Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - Veteran SEETHING CHUCK (2) staged a huge form reversal to win with a fair bit in reserve last Friday over 1605m at Tuncurry. Open to further improvement at just the fourth run back from a spell and the extra trip won't bother him. Can win again. OTIUM (4) was scratched from Race 5 to be saved for this. Caught the eye last time when he stormed home to be beaten narrowly over the mile in a Class 2 at Coffs Harbour. New to this distance but it looks the right move. Poses a threat coming back a little in grade. ANNOINT (5) is still a maiden but cannot be ruled out. Lacked a turn of foot when well beaten over 1600m at Warwick Farm most recently. Worth another chance out to this distance for the first time. Recent Newcastle maiden winner LOST ILLUSIONS (3) is a progressive mare who can figure in the finish. STROBING (1) ran a better race last start. Comes into calculations with the claim.

RACE 2 - UNCUT GEM (6) has been in the money at both runs this prep, making it six career minor placings from 12 starts. Moved into the race before the turn but couldn't finish off when a distant third last start over 1205m at Tuncurry. Gets a couple of gear changes today and is capable of taking this out. ALICE MAE (3) returns from a six-month break. Only raced twice in the maiden prep, closing with a strong third over 1200m at Newcastle. Kicks off in an easier maiden today and looks a genuine threat. CLUSTER'S GENERAL (2) wound up late to finish on the placegetters' heels at his latest appearance over 1000m at Coffs Harbour. Will be tough to hold out over this longer journey. WELCOME BACK (11) is a 32-start maiden who can sneak into the top four. TAKE A BREAK (10) is the best of the others.

RACE 3 - HIGHLY TEMPTED (11) tackled a $50k maiden when resuming over this distance at Coffs Harbour last start and finished midfield, beaten 3.6 lengths. Won't find this as tough so with the run under the belt he looks a strong contender. ROMI (9) made it five minor placings from eight runs at today's trip when he led but found one better at Kempsey last start. Must be included out of the inside gate. ATOKA (5) ran a nice race at his last attempt at 1000m two back at Tamworth. Rock hard fit after three runs back from a spell and is ready to peak. ANGELINTHENIGHTSKY (4) returns from a 16-week break. Opened the maiden campaign with a minor placing. Speedy mare who will be tough to catch while fresh. Debutant BELL CLUSTER (1) won a recent trial at Kempsey and looks to have some ability.

RACE 4 - TIME FOR VICTORY (1) returned from a 16-week spell in open company last start and really caught the eye, rattling home from near last to get up for a close fifth at the end of 1200m at Coffs Harbour. Coming back in trip is a query but he draws a much better gate and is dropping sharply in class. The testing material. ZOOM OUTCOME (8) won a BM74 over this trip at Dubbo two back then battled on fairly after a poor start last time out over 1100m at Bathurst. Distance specialist with undeniable claims from a nice draw. POLYLITHIC (3) was outclassed at his latest run in the Kirby Quality at Grafton. Beautifully in after the claim and he hits 50% top-three finishes at five furlongs. DE POET (6) led until swamped late when resuming over 900m at Newcastle last start. Has won 2/3 at today's trip so he is capable of improvement. LADY SHENANIGANS (2) has been racing well at the provincials and in town. Scored at her only run here. Consider.

RACE 5 - KILLZY (2) went close to breaking a win drought two back over 2000m at this track then was a bit flat last start at Tuncurry when in the market. On a seven-day back-up with the blinkers going on. Can bounce back. POINT TO PROVE (10) is still a maiden but has been about the mark in his two runs this time in work. Didn't have the clearest run but closed well last time over 1400m at Coffs Harbour. Ready to tackle the mile third-up. INTOXICATION (7) was beaten half a length after leading in a similar race to this two starts ago. Chances went south when she missed the kick at Tuncurry last Friday. In the right race to make amends. Lightly raced mare PERRI LASS (12) is ready to find form at the third run back from a break. DECLUTTER (1) is unreliable but can bob up on occasions.

RACE 6 - BEAR'S A STAR (4) showed pace but peaked on his run when just outside the placings first-up over this distance at Kempsey. Strips fitter and his best form comes here at five furlongs. Sure to give a great sight. AQUAFIRE (6) is a promising three-year-old meeting the older horses for the first time. Won his maiden over this trip at Grafton two back then didn't get a strong 1120m last time. Major player back to this journey. MISS MAZERATI (7) returned from a lengthy absence with an eye-catching third recently over today's trip at Kempsey, beaten under a length after coming from midfield on straightening. Won impressively second-up last prep. Likely improver. DEEPHAR (8) has been about the money at her last two and is worth including in exotics. The speedy KEVIN MCKEEN (5) will give a sight first-up from a spell.

RACE 7 - BAGLIONI (4) returned from a year on the sidelines with an eye-catching fourth a fortnight ago over 1200m at Coffs Harbour. Perfectly placed out to seven furlongs and will box-seat from the inside draw. No heavy track form to draw upon but he handles soft tracks well. Gets in nicely after the claim and is clearly the one they have to beat. AUZSTAR (6) worked over from a wide gate then offered little in the run home last start over this trip at Grafton. Boasts a fine record here so with the light weight he comes into calculations. The consistent RUN RORY RUN (10) backs up seven days after a close second over 1205m at Tuncurry. Can go forward from a wide alley and be highly competitive. KING KIKAU (3) resumes. Will be better for this hit-out but as a four-time Taree winner he cannot be dismissed entirely. BALTIC COAST (1) is a good fresh performer who must be considered first-up from a three-month break.

RACE 8 - ROYAL TEENS (4) was midfield two runs ago in a similar race to this when fresh from a 39-day let-up. Didn't feature subsequently at Newcastle but is cherry-ripe now and back in her right race. Open to sharp improvement. LORD AKOMEED (6) is racing well without winning of late. Even effort to finish fifth last Friday over 1205m at Tuncurry. Draws a much better gate and looks in need of this sort of trip now. TALMA I LOVE HER (3) was edged out over this course and distance two back and again found one better last time at Lismore, again at 1400m. Solid each-way prospects. EXTRAVAGANT CHOICE (5) is a backmarker who needs everything to go right but with a solid tempo anticipated he could be one to watch for late in the piece. MAYBE SMART (8) has struggled of late but is capable of featuring if anywhere near right.