Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Not the strongest race to kick off the program and most have a chance. CAB PERRIO (6) has been within range at Gundagai and Wagga and those efforts stack up for this. Maps well and has a 1.5kg claim. Gets another chance to break through. AHRAHMIA (5) peaks today and she found more like her best at Nowra. Cahill is a positive jockey booking and she can finish hard. IT IS TO BE (2) has missed the jump at both race starts and made ground at Wagga last time. Guymer stays aboard and fitter he can't be ruled out. FLASHY ICON (1) is an improver from the Potter yard who maps well and he also deserves plenty of consideration.
RACE 2 - Tricky. TOLIMA (5) missed a whisker here first-up and didn't finish it off at Nowra following. She will be better for that and has the early speed to clear the wide gate. Expect her to prove hard to peg back. PENCILED (1) switched from a Victorian barn and was in the market last start and not beaten far. Fiitter and keeps the 2kg claim. Capable but will need luck in the run. KHALEEJ (8) resumed in good order and then delivered the win here this grade. Carries just 1.5kg more and he should get every chance to repeat the dose. Stablemate FINAL SHOWDOWN (12) went close here second-up making sharp improvement. Keeps the handy 2kg claim and has been kept on the fresh side. The gate is awkward but she goes in at a price.
RACE 3 - A good contest. MOONLIGHT GAMBLER (3) trialled well in town and led on debut at Kembla Grange when beaten 1.8L. Fitter now and draws to advantage. Heywood is booked. The Joe Pride yard is building an imposing record at the track. BOTTLER (1) resumes for the same stable. His provincial form reads extra well and he goes fresh. He's had two city trial warmers and Penza rides (21% S/R with the stable). PHOBOS (4) resumes and impressed heavily bet at Gosford on debut. He has trialled sharply in town and maps well. He will be naturally improved and a bold run is anticipated. SIR MAURICE (5) was backed off the map here two weeks ago narrowly beaten when pressured on speed. He will be fitter again and is a hope.
RACE 4 - CYBORG (4) raced favourite here at the last meeting and just failed to run down Departing Bullet over 1750m. That's good form and the local should get every chance to make amends. DEPARTING BULLET (3) led them a merry chase in that contest and there was a stack of merit in the win. He carries a feather this grade with the 3kg claim atop and will control the race. Capable of going back-to-back. KNIGHTS ARMOUR (2) went close at Wagga over 2000m and then went back and missed narrowly over a staying trip in Open class. The 2kg claim is handy and he positions forward. His form is fine but he has to drop back 600m on a 12-day return and that's the niggle. BURGUNDY GIRL (6) finished hard in the Departing Bullet race and the extra metres will suit.
RACE 5 - Competitive. AVONVIEW (1) is a new kid on the block. The former Sydney galloper found better form at Wagga at his third start for the barn. He has more to give and maps well. The 1900m should be ideal and Heywood is booked and he's flying. FIREALARM (2) won here this trip and returned missing a nose behind Madenyo in a messy contest. He maps for the run of the race and that may prove crucial. The former Victorian MARINER'S DREAM (6) has been around the mark and is ready to show more. His Victorian provincial form stacks right up and he presents on a 5-day return. BLIND DATE (9) was beaten a nose in the Madenyo race and the race prior. He gives away starts but will come hard. ROCKY THINKS SO (8) went close in the Madenyo race but will need some luck from the rails gate.
RACE 6 - The Sprinters Cup is wide open. TULLA PARK (4) surprised winning here this grade and followed with a near miss at the track in a 78. He finally draws a low barrier and he's capable of bouncing back. BON FRANKIE (9) resumes and is proven fresh. He wins at best and Penza is a positive jockey booking. Maps well and he must be kept very safe. FANGELA (1) peaks and was back to his best when beaten 1.3L at Wagga behind Gogol. He found a place here this grade prior and the track experience is a positive. Keeps the handy 2kg claim and has each-way claims. Ditto GOGOL (7) who went close at Albury before delivering the Wagga win. He will sit off the pace and the longer sprint suits. The speedy PROPHET'S PRIDE (3) will take his place with a late jockey declaration. She led and just beat Tulla Park home last time. She draws the outside gate today and will need luck pushing forward.,
RACE 7 - EVERIDO (1) resumes for Canberra's premier barn and is proven fresh. He was only beaten 2.3L in the Listed Canberra Guineas earlier in the year and followed that with a 1L defeat in a Randwick 72. That's good form. He jumps from the rail and should be ready to go. RUSSIAN SNITZEL (2) was back to her best beaten a half length in a Canterbury 64. She led in that and is sure to use an inside gate. Looks to have turned the corner and has been kept on the fresh side. SHELLY'S ACE (8) is third-up and has claims. Led and just missed this grade at the Sapphire Coast and has a weight pull over the above pair. Maps well and winning rider Cahill is reunited. MISS BELGIUM (7) will push forward and was much better at Gundagai. Like Penza's booking and she should be around the mark.
