Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - YARRA PRINCESS (8) has been freshened up since a midfield finish over this course and distance on 23 September. The mare's last couple of runs here at this trip have been sound. Big chance to break though despite the gap between runs in a mediocre maiden. LIBBY (1) is hardest to beat after a couple of recent placings, the latest over 1730m here when she worked home well. Has only been to the races three times so there is plenty of scope for improvement. RIGHTEOUS BROTHER (4) settled back in the field and made little impression last time out over 1400m at this track. Gets up to this trip for the first time and it looks the right move. Can improve. SELLINYA (5) was well beaten over 1400m at Armidale last time but may appreciate the step up in distance. QUICK BUCK (3) hasn't been far away at his last couple and is one for trifecta players.
RACE 2 - VOLARE (9) had a change of stables and returned from a 24-week spell when a pleasing third over this distance at Taree last start. Well in after Wilkes' claim in an easier maiden. Clearly the one to beat. COOL MACHINE (6) returns from an eight-month spell. Opened last prep with an eye-catching second over 1215m at Coffs Harbour. Needs further but will be rattling home. Donna Grisedale's debutante SEYMOUR STARS (4) won a recent trial here by two lengths. Should go well with the help of an inside draw. EXCLUSIVE BATTLE (7) is back from a 16-week spell. Yet to make her mark in three preps but this is weak so she might be one for exotics. BARRON (5) is down in the weights on recent efforts. Each-way hope out of gate one.
RACE 3 - CANTANKEROUS (4) was edged out in a thriller on debut over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast. Settled back in the field and failed to run at his only other appearance over 1110m at Doomben. Significant class drop today and is a big chance to break the ice. CRAZY MIKKI (6) ran a better race last time when a closing fourth over 1000m at Taree. Her two runs on good tracks have been failures which is the query, but a step up to 1200m looks a positive step. ELLRO (8) resumes. Opened the maiden prep with a placing at Moree. Trialling very well for new trainer David McColm and is worth plenty of thought. GERRY'S PICK (12) did her best work late on debut over a shorter trip here. In the mix with some natural improvement to come. First starter CLASSIC SHIRAZ (11) has been trialling okay and is worth some thought with the help of the inside stall.
RACE 4 - LADY TULESSA (4) won three from four before battling on fairly to hold third behind Single Touch over a similar trip here last start. Draws a couple closer today and gets a small weight swing her way. Consistent mare who will give backers a great sight. SINGLE TOUCH (5) settled back in the field then closed too well for Moskeeta and Lady Tulessa here a fortnight ago. Has been racing well for some time and there is no reason he won't hold that form. MOSKEETA (7) came from next to last on straightening to split the top pair when resuming here recently. Boasts a fine record at Grafton and looks a big chance to go one better. TIME FOR VICTORY (1) showed pace but tired in open company at Taree last start. Hard to beat back in a Benchmark race over his pet distance. HAURAKI GULF (3) has been in the money at his last three and can play a big role again out of the inside alley.
RACE 5 - ROCKY ROGUE (4) stalked the pace then put a Class 1 field away comfortably when resuming over 1125m at this track last start. Had never filled a placing first-up before so she is back better than ever. Up 3.5kgs on that run but from an inside gate he can get the job done again. THROWNUNDERTHEBUS (7) opened this prep with a couple of placings then scored with something in hand in a maiden over 1125m here last time. Ran just 0.3 secs slower than Rocky Rogue on the same card so she should be competitive again. ASK THE QUESTION (3) has been freshened up since failing on a heavy track here five weeks ago. Nice winner on debut the run prior on firmer ground so he deserves another chance. SPRING EAGLE (2) got a mile back before charging home for third behind Rocky Rogue at this track recently. Racing pattern doesn't help but he can get home into the money again based on that effort. GROOVY DAY (6) is a market watch first-up from a five-month spell.
RACE 6 - MEMUMZA DIVA (7) is still a maiden but his recent efforts in this grade have been strong. Boxed on well to be beaten under a length in a Class 1 over this course and distance eight days ago against many of today's rivals. Very fit and ready to win. GANGPLANK (1) had his chance but just whacked away in the same race as Memumza Diva here last time. One-pacer who will keep coming and cannot be ruled out. ROYAL RIFT (2) led for home but tired on the run and finish a close fifth in the same race here as the top pair recently. Cherry ripe now after four runs back and is capable of ending a long win drought. READY ENABLE (9) is a 32-start maiden who almost caused a massive upset in that same 2220m race here eight days ago, beaten narrowly at 150-1. Obviously a chance if that wasn't a fluke. YA LOVE HER (4) has struggled of late on the Gold Coast poly and is worth another chance back on turf.
RACE 7 - ICON OF STYLE (8) drew a wide gate in a similar race to this last start and did a good job to finish a close fourth. Will do less work from a better alley today and she looks a great chance to return to the winner's list. KHAMIS (5) won on debut two back then handled the step up in grade last time when beaten under a length over this course and distance, finishing ahead of Icon Of Style. Not in well at the weights but is still improving so must be respected. MISS SHU (1) drove hard but just missed at her latest appearance over 1690m at Ipswich. This looks a bit easier so she is a live chance despite the 61.5kgs. TALAKAI (9) will go back from a wide alley but is capable of some big final splits. ALL TOO ROSEY (4) last raced in this grade three runs back when runner-up at Taree. Can return to form.
RACE 8 - TRUE FAIRY (6) returns from a five-month spell. Was racing in great heart in these parts last prep before being sent to Sydney for the Vinery and Oaks where she wasn't up to the task. Finds a nice race to launch this prep. INTOXEL (5) returned to the winner's list last start with a comprehensive all-the-way victory over this course and distance. This probably isn't as tough so another win looks on the cards. DESERT MIST (4) raced handy but was no match for Intoxel here recently. Open to improvement at just the third run back from a break so don't rule him out. ISLA'S DAY (8) came home like a train to win at Gatton recently over this distance. Meets some better types this time but should be hard to hold out again. HARDLEY GREY (3) has a fine record at seven furlongs and is racing well. Each-way proposition.
