Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - A quartet of Godolphin debutantes hold the key, headed by LIPSTICK (3) who is a filly by Street Boss from an Exceed And Excel mare. Finished 2.6 lengths behind the smart Memo in a recent Canterbury trial. She looks ready to run a forward race at nice odds. SATIN'S LEGACY (5) for Waterhouse/Bott is the best hope of stemming the blue tide. By King's Legacy from the Pierro mare that has produced Coolmore Stud Stakes placegetter I Am Unstoppable and a dual Listed placegetter from her two foals to date. Trialling well and is a major player. Godolphin's TEMPTED (7) went close in a Rosehill trial on 10 December. By Street Boss from the dam of four-times stakes winner Kallos. Should run well. DAPHNES (2) is yet another Street Boss filly for James Cummings. Finished less than a length behind Tempted when they trialled together recently. Likely to be prominent. SPHERE (6) completes the Godolphin representation. Half-brother by Bivouac to Newmarket winner Cylinder. Sure to have admirers.
RACE 2 - Tricky race with a few returning from spells and a sprinkling of first starters. SMOTHER (7) for Ciaron Maher might be the one with the race fitness edge. Debuted over 1100m here a fortnight ago and caught the eye in the closing stages, beaten under a length. Sure to prove tough to hold out over the extra furlong. Stablemate PROVISEUR (6) settled back from a wide gate and then found the line well without threatening on debut over 1250m at Canterbury last time out. Can race a bit closer today and should be competitive. NOW IS THE HOUR (3) has not appeared since a midfield finish over 1100m at the Kensington track at his first appearance in July. Two recent trials should have him forward enough to run well. HURRY MISS (10) won a trial on 9 December and looks set for a positive return after an eye-catching third at her only run back in August. AMARETTO BO (8) was just fair first-up at Canterbury but should improve over an extra 200m today.
RACE 3 - WINNING POINT (4) appreciated the drop in grade last start when a close sixth over 1800m at the Kensington track. Slowly working her way back into to form. This step up in journey in modest company looks the right recipe. THE RIGHT REIN (7) settled near the tail and was a bit disappointing last time out over 1800m at the Kensington track. Won by panels over 2000m at Queanbeyan the run prior - in the mix on that form. INVESTMENT (5) has been on or about the money at all three runs this time in work, the latest offering a game third over the mile at this track. On trial at the distance but is bred to run a trip so gets the benefit of the doubt. Last start Hawkesbury winner IMPUNITY (3) will find this harder but he is racing very well and cannot be overlooked. Also in the mix is the Waller-trained BITOFTHEBLARNEY (1) who has been racing well in Queensland.
RACE 4 - Small field but all but one look strong chances. PASSEGGIATA (3) has bumped into some handy types this prep and was racing okay until a tiring effort over 1100m at Rosehill last start. Back to midweek company over her pet distance so she gets the right scenario to return to the winner's list. MANWE (6) ran a nice race first-up at Canterbury then turned in a shocker at the Kensington track last time. Lightly raced four-year-old who deserves another chance with blinkers on for the first time. RANTAN (7) settled back in the field then made a wide run so her effort to be beaten just 1.5 lengths at Canterbury last time had merit. One to watch for late in proceedings. COSMONOVA (2) is back from a 20-week spell. The winner of four from seven, including her only try at five furlongs. Capable of winning this. WONDEREACH (4) flies when fresh and a recent Canterbury trial win suggests he is ready to go at his first appearance since July.
RACE 5 - HELLO WORLD (2) led all the way to score over 1300m at the Kensington track three starts back but has been disappointing since. Best figures stack up nicely so with blinkers on for the first time today he certainly deserves another chance. SLY BOOTS (4) returned from a year on the sidelines with an encouraging third last time out over 1250m at Canterbury, making good late inroads under a crushing weight. Competitive at Group 3 level when last in work so he has the talent to stretch this field. PIGGYBACK (3) is back from a 165-day absence. Has won twice from two first-up appearances, albeit out of town. Will be better over more ground but a recent trial win suggests he can sprint well while fresh. PRETTY TAVI (7) ran an improved race last start when second-up. Worth some though with added fitness back at the midweeks. ONE LAST SHOT (5) gets some weight relief today and is one for trifecta and first four punters.
RACE 6 - IN DE SUMMERTIME (5) wasn't beaten far first-up in open company at Wagga then got way out of her ground in the $200k Canberra Community Chest over 1400m last start. Strips fitter, needs the mile and is beautifully graded in a BM64. Expecting her to find form today. FLYING STEP (11) didn't have the best of luck in the straight when a close fifth recently over this course and distance. Boasts a fine record at the mile and with better luck can play a big role. SUBARCTIC (6) returned to NSW last start and got the prize in a BM68 over 1850m at Newcastle. Has his share of weight but is racing too well to leave out. WAR STAR (9) dominated in a Hawkesbury maiden ten days ago and despite the class rise is a force to be reckoned with. HAPPY SATURDAY (1) has his share of weight but is in the mix seven days after a dominant win at Wyong.
RACE 7 - UP TO MISCHIEF (3) raced handy and battled on well for second when resuming over this distance at Canterbury four weeks ago. Promising mare who won second-up in the country last prep. Gets some nice weight relief today. Maps beautifully and looks the one they have to beat. RAGGA RAGGA (4) savaged the line late but just missed in a busy finish over 1100m at Canterbury last time out. That was the lightly raced mare's first appearance in 14 weeks so expect her to improve, particularly over the slightly longer journey. SLINKY (9) was there if good enough but just missed the placings in the same race as Ragga Ragga at Canterbury 19 days ago. Rarely far away and is sure to be competitive again. MISS REBEL (6) is a model of consistency and a must for exotics players. NOT THAT EASY (7) chased home a smart one here last time and cannot be ruled out.