Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - ACIREALE JAYNE (8) is a locally trained filly having her first run on her home track. She is showing a lot of promise and will enjoy stepping up from 1012m to 1200m third up. Hard to beat this time. GIGATON (1) had his first start for a new trainer and did not fire a shot and looked to be in need of the run. He is better than that and will be a quick improver with an extra furlong to travel. Each way claims. GUSTAV (2) did not appreciate having the blinkers on for the first time last start and raced too keenly before dropping out. He has been freshened up and with the blinkers off this time, he is expected to bounce straight back into the money. MAGIC SHANNON (6) has been trying to win a race for some time and was fourth here last time out. His stable has been in form lately and she should be right in the finish again.

RACE 2 - NOT MY PROBLEM (8) has improved in each of her 2 starts and put the writing on the wall when charging home to finish runner-up by a nose at Tree 12 days ago. She steps up to 1500m and from a superior gate, she is poised to go one better. HIGHLAND MIRAGE (1) is an ex-Victorian gelding have his third start in this state and was only run down late when finishing runner-up by a short-head at Kempsey last start. He is the likely leader and can take them all the way this time. WING NUT (2) has been racing well off some bad draws and finally cops a decent gate. He has had a couple of subtle gear changes and deserves a winning turn. CATS QUARTERS (6) is another consistent type but just can't seem to break through for her first win. Another honest effort can be expected.

RACE 3 - BODHI BOY (7) franked a narrow trial win with a game victory on debut by a nose at Kempsey. He has been given a lot of time to get over that effort and the freshen-up would have done him no harm. Go again. MR DAMAGE (1) has hardly run a bad race and after winning his maiden 3 starts back he has been in the money twice since then. The drop back from 1250m to 1100m is the key and he will be hard to hold out. HIGHLY TEMPTED (4) made good progress last prep and has a handy gate here. Aaron Bullock in the saddle is a positive lead and he can make a positive impact fresh up. Each way value. CHARMED DESTINY (9) and DAYU (3) are both fresh up and worth including in all combinations.

RACE 4 - LAUNCH SEQUENCE (2) has continued to race well since shifting from a Victorian stable and has been runner-up twice for his new trainer in both of his starts this season. The visors are on for the first time and they could make all the difference. Hard to beat. TOKYO LADY (14) won a pair of trials for new trainer Nathan Doyle before needing the run fresh up at Hawkesbury nearly 3 weeks ago. He will find country-class more to her liking and can show her true quality this time. Stick with her. KUSHOMA (8) is a lightly tried gelding who will be peaking third up. He has 3.5kg less to carry than his last start and also has a better draw. Don't rule him out of a top 3 finish here. TOSMIAN (5) is on debut from a strong stable. Watch the markets closely for any positive leads.

RACE 5 - SHE'S GOT TEETH (8) was narrowly beaten into third at Kempsey last start and will relish stepping up from 1450m to 1800m. This field is very even and she will be among the hardest to beat. STAND IN LINE (3) was only bloused on the line by a nose at Kempsey 18 days ago and is the likely leader again after drawing in the pole position. With 100m less to travel, he can take them all of the way this time. KITSILANO (10) will be peaking third up and he will find this much easier than his last start on the Beaumont track at Newcastle just over 2 weeks ago. The middle distance will suit him and a top 3 finish would not be a surprise. TIWI GIRL (12) will find this easier than her last run at Wyong and is capable of bouncing back into the money here. Each way value.

RACE 6 - CALIDO MAGIC (4) is a promising country-class gelding who was a narrow maiden winner at Taree in his penultimate start and then closed off his last run nicely to finish runner-up at Kempsey when starting favourite. He cops a good draw and will be right in the thick of things again. DIAMONDSAREMIO (2) beat the top pick last start after winning her maiden at Ballina before that by a length. She is closer to that runner in the weights this time but can still complete the hat-trick. MISSILE CHARM (9) rattled home late here on debut over 1000m to finish third and then came with the last say to score by half-a-length at Tuncurry last time out. He has plenty of scope and can win again. JO JO SUN (5) gave a good kick off the front when finishing fourth a Wyong last time out. He drops back into country grade here and can figure in the top 3 this time.

RACE 7 - FIVE RINGS (5) has been holding his own in a couple of much stronger fields recently and will certainly notice the drop in grade here. He has Aaron Bullock in the saddle for the first time and is on target to break his win drought. ROTHROCK (3) was a beaten favourite at Tuncurry just over 3 weeks ago and could have needed that run as well. She is down in class and benefits from a 2kg claim so should now be ready to put her best hoof forward. Follow your money. BOLD HOI HO (1) chased in vain at Lismore 2 weeks ago when finishing third as favourite. She was a big winner at Grafton on a heavy track before that and if he strikes another wet track, he will be hard to hold out. SCOTLAND (4) has turned a corner since dropping down to country class and clung on to a nose win at Kempsey last time out courtesy of a smart ride from Maddy Owen. The pair combine again and merit healthy respect.

RACE 8 - WHITSUNDAY SESSION (8) has yet to miss a cheque in 7 starts and made a winning return to the track fresh up at Coffs Harbour just over 4 weeks ago when scoring by a neck. She will naturally improve from that effort and should repeat the dose. SIGSWORTH (1) was sent for a spell after setting the pace and fading in his last run which was on this track in the spring. He resumes at an easier level and despite a tricky draw, he has top 3 claims. WHERE'S THE FIRE (2) has been mixing his form and just came to the end of his last run which was only 6 days after his most recent win. He is suited by having more space between starts this time and is expected to bounce straight back into the money. PROVENCAL (12) was a last start winner at Quirindi and will still be on the up with her fitness. Each way.