Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ZOUBABY (9) classy mare kept fresh for this after racing with distinction in tougher grade over the Melbourne carnival. Sat on the fast tempo when a narrow fifth over 1100m in the G3 Red Roses Stakes at Flemington on November 7. Kept up to the mark with a recent Canterbury trial placing and gets her chance to run the 1200m out. Goes close. TRAFALGAR SQUARE (15) returned from a let-up with an even second over 1000m at Warwick Farm on December 4. Strips fitter now and better placed over the 1200m. Each way player. EMMADELLA (4) resumes after finishing an unlucky fourth to XIDAKI over 1600m in the G3 Winx Guineas at the Sunshine Coast on July 14. Returns with two trials and she has the ability to sprint well fresh with the blinkers off. LADY EXTREME (8) lightly-raced mare coming along nicely in similar company. Massive effort first-up from the sticky draw when a narrow second over 1100m at Canterbury on November 29. Looking for this distance and can take a hand in the finish.
RACE 2 - DUKE OF BRONTE (1) gave them a galloping lesson over this track and trip first-up, then disappointed when sixth behind the smart PISANELLO over 1000m at Kembla Grange on November 23. Back in his right grade and Clark should be able to get control early from the draw. Goes close. CARRIBEAN KING (5) returns from a 39-day let-up after finishing off late when second to DUKE OF BRONTE at this track and trip on November 5. Can race a little closer here and figure prominently. TAI LUNG (6) wound up strongly out wide when an eye catching second to PISANELLO over 1000m at Kembla Grange last time out. Back in class and due for a change of luck. BRIDIE'S LUCK (16) lightly raced mare who showed ability in this grade last time in. Sound return when sitting on the speed for a nose second over today's journey at Tatura on November 23. Gets a gun run and can add value to the exotics. The chances don't end there.
RACE 3 - PIER PRESSURE (3) exciting mare who will take holding out again fourth-up. Had the race won a long way out when a soft winner over 1550m at Canterbury on November 29. Will sit on the speed again and prove hard to hold out with Osmond's 3kg claim. REDBREAST (4) made it three wins from five starts first-up, when she fought back strongly to score a miraculous head victory over 1400m at Rosehill on November 30. Goes equally as well second-up and looks set for a big prep. ALLAPERCANTO (6) unsuited on the leader biased track second-up when seventh to I'MINTOWIN over 1400m at Kembla Grange three weeks ago. Form has since been franked and ready for the mile now. DAZZLE LEGEND (2) backed up quickly when a tough nose winner over 1600m at Newcastle on November 16. McEvoy rides again from the good gate and he looks over the odds at his current price.
RACE 4 - DREAM HOUR (4) third-up today and won third-up in the past. Will find this more to his liking third-up after making good ground late when sixth over 1300m at Newcastle in BM94 class on November 16. Best form is over this trip and the booking of Rawiller is a bonus. Value player. BUNKER HUT (5) loomed ominously out wide first-up when a narrow second over 1200m at Kembla Grange on November 23. Extra trip in his favour and sure to be thereabouts. RAVELLO (8) comes off a 39-day let-up after his race was abandoned at Mudgee last Friday week. Raced without luck when a fading seventh in the Little Dance here over 1600m on November 5. Value player.
RACE 5 - WITHIN THE LAW (6) nice filly who showed a good turn of foot on debut when a commanding 1.3 len winner over 1000m in restricted Listed grade at Flemington five weeks ago. Has since been kept up to the mark with a 900m trial at Canterbury. Further improvement in store and warrants favouritism. CANTIAMO (12) is a daughter of Too Darn Hot from Valencay on debut from the Kris Lees yard. Two trials have been full of promise and McEvoy rides from the good gate. Leading player. ARTISTIC VENTURE (8) is a filly by Trapeze Artist out of Secret Venture on debut for the O'Shea & Charlton stable. Looked good when a recent trial winner over 902m at Canterbury on December 3. Genuine top three contender. GOBI DESERT (7) unwanted in betting on debut when a gritty winner over 900m at Newcastle four weeks ago. This looks tougher and since kept up to the mark with a recent 800m trial placing. Place best from the draw.
RACE 6 - QUEEN OF DRAGONS (14) comes here in peak form after racing without luck when a close fourth over 1600m in the G3 Summoned Stakes at Caulfield on November 30. Placed this trip and has genuine each way prospects with the 54kg. TAVI TIME (3) gets a better set-up today and will relish the 1800m. Powered late from well back when a tough third over 1600m at Kembla Grange on November 23. Can race a little closer and is one of the main contenders. CAFE MILLENIUM (4) enigmatic gelding who saves his best for this track and trip. Much better effort when catching the eye late to run fourth over 1600m at Kembla Grange last time out. Wadick's claim will help his cause. Look for him late.
RACE 7 - KADAVAR (11) Tarzino gelding starting to hit his straps in his four-year-old season. Made it two straight when launching late for a tough head victory over 2400m at Caulfield on November 3. Deserves his chance in this stronger race on the limit weight. Each way contender. NAVAL COLLEGE (2) set to peak fourth-up after failing to handle the heavy (8) conditions when sixth in the G2 Zipping Classic over 2400m at Caulfield on November 30. Has a good record here and maps to get all the favours. ALALCANCE (12) progressive mare who returned from a let-up with a fighting on-pace second over 2000m at Kembla Grange on November 23. Her best form in Ireland was over this trip and since fitted with a 1250m trial. Leading player. SEA KING (3) smart winner of the Bendigo Cup two-back, before failing to get into the contest when 14th in the G1 Melbourne Cup over 3200m at Flemington on November 5. Returns fresh and kept up to the mark with a 1000m trial. Looks under the odds at his current quote.
RACE 8 - GRINGOTTS (2) is chasing a hat-trick after being backed off the map for a slick on-pace victory over 1600m in the G3 The Gong at Kembla Grange on November 23. Got conditions to suit last time and will find more pressure here. Goes close again. SPANGLER (19) solid return from a year off when motoring late to finish fifth over 1300m at Newcastle on November 16. Has a dynamite record this track and trip and look for him late. ESTADIO MESTALLA (18) finished second two runs back in the Little Dance here, then rewarded for his consistency with a tough win carrying the 62kg at Kembla Grange over the mile on November 23. Drops 9kg in weight today and drawn poorly. Keep safe. The chances don't end there.
RACE 9 - MORAVIA (6) races well this track and trip and kept fresh here. Back in trip when an even fifth to DRAGONSTONE over 1100m at this track on November 5. Kept up to the mark with a recent Canterbury trial win and gets the gun run from the draw. Hard to stop late. HEDGED (5) resumed from a successful winter campaign with a fast finishing third over 1000m in the G3 The Warra at Kembla Grange on November 23. Extra trip is in his favour and goes well second-up. Tongue-tie goes on and hard to beat from the gate. JEDIBEEL (8) finally drawn a decent barrier after being snagged back last time when a disappointing eighth over 1100m in the LR Starlight Stakes at Rosehill on November 30. Yet to win at the 1200m and expect to see him race a little closer to the speed. Reunites with his regular rider. PEREILLE (7) all four wins have come at this trip and set to peak third-up. Should get the right tempo to swoop late.
RACE 10 - JEWELLERY (9) gave weight to EYE OF THE FIRE first-up when held up badly in the straight for an eye-catching fifth over 1100m at Rosehill on November 30. Clearly come back in good condition and expect to see her swoop late with the genuine tempo. EYE OF THE FIRE (3) chasing his third straight victory today after drifting back early before storming home for a gritty win over 1100m at Rosehill on November 30. Jumps in trip and weight and will need everything to go right in the run. AUGUST BLOOM (16) lightly raced mare with a ton of ability resuming. Last raced when a plugging fifth in the G3 P J Bell over 1200m here in the heavy going on April 6. Clearly come back much stronger judging by her two good trials and capable of taking this out. LEFT FIELD (18) set to peak third-up and expect to see her race a little closer today. Gave away a big start on a leader biased track when second over 1200m at Kembla Grange on November 23. Brings strong figures here and looks great each way value.
