Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - JUNGLE JET (1) was a touch disappointing last time out but go on the whopping 15-length victory over this distance range two back. Drawn to get all the favours for Jones from the inside alley and a bounce back to form would not surprise. The well-related NOCTILUCENT (2) (half to G3 winner Dracarys) shed the maiden tag here at the latest effort and is sure to have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Winning hoop Lerena sticks in the saddle and should be going very close again. LASQUETI BOOM (10) also hails from a handy family (half to G1 winner Lasqueti Spirit) and will strip fitter third-up from the spell. Gets Melbourne Cup-winning rider Dolan on board and rates a genuine top-three candidate on best form. FORT DENISON (4) has been racing consistently of late and looks ready for the 2200m now. In the mix. NICODEMUS (8) next in line in a wide-open affair.
RACE 2 - MR O'REILLY (3) returned in good order with a handy second around this circuit and will strip fitter for that hit-out. Looks ready for the step-up in journey now and rates among the leading hopes. IONACELTIC (2) just ran into one better at Ipswich at the latest effort and gets some weight relief with the 1.5kg claim. Improving with racing and rates a genuine top-three contender. KATERINI (8) gets the deadly Waller/Maloney combination and is drawn to get a cosy run in transit from gate two. Capable of playing a major role in the outcome. HAZE (5) brings NSW form to the table from the inside alley and any market support must be respected. DOUBLE GLAZED (14) next best in a race with a stack of chances.
RACE 3 - Tricky race to assess with a few of these facing the starter for the first time. Of the raced brigade ECCLESTONE (15) strips fitter second-up from the spell and gets the strong Gollan/Maloney combination. Should prove very hard to toss in a race decimated by scratchings. SIGLO DE ORO (5) has been right there at the past couple and draws perfectly in gate two. Suitably placed to play a major role in the outcome. ANSON BAY (20) should be able to sit on speed and will give backers a sight. WINCHMAN (6) has shown ability at the trials and any market confidence must be noted.
RACE 4 - STELLAR LADY (12) got the job done over this sprint trip last time out and winning rider Thornton stays in the stirrups. Perfectly drawn in gate six and will be cherry-ripe now third-up from the spell. Can go back-to-back. MONTE CRUISE (10) is first-up here but the form she showed when last in work was good enough to feature in a race like this. Tuned up for this with a recent trial victory and a strong showing while fresh would not surprise. DONT CALL ME HONEY (2) didn't measure up in a recent Randwick Highway but will find this assignment much more to his liking. Has to be included from the inside alley. The regally-bred I AM CAVIAR (4) (out of the unbeaten champ Black Caviar) has been right there in all three starts since joining the new stable and looks to be nearing another win. One for the exotics players.
RACE 5 - The $250,000 The Debut. VEIN GIRL (9) has looked very handy saluting in both trials to date and is sure to be well-educated from the Munce stable. Graham was in the saddle for the first trial victory and reunites here from the favourable draw. Can give a big sight. ISTI STAR (7) is another to win two trials to date with Mallyon being on board for both. Only needs some luck navigating from the wide alley to be playing a prominent role in the finish. TORQUE TO BE SURE (5) has shown ability at the trials and gets Maloney on board for race day. Respect any betting moves. LIFE AFTER LOVE (8) was an expensive yearling purchase from the Maher camp and cannot be discounted. EARN TO BURN (2) next in line in a race where any market confidence should be noted.
RACE 6 - The $125,000 GC1000 3YO Plate. STAR AMBITION (5) was a strong winner on the Sunny Coast on debut before just running into one better at Eagle Farm before the spell. Revved up for this with a recent trial victory here and looks to have plenty of upside. Rates the testing material. ARABIAN SUMMER (7) has a solid overall record with three wins and two seconds from just six career outings to date. Drawn to get a soft run from gate four and looms as the main danger. OVERFULL (9) is yet to miss a drum in three attempts over this sprint trip and will be rock-hard fit for this. Top-three contender on best form. MISHANI LILY (6) boasts a win around this circuit and is yet to put in a poor performance. A must for the multiples. SHOWS A SIGN (1) strips fitter third-up from the spell and may earn some minor money.
RACE 7 - Looks a wide-open affair. BILLIONAIR BABY (10) is a three-time winner over this distance range and gets some weight relief with the 1.5kg claim. Will be at peak fitness for this and should be right there when the judge calls a halt. OCEAN ZAR (17) saves her best form for this trip and must be respected from the Hoysted barn. Expect a bold showing. The well-related ATLANTIC OCEAN (2) (half to G1 winner The Mission) draws low and is another get some weight relief. Top-three credentials while fresh. COLD ONE (18) is racing in career-best form and cannot be ignored.
RACE 8 - NEW LEVEL (10) has placed two from three over this distance range and is a first-up winner in the past. Respect any market confidence. LADY SHOTGUN (3) has strung two wins together on the bounce and it's hard to knock mares in form. Cannot be underestimated. FLYING BIRDS (4) is racing in career-best form and should be right there when the whips are cracking. MORE LOVE (13) goes well for Jamieson and may earn some minor money.
