much stiffer test but is capable of sneaking into the frame. OUR BAMBINO (6) ran a nice race here in the Prelude last start and is ready to peak.
RACE 9 - AGIRLSBESTFRIEND (9) had been threatening to win and it came last start when she comfortably took out a BM66 over this course and distance. Takes on a better race today but drops 4.5kgs with the claim. Only needs luck from the wide alley to be right in the finish. BELIEVE SO (7) shouldered a big weight and failed to feature when resuming over 1350m at Ipswich recently. Might need one more but from a nice alley with 5kgs less he comes right into calculations. Last start Tamworth winner RHYTHM IS A DANCER (3) has further improvement to come at just the third run back from a spell. Found the line well at the end of 1200m last time which suggests the extra 300m has come at the right time of the prep. ADJOURN (4) disappointed as favourite over the mile at Coffs Harbour last start. Given a five-week freshen up and is capable of a lot more. SWIFT CHARM (14) hasn't run up to expectations this time in work but on his day can mix it with this lot.
