Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - The Waller barn holds a strong hand. AUTUMNMATION (6) resumed here as favourite and worked home in good style beaten 1.6L. Presents fitter and has the first-time blinkers applied. The longer distance suits and her Sydney form more than stacks up. Stablemate COUNTER (1) resumed as favourite at the Sunshine Coast over 1400m and didn't run it out on the heavy track. He will run on a firm surface today and the step-up in trip is ideal. His NSW form also reads well. TRAPEDO (9) is an improver from the Healey yard presenting off a nose defeat here over a sprint. Gives every indication the mile will suit and sits at the bottom of the weights. Finally draws an inside gate and is a player. PRINCESS KAGUYA (8) is the other Waller acceptor and can show more second up.

RACE 2 - Gollan-trained STRAPPEROO (6) resumed with a near miss at Gatton first-up and then didn't manage the wide gate here following when placing distantly. Has a better draw today and strips fitter. He should go close. BINGHAMTON (2) is a former Sydney galloper who was much better here second-up for the new yard. He has plenty up his sleeve and will use the handy barrier. Will get every chance. NATIONAL INTEREST (11) resumed in solid order and then came hard when narrowly beaten at the Sunshine Coast. Four winners have come out of that. He will give away a start but will be better for the outing and can make the finish with average luck. MYSTIC MAC (7) is on the improve and has a handy 3kg claim. Maps for the run of the race and is also a hope.

RACE 3 - VIACONI (9) has been switched north by the Kris Lees yard on a 33-day turnaround. Resumed narrowly beaten at Scone and the longer sprint will suit. Impressed winning at Canterbury on debut and that effort makes good reading. Fitter and Rodd will give him every chance from an inside barrier. CASPERNOVA (1) rates a danger. He was beaten a head at Eagle Farm on debut and immediately spelled. Resumed with a 2L defeat on the Sunshine Coast heavy and is sure to improve off that. The gate isn't quite as awkward after scratchings and Duric sticks. PRE EMINENCE (6) has switched from a Sydney barn and resumes owning two sharp trials at this track. Placed at Gosford on debut and will be naturally improved. He's been off the scene for 300 days and that's a niggle. LIETUVA (2) resumes for the new yard and has shown enough to take seriously. SPRUCE (14) is third-up and has posted a 3L trial win since last seen. She had excuses at Doomben and the tongue tie goes on. Worth a look at a big price.

RACE 4 - AQUA ALTA (4) rates well and can fire third-up building on the handy sprint efforts. She spelled following a 2L defeat this track/trip in an 80, so the extra metres hold no fears. Maps for the run of the race and benefits from a 2kg claim. COUP DE TONNERRE (6) is ex-Gollan and has returned to racing improved. Graham's 1.5kg claim is handy and he will position forward. His best would have him in the finish. Neasham-trained DIABLO BOLT (8) was quickly up in trip beaten a nose at Ipswich over 1700m. He has more to give and gets in well with the 3kg claim. Draws better after the scratchings. DRIALLE (2) missed the hat trick here this grade but improved again and tackles the mile for the first time. Can't be ruled out.

RACE 5 - HOLD ON HONEY (1) led and was beaten a whisker here first-up in an Open. He's proven second-up and the 3kg claim offsets some of the weight increase in easier grade. Expect him to make short work of the awkward barrier and go close. RICHON (6) resumes and has won 3/4 fresh. Owns two trial wins and will speed along from the inside gate. With the rail out 11m, he will be hard to catch. MY SNOW QUEEN (11) impressed winning the 85 here two-back. Finds a touch easier and is a hope on the bounce. RING OF STEEL (8) delivered back-to-back city wins and will be better for the Ipswich outing first-up, starting a short-priced favourite. Races forward and a top hoop is booked.

RACE 6 - Gollan-trained HURTS SO GOOD (15) found a better surface and was much too good at Ipswich in a CL1 over 1200m. He's been kept on the fresh side and Maloney is reunited. He gives away starts but with average luck this is winnable. ORIENT'S SECRET (17) resumed further improved when narrowly beaten at Ipswich. Tackled a Highway at Randwick following and didn't have the best of it. Presents off a brief freshen and will also hit the line hard. BELLA BABE (10) resumes for a sharp metro barn and is proven fresh. She will be naturally improved and has a handy 3kg claim. Promising and will go well. ORTHIE'S GIRLS (9) peaks off back-to-back wins at Toowoomba. She maps for a soft run and gets in well with the 3kg claim. Include at a price.

RACE 7 - Gollan-trained WITHIN REASON (5) presents third-up off two tidy efforts at Ipswich following a stable switch. She's likely to enjoy a cosy run in transit and Maloney is a positive jockey booking. She has more to give and has been kept on the fresh side. The fancied NAVYONTHEHIGHWAY (11) won a Doomben trial by a space and then impressed leading and winning easily at the Sunshine Coast on debut (heavy track). Gets in light with the 3kg claim but has the outside gate to manage. She will be fitter and is likely good enough. CATTRALL (9) switched from a Victorian yard and didn't have much luck at the Sunshine Coast well-supported. She'd won a trial leading into that and has a handy barrier today with Rodd doing the steering. She has pieces of form that would make her very competitive. IMPENDOR (3) was backed off the map winning a Murwillumbah Maiden showing more like his best. Has the first-time blinkers applied and looks to have turned the corner.

RACE 8 - DEEP RESPECT (6) is third-up and has raced at Listed and Group level at his last four starts. He's proved second-up and is suited under the race conditions. Will likely drift back from an inside barrier but rates well and is a chance with average luck. PONCA (11) has had two runs for the premier yard and was only beaten 1.3L here last time. Has some weight relief and keeps Maloney. Races forward and keep safe. SPICY LEGEND (2) needs to find more but is third up and can control the race from an inside gate. Has a handy 2kg claim and the first-time blinkers applied. Proven at this distance and will take pegging back. LUBRICATION (3) and SHA OF GOMER (1) also deserve consideration.