Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - THE BEAST (7) settled worse than midfield then let down nicely to get up for second on debut over 1400m at Nowra last start. Three winners have come from that race to add merit to the performance. Very hard to beat over the extra furlong. BLACKLIST (1) has bumped into three handy gallopers this prep. Edged out by West Indies two back over 1400m at Kembla then was left in Power Of Opal's wake here at this trip last time. Very fit and capable of testing this field. SQUEEZEBOX (5) made late ground but was no match for the winner recently over 1400m at Kembla. Fitter for two runs back from a spell and needs the mile now. TELECOM (6) was in commission on debut last start at Scone where he closed well without threatening. Can improve over the longer journey this time. GLORY START (8) races well here and has placed 2/2 at the trip so cannot be left out.

RACE 2 - GORBACHEV (5) closed well to just miss over 1000m here on debut then used the inside draw to lead at Kembla last time where he was nailed on the line over 1200m. Promising gelding who should have no trouble with the longer trip and will be tough to catch. SUPERHERO (7) was hard to miss first-up over 1300m at Warwick Farm where he stormed home from near the tail to miss by the narrowest of margins. Useful colt who is perfectly placed to open his account. HIGHLAND EIGHTGEE (1) had every chance but didn't find the turn of foot required when unplaced here over 1300m last time out. Gets a cheap run from gate one and should have plenty to offer. BANXI (2) worked home fairly without threatening on debut recently over 1200m at Kembla. Can improve out to this trip. CALIFORNIA BLUES (3) has been safely held in two runs this prep but might need seven furlongs now.

RACE 3 - DIDDLE DUMPLING (7) ran on nicely for second in a strong Rosehill maiden over 1200m two runs back. Did a tremendous job last start to be beaten just 1.7 lengths by subsequent Flemington Carbine Club winner Aeliana in the Gr 3 Reginald Allen over this distance at Randwick last start. Only needs to hold that form to be winning this. STARPHISTOCATED (8) came from last to get up for fourth in an impressive debut over 1200m at Newcastle last time out. Promising filly who will be harder to stop out to this more suitable journey. FROSTY JO (2) hasn't looked like winning in recent runs but she is never far away. Steps up to this trip for the first time and should be competitive again. BROADCAST BOOGIE (6) found the line well in a shorter race at Nowra last start. One to watch for late in the piece. I AM WILD (3) is slowly putting it together and should enjoy the step up to 1400m.

RACE 4 - Five runners and five realistic winning chances. KNIGHTS ARMOUR (2) produced an uncharacteristically poor performance over 2140m at Warwick Farm last start when he failed to beat one home. His other three tries at or around today's trip have resulted in wins. Worth another chance back at the provincials. SO SLEEK (3) has been in the money at all three runs this prep including a third here over 2000m last start. Reaching peak fitness now and is sure to give a good account again. SEETHING SEB (5) is racing well with a win and a last start second from his past two appearances, both over 2000m at this track. Led last time and might do it again and dictate. Hard to beat with the light weight. TOKYO RUN (6) and JUST BOOGIE (8) contested at BM66 over this journey at Orange recently, with the latter getting the prize. Tokyo meets him 4.5kgs better today so there probably won't be a lot between the pair.

RACE 5 - The scratching of Monte Braveheart opens this up. BETHSHEBA (8) made it two minor placings from her last three runs when she battled away for third last time out over 900m at Muswellbrook. Small query at this trip but there doesn't look to be a lot of pace which helps. Looks a nice bet at double-figure odds. KAZOTSKY (1) has led for home but knocked up at his last two outings, both at Kembla over longer trips. Could give some cheek coming back to 1100m on this tighter circuit. DEFYING (2) is a market watch first up from a fifteen-week spell for a new stable. Didn't come up last prep but gets a few gear changes now and his best is good enough. BLOOMIN' GOLD (5) did enough first-up at Bathurst last start to suggest she can be competitive in this field. Pre-post favourite ROYALIFY (7) returns after a five-month spell. Good fresh performer who is trialling well and is sure to play a significant role.

RACE 6 - STRONG TRADE (2) settled midfield then picked impressively to just get home when resuming in a maiden over 1300m at Warwick Farm last start. Lightly raced three-year-old with plenty of scope for improvement. Will be hard to stop again out to this more suitable trip. STAR LEGACY (4) stepped up quickly to the mile but did a great job to be beaten just a neck last time out at Kembla. In the money at all three Hawkesbury starts so must be included. LEANDRA (5) appreciated the step up in distance when a solid third here at this journey three weeks ago. Loves racing here on her home track and at the fourth run back she will be cherry-ripe. VERBEK (3) warmed up late but was never a threat when resuming recently over 1400m at Kembla. Boasts a far better second-up record so he is a definite contender. LA VESUVIUS (1) is a strong fresh performer who trialled well at Scone recently so keep him in mind first-up from a 23-week spell.

RACE 7 - RAF ATTACK (10) was backed as though unbeatable in the Port Macquarie Cup last start but after leading for home he gave in rather meekly. Back sharply in trip which is in his favour. Drops 3kgs and can bounce back as his best figures measure right up in this field. Winx's little sister CITY OF LIGHTS (9) ran a nice race first-up in the Tibbie then started favourite in a Group 3 at Caulfield last start but disappointed. Better placed back home and the blinkers go on today. Expecting a much better run. ROBUSTO (5) got a long way back in the Five Diamonds Prelude at Randwick last start and failed to figure. Beaten less than two lengths by Cepheus in the Rowley Mile here in August which is a decent form reference. BERKSHIRE SHADOW (3) didn't appreciate being ridden in front last time out so forget the run. Good effort to finish midfield in the Epsom the run before - big chance with a repeat of that performance. RUSTIC STEEL (1) can improve at the third run back.

RACE 8 - A race shaken up with three of the top four in early betting coming out. MISS SPACEGIRL (11) started favourite and got the job done on debut over 1200m at Canberra recently. Big step up today but she gets the ace run from gate one and is open to plenty of improvement. ONE LAST SHOT (3) returned with a tough maiden win over this course and distance four weeks back. Genuine gelding who has performed well in town so he is up to this rise in class. CANI CANCAN (4) drove hard late to just prevail when resuming over 1200m at Nowra last start. Two second-up runs have been failures which is the small niggle, but she looks well placed here and should be in the finish. GENDARMERIE (7) is back from a five-month spell. No wins from five first-up runs but in a race that has fallen away she is a top three chance on the back of a strong recent trial. CALGARY KING (6) caught the eye in the dying stages when returning over 1100m here last start. Big chance out to this trip.