Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - KIKOIRA (4) has not raced since making his debut with a plodding sixth over 1200m at Canterbury on August 7. Has also been gelded over the break and has the two trials under his belt. Improver. SHE REX (8) returned with an encouraging third over 1300m at Warwick Farm in the soft (7) going. Maps well again and looks well graded here. IVY LEGEND (7) expected to improve in this small field after running sixth over 1500m at Newcastle in a Super Mdn. Winkers come off and assess on earlier efforts. UNBRIDLED STORM (6) Puissance De Lune gelding on debut for the Waller yard. Had two soft trials leading into this and look for him doing his best work late.
RACE 2 - SATIN SPARKLE (8) lightly raced filly who returned for her second prep with a fast finishing second over 1200m at Wyong. Comes out of a fairly strong race and she gets her chance with the fitness edge from the low draw. MAORI CHIEF (5) five-start maiden resuming. Chased hard on the solid tempo when fourth over 1200m at Canterbury. Tuned up for this with a solid fourth in a 900m trial at Rosehill. Shouldn't be a maiden for long. SO LONG FAREWELL (6) well bred gelding by Super Seth from Sound Of Music on debut for the Maher yard. Closed off strongly in his latest 800m Kembla Grange trial. Well drawn and expected to figure prominently. KUNDABUNG (4) has a fitness edge over some of these after resuming with a fast finishing second over 1200m at Newcastle. Further improved now and stays in the mix.
RACE 3 - LINKS (1) will relish the good tempo and extra distance at her second run back. Strong through the line when fourth to Seascape over 1150m at this track. Will appreciate the claim again. HELL TO PAY (3) underrated gelding resuming. Comes to hand quickly and gets his chance with Roper's claim. His two trials had merit and capable of taking this out. INSIST (4) strengthened up over the break and hard fit for this. Looking for this trip now after running third over 1100m at Hawkesbury. Expected to take a hand in the finish. ENGINE ROOM (2) has stupide so could progress off the resuming win.
RACE 4 - COLLECT YOUR CASH (1) has shown a stack of talent at his two Australian runs and should keep improving as he goes through his grades. Amy Roper retains the ride after failing to give in when a tough second over 1800m at Hawkesbury. Will go forward again and prove hard to stop. FIFTYFIVECHEVY (8) racing in career best form and chasing his third straight win in this stronger class. Looked to have plenty up the sleeve when a fast finishing winner over 1600m at Newcastle. Drops in weight and can keep the winning momentum going. MISTERKIPCHOGE (4) sound effort on resumption when fourth over 1500m at Hawkesbury. Finds a winnable race today after returning good closing splits last start. BESTOWER (6) proven this track and trip and finally drawn a low gate. Taken back from the wide draw and closed off strongly when eighth over 1500m at Hawkesbury. Jason Collett sticks and has solid each way claims.
RACE 5 - KOSUKE (8) held in high regard by the stable and expecting a sharp form reversal after finishing last over 2400m in the G1 ATC Australian Derby at Randwick. Returned good figures when placing at Hawkesbury three back and expected to bounce back quickly. CAMPALDINO (4) improving stayer rewarded for his consistency when he stalked the speed for a sharp win over 2100m in the Orange Cup. Gets weight relief with Roper's claim and will take holding out again. FUN SUNDAY (7) back in grade after sitting on the speed for a plugging fifth over 2200m at Warwick Farm. No excuses today and capable of taking a hand in the finish. SUN GOD (3) Waller-trained import who looks close to a win at his third Australian start. Kept finding on the line with the 59.5kg when fourth over 2100m at Sandown-Lakeside. Lone victory came at this trip and must be kept safe.
RACE 6 - BOTANICA (4) finds a winnable race and finally drawn a decent gate. Speared across from the sticky gate when holding on well for a tough third over 1200m at Wyong. Can stalk the speed from the draw and return to form. STRUFF (8) well supported on resumption when a fighting nose winner over 1200m at Wyong in BM64 class. Clearly returned well and can keep the momentum going. ICONIC TREASURE (2) comes here in peak condition after racing without luck from the wide draw when sixth over 1200m at Newcastle. Regular rider back aboard and expected to bounce back. SPIRIT OF VARANASI (6) can progress off the fresh placing.
RACE 7 - PELOSA (11) bounced off her good first up fourth with a sharp maiden victory over 1300m at Hawkesbury. Gets her chance again from the draw in this harder contest. PIPERITA (10) another progressive filly who launched late in the heavy (8) conditions with a nose second over 1250m at Newcastle. At her top now and will take holding out in this tougher contest. HALLETT (2) up in trip after fading late when fifth over 1350m at Wyong on March 19. Kept up to the mark with a tick over trial and must respect with the claim. LINWOOD (4) draws the inside and can progress second up.
RACE 8 - EDITED BY (1) out to his pet trip when going forward from the awkward draw to lead throughout over 1350m at Wyong with the 58.5kg. Fitter now and a repeat showing is expected today with Osmond's 3kg claim. ASGARDA (2) tough Wagga mare with good figures over this trip. Won well first up before struggling to cope with the Melbourne way of going when eighth over 1300m at Bendigo. Capable of turning it around quickly with Bourke's 2kg claim. Goes close. HOUSE OF CARDS (15) total forgive from the wide gate when a fading thirteenth over 1500m at Hawkesbury in easier company. Can hold a forward position from the draw and give a ton of cheek. SYDNEY BOWLER (9) underrated gelding fitter after three runs back from a long layoff. Strong through the line when fourth over 1300m at Hawkesbury in BM78 class. Capable of taking this out.
