Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SQUEEZEBOX (1) showed a good turn of foot once the gap came at Hawkesbury last time out and let down beautifully to score by 2 lengths. There is more in store for this filly and she can take the next step immediately. VIESTE (4) changed stables at the end of last season and is heading in the right direction this prep. She ran on late at Kembla Grange last time out and will relish the step up to a middle-distance third up. Each-way. KAHRABA (3) enjoyed getting out to a more suitable middle distance last start and roared home late to win going away by nearly a length. She is nicely placed with a 3kg claim and can go right on with the job. HARDPOINT (2) was a good winner as expected at Wyong last start over a mile and won't have any issue with a middle distance. A good draw will make him hard to hold out again.
RACE 2 - OFFENBACH (4) has looked sharp at the trials and kicking off over 900m from a good draw will be ideal. He is in good hands and Tommy Berry knows him well. On top for us. BLITZBURG (1) is on debut with a couple of trials under his belt. He has a lugging bit on which suggests he might still be a bit green when the pressure goes on. Use the markets as your guide. LAST TOUR (3) has improved quickly from his first trial to his second and in a positive move he has the winkers on for his debut. He is likely to settle back early on and will be hitting the line hard. Each-way. TELLING (5) was runner-up in his only public trial to date and Andrew Atkins retains the ride. A good draw helps and he will give a good account of himself.
RACE 3 - MISS PIERA (5) has not lived up to her early promise and might just be competitive over trips short of 1000m for now. She was narrowly beaten in a recent 900m trial at Rosehill and benefits from a 3kg claim fresh up. A good draw will help and she will be had to hold out. SHEEZA TRICKA (7) put up a good performance on debut in her only start as a juvenile, finishing fifth after showing a lot of natural pace early. She will be stronger this season and with a recent trial placing under her belt, she can figure in the finish fresh up. THE BIG TICKET (8) has the race day experience over his rivals and also has a home track advantage. A good draw and a 3kg claim should see him produce some worthwhile form. Include in all combinations. OVERTOOK (3) won the most recent of 2 trials this season and is in a leading stable. She is bred to be good so keep an eye on the market moves.
RACE 4 - PRINCE OF SORTS (2) showed pace to lead at Wyong last time out over 1200m and only wilted late, finishing runner-up by half-a-length. There will be no fitness concerns third up and with that 3kg claim advantage, he will be the one to peg back again. GOOD ONCE (3) has found it hard to win another race but usually holds his form once he reaches full fitness. He was third behind the top pick in the same race last time out and should be thereabouts again. AROHA STONE (5) needed her first couple of starts back from a spell at this level before dropping back to country class at Port Macquarie nearly 2 weeks ago and scoring by half a length. She has 2kg less to carry this time and now that she has figured out how to win, she can go on with the job. TAKE ME TO CHURCH (1) has needed time to mature after winning on debut nearly a year ago on the Beaumont course here. He will eventually want more ground but should be hitting the line strongly late. Include in all combinations.
RACE 5 - WAR RIBBON (11) has been steadily improving this season as he has stepped up in journey. He capped off some good form with his first win out of his grade on this track nearly 6 weeks ago. His connections will be eyeing up some richer 3-year-old contests later on and he is expected to more than measure up in the higher grade here. Stick with him. OAKFIELD HAWK (3) got in the final stride to score by a short-head at Wyong in his penultimate start before facing a tougher field at Rosehill last time out and finishing sixth. A 2kg claim will help and he will be among the hardest to hold out in this. VAGUER (1) stuck to his task gamely at Canterbury last start when finishing fifth in tight quarters. He carries 62kg but will give another good sight. Each-way. LADY REDWOOD (9) finished third at Wagga last time out and should be thereabouts in the small field here. Include in all multiples.
RACE 6 - STAR OF PARIS (14) was only beaten by a nose on debut and then was a fast-finishing third as favourite at Hawkesbury just over a fortnight ago. She cops a tougher draw this time but the long run home will suit her and with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, she can break through for her first win. Follow your money. JARED (1) won a trial before being run down here fresh up and then did not quite round off his finish in a good field at Port Macquarie just over 6 weeks ago when finishing fifth. He has been trying to win for some time but should enjoy some early cover here and can bounce straight back into the money. RUBI'S SERVE (10) ripped home late from last at Taree 10 days ago to finish fourth as favourite. She gets a big swing in her draw this time and with 2kg less to carry, she can have the last say. MISSILE CHARM (13) motored home late to finish third on debut at Port Macquarie and will relish the extra 300m on offer here at her home track second-up. Stick with her. Each-way value.
RACE 7 - MERCHANT LADY (6) made solid progress as a 3-year-old and changed stables before the start of this season. She was a beaten favourite when resuming at Wyong 18 days ago but did not have the clearest of runs home that day. The bigger circuit here will suit her as will the extra 150m. Don't drop her. Can win. ART VOLANT (4) is resuming from a spell with a couple of trials under her belt and does normally come to hand quickly. She ended her last prep in some stronger fields than this and will be hard to beat fresh up. O'ZIGGY (3) won the latest of 2 tune-up trials very comfortably. He benefits from a 3kg claim and has been a winner fresh-up in the past. Watch closely. GOLD CARD (2) was held up when trying to launch his bid in a tougher field at Rosehill last time out and his win at Taree before that is good form for a race like this. Stick with him,
RACE 8 - An even contest to finish the day and we put RUDBECKIA (9) on top after he fought on well enough when finishing third on debut at Kembla Grange and he will be improved by that experience. He is bred to excel over more ground so the extra 100m will help and he has each-way claims again. RUMBLING NIGHT (10) did not have any luck on debut and that effort is best ignored. His trial beforehand was good and he can figure in the top 3 this time, especially from the good draw. INCANTATION (17) put in a good effort on debut for fifth before running out of room when mounting her bid last time out. She is nicely poised to put her best hoof forward in this. AFLOAT (15) raced greenly on debut and will improve quickly with that run under his belt. The extra 200m will suit him and he is not out of this.
