Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MOFEED (2) consistent gelding resuming from a lengthy break. Looks well placed today from the inside gate and his recent 685m trial win at the Gold Coast was full of merit. Can shed is maiden status at start eight. MARIN COUNTY (5) disappointed as fav at his first Australian start when failing to get into the contest finishing ninth over 1400m at Inverell. Back sharply in trip and expecting a better showing in this easier contest. IT STAYS IN VEGAS (8) capable of better now second up in this weaker event. Worked hard early from the wide gate and the early effort took its toll late when fifth over 900m at Muswellbrook. First start on home track and can take a hand in the finish. HOT CHESTNUT (1) this looks much easier after failing to finish off on resumption when seventh over 1000m at Scone. Pulled up lame last start and worth another chance.
RACE 2 - SIGNATORIES (3) demolished his rivals third up at Muswellbrook, before bumping into the classy Shropshire Lad when a fading thirteenth over 1100m at this track. Drop in trip suits in this easier contest. CAPITAL DANCER (1) underrated filly desperate for a firmer surface. Closed strongly from back in the pack when an eye catching fourth over 900m at Newcastle. Anywhere near her best can win this. LADY MEMPHIS (2) lightly raced Invader filly resuming for the Matt Smith yard. Ran second to Private Hary on debut, before winning over 1000m at Goulburn last November. Primed for this with two even trials in a winnable race. RANHITA (8) has a poor win record and assess on her good second over the 1000m at Quirindi three starts back. Minor money prospect.
RACE 3 - RITZSUN (9) expected to return to winning form today after finishing in the minor money at his last two outings. Saves his best for his home track and maps well. Looked sharp in his recent 1000m trial and no excuses here. BODGIE (7) consistent gelding hard fit for this on the quick backup. Failed to sprint with them in the straight when a fading third over 1000m at Gosford in the heavy (9) going. Has a handy record here and sure to be thereabouts. IN SPADES (8) down sharply in weight today after surging late in easier company when third over 1000m at Muswellbrook. Backs up quickly and looks great each way value with Ash Morgan aboard. DEFIANT HEART (1) total forgive from the wide gate when up in class for a fading fourteenth over 1100m at this track. Claim helps from the good gate and can find form quickly.
RACE 4 - BACKWARD GLANCE (9) comes here in peak condition and back in trip off a freshen up. Never really comfortable in the conditions when fourth over 1500m at Newcastle. Maps well and assess on earlier runs. OMAHA SAND (5) failed to fire in three runs in his first prep and resumes from a lengthy break. Leading rider booked with the two searching trials under his belt. Must be kept safe. KRULISA (7) covered ground early on debut before fading to finish ninth over 1400m at Gunnedah. Further improved with senior rider on and gets the cross-over nose band added. KERMALICIOUS (11) never really comfortable in the heavy (8) going at her first run back when fifth over 1200m at Tamworth. Placed second up in the past and expecting a better showing.
RACE 5 - INSIGHTFUL AWARD (2) holding her form well deep into the prep and finds a winnable race with a senior rider back aboard. Three weeks between runs when sitting on the fast tempo for a gritty third over 1200m at Warren. Won here a few months back and gets her chance today. SHEILA'S FANTA SEA (4) progressive mare capable of keeping the winning momentum going after stalking the speed for a sharp win over 1250m at Taree. Gets Wilkes' claim again and will take catching. TWILIGHT ROCK (1) only the one win from nineteen starts and better suited over the 1300m. Returned good closing splits when second over 1000m at Muswellbrook in BM66 grade. Sure to be strong late. BULL HEADED (10) made gradual improvement at his last two outings and no surprise to see him take a hand in the placings.
RACE 6 - OAKFIELD MERCURY (5) has impressed in two career starts and brings the right numbers for this. Kept finding on the line when a nose second over 1400m at Gunnedah. Gets a similar set up for this with regular rider aboard. Top three player. PIERONIMO (12) has her hoof on the till after three good runs back and doesn't have to improve much to take this out. Kept finding on the line when a handy third over 1600m at Tamworth. Will be attacking the line late. STOLEN SUMMER (13) well bred The Autumn Sun filly improving with racing. Warmed up late at her second race start when fourth over 1400m at Gunnedah in a Super Mdn. Maps well with the blinkers going on. OFF THE SCALE (11) much better performance when a close up sixth over 1400m at Gunnedah. Trained here and capable of better.
RACE 7 - POINT OUT (1) looking for this trip now after having genuine excuses at his last two outings. Should get the right tempo to take a hand in the finish. JONNY BE SWIFT (2) ran below expectations when a plugging fifth over 2300m at Muswellbrook. Drops in class and trip and stays in the figures. SHUTTER (5): Useful type. Last start 3rd of 12 at Muswellbrook Ctry Cl2 on June 1 over 1450m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Red Rags To Bulls carrying 55kg at $13. CROATIAN MADAME (11) Second run from a spell sat on speed throughout when 2nd of 7 at Tamworth Bm50 on May 31 over 1600m, slow going 6 len behind Tycoon Lad carrying 55kg at $4.40.
RACE 8 - MERCANTILIST (3) promising filly who created a big impression on debut over the 1200m at Gosford. Returned from a let up with a respectable fourth to Russian Zarina over 1100m at Hawkesbury. Gets nice weight relief with the claim and can return to winning form. ARCHAIC FORCE (6) desperate for a change of luck and finally drawn a decent gate. Snagged back from the wide barrier before charging late for a tenacious fifth over this course and trip. Winning rider back aboard and will race much closer to the speed. Hard to hold out. WHISPERING RUPERT (5) bounced off his good fourth two back with a fighting on pace maiden win over 1200m at Gosford. Can surprise again each way. RELUCTANT DIVA (13) fresh again after giving them a galloping lesson at start eight when leading throughout over 1000m at Quirindi in fast time. Stays in the mix.
