Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - TASORAAY (6) exciting gelding who drops sharply in grade for this fourth-up. Stalked the good tempo when third over 1300m at Randwick Kensington on December 6. Has the fitness and class on his side to shed his maiden status. ROCKBARTON FLASH (5) two career runs have been acceptable and looks the main danger today. Bumped into the handy BURJ last time out when fourth over 1300m at Newcastle on December 1. Can race a little closer from the low draw. THE BENTLEY (3) is due for a change of luck and kept fresh for this. Stretched out to the mile when a fighting third over 1600m at Kembla Grange on October 26. Fitted with a recent trial and has each-way claims. DEVIOUS MIND (1) is in with an each-way chance.
RACE 2 - REASONABLE (10) finds her race here fifth-up after holding on well for a gritty third over 1300m at Hawkesbury on November 28. Maps well from the low draw and looks one of the leading players. KOTAISHI (4) another of the Maher runners with his hoof on the till. Back in trip for this after giving his all when fourth over 1500m at Newcastle on December 1. No surprise to see Maher quinella the race. CUP OF AMBITION (7) backs up quickly after spearing across from the outside draw to find the front, before fading to run fourth over 1300m at Tuncurry on December 9. Better gate today can see her take a hand in the finish. RICKYTHESTEAMBOAT (5) returned good figures late when resuming with an eye-catching fourth over 1100m at Warwick Farm on December 4. Further improved and looking for his trip now.
RACE 3 - MONTY THE MISSILE (1) strips fitter now after going out hard on resumption before tiring late to finish sixth over 1100m at Warwick Farm on December 4. Should be able to get across comfortably here and take catching in this easier contest. COLD BREW (3) three-year-old gelding by Pierro from Connemara on debut for the Richard & Will Freedman stable. Has impressed in both trials and Rachel King rides. Goes close. GRAYSVILLE (4) Alabama Express gelding out of Glasgow Grey making his debut for the Maher yard. Not asked to do much in his last two trials and is sure to be thereabouts from the gate. WITHSTAND (9) fitter now after resuming with a solid on pace third over 1000m at Tamworth on December 2. Well drawn and trip suits.
RACE 4 - HUNTER BRED (4) indicated a win was imminent last time out when he attacked the line late to finish a solid second over 2100m at Wyong in similar grade on December 11. Gets in light again with the claim on his home track. Leading player. JUST BOOGIE (5) was back in grade last time out when taken to the front for a commanding 0.9 len win over 2000m at Canberra on December 6. Will prove hard to run down again from the low gate. BRYNNER (7) has needed the two runs back and drops 7kg in weight for this third-up. Only battled when sixth over 2000m at Canberra on December 6. Best form is good enough to take this out. JACK DUGGAN (2) trained locally and is ready for this trip now fourth-up. Stuck on well behind BAT OUT OF HELL when fifth over 1550m at Canterbury on December 13. Solid each-way contender.
RACE 5 - CAPE BYRON (1) resumes from a lengthy spell and worth noting he finished third to the smart MCHALE at Warwick Farm last prep. Returns with the two trials and comes to hand quickly. Will appreciate Wadick's 1.5kg claim. SHELSTEIN (8) had mixed success in town at his last two outings and this looks much easier. Failed to get into the contest behind CODETTA over 1250m at Canterbury on November 29. Improver. BARTOLF (6) kept fresh off a 49-day let-up after resuming with an eye catching fourth over 1200m at Wyong on October 31. Track suits and since fitted with a recent trial placing over 902m at Canterbury. Expected to go close. RAMONES (3) handy on-pace sprinter who resumed with a fading 11th over 1100m at Rosehill in Highway grade on November 30. Blinkers come off and will give plenty of cheek.
RACE 6 - FRENCH MARINE (5) tough old gelding who resumes with a good fresh record. Finds a winnable race first-up with the claim and looks ready to go with the two good trials. KEITEL (1) came up from Victoria when unsuited on the leader-biased track first-up, when a poor 10th at Kembla Grange on November 23. Strips fitter with the claim and can turn it around quickly in this easier contest. PROUD IMAGE (10) bounced off her solid sixth at Canterbury two-back, with a slick 2 len win over 1200m at Mudgee on December 6. No reason she can't win again. ZOE SHARK (8) away slowly and never in contention when a plugging fourth over 1000m at Wyong on November 23. Will take catching is she jumps cleanly today.
RACE 7 - ALLITERATION (3) Exceed And Excel filly out of a Teofilo mare on debut for the Waterhouse & Bott yard. Had the five trials in readiness for this and her recent 1045m trial at Randwick was full of merit. Has the speed to get across from the wide gate with the blinkers added. Must be kept safe. OTONO (1) resuming from a lengthy break after returning good figures on debut when a fast finishing second over 1280m at Canberra Acton on July 10. Given the two soft trials and look for her late. MOONLIGHT DREAM (8) resumed with a disappointing seventh over 1100m at Warwick Farm on December 4. Drop in class suits and improvement anticipated. TRISKELE (14) Street Boss filly expected to turn it around from the low gate today. Snagged back from the outside draw when a dismal 11th over 1300m at Hawkesbury on November 28. Can add value to the exotics.
