Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The progressive MISS BACKCHAT (4) resumed further improved, winning a CL3 here easily. She'd trialled well in town prior and will skip over to the speed. She's lightly raced and can take the next step. MAGICAL ELEGANCE (9) resumes for a leading Sydney hard and missed a nose at her only fresh outing. She comes off a big Kembla Maiden win and has been fitted out with two metropolitan trials. She has plenty of scope for improvement, and Collett stays aboard. Feared. BEER BARON (1) has raced at Listed and Group level, and he needed his first-up outing in a 64 at Warwick Farm. Has a handy 2kg claim and he's proven second-up. Unsure where he gets to from the inside gate, but his best is good enough. HELLINDA (6) is third-up, and the local has more to give. Comes back a level and maps well. He also deserves consideration.
RACE 2 - VELLA'S BEST (5) is right up to this, but he's been off the scene for 328 days. Two back he led beaten 3.5L in the Group 3 Black Opal in Canberra, and he'd won an Open 2 there on debut. Has a handy 2kg claim and owns a trial win. Suited and should go close. EVERLASTING STARS (8) is up and running, and the local is knocking on the door. Keeps the handy 4kg claim, and with average luck, she will fight out the finish. A BOOK OF DAYS (3) resumes and has switched from a leading Victorian yard on a 177-day return. He's been racing well in stronger company, and it's just a question of readiness. VOIGNER (2) resumes and has proven fresh. Draws low, and Heywood is a key jockey booking. Just missed in a recent Beaumont-Newcastle trial and has to be kept safe.
RACE 3 - OFFENBACH (10) wasn't too far away in Stakes grade before the spell and he resumed as favourite at Newcastle, beaten 1.7L on a heavy track. He finished well back at Hawkesbury following (vet cleared) and prepared to forgive. Has a key gear switch, and the speed-bred gelding can get back on track. CLOUD OF DUST (2) may not have appreciated the going at Warwick Farm, but she missed a whisker on the Canberra poly prior. Peaks for this and Penza is reunited, replacing the 3kg apprentice. Quick improvement is anticipated. SWEET ABOUT ME (4) resumes for a local barn and will be better than the trial finish suggests. Keep her safe from the handy barrier. ANDHE'S BRAVE (8) was narrowly beaten here on debut racing forward. He's a chance with that under the saddle.
RACE 4 - LONDON BOY (1) was back on track beaten a whisker at Warren. He placed here three back, and Heywood is a key jockey engagement. Peaks and the local is ready to win. STORMY MALICE (9) had no luck on a heavy track at Albury before the 1L defeat at Corowa. That stacks up and she gets in light with the 2kg claim. A live chance. HAMAGUCHI (4) was plain here last time but his Moruya effort prior reads well enough. He goes into the trifecta. Ditto DARKEN (5), who is good enough but has been racing well short of his best. Maps well on a quick backup, and the 2kg claim is handy. He's likely to show more.
RACE 5 - DEALT (8) won a country Maiden on debut and then didn't have the best of it beaten 1.7L in a CL1 at Kembla Grange. Strips fitter and is better suited today. In a top barn and the extra metres will suit. Tough to roll. DUBAI CENTRE (1) had no luck at the Sapphire Coast but had been within range at his two starts there prior. Maps for a soft run and has placed at this course/distance. A chance on the quick backup. GOOFINATOR (6) resumed over 1400m at the track and needed the outing. He'd switched stables and came off nose defeat in a CL1 at Wagga over this trip, and quick improvement is likely. An each-way hope. OUTLAW NED (4) resumes and has placed 4/6 fresh. In the mix.
RACE 6 - LIMBURG (2) switched to the Joe Pride barn and was expected to bolt in at Wyong first-up, but disappointed. He was quickly back on track, narrowly beaten from the front at Kembla Grange. His Victorian metro form is compelling and he's placed 2/2 third-up. AGENT ZERO (12) is third up and the Maher-trained Snitzel Colt is showing plenty of promise. He races forward and has been kept on the fresh side. Strips fitter and up in trip is a live chance. ENTITLEMENT (7) didn't handle the heavy track at Kembla Grange on debut, well supported. The former Kiwi will skip across the speed and has the blinkers on for the first time. Strips fitter and it's hard to risk the stable. SOUTHERN SKY (8) debuts and has been well trialled. He's likely to need the outing, but may have the rest of the field covered.
RACE 7 - This is tough. JINSOKU (2) was much better here two weeks ago in a CL3 over a shorter sprint. He has pieces of form in stronger that stack up, and the blinkers go on again. Maps for a soft run, and Loy is a positive jockey booking. KILLER KERR (3) had been going well at the provincials before her lip defeat here on the same day. Settled last, and it was an impressive effort. She's likely to give them a start again, but she's a winning chance with average luck. SPIRITS BURN DEEP (4) went well here and then found the grade and heavy track an ask at Randwick. She will push forward, and the 2kg claim is handy. This is winnable if things go her way. LIQUOR TALK (13) was outgraded at Randwick and then found more like his best at the Sapphire Coast. He's on a quick backup and should be around the mark.
RACE 8 - Tricky. THOUGHTFUL (4) resumes for the sharp Matt Dale yard and he ran his best race before the spell, narrowly defeated at Nowra. He will be naturally improved and Heywood is a key jockey engagement. COUGARS (1) peaks off a narrow defeat here and has weight relief back a level. He has an awkward barrier, but Loy sticks, and that's a positive. Go close with average luck. TJAKA (6) is a local on resumption and she was good just missing at Nowra last time. She gets in light with the 4kg claim and is proven fresh. She's been fitted out with two trials and has claims. CONSORTING ONE (13) has a wide barrier to manage but brings an easy Maiden win from the Sapphire Coast. Keeps Krogh and will present at peak fitness. Deserves consideration.
