Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - WRITTEN FAME (2) consistent gelding who was narrowly beaten with the 59.5kg in the heavy (10) going when second over 1200m at Murwillumbah in BM66 grade on October 15. Backs up quickly and the firmer surface helps with the 3kg claim. The one to beat. PIXIE HALLOW (4) sound return from a long layoff when spearing across to lead before knocking up late when second over 1007m at Taree on September 24. Fitter now and he has a nice record over this track and trip. MONTE DRIFTER (7) races best with his runs spaced and undefeated at this course. Anchored with the 58kg when running on late to secure second over 1205m at Coffs Harbour on September 5. Well weighted with the claim and can take a hand in the finish. DUSAN (1) resumes today with good fresh figures. Back without a trial and must be kept safe from the low draw.
RACE 2 - SAXINOUE (8) lightly raced gelding resuming with a ton of upside. Ploughed through the heavy going at second race start when a slick winner over 1200m at Murwillumbah last June. Fitted with two sharp trials and he gets his chance from the good gate. Goes close. KEVIN MCKEEN (3) fitter now after racing in much stronger company of late. Drifted back and he failed to get into the contest when seventh over 1100m at Port Macquarie in C2 grade on October 11. Sharp improver. LASER BEAM (7) at his top now and gets control here fro the good gate after finishing fifth over 1100m at Ipswich on October 7. Each way. OSTRACISED (1) much better effort at latest when third over 1100m at Murwillumbah on October 15. Claim helps and he maps to get the right run.
RACE 3 - STAPLETON (9) promising staying type who finds his race fourth up after having no luck from the wide gate when last over 1820m at Eagle Farm on October 12. Placed there two back over the mile and maps to get the right run with the blinkers off. SPECIAL MASTER (6) Galileo gelding who steps out to his right distance range at his third race start today. Held a forward position when a creditable fourth over 1410m at Lismore on October 20. Has the talent to make a real race of it here. Respect. BOLOGNA (1) warmed up late from back in the field when an eye-catching fourth over 1730m at this track on October 22. Can race a little closer and figure prominently. EMPRESS OF MILAN (7) fitter now after two runs back and expecting more on the firmer surface. Look for her doing her best work late.
RACE 4 - SIGLO DE ORO (4) returns off a 40-day let-up after disappointing on resumption when tenth at Ipswich over 1100m on September 19. Since fitted with a recent 1050m trial win. Has the ability to return to form. CHURCH ROCK (9) resumes after catching the eye on debut when an encouraging fourth over 1020m here on July 7. Returns with two mixed trials and not without each way prospects. HERE'S MASON (2) three weeks between runs and never comfortable in the heavy (10) going when sixth over 1175m at this track on October 1. Drawn out but stays in the calculations. HARE STREET (1) gritty effort in the heavy (9) going when a narrow fifth over 1010m at Murwillumbah on October 15. Maps well again and sure to be thereabouts.
RACE 5 - STAR ESPRESSO (6) resumed for new stable with a slick on pace victory over 1100m at Murwillumbah in similar grade on October 15. Jumps in weight today and will appreciate Bellamy's 1.5kg claim. Has further upside and expected to go close again. PISA CAKE (2) handy Kris Lees trained mare resuming from a six-and-a-half-month break. Won on debut before failing narrowly over 1305m in the heavy (9) going at Tuncurry on April 18. Fitted with two soft trials and she maps to get the gun run. Solid top three prospect. MISS MAZERATI (8) settled well back last start from the outside gate and she never got into the contest when eighth over 1125m at this track on October 22. Better gate today can see her return to form. RETHINK IT (9) back in trip after failing to live up to market expectations when hitting the rail in the straight and finishing last over 1400m at Armidale on October 5. Since fitted with a recent 1015m trial and improvement expected.
RACE 6 - KAIROS LOUIE (3) lightly raced stayer who is ready to peak third up. Sat on the speed and held on well in the heavy conditions when fifth over 1800m at the Sunshine Coast two-and-a-half weeks ago. Since fitted with a recent 1000m tick over trial and brings the right figures to take this out from the low draw. MONTE KAHUNA (4) holding his form well and races best with his runs spaced. Attacked the line late when a solid second over 2110m at Lismore on October 20. A repeat of latest can see him right in the finish. ZAYNUDIN (7) first run for the new stable when ploughing through the heavy (9) going to run second over 2020m at Murwillumbah on October 15. Stable has clearly found the key to him, stays in the mix. MEMUMZA DIVA (9) improved showing when strong through the line late to secure third over 2000m at Taree in C1 grade on October 18. Stays in the mix.
RACE 7 - CARACORON (1) former Victorian gelding resuming for the Stephen Lee yard. Drops in trip for this with the claim and since fitted with two searching trials. Big market watch from the good gate. RISK FOR REWARD (4) lightly raced gelding who shouldn't be a maiden for long. Charged late from the outside draw on resumption when a narrow fourth over 1200m at Murwillumbah on October 15. Maps well for this and he looks the main danger. SEKI (13) Dundeel gelding who ran on late at debut when an even sixth at Murwillumbah over 1200m on October 15. Extra trip suits and can race a little closer. MYSTIC WAY (10) up in grade and drawn out when a poor 12th over 1200m at Port Macquarie on October 11. Stable has tinkered with the gear and has the ability to turn it around.
RACE 8 - WONDERLAND STAR (11) smart mare who got out late on resumption when a fast finishing fourth over 1200m at Eagle Farm in BM62 grade on September 28. Undefeated second up and over this trip. MY MUM'S TOYBOY (1) won two-in-a-row at this track before heading to town when a plugging seventh over 1110m at Doomben three-and-a-half weeks ago. Stretches out to this trip for the first time and gets in light with the 3kg claim. Genuine place contender. FRAPPES (2) finished fifth in the Lismore Cup here two back, before fading fast on the Gold Coast Poly when seventh over 1540m on October 12. Best form is here and will prove hard to run down from the low gate. WILDERNESS STAR (12) won over this course and distance and was a total forgive from the wide draw at latest when 11th in the Krambach Cup over 1600m at Taree on October 18. Goes into the exotics.
