Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - GRACEFUL ELLEN (6) brings strong form to resumption, and she was backed off the map at the Sapphire Coast when last seen. She's trialled sharply there and is sure to have come on. Has a 2kg claim and sets a decent standard. KOBOLD (7) brings three solid efforts to peak, and the longer sprint is sure to suit. She can make the finish. BOSCO (1) led as favourite at Wagga on debut, beaten 2L. Has the outside barrier today, but won't have to improve much to feature. WEDDAMEENOOTZ (4) debuts, and Heywood's engagement suggests he will do better than the trial finish suggests. The local draws inside and has to be kept safe. CONVERSATIONS (2) tries hard, and the 2kg claim is handy. He will be around the mark.
RACE 2 - ALL ASTERN (1) led and missed the hat-trick by 3.2L at Wagga in stronger than this. She will use the inside barrier to her advantage, and Nestor replaces the 3kg apprentice. In the right barn, and she can bounce back. VIS I DO (2) has been racing in better company, and this is winnable if he brings his A-game. Two back, he missed 1L in an Albury 66, and that reads well. SHADDAP (3) switched stables and resumed with an easy win at Parks in a CL1. Has more to give and has claims. RAIL TRAIL (5) has the ability but has been plain in his last two. He maps well and has been freshened. Improvement is likely. The veteran VAINSTREAM (4) will be around the mark.
RACE 3 - BIG PAPA (4) debuts for a leading metro stable (Baker), and it targets this track. His city trials have been sharp, and he comes out of the inside barrier. This is a winnable assignment. MARVEL MAN (3) resumed as favourite at Wellington and missed a whisker from the front for the new stable. He has more up his sleeve and has been freshened. He's up and running and will get every chance to go one better. Tougher sorting out the rest. BRIDE WARS (7) may have the best immediate upside. She's been racing in stronger company at Kembla Grange, and JVO is a positive jockey engagement. TORQUIN (6) resumes for Baker and disappointed as favourite at Queanbeyan when last seen. She's had two soft trials, and she's likely to come back better.
RACE 4 - Baker-trained CUESTA (3) peaks off two close-up placings at the provincials. She had no luck at Wyong last time and is well-placed to break through. WIRE TO WIRE (2) is also metro-trained and was a major disappointment at Newcastle first-up, when expected to win (vet cleared). He must have been showing plenty and presents today, gelded. Draws the inside gate and is worth another chance. TURNING CIRCLE (6) has been within range her last two and didn't have the best of it at Goulburn last time. Honest, and with average luck, she can make the finish. BAWNAGLEN (1) improved sharply beaten a whisker at Scone and maps well on a 9-day return. Looks to have turned the corner. LADY FELINA (4) is in a top Sydney barn and three back on debut showed enough to keep safe.
RACE 5 - Tricky. STRAIGHT FIRE (4) found more like her best, winning a 65 on the Canberra poly track over 1750m. Tackles a middle distance for the first time, and the inside barrier should be advantageous. JVO sticks, and she can go on with the job. CEREMONIOUS (1) is a former Waller gallop who will appreciate the step up to the middle distance. His best Queensland form more than stands up. Draws the outside barrier but is likely to finish hard. CHEBICI (10) had no luck seeking the hat-trick at Goulburn over a mile. She tumbles in weight in the grade and that brings her into it. DEVILS DAUGHTER (8) comes out of the same race, beaten 1.6L, and running a peak. She went well here three back over 1800m and has claims with average luck in the run.
RACE 6 - NAVIOS (3) resumes and has switched from a leading metro barn. He will take plenty of beating if presented on song, and his strong fresh record suggests he will be. Jumps for the rail and a handy 1.5kg apprentice rides. SPEEDY HENRY (6) has been beaten his last two heavily bet, but rates well in this contest and is worth another chance. A winning rider is reunited, replacing the 2kg apprentice. Some trust required, but he has some weight relief and maps well. Stablemate WONDER STEP (7) resumed with a CL1 win at Dubbo and hasn't missed a beat. Led in that, and Weir will likely push forward again. Fitter and is also a chance. HIS HONOUR (2) easily won his best race, leading and winning a CL2 at Corowa. He will be in the money holding that form.
RACE 7 - CELESTIAL BREEZE (5) showed plenty winning her Maiden in Canberra, and she was outgraded following at Wyong. Expect the longer sprint to suit, and the blinkers go on for the first time. JVO sticks with the filly, and it's hard to risk a top metro stable. GRANDINI (4) deserved her Maiden win at Dubbo. Has a senior hoop aboard today and won't have to improve much to make the finish. ZOUWASE (2) resumes and is promising. Comes off a big maiden win at the Sapphire Coast over a mile and owns a trial win at the track. Krogh rides and a bold return is on the cards. MAJOR DESIRE (6) just missed first-up at the Sapphire Coast, improved, and then raced forward again there and weakened out. She loses Krogh but will be better for that and is in the mix. TOKYO QUEEN (1) has Heywood and the rail and is ready to improve.
