Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - WEST HEAD (4) gave away a decent start on the corner then closed hard and was beaten under a length on debut three weeks ago over 1200m at Canterbury. Perfectly placed out to this trip in an easier maiden. Clearly the one to beat. SWIFT GUN (6) was five weeks between runs when runner-up over 1300m at Hawkesbury last start. Handy colt who will take a lot from that run and a maiden win doesn't look far away. KICKOFF (7) led in a change of tactics last time out over 1300m, but she felt the pinch in the final furlong and missed the placings. Should be up on the speed again and in a race that lacks pressure on paper so she might give some cheek. The lightly raced DELRICO (2) returns from a 20-week spell and has been gelded. Respect any positive market move. Gai and Adrian's first starter SETHNIQUE (3) hasn't set the world alight at the trials but never underestimate the stable.

RACE 2 - HAPPY SATURDAY (1) has showed pace but just petered out late in his two runs this prep, both over 1300m at Hawkesbury. Won his only race when third up from a spell. Needs this trip now and with the blinkers back on he looks ready to peak. FIORSUM FRED (2) ran a nice race first-up in a Rosehill Highway then went back from a wide alley and was never a chance in a 1400m Kembla Highway last time out. Placed at his only try at the mile. Back in grade and we should see a better performance today. MORE MISCHIEF (4) led and tried hard but found a couple better over this distance at Hawkesbury recently. Useful gelding who will be prominent for a long way. RED COBRA (5) lost any chance when he blew the start here last time. Good each-way hope down in the weights. ELLENMAC (6) hasn't won for nearly three years but might one for trifecta and first four punters following a fair effort at Warwick Farm seven days ago.

RACE 3 - MANNERHEIM (1) improved sharply last start when second-up from a spell, making late ground to finish fifth over the mile at Hawkesbury. Has won two races, both coming at this stage of the campaign. Steps up sharply in trip but he should cope. Sure to be right there at the business end. MONTGOMERY (4) has contested the same two races as Mannerheim this prep. Settled just ahead of that gelding at Hawkesbury last time but he went by and beat him home by just under a length. Is a winner here at this distance and will be hard to stop if he gets a soft run up front. THREW (7) scored a tough win over today's journey at Orange last start. Up in grade but should be competitive. The race probably ends there, with BROADFIELD (2) and HUNTER BRED (5) best of the others.

RACE 4 - THE NOVELIST (1) led from the outset and showed tremendous fight to hang on and score in a BM78 over this distance at Kembla last time. Has tackled black types in 50% of his races so Gai and Adrian think he has talent. Looks the one to beat after some key scratchings. BAUHINIA (9) last appeared when beaten just 1.4 lengths in the Group Two Silver Shadow over this distance at Randwick in August. Lightly raced filly tackling the older horses but she doesn't lack in quality. QUEEN OF THE MILE (5) returned in fine order at Canterbury recently, fighting on tenaciously to score by a narrow margin after racing on the speed all the way. Tougher test this time but cannot be overlooked. RUSH HOUR (2) is back from a five-month spell. Trialling very well and his best form stacks up favourably. THE GREY (8) dominated in a Hawkesbury maiden last start. Big assignment today but he is lightly raced and going places.

RACE 5 - Veteran mare LEAVE ME SOME (7) has been in work forever but keeps racing well. Got home fairly to be beaten under three lengths over 1100m at Canterbury 12 days ago. Likes Wyong so in a race knocked about by scratchings she looks a great chance to score. HAY PEARL (9) improved sharply last start at the second run back when an eye-catching fourth in a strong form race over 1000m at Taree. Trained here and will be hard to hold out over the extra 100m. WELCOME GYPSY (6) ran a nice second to the in-form Zealously over 1000m when resuming here last time. Might be pretty short which doesn't represent value, but her claims are undeniable. ZOUKERINO (3) is back from a 19-week spell. Two recent trials should have him forward enough to run well. BODGIE (5) was too bad to be true last start. Goes well here at this trip so he deserves another chance.

RACE 6 - Very strong renewal of this race. O' OLE (9) showed plenty of dash and held all her rivals at bay bar Slipper favourite Bel Merci in the Gimcrack on debut. Tired late after working hard up front in the Golden Gift over this trip at Rosehill at her only other run a month ago. Should camp on the speed and be tough to hold out. TEMPESTUOUS (6) overcame an early check to finish a close second in the Breeders on 5 October at his only run to date. Subsequent trial winner who is on the third line of betting in the Golden Slipper. Major player. MEMO (8) rattled home from near last to finish third in the Gimcrack, finishing just a long neck behind O' Ole. Hasn't raced since but did win a recent Canterbury trial. Serious chance. BLITZBURG (1) won a Newcastle maiden on debut a fortnight ago, defeating OFFENBACH (4) who was also lining up for the first time. Both have futures but might find the top trio too smart. Include them in wider exotics.

RACE 7 - An open race to finish the day. ANGARA (1) resumed at Kembla (metro) last start in a BM78 over 1000m and couldn't quicken in the run home after showing early speed. Has won two out of three second-up and his best form comes at this trip. Perfectly placed to find some form. CALGARY KING (8) has improved at each appearance this prep, the latest offering and strong third over 1200m at Goulburn in heavy going. Very fit and gets a massive 6.5kgs off today from the Goulburn run. MISS CHECKONI (3) was only three lengths behind the in-form Kingston Charm two back at Hawkesbury then struggled from a wide draw in the rich Four Pillars last time. In the mix back in this more suitable contest. EPICUS (2) is back from a 32-week spell. Only raced twice last prep and didn't come up. Trialled well here on his home track recently so might be one to keep an eye on in betting. TINKA'S LAD (6) put in a shocker last time but might be better taking a sit.