Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - LONHREEL (4) settled last in the small field before letting down nicely to get up for second when resuming from a 62-week lay-off over 1200m at Tamworth last start. Needs the mile and will take a lot from that last outing. The one to beat. SHINE LIKE IT DOES (7) made it two minor placings from the last three runs when a closing third after missing the start over 1500m at Hawkesbury four weeks ago. Progressive mare who is ready to win. LEGRIS (2) is racing well but remains a maiden after 24 appearances. Made steady inroads to get up for second most recently over the mile at Forbes. Each-way again. OAKFIELD BLUE BELL (5) led but couldn't quite hold on last start over 1350m here. New to this trip but should give a sight.
RACE 2 - LET'S GO JOHNNY (1) is deep into the prep but continues to stand up. Worked home in good style to grab third at his latest run over 1350m at this track. The mile is a query but he should be right in the finish if he runs up to recent efforts. IN ISO (4) won his maiden over this distance at Newcastle two runs back before a flop at Hawkesbury last time. Worth another chance with the soft conditions looking to suit. RILEY PARK (7) showed a glimpse of form last start and will be ready to peak at the fourth run back.
RACE 3 - EMBASSY (3) is a classy colt back from a nine-week break. Filled a minor placing at all three runs last prep, two of them at Listed level including the first-up run in the 1000m Dalrello at Eagle Farm. Should be far too good for these. LILAC (9) started at $4.00 but missed the placings at her only run to date, a maiden over 1000m at the Kensington track in March. McDonald taking the ride builds confidence. Looks the logical threat. LUGARNO (4) has been gelded since his maiden prep concluded 20 weeks ago. Placed here over 1350m at his second run. Betting watch advised. BOOMTOWN CHAT (2) led but knocked up on debut over 900m at Newcastle in April and hasn't raced since. Another to keep an eye on in the betting.
RACE 4 - MEMORIA (1) is third-up today after a couple of decent runs in town to launch the prep. Placed first-up over 1000m then raced wide without cover and wasn't disgraced over 1100m at Rosehill last start. At her best over this distance. Nicely drawn and ready to win. SELFLESS ACT (2) copped a bump and went back before passing a couple in the run home last time out over 1400m at Rosehill. Strips fitter after two runs back from a spell and 1200m is her preferred trip. Can improve enough to trouble this field. PAJANTI (3) is back from a four-month spell. Opened last prep with an all-the-way win in a Rosehill maiden over this trip. Trialling well and must be respected. ALWAYS IN (6) disappointed last time but can do better.
RACE 5 - LUNA FIELD (3) started deep in the red but found one better over 1200m at Bathurst last time out. Winkers go on which might spark the improvement required. Worth another chance. SHARPEN THE KNIVES (5) has been runner-up at all four runs this time in work, the latest over 1250m at Kempsey when a shade of odds-on. Blinkers go on in a desperate attempt to extract that little bit extra. SUNDAY TYCOON (1) finished fifth behind a smart one over this distance at Canterbury recently. Lightly raced and has plenty of scope for improvement. BE QUIET (8) was just fair when big odds first-up at the midweeks. This looks a far more suitable race for her and it wouldn't surprise to see her right int he finish.
RACE 6 - KILLER KERR (8) stripped fitter and improved sharply last start when second-up from a spell, driving hard late to be beaten under a length over 1300m at this track. Generally peaks third-up so she looks the one to beat despite a bad alley. COLOMBE D'OR (2) has been freshened up and switched stables since a poor effort as favourite over the mile at Pakenham synthetic a month ago. She's performed well on wet going before and this is arguably easier than what she contested last start. Worth plenty of thought. SEBRENCO (6) was no match for the winner last start but it signalled a return to form. Remaining in this grade suits and her best form would see her hard to hold out. FOOLISH (16) is better than he showed last start and can bounce back.
RACE 7 - RAGING BULL (5) has some duck eggs in a line but can improve today. Last raced over 2000m at the end of last prep and finished fast to get up for second in a BM88 at Randwick. Worth the punt that he is about to find form. GUZUMPED (8) dropped to the tail of the field then launched late and just missed last time out over 1900m at Canterbury. Consistent gelding who will be hard to hold out again. LET ME REIGN (10) worked home well without threatening last start in a 1600m BM72 at Warwick Farm. Two runs at this distance for a win. Sure to be thereabouts. CAMAGUEY (4) has struggled in town of late but is worth another chance at odds at his home track.
RACE 8 - The promising INCARCERATED (1) has led all the way to win his last two, the latest a five-length romp over this course and distance. Won't find this any tougher so it's hard to find a reason to get off now. KING'S DUTY (19) caught the eye when resuming over 900m at Newcastle recently, flashing home from near the tail to be beaten just 0.6 lengths. Will be hard to hold out over the extra trip. Last start Coffs Harbour maiden winner ART'S ALIVE (15) is testing deeper waters today but she is a cheeky top three chance with the light weight. STARMAE (3) has a fresh placing to her name and has performed well on soft going previously. She's looked good at the trials coming n and is not to be discounted.
