Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - AMUSING (7) promising Godolphin filly with the two strong career runs looking for this trip. Attacked the line late with the 58.5kg when third over 1300m at Kembla Grange on November 16. Maps well and looks hard to hold out. OMNIC (5) showed his ability last time in and strips fitter after two runs back. Was tenacious late with the 59.5kg when second over 1300m at Newcastle on November 2. Gets through all conditions and will appreciate the 1550m. BANXI (1) sharp improver at his second race start when jumping in trip for a narrow second over 1400m at Hawkesbury on November 7. Blinkers go on and he looks one of the leading players. JOLLY GOOD FELLOW (3) fourth-up for this and has a fitness edge over most of these. Knuckled down strongly when back in trip for a gritty second over 1400m at Rosehill on November 13. Value runner.
RACE 2 - HOPPER (1) nice Snitzel colt who made an encouraging debut when a close-up fourth over 1250m at this track on November 15. Open to further improvement and should get the right run. Goes close. SHE REX (10) showed good early speed on debut when a fighting second to Shangri La Spring over 1200m at Kembla Grange on November 5. Strips fitter now and can take a hand in the finish. VANESSI (12) promising filly resuming from a five-month break. Showed a ton of potential last time in and her two latest trials have looked strong. Maps well and can figure prominently. PROVISEUR (5) three-year-old colt by Proisir from Za Star on debut for the Maher stable. Has been given plenty of time to develop and looks good enough to play a leading role.
RACE 3 - QUEEN'S RHAPSODY (3) two career runs in town have been solid and a win looks imminent. Charged late on resumption when a sharp second behind Flying For Fun over 1100m here on November 15. Can race a little closer tonight and Collett sticks. Goes close. REGIMENTAL COLOURS (8) on debut pushed forward early at a good tempo before tiring late when third over 1100m at this track on November 15. Would have benefitted greatly from that performance. Sure to be thereabouts again. GERRINGONG (7) Blue Point filly from a More Than Ready mare on debut for the Waterhouse & Bott yard. Had four trials in total and her last two were full of merit. Can play a leading role. HELL TO PAY (1) resumes after finishing in the minor money at both runs last prep. Given the two soft trials and the tongue-tie goes on. Minor money hope.
RACE 4 - SLINKY (10) underrated mare who finds her race tonight from the good gate. Down sharply in weight after sitting off the tempo with the 58kg when a gritty second over 1200m at Kembla Grange on November 16. Will appreciate the good early tempo and prove hard to stop late. QUEEN OF THE MILE (1) smart sprinting mare who looks well placed first-up with the 3kg claim. Raced in stronger company last time in and has impressed in her two recent trials. Goes close. RANTAN (8) was rewarded for her consistency fourth-up when a dominant 0.8 len winner over 1000m at Hawkesbury on November 12. Deserves her chance in this stiffer test. RAGGA RAGGA (6) nice Toronado mare resuming. Shed her maiden status at start three at Warwick Farm last time in. Has the two trials under the belt and drawn to get the gun run.
RACE 5 - CODETTA (8) is a lightly raced Nicconi filly with the good record of two wins from three starts. Looks destined for bigger things after resuming with a tough on-pace victory over 1200m at Kembla Grange on November 16. Will relish the 3kg claim tonight from the good gate and handles all going. Hard to stop again. SHELSTEIN (11) shed his maiden status two-back at Kembla Grange, before jumping in class with a fighting third over 1200m at Rosehill last time. Drops in weight for this and near his top now from the low gate. APEX (5) exciting Exceedance gelding who rounded them up with ridiculous ease on resumption when a slick maiden winner over 1100m at Hawkesbury on November 12. Shouldn't have a problem running the 1250m out and expected to go close again. TRUE AMOR (12) returned for his second prep with a sound on-pace victory over 1200m at Kembla Grange on November 5. Looks to have upside and can stalk the good speed.
RACE 6 - PIER PRESSURE (4) clearly strengthened over the break and relished the class drop when a smart 2 len winner over 1600m at Scone in easier company on November 19. Finds a nice race tonight with the claim and can win again in this tougher event. LENAPE VIBE (9) scored a dominant win over this track and trip last time in and strips fitter after resuming with a plugging sixth over 1300m at Rosehill on November 19. Should race a little closer and will relish any sting out of the ground. Improver. LIKE A TIGER (2) lightly raced gelding who ran on late first-up, before failing to get into the contest when a poor tenth over 1600m at Warwick Farm on October 23. Fitter now and expecting Rawiller to get the best out of him with the possibility of some sting out of the ground. HELLO WORLD (3) returns from a 37-day let-up. Total forgive from the wide gate when a tiring sixth over 1300m at Warwick Farm on October 23. Drawn out again and finds an early contest here.
RACE 7 - STROMBOLI (3) finds his race tonight from the inside draw. Sat on the strong tempo when a gallant fourth behind Fire Star over 1200m at Rosehill in this grade on November 9. Gets map favours and is desperate for a bit of sting out of the ground. Genuine each-way player. DEMIANA (11) has a good record over this track and trip and will appreciate the drop in weight. Narrowly beaten first-up over 1250m at this track on November 15 and goes equally as well second-up. Sure to be strong late. FINE VINTAGE (8) Canberra-trained gelding with the handy record of five wins from 14 starts. Deserves his shot here after scoring a slick 3 len win over 1175m at Albury on November 8. SILENTSAR (4) races best with his runs spaced and like the way he finished off at the latest when third over 1300m at Rosehill on November 2. Reunites with Tim Clark who won on him three-back.
RACE 8 - CONCELLO (4) third-up tonight and like the way she finished late when seventh to Modesty over 1800m at Rosehill in BM78 grade on November 9. Raced in stronger company last time in and this class suits. CHEVAL SAVANT (6) progressed nicely last start when up on the speed for a fighting third over 1900m here on November 15. Gets a similar setup tonight and will prove hard to run down. COSMIC LAD (9) placed this track and trip and set to peak fourth-up. Looking for this journey now after plugging late when fourth over 1600m at Newcastle two weeks ago. Goes into the exotics. HEAVEN BOUND (7) is an underrated mare who couldn't have been more impressive on resumption when a slick on-pace victory by a big margin over 1600m at Kembla Grange on November 5. Has won over this trip and will give plenty of cheek again.
