Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - HARD TOO IMPRESS (1) looks set to shed his maiden status today from the good draw. Set to peak third-up after motoring late for a sound fourth over 1100m at Dubbo on December 3. Will race closer and take holding out. MEDIA COVERAGE (3) had mixed luck this time in and will prove hard to catch from the low gate. Had to work hard early and the effort took its toll late when a fading eighth over 1200m at Canberra on December 13. Go on minor placing two-back when assessing his prospects. KIRONA STORM (2) fitter after two runs back and expecting more over the 1100m. Chipped away late when fourth over 1000m at Warren a week-and-a-half ago. Look for him late. POLENS (8) working towards a win and not without each way claims. Ran on late when third over 1100m at Dubbo on December 3. One for the exotics.
RACE 2 - MARKS ICON (4) improving stayer starting to put it all together. Appreciated the firmer going when clearing out for a dominant 1.5 len win over 2000m at Canberra on November 24. Drop in weight suits and doesn't have to improve much to win again. JUDGE JACK (5) Justify gelding from the Neasham & Archibald stable desperate for this trip. Powered late from well back at his second race start when a solid second over 1400m at Tamworth on December 2. Up in class and no surprise to see him finish over the top of these. GRENOBLE (1) best form is over this track and trip and backs-up quickly after finishing seventh over 2000m at Queanbeyan on December 18. Goes into the exotics. TILLMAN (6) can contest for a place.
RACE 3 - Tricky contest. BRUTAL LOVE (3) looks to have come back even stronger this prep with the two solid runs. Went forward from the wide draw and showed plenty of grit when second over 1200m at Dubbo on December 9. Drawn out again and finds a suitable race over the 1100m. GETTY (2) will appreciate Keatings' claim again after bouncing back with a slick on-pace win over 1200m at the Sapphire Coast three weeks ago. Maps well and can play a leading role. SEENI (7) fitter now third-up and much better showing when running on late to finish second over 1000m at Quirindi on December 10. Sure to be thereabouts. WONDER STEP (9) could be worth including for value.
RACE 4 - Very average maiden. SWEET FUTURE (9) drops sharply in grade after disappointing in two career runs. Failed to make an impression when sixth over 1300m at Hawkesbury on December 8. No excuses today. NICCOLINA (7) two runs back have been okay and a repeat of her last start fourth over 1000m at the Sapphire Coast will see her feature prominently. KILTIKI (4) made up a little ground late when resuming to finish fifth over 1000m at Dubbo on December 9. Drops sharply in weight for this and can take a hand in the finish. AWESOME ICON (3) resuming with solid place claims.
RACE 5 - LONE ARTIST (4) had genuine excuses at both runs back on the provincial circuit. Led to the turn before disappointed to finish 11th over 1400m at Kembla Grange on December 12. Gets an easier lead here and the cross-over nose band goes on. Hard to beat. BLACK TIARA (5) better effort last time out when well in commission, running fifth over 1280m at Orange on November 22. This looks easier and expected to go close with the claim from the low draw. KUROSHINZO (3) thereabouts of late and due for a change of luck. Back in trip when a plugging fourth over 1200m at Mudgee on December 6. Expecting a better showing over this distance. HIMEROS (9) snagged back from the wide gate last start and a total forgive when tenth over 1400m at Orange on December 16. Earlier runs suggest he he can return to form from the middle draw.
RACE 6 - ROMAN MISS (9) fitter after two runs back on the provincial circuit and no excuses in this easier contest. Came out fast before tiring in the straight when seventh over 1300m at Hawkesbury on December 8. Can turn it around quickly. FORTY TIMES (7) former Victorian now in the Peter Stanley yard. Won well two back, before jumping in class when a poor last over 1600m at Sale on October 27. Kept fresh and not to be underestimated. STRATIFIED (2) consistent gelding starting to hit his straps. Demolished his rivals two-back, before jumping in grade when a fighting second over 1100m at Narromine in BM66 class on November 24. Hard to run down from the inside gate. WANDERING JACK (3) improving gelding who won two-in-a-row before rising in class when a plugging fifth over 1100m at Mudgee on December 6. Worth another chance.
RACE 7 - BEAUTY EDGE (1) smart Hellbent colt who broke through for a sharp maiden victory over 1300m at Dubbo on December 9. Returned good figures on that occasion and he has the upside to win again. SHADOW DANE (3) swamped them late with a dominant win over 1300m at Dubbo on December 9. Gets a similar set-up today and carries the big weights well. SHERIFF (5) last two runs have been below par and go on earlier runs in the prep when assessing his chances. Down in the weights and expecting more. FANCY GARTER (8) broke through at start five with a fast-finishing 2.25 len maiden victory over 1200m at Warren on December 13. Confidence is high now and not to be underestimated.
