Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - ENDURE (7) supported late in betting on debut when found the line strongly to finish a narrow second to BURJ over 1300m at Newcastle on December 1. Has the race experience now and can figure prominently. BLUE VEIN (1) Blue Point colt who resumes. Hit the line with intent on debut when second over 1200m at Newcastle on March 21. Returns with the two sharp trial wins and can play a leading role here. CALL ME MOJO (4) has a fitness edge over most of these third-up and close to a victory. Attacked the line late when fourth over 1300m at Randwick Kensington on December 6. Solid top-three prospect. WEST HEAD (3) rocketed late on debut at Canterbury, then did the same again when launching late for a fighting third over 1350m at Wyong on December 11. No shock to see him ridden a little closer today. Stays in the mix.

RACE 2 - QUEEN'S RHAPSODY (8) exciting filly ready to win out to the 1200m. Gave weight to GERRINGONG when a gritty second over 1100m at Canterbury on November 29. Brings the strongest figures here and maps to get every chance. CREPE MYRTLE (6) raced much closer to the speed at her second race start when a fighting second to ALINEA over 1300m at Randwick Kensington on December 6. Back slightly in trip and can sit just off them with cover and pounce late. SIGNOR TORTONI (3) Too Darn Hot gelding out of a Strategic mare on debut for the Quinton yard. Was an impressive Randwick Kensington trial winner over 850m on December 9. A trial repeat brings him right into calculations. MAJORCA SUNSET (2) has drawn well and is expected to show good improvement second up.

RACE 3 - OMNIC (7) fourth-up now and gets his chance. Covered ground in the run and failed to surrender when a plugging third over 1550m at Canterbury on November 29. Expected to go close. ALTAIR I AM (1) six-start maiden who gets the blinkers added today. Snagged back from the wide draw and finished off well when second over 1400m at Kembla Grange on December 12. Crying out for the trip and can play a leading role. RAMPAZETTO (11) comes to town for the first time this prep third-up. Drops in weight after showing plenty of grit when second over 1400m Canberra on December 13. HOLLY HELL (16) put in a good performance on debut and with natural improvement expected, she shouldn't be far away.

RACE 4 - DRIFT NET (2) holding her form well this time in and keeps bumping into one better. Fifth-up today after paddling late in the heavy (10) conditions when second to LULUMON over 1300m at Rosehill in BM78 class on December 7. Prepared to give one more chance. TUILERIES (8) well bred filly who returned for her second campaign with a dominant 3 len victory over 1250m at Canterbury on December 13. Looks destined for bigger things and expected to go close again. BINDI'S CHOICE (3) continues to race well and while she does have a bit to find on the first two, she shouldn't be far off the mark. IMPOSANT (4) next best.

RACE 5 - VANESSI (6) rewarded for her consistency at second run back when demolishing rivals with a 3 len victory over 1100m at Canterbury on December 13. Back in trip for this and doesn't need to improve much to win again. ZOURIPPER (1) progressive Zoustar gelding resuming. Will drift back from the awkward gate and produce late. Impressed in both trials and the tempo suits. ART'S ALIVE (10) was well fancied when resuming and didn't disappoint when rounding them up effortlessly to score over 1000m at Kembla Grange on December 12. Has the necessary improvement to play a leading role today. COOL STORM (7) has displayed good ability to this point and has to be kept safe in her return.

RACE 6 - STORM THE RAMPARTS (6) Headwater gelding who went quickly through his grades last prep, resuming. Finished a narrow second to JEDIBEEL over this trip at Randwick Kensington on April 25. Has a dynamite fresh record and ready for this with the two smart trials. Goes close. EXTRAVAGENT LAD (7) racing in a rich vein of form and met with solid support last start when a plugging third over 1200m at Mudgee. Anchored with the 61kg on that occasion and the 1000m is his pet trip. Can bounce back. FRILLED (1) big drop in class today after contesting Listed and Group 3 company at her last two runs. All five wins have come at this distance and maps to get the right run. Expected to go close. DON'T DOUBT MERLIN (8) has the three wins from five starts and deserves his shot in this stronger contest. Races best with his runs spaced and good enough to take a hand in the finish.

RACE 7 - OSIPENKO (4) hasn't won since April 2023 over this trip and look for a sharp improvement today. Came from near last on the turn when an eye catching seventh over 1600m here in the G2 Ingham on December 14. Jones keeps the ride and no surprise to see him race closer to the speed. Genuine each way player. TAVI TIME (10) frustrating gelding stretching out to the 2000m for the first time. Loomed ominously with the 59kg when a fighting third over 1800m at this track on December 14. Winkers come off and senior rider on. Goes close. TOWNSEND (11) kept fresh for this and set to peak fourth-up after missing the start when third over 2000m in the LR Frank Underwood (ATC) Cup at Rosehill on November 30. Fitted with a recent 1000m trial placing and will prove hard to run down. NAVAL COLLEGE (2) classy stayer who drops in trip and weight today. Stuck on well when fourth over 2400m at this track in the Christmas Cup on December 14. Stalks the speed and goes close.

RACE 8 - WINSTON HILLS (5) exciting gelding who created a big impression at first run back when a fast finishing 2.25 len winner over 1250m at Canterbury on December 13. Returned good figures first-up and can progress through his grades this time in. The one to beat. THE REPLICANT (7) tough gelding who's come back in good order. Rocketed late over the unsuitable 1250m first-up when a narrow third at Randwick Kensington on December 6. Extra trip suits from the low gate. HEADLEY GRANGE (3) Exosphere gelding with a handy win record resuming. Undefeated first-up and given the two trials in readiness for this. Reunited with regular rider and look for him late. ZOUPRINCE (8) has a fitness edge over most of these and returned to form with a smart on-pace win over 1200m at Newcastle on December 14. Up in class and stays in the mix.