Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - GAI'S ARTIST (1) won on debut last spring and then had a spell before finishing a well-beaten sixth in the Silver Slipper at Rosehill in her only run this year. She has the blinkers on for the first time fresh up and is sure to give a good account of herself from a good draw. SEASCAPE (2) had a rocky run at Hawkesbury when resuming from a spell and still finished third. She strips fitter and gets a nice swing in her draw this time. Each way value. MAORI CHIEF (5) was a beaten favourite on debut at Newcastle when finishing runner-up. With the natural improvement that is expected second up, he can have a say in the finish here as well. MAIKROW (7) won easily on the Canberra Acton track fresh-up and has each-way claims in this.
RACE 2 - HARRY'S BAR (2) was beaten by a short-head as favourite in a handy maiden field at Grafton on debut and then carried that form through to her next start in a 100K race here 3 weeks ago and was again runner-up. She will be spot-on third up and has to be hard to hold out in this. REASONABLE (7) was a beaten favourite in the last couple of starts in her 3-run prep earlier in the year but was not that far away. She will be a lot stronger this time in and was a narrow winner of a recent Rosehill trial. She will be among the many each-way threats in this. PESCHIERA (6) was third here when resuming 3 weeks ago and will be much better with that hit-out under her belt. With the right run, she is capable of taking this out. IKUMA (8) is a Chris Waller trained filly on debut and with Tim Clark in the saddle, she bears close watching.
RACE 3 - NOSTALGIA (5) won her maiden fresh-up last prep and then was sent out as favourite in her 2 subsequent starts before having a spell. She is resuming from a long spell but has had 5 trials this year over a couple of preps and should be ready to rumble fresh up. The markets will be a strong lead in this race. COUNTYOURBLESSINGS (2) ended her last campaign in Group 3 company and normally comes to hand early. She has had 3 lead-up trials and will be a lot stronger this prep. She has winning form on the course and can take this out. ALVINA'S LUCK (6) produced a big run to clear her maiden status at Scone on a heavy track by over 4 lengths 3 starts back and her next couple of starts have also had merit. Jason Collett steps into the irons and the pair merit healthy respect. WEEPING WOMAN (8) followed on from a huge win at Canberra on the Acton track there fresh up with another win by a neck at Hawkesbury just over 2 weeks ago. She has the pole position and the hat-trick beckons.
RACE 4 - HI DUBAI (3) won her maiden here earlier in her career and has been racing well this prep with a win in this company at Randwick in her penultimate start before finishing third in a stronger field as favourite there 18 days ago. She is perfectly placed back in this grade and with James McDonald in the saddle, she is the one to beat. MAWJOOD (6) won fresh up at Warwick Farm on a heavy track and then was runner-up as favourite at Rosehill nearly 6 weeks ago. He has had a quiet trial since then and drops 2kg from his last run. Hard to beat. TROIKA (4) enjoyed a firmer surface at Hawkesbury last time out and got the job done by a nose there nearly 4 weeks ago. He has been back to the Rosehill trials since then and will be ready to run another big race in this. WINGARDIUM (5) peaked on his run at Randwick just over a month ago after being run down into fourth place after leading up at Warwick Farm when resuming, He won 2 trials before that and will have no excuses this time. Go again.
RACE 5 - GO TROPPO (1) fought on bravely when finishing second at Randwick just over a month ago in a higher grade and is nicely placed back at the level where he was successful on this track 3 starts ago. He climbs in weight but has not missed a cheque in 4 starts over the trip, including 2 wins. He prefers softer footing and will be among the hardest to beat in this. LUCONI (10) was an easy winner as expected on debut at Scone and then was narrowly beaten by a nose at his next start at Kembla Grange. He finished fourth at Randwick-Kensington a fortnight ago and in all of his starts, he has been sent out as favourite. Stick with him. SCALEXTRICS (2) was beaten by a nose when chasing 5 wins on the bounce here 3 weeks ago. He steps up to a middle distance for the first time in his career and is worthy of plenty of respect. Can win. THE ENGLISHMAN (8) has not had much luck in his last couple of starts and gets James McDonald in the saddle for the first time. There will be no excuses this time.
RACE 6 - FLYING DESTINY (1) built strongly to a deserved win here in this class 3 weeks ago, scoring by over length when leading all the way. With a 3kg claiming apprentice in the saddle here he actually carries a kilo less in weight this time. He is perfectly placed to win again. DENMAN STAR (5) steps up in class after winning his last couple of starts on the bounce. He is a progressive gelding who has Kerrin McEvoy in the irons this time and can complete the hat-trick. THE REPLICANT (7) is a consistent gelding who is racing as well as ever without winning. He handles any track condition and can be relied upon to produce another honest effort. MAD DEEL (8) stuck on bravely to finish second fresh up on a heavy track at Randwick-Kensington a fortnight ago and is usually better with a run under his belt. Hard to beat. TAVS (3) is fresh up with a couple of trials under his belt. Nash Rawiller takes the ride which is a strong lead in itself and the pair merit healthy respect. Each way.
RACE 7 - SWEYSIVE (7) has needed both of his runs back from a spell and should be peaking his fitness third up. The step up in distance is ideal and he is nicely placed to put his best hoof forward in this. On top in an even lineup. NOBLE CONQUEROR (3) has brought his good form from Victoria to Sydney and has been placed in both of his last 2 starts, including a nose defeat at Rosehill 11 days ago. He slides back in grade and with James McDonald in the saddle, he can go one better this time. HIGH DANDY (9) led all the way when bolting home to win fresh-up at Hawkesbury by over 6 lengths. If he adopts similar front-running tactics here, he will be very hard to peg back again. GREEN BELT (5) strips fitter second up and he has some place claims in the small field.
