Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - BAKHITA (10) impressed on debut two back at Tamworth then did a lot of work after a slow start and was only beaten 3.2 lengths over this course and distance last time. Capable of taking this out if she jumps away with them. GUSTAV (2) recorded his fourth minor placing from seven starts when he finished third as favourite over 1280m at Muswellbrook eight days ago. Racing well and only needs to hold that form to be a major player. GRANDINI (8) is back from a 19-week lay-off. Best of three runs in the maiden campaign was a tidy second over 1300m at this track. Expecting a positive return to racing following a trial win here recently. YOU THINK YOU KNOW (6) is a So You Think first starter from the Brett Cavanough stable. Won a recent trial at this track by a good margin. Looks to have his share of ability. OCTERN (9) didn't do much in her first campaign but a good trial here on 30 October is a promising sign.

RACE 2 - MOVE SHE CAN (4) is back after a five-month break. Opened the last campaign with a tough win on debut over this course and distance. Failed over a longer trip at the only other run. Recent trial winner who is all set for a successful return. WATER LAD (5) returns after a 20-week absence. Came from last in a big field to finish second on debut to launch last prep over this trip at Muswellbrook. Likely to be up for this. GIRRAWHEEN (8) last appeared when midfield over 1300m at Newcastle on 29 June. Won with authority on debut over 1100m at Dubbo at her only other appearance. Must be respected. STARANE (2) drove hard late but just came up short when resuming over this distance at Orange a month ago. Kept fresh and sure to be competitive despite a hefty 62kgs. STAR BLING (7) is back for a second campaign. Showed ability when last in work and a good gate helps.

RACE 3 - BURRANEER BUOY (5) was 38 days between runs when a respectable fourth last start over today's distance at Coonabarabran. Strips fitter and gets a little weight relief. Looks the testing material with the assistance of an ideal gate. KING'S DUTY (4) had been racing well without winning on the provincial circuit and deserved his win here seventeen days ago in a BM58 over this trip. Taking on a better field today but drops 3kgs which brings him right into calculations. UNCLE HARRY (1) resumes after a 170-day spell. Performed well last prep largely at the provincials in longer races than this. Might surprise while fresh. AWESOME TYCOON (3) dominated at Quirindi last start and can improve further at just the third run of the prep. SIR GODRIC (2) has not raced for thirteen months. Betting watch advised.

RACE 4 - LIKE LUKEY (1) returned from an 18-week spell and made it four minor placings from five starts when she stormed home from last on the bend to get up for third over 1400m at this track. Perfectly placed out to this trip. Should settle closer today and gets her chance to break through. ROCKBARTON ISLAND (2) was ridden closer than usual last start and responded by finishing the closest of seconds over 1509m at Port Macquarie. Cherry ripe after three runs back and blinkers on for the first time might give him that extra edge. TURNING CIRCLE (9) was unwanted in betting and ran accordingly at Kembla recently. Worth another chance having his first run with the shades applied. WITHANIA (10) is another whose form is not flattering but could do better with the blinkers going on. CHARBONNEUSE (4) struggled when returning from an 11-month break here last time but should strip a lot fitter now.

RACE 5 - HERE COMES HOGAN (2) travelled off the speed and couldn't pick up as required last start over this distance at Hawkesbury. Last raced in the country when edged out over 1100m at Nowra three back. In the right race to return to form. THUNDERING SOUL (1) came from well back on straightening to get up for third last time out over 900m at Newcastle. Nicely placed over the extra furlong on this easier race. Sure to be tough to hold out. TOMOE GOZEN (7) improved sharply last start when lining up for only the second time, racing on the speed then hanging on gamely for a narrow win over 1200m at Tamworth. Ready to go to the next level now. The lightly raced GREAT POINT (6) returns from a five-month spell. This is short of her best but she can run a bit of a race for trifecta players. PEARLS TREASURE (3) has been about the mark at her last couple, both at this track over 900m. Needs this trip now so must be respected.

RACE 6 - YOTOTSU (8) transferred from Ciaron Maher to local trainer Nikki Pollock and resumed from a 130-day spell last start with an eye-catching second over 1300m at this track. Settled worse than midfield that day then let down impressively to just miss. Beautifully placed up to the mile and will be hard to stop. OUTCAST GIRL (6) hit the line with gusto to collect a Bm58 over this distance at Nowra recently when second-up from a spell. Third-up form isn't great which is the concern, but she still demands attention. OUTBACK ARCHIE (10) wasn't far away last time out over 1400m at this circuit. In nicely after the claim and should be peaking now. OPEN PEARLY GATES (5) won his maiden at a very short quote last start at Dubbo. New to this distance. In the mix. FLYING BANJO (9) has been about the mark all prep and is a solid each-way hope.

RACE 7 - STING JET (5) has been about the mark in his two runs this campaign in tougher races. Raced a bit closer than usual last start over this course and distance in a BM82 and couldn't finish off. Nicely placed and is a winning hope if ridden a bit colder. WHO GOES THERE (8) returned from a nine-month spell with an emphatic all-the-way win over 1000m at Tamworth six weeks ago. Lightly raced five-year-old building a nice record but needs to be treated with kid gloves. Hard to toss again. LOUNERSE (12) recorded a dogged win over 1206m at Port Macquarie recently when fresh from a 31-week lay-off. Goes well second-up so she should hold that form although the wide gate is an issue. CODE IN TIME (6) is back from a 21-week break. Recent trial winner who goes well first-up so keep him in mind. GOLD LOVER (14) is down in grade and open to improvement second-up.