Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - CRYPTONIC (1) returned with a strong maiden victory two-back over this trip at Wyong on November 9. Had no luck from the wide draw when a tiring fourth over 1100m at Hawkesbury in BM64 grade on November 28. Will take control early from the good gate and prove hard to run down in this easier class. INVINCIBLE MADISON (5) demolished her rivals when resuming over 1000m at Canberra, scoring by 3.5 lens with plenty up the sleeve on November 24. Strips fitter now and looks up to this stiffer contest. MAJESTUOSO PHOENIX (2) Lope de Vega gelding who created a big impression on debut when powering late to finish over the top of his rivals when a smart winner over 1000m at Wyong on November 23. Sure to be strong again. ART'S ALIVE (4) raced in some stronger races last time in and expected to have strengthened over the break. Returns with two sharp trials and has the ability to take this out.

RACE 2 - HOW MUCH BETTER (1) improving gelding who finds his race today third-up. Sat on the good tempo and no match for the handy BRAZIL when second over 1500m here on November 16. Has the speed to get across from the draw and prove hard to hold out. LUCKY BAY (2) thereabouts of late and the stable has tinkered with his gear for this. Josh Parr keeps the ride after sticking on well when third over this trip at Hawkesbury on November 28. Hard fit and good enough to take this out. BEAUER (6) only the one win from seven starts and strips fitter second-up with the claim. Stalked the speed first-up when a battling third over 1400m at Newcastle on November 27. Goes into the exotics. SIR SUBLIME (5) hard fit now and can give plenty of cheek with the sharp drop in weight. Will hold a forward position from the good gate and relish the 2kg claim.

RACE 3 - TASTULA (2) improving gelding who gave them a galloping lesson when a dominant 3 len winner over 1900m at Canterbury on November 20. Further improved and maps to win again in this average affair. KAHRABA (4) fifth-up today and will find this more to her liking after finishing fourth over 1850m at Newcastle on November 27. Chambers rides again with the 3kg claim and looks one of the only dangers. UNOWHO (3) dour type who flopped badly on resumption when wilting sharply to finish last over 1500m at Newcastle on December 1. McEvoy rides today and worth another chance out to this trip. JACK OF ACES (1) sprinted well first-up over the mile when second at Wyong, before plugging to the line when fourth over 1600m at Wyong on November23. Placed this track and looking for the 2000m now. Gets his chance from the gate.

RACE 4 - SHAMBRETTA (6) started fav on debut when sitting on the good tempo for a courageous second over 1300m at Hawkesbury on November 28. McEvoy keeps the ride and expected to go one better today from the low gate. OH DIAMOND LIL (10) nice mare expected to shed her maiden status quickly. Showed ability last time in, before resuming with a slick on-pace third over 1200m at Canterbury on November 20. Form has since been franked and this extra trip suits. ALTAIR I AM (1) two runs back have been encouraging and has his hoof on the till. Jumped in trip with the 59kg when a gritty fourth over 1550m at Canterbury on November 15. Winkers stay on and he can stalk the good tempo. MONTIGO BAY (8) drops in weight with the 3kg claim after powering late from well back when an unlucky second over 1300m at Hawkesbury on November 21. Desperate for this trip and can figure prominently.

RACE 5 - RAINBOW GODDESS (9) has a fitness edge over most of these and a win looks imminent. Had to work hard early from the outside gate when a tenacious second over 1200m at Wyong on November 23. Will go forward and prove hard to stop in this weaker event. DARK GLEAM (3) nice gelding resuming with the blinkers coming off. Finished in the minor money at his last two runs on the provincial circuit. Has the one solid trial under the belt and looks one of the leading players. ARTIFACTX (1) improving with racing and like the way he attacked the line late from the wide draw when third over 1200m at Wyong on November 23. The claim helps from the low draw and no excuses fourth-up. DONWON (2) has his hoof on the till fifth-up after running on late when second over 1100m at Hawkesbury on November 28. Trained on the track and gets every chance from the inside draw.

RACE 6 - Tough maiden. WALK THE PIER (13) drifted back early from the wide draw on debut before returning good sectional splits when a narrow second over 1300m at this track on November 16. Should get the right tempo again and no surprise to see him go one better. OVERLAND (7) surprised at big odds on debut when powering late from well back to finish a solid fourth over 1200m at Wyong on November 23. Roomier track helps with the 3kg claim. Genuine top-four contender. LOUISBURGH (6) Zoustar gelding who resumed in easier company when a tiring on-pace third over 1400m at Canberra on November 24. Blinkers go on for this and gets the services of Fitzgerald's 3kg claim. PICK UP THE TAB (8) total forgive from the wide gate on resumption when snagged back for a plodding eighth over 1300m at Hawkesbury on November 28. Should keep improving as he gets out in trip.

RACE 7 - POCKETING (14) taken back from the sticky gate on resumption when an eye catching second over 1300m at Hawkesbury on November 28. Has bumped into some promising types at his last two runs and returned good figures first-up. Goes close again. AMERICAN STARLET (5) handy mare with the two wins from six starts who bumped into the smart FIDDLER'S GREEN second-up when a fading seventh over 1400m at Hawkesbury on November 21. Winkers go on and will find this more to her liking. GENDARMERIE (15) kept safe in betting on resumption when a tiring third over 1300m at Hawkesbury in this class on November 7. Has won second-up and will be in this for a long way. TOES IN THE WATER (4) hard in the market on resumption when a plugging fifth over 1200m at Canberra on November 24. Placed second-up and will relish the claim again.