Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - FINAL RESET (6) will be peaking third-up after a last start fourth at Nowra over a mile. The key here is the step up to a middle distance and he is ready to win at short notice. GATCHAN (7) got going late to finish fourth at Queanbeyan 9 days ago and has the blinkers back on immediately. She benefits from a 2kg claim and is poised to give this a shake. Each way. CHATEAUX PARK (1) is dropping in class and is not too badly off at the weights. He will relish getting out to a more suitable trip third up and can figure in the top 3 this time. Watch for him late. TENNIEL (3) resumed with a fair run at Hawkesbury nearly 3 weeks ago and will appreciate racing in country class second up. She is a quick improver who is worth including in all combinations.
RACE 2 - FIFTY FIVE MUSTANG (1) capped off an improving form line when winning quite impressively at Albury last time out off a wide gate. He has a draw upgrade this time and is good enough to repeat the dose. BREAKAWAY WEEK (5) is seldom far away and produced another honest effort to finish fourth here a fortnight ago. She has 4kg less to carry after a claim and should be thereabouts again. GOODNIGHT BARLOW (6) raced greenly fresh up in his only run this prep in spring on this course and was too tough, scoring by a nose. The margin should have been greater that day and with more time to mature, he will be hard to beat fresh up in this. Stick with him. LEASE (4) can progress off the fresh placing.
RACE 3 - SOUL TAKER (3) has been thereabouts in all 5 starts this season and may be better off being kept to a mile at this stage of her career after she just whacked away over 2000m here 2 weeks ago. She has the pole position and has each-way claims again. HELLUVA SOIREE (2) ran on late over 1300m here when resuming from a spell and generally improves with racing. The extra 300m is what she needs and she is expected to be a top 3 chance this time. TWO AYE (4) caught the eye with a late finish for fourth at Nowra 12 days ago. She has an extra furlong to travel second-up and can have the last say. MORE THAN BUBBLES (9) could be ready to show more with a couple of runs under the belt.
RACE 4 - BULLFIGHTER (1) showed promise as a juvenile and is resuming from a spell as a gelding for the first time. He has been tuned up with a couple of trials and with the benefit of a good draw, he will be the one to beat at this level. BOMBARD (4) closed off her run powerfully at Newcastle nearly 2 weeks ago when finishing second by a short-head. Senior hoop Ash Morgan replaces an apprentice and she can go one better. AZZUCCA (3) charged home late to finish second here on debut and probably should have won had he not been held up at a vital stage. He can settle just off the pace from the pole position and should not be in this grade for long. BEDDA MIA (5) is on debut and has won the most recent of 2 public trials. She has natural pace and is sure to be well-found in the market.
RACE 5 - GRAPHIC SIGHT (3) has been showing signs of ability in a couple of trials and being from the Waterhouse/Bott stable you know that he will be ready to run on debut. He has the early pace to take up a prominent spot early on and he might even set the pace. Hard to beat, especially if the money comes for him. SWAG (4) is one of many first-starters with ability and was a winner of his most recent trial at Hawkesbury. Keagan Latham picks up the ride and the pair merit healthy respect. Use the market as your guide. RAINBOW GLOW (6) has been runner-up in both of her public trials and the Bjorn Baker stable is running hot. She has a good draw and has to be respected. SMASHING LULU (7) got going late after missing the start on debut at Queanbeyan and she will be better for the experience. As long as she make a better beginning this time, she can figure in the top 4.
RACE 6 - IN DE SUMMERTIME (3) was found to be mildly lame after her last start at Warwick Farm so that run can be ignored. She would not be lining up here if she still had an issue and in this easier company, a form reversal is on the cards. Stick with her. LA SANTE (1) is a durable veteran who let down strongly for a big win second-up here 2 weeks ago. He has a superior gate this time and generally gets better with more racing. He gets a big upgrade in his draw this time and can double the dose. SMARTER THAN YOU (7) was in good form over the winter last season and has continued that form for new trainer Todd Smart, winning her last start at Nowra quite comfortably 12 days ago. She has 7.5kg less to carry this time and has to be respected again. ASTUNNER (5) could be ready to peak fourth up.
RACE 7 - MARACAIBO SUN (6) has needed time to mature and has been in the money in 5 of his 8 career starts at provincial level. He is resuming from a spell for a gelding for the first time and will be facing his easiest assignment yet. He was runner-up at a recent Goulburn trial last week and can make a winning return here. On top. OVER TO WIN (8) will be peaking third up and benefits from a 2kg claim this time. He is likely to get back and if the tempo is genuine, he should be hitting the line hard. Include in all combinations. IDEELIC (5) has changed stables since his last start on the Gold Coast poly track and is perfectly drawn in the pole position. This field is not strong and he can run into the money here. DADDY'S GIRL (9) ran on late to finish third fresh up at Albury nearly 2 weeks ago and with natural improvement, she can figure in the finish again.
