Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ALINEA (3) Written Tycoon filly from the Waterhouse & Bott yard who will relish this easier contest first up. Had mixed luck in Group 3 company last time in and returns with two good recent trials. Looks hard to stop. LADY ZODIAC (6) returns for her second prep after bumping into some promising types last time in. Given the two recent trials and maps to stalk the good tempo. Hard to hold out. NOBLE RUBY (10) Kembla trained filly who was strong late on resumption when fifth over 920m at Moruya on September 17. Fitted with a recent trial over 800m and can race a little closer here. GUNROOM (1) Snitzel gelding out of a Reward For Effort mare on debut for the Joe Pride yard. His three recent trials have looked strong, and he stays in the mix.
RACE 2 - ENHANCE (5) attacked the line late when returning for his second prep with a sound second over 900m at Newcastle on October 1. Fitter now and the extra trip suits. LUXE ETERNAL (11) is a filly by I Am Invincible out of Pursuits on debut for the Waller stable. Had five trials in readiness for this and gets her chance from the good gate. INOUE (7) backed off the map on debut when a plugging third over 900m at Newcastle on October 5. Fitter now and looking for the extra trip. HEAVENFIELD (10) three-year-old filly by Kermadec out of the good producing mare Bernicia on debut for the James Cumings yard. Two recent trials have been solid, and the lugging bit goes on. Keep safe.
RACE 3 - POWERS OF OPAL (1) big jump in grade at third run back when a tenacious on-pace fourth over 1600m in the G1 Flight Stakes at Randwick on October 5. J Mac rides and she looks one of the leading players from the good gate. BLACKLIST (2) Maher-trained gelding who turned in a much better effort with the 59kg when a narrow third over 1400m at Kembla Grange in the heavy (8) going on October 3. Expected to go forward and prove hard to hold out. THINK ROMANCE (4) game performance first up over the 1500m when she stalked the good tempo to finish third over 1500m at Newcastle on October 1. Clearly come back well and Penza keeps the ride from the low gate. GLORY START (5) trained on the track and holding his form well. Placed once over this trip and drops in weight in this strong maiden.
RACE 4 - DUNALOCE (7) sat on the good tempo on resumption when a plugging third over 1500m at Newcastle in this class on October 1. Drawn to get the right run and she looks like one of the key chances. LUCKY BAY (2) former NZ-trained gelding who battled on fairly at his first Australian run when sixth over 1200m at Kembla Grange on September 28. Well drawn again and the extra trip suits. BLUEBIRD BAY (10) well-bred Autumn Sun colt who sat on the speed on debut in the heavy going when a fighting third over 1400m at Scone on September 27. Strips fitter now and looking for this trip on the firmer surface. OUTBACK ARCHIE (11) third up today and placed over this trip. Strong through the line when fourth over 1300m at Scone on September 27. Solid top three contender.
RACE 5 - WAGGA WAGGA (3) failed to handle the steep rise in grade when failing to get into the contest finishing tenth to Matusalem over 2400m at Rosehill in BM78 company on September 14. Kept fresh and go on earlier efforts when assessing his chances. Norton bit goes on and the 2kg claim helps. COMMUNITY (4) returned from a five-week break when disappointing with a tiring fifth over 1880m at Newcastle on October 5. Further improved and looks good each-way value. OAKFIELD HAWK (2) returned from a three-month break with an eye catching fourth over 1500m at Newcastle on October 1. Strengthened over the break and looking for this trip now. Each way. ALPINE KANDY (7) first-up after two months started a firm ($2.70) fav when a tenacious winner over 2200m at Scone in similar grade on September 27. Further improved and she has a ton of upside.
RACE 6 - CREEK (5) is an improving gelding who got off the mark at start nine and near his top for this. Motored late when up in trip and grade for a gritty second over 1400m at Newcastle on October 5. Expected to go close again. TINKA'S LAD (6) tough old gelding working towards a win. Will hold a forward position from the good draw and prove hard to run down. CEASEFIRE (2) freshened up nicely when returning to form with a plugging third over 1250m at Newcastle on October 1. Distance suits and is one of the leading players. TRAPEZE PLEASURE (7) relished the sting out of the ground when sitting just off the speed for a narrow second over 1400m at Kembla Grange on October 3. Can hold a forward position from the good draw with the winkers going on.
RACE 7 - OBSCURE (13) lightly raced filly who recorded her first win at start four when getting through the heavy (8) going to score over 1200m at Kembla Grange on October 3. Further improved and the extra distance suits. BROADWAY FOLLIES (10) Smart Missile filly undefeated in two runs taking on provincial company for the first time. Has run solid time in both her wins and can give plenty of cheek with Josh Parr taking the ride. GAI'S ARTIST (7) two runs back in city grade have been okay and will find this more to her liking. Winkers come off and maps to get a decent run. Each-way. TENDER STREAK (8) fourth up for this and has placed this track and trip. Never happy in the heavy (8) going when seventh over 1200m at Kembla Grange on September 28. Distance suits and she stays in the calculations.
RACE 8 - FUGITIVA (2) progressive mare with the two wins from three starts this time in. Sat just off the tempo in the heavy conditions when nailing them late to score a nose victory over 1400m at Kembla Grange two weeks ago. Dylan Gibbons retains the ride and she's undefeated at this track. KINGSTON CHARM (5) had mixed fortunes in Highway company of late and happy to give another chance after finishing 11th over 1800m at Randwick on October 5. Look for her late. BINDI'S CHOICE (4) finally drawn a decent gate and drops in grade. Snagged back from the wide gate after failing to get into the contest when seventh over 1300m at Rosehill in Midway class last time out. Stretches out to this trip for the first time and can take a hand in the finish. LEANDRA (10) fitter now and will take control early from the low gate. Goes well here and expected to figure prominently.
