Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - RAMIUS (4) no excuses today fifth-up in this easier contest. Stalked the good tempo when a narrow third over 1300m at Hawkesbury on August 13. Wadick sticks with the claim and can get off the mark at start 10. PERSISTER (5) recent runs have been sound and should relish the 1300m now. Powered late from the wide gate when a gritty fourth over 1000m at Kembla Grange on August 10. Well drawn and will hold a forward position with the claim. Go close with the blinkers added. PASSALACQUA (8) colt by Starcraft on debut for the Perry stable. Has looked good in his two latest trials and expected to figure prominently. BERNEN WIN (7) unwanted in betting on debut three-and-a-half weeks ago when a plodding seventh over 1200m at Wyong on August 4. Strips fitter and the blinkers go on for this. Improver.

RACE 2 - MARACAIBO SUN (4) has a distinct fitness edge over most of these and expected to go one better here. Sat on the speed from the good draw before being nailed late when second over this track and trip on August 8. Has the speed to get across from the wide draw and prove hard to stop. COPACABANA (1) promising gelding with plenty of upside. Ran on late from the wide gate on resumption when third over 1250m here on August 8. Further improved now and looking for this trip and further. Will figure prominently. WEXFORD MISS (11) is a three-start maiden with ability. Beaten for early speed on resumption when a flashing fourth over 1300m at Hawkesbury on August 13. The stable is having a great run at present and not to be underestimated. OCEAN DIVA (10) in need of the run first-up in the heavy going when seventh over 1200m here on August 15. Improvement expected on the firmer surface.

RACE 3 - LET'S GO BRO (6) has finally drawn a decent gate and ready to win. Stuck on well when up in class for a gritty fifth over 1500m at Rosehill in Midway BM72 grade on August 17. This much easier and represents good each way value. NORTHERN EYES (2) racing in a rich vein of form and chasing his third straight victory. Surged late with the 59.5kg when a gritty winner over 1300m at Hawkesbury on August 13. At his top now and the 1500m shouldn't pose a problem. PLUCKTEN (4) promising gelding from the Lane yard who had genuine excuses when eighth over 1400m at Rosehill in Midway BM72 company on August 3. Expecting more today and go on his sound win at Hawkesbury two-back. INFERENCIA (8) in good form this prep and backs-up after ploughing through the heavy going when a neck winner over 1600m here two weeks ago. Can run into the minor money.

RACE 4 - DEMARCAY (2) only the one win from 22 starts and should relish the extra trip. Never in the contest when seventh over 1800m at Randwick Kensington on August 14. Go on his gritty second three-back when assessing his prospects. FUN SUNDAY (4) appreciated the firmer track when picking them up effortlessly from well back as fav when a tough winner over 2000m at Kembla Grange on August 10. Will appreciate this track and the extra distance. WECANSAY DUN (8) lightly raced staying mare who was forced to cover plenty of ground second-up when a tiring eighth over 2000m at Kembla Grange two-and-a-half weeks ago. Can run into the minor money. FIOPROSPERO (1) has a good record here and will appreciate the claim after being anchored with the 60kg when fourth over 1800m at Hawkesbury on August 13. Stays in the mix.

RACE 5 - EMPRESS OF JAPAN (6) classy Savabeel filly returning from a four-and-a-half month break. Won well on debut before jumping in grade when last of 15 at Randwick in the G2 Percy Sykes over 1200m on April 13. Fitted with two soft trials and has the ability to take this out first-up. SNOW IN MAY (13) sat off a good tempo on debut before picking them up effortlessly as fav when scoring over 1200m at Wagga four months ago. Fitted with two searching trials and will take holding out from the inside gate. CONTRIVED (1) has fitness on his side third-up and looking for the 1200m now. Beaten for early speed and failed to get into the contest when fourth over 1000m at Hawkesbury on August 1. Track suits and can play a leading role. MOGUL MONARCH (3) gave them a galloping lesson when resuming with a dominant all-the-way victory over 1100m at Hawkesbury on August 13. Returned good figures first-up and should have further improvement to come.

RACE 6 - ZOUNAKA (12) two runs back have been encouraging and will find this easier. Three weeks between runs when a plugging fifth over 1150m at Randwick Kensington on August 14. Close to her top now and no excuses from the inside draw. Go close. TAKE ACHANCE ON ME (10) Snitzel filly out of a USA mare on debut for the Waller yard. Has impressed in three trials and finds the right race to kick off from the good gate. Forward showing is expected. MIA BALLERINA (7) first starter by Cosmic Force out of Ballet Society from the Waller yard. Not far off Autumn Glow in her first trial and her second trial was just as good. Sure to be thereabouts. The chances don't end there. SPIRIT OF WEALTH (9) three-year-old filly by Capitalist out of Silver Spirit on debut from the Michael Freedman yard. Won her last two trials in good order and stays in the mix.

RACE 7 - WRITE THIS WAY (5) handy mare resuming with a good fresh record. Came to the end of her prep when a disappointing last of 10 over 1100m at Gosford on March 16. Two recent trials have been sound and the winkers come off from the low gate. Expected to go close. AUSTEJA (1) gritty mare who was a total forgive from the wide gate when a tiring 12th over 1200m at Coffs Harbour in BM92 company on August 2. Kept fresh and go on her run two-back when third to Cavalier Charles. Gets weight relief with the claim and looks good value. ZOE SHARK (6) trained on the track and out to her right trip today, second-up. Went forward on resumption before being nailed late when a head second over 1005m at Tuncurry on August 9. Will go forward again in this stiffer contest and give plenty of cheek. SHALOOK (4) comes out of a decent race after chasing hard at her second run back when third over 1200m at Kembla Grange on August 17. Spriggs sticks and sure to be thereabouts.

RACE 8 - UNWRITTEN (2) racing in a real purple patch at present and comes right into calculations today with the 3kg claim. Gave his all with the 59.5kg when a tough second over 1250m here at latest. Should get the right tempo to finish off again. CARPACCIO (6) underrated gelding who's needed the two runs to bring him to his top. Started a solid fav when faded late to finish third over 1250m here on August 8. Blinkers come off and will stalk the good tempo. Genuine top-three contender. FRENCH MARINE (3) had fitness on his side when ploughing through the heavy (9) going for a gritty win over 1200m here on August 15. Up slightly in weight and can play a leading role again. LAST COMMAND (8) promising Tassort gelding resuming. Never in the hunt from the wide gate when a plugging sixth in the G3 Baillieu at Rosehill over 1400m on March 30. Fitter with two trials under the belt and market moves must be closely monitored.