Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - THAT'S OUTSTANDING (7) is third-up and has laid a solid foundation for the step up to the middle distance. Didn't have the best of it at Warwick Farm last time and 20% course-striker Collett sticks aboard. OCEAN DIVA (6) is also Sydney-trained and ready for the middle distance. Raced favourite at Goulburn last time and JVO is a positive jockey booking. He gets off STAND IN LINE (2) who brings an easy Goulburn win over 2125m. He carries more weight but is a live.
RACE 2 - Tricky. FAIR MAIDEN (4) led and was only beaten 2L at Canterbury on debut. Resumes today with a tidy metro trial under the belt and Collett is a key jockey engagement. A bold run is anticipated. The R&W Freedman yard has two acceptors. MISS SPACEGIRL (8) debuts and just missed in a recent trial at Rosehill. Adkins rode but JVO is aboard today. A bold run is likely. Stablemate DUCK EGG BLUE (6) resumes with Adkins aboard. She didn't do much on a heavy track at Gosford on debut but is sure to have come on. Has the inside barrier and has been fitted with two trials. ILIKESOOBOOGIE (1) resumed in good order at Wodonga off an enforced 662-day break. Led and missed a nose there prior and will keep improving. It's an ask.
RACE 3 - SUTTON VELLA (6) improved again winning a CL1 here comfortably over this distance. Third-up now and had been kept on the fresh side. She won't have to improve much to go back-to-back. MIGHTY MYRTLE (3) resumes for Canberra's premier barn seeking the hat-trick. She will be naturally improved and has a handy 2kg claim. The late betting will be key with her. PRETTY VEGAS (2) peaks off a close-up placing here 7 days ago in a 65. Maps well and she has a 4kg claim today. A chance to go one better. NORTHUMBRIA (1) has been down on form but he's been racing in stronger and Collett's booking interests. He will use the low barrier and keep safe. GETTY (5) has the ability but is hard to catch.
RACE 4 - SPIRIT IN THE DARK (9) looked a run short here first-up and fitter will improve over the longer sprint. Is well placed with the 2kg claim. Will likely snag back and finish hard. RILEYCAT (8) missed a nose here and was well supported at Wagga following beaten 1.6L over this distance. Maps well and hits this race at peak. Leading course striker Collett is a key jockey booking. Feared. CHANCEUX DERNIER (6) needed the run at Goulburn on debut. The in-form Owen replaces the 2kg apprentice today and with the extra fitness has claims. DIVINE CONCLUSION (2) resumed at Wagga heavily bet and pulled up with an issue. He's back after 18 days and has more to give. Maps well and ha the first-time blinkers applied. SHOREMAN (7) was disappointing at Goulburn on debut. He's in good hands and 22% stable-striker Heywood rides today, suggesting we'll see improvement. Worth consideration at a price.
RACE 5 - LAUREL HILL (6) has been racing well in stronger class and didn't miss by far in an 82 at Dubbo last time. Has her first start over a mile and the in-form Heywood rides for the first time. Can tip out the favourite. LOUIE'S LEGACY (3) led and won easily here this grade/trip and then improved again belting the Open graders at Cootamundra by 4.3L. He will likely control the race from the rails gate and has a handy 2kg claim. Feared. HEIR JORDAN (8) has weight relief off a 1L defeat at Moruya this trip. Finally draws an inside barrier and his peaks stack right up. Will get every chance. SPITFIRE (1) had been tracking well before a couple of plain runs at Kembla Grange. The latest was over 2000m and this contest suits better. Has a handy 3kg claim and deserves consideration. PRETTY EYED (7) and OFFSPRING (6) are in Canberra's premier stable and no surprise if they show more.
RACE 6 - FANGELA (2) had no luck here last time in the $50,000 Black Mountain and this contest suits. Expect him to settle closer today and the in-form Heywood rides for the first time and that's a decent push for his chances. In Canberra's premier barn and deserves another chance. DEVINE MISS (4) improved winning a 74 and was narrowly beaten here last time in Open grade after a tough run. Keeps the 2kg claim for a handy apprentice. Back to a shorter sprint but can sit off them and come hard. IRON WILL (5) resumes and brings strong form. He's gone close in several Highways and won comfortably here in Open grade last time heavily bet. 3x winning rider Owen is reunited and the gelding has won 2/3 first-up. Has been off the scene for 322 days and that's the niggle - especially on a deteriorating track. VAINSTREAM (10) likely the best of the others.
RACE 7 - Competitive. URAFIKI (11) switched yards and delivered the Maiden win at Moruya as expected. That stacks up and she can go on with it now. The extra 100m suits and she's likely to settle off them and come hard. PRETTY SASSY (5) resumed with a Cl1 win at Cootamundra and is sure to improve off that. Respect the Ible barn when it brings horses here. MOOSHAKA (3) and MISS STALWART (2) line up for the Nick Olive barn. They both race well here and no surprise to see one or both in the frame. RONNY ROCK ART (1) has only found two placings in six tries at the track. Regardless, he lifted his figures again at Goulburn over this distance and keeps the handy 3kg claim. Races forward and is sure to give a sight.
RACE 8 - GRINS (3) was heavily bet to win here 7 days ago first-up and found one better. It was a good effort and she will present fitter. Maps for the run of the race and can make amends. FORBIDDEN GEMSTONE (5) races forward and has threatened at her last two. Keeps the handy 2kg claim and from a good gate will get every chance to go one better. ROSY SUE (11) will be fitter and two back was beaten a lip here when first-up. Has a wide barrier but the 4kg claim rbrings her into it. BLEUE'S CHOICE (4) got a lot closer here last time improving. He maps to advantage and the in-form Heywood is a key jockey switch for the 3kg apprentice. In the mix as well.
