Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - DIVO (7) showed plenty of early dash on debut before knocking up late when second over 1200m at Newcastle in the heavy (8) going. Maps well again on the firmer surface with Osmond's claim. Hard to catch. ODAKA (8) strips fitter after resuming in a much stronger contest when blowing the start for a dismal tenth over 1100m at Scone in the LR Woodlands Stakes. Since fitted with a 900m trial and she looks the main danger. CAPITAL JICINTA (4) locally trained filly who closed off strongly to sneak into the minor money over 1000m at this track on April 17. Returns with the one trial and gets conditions to suit. DAMASCUS CALLING (2) resumes after having mixed fortunes in four career runs. Will find this easier after failing to get into the contest over this trip at Warwick Farm last January. Keep safe from the draw.
RACE 2 - VETWELVE (1) ready to peak at start four in this easier contest with the claim. Sent to the front from the low draw when collared late to run third over 1400m at Randwick Kensington in a Super Maiden. Can slide across from the gate and get off the mark at start seven. OMAHA SAND (7) kept safe in betting on resumption when failed to close with a plodding sixth over 1300m at Scone. Capable of better with the solid tempo. OUR JEWEL (9) struggling for consistency in her second preparation and since fitted with a searching 1200m Warwick Farm trial. Finally drawn a decent gate and not to be overlooked. JUSTICE WARRIOR (2) trained on the track and comes here in peak condition. No match for the smart Signor Tortoni when second over 1200m at Gosford. Stays in the mix.
RACE 3 - Tricky race with a handy line-up of two-year-olds. CABRIOLE (1) comes out of a very strong race after making his debut with a fighting third to Autumn Boy and Central Coast over 1250m at Canterbury. Form has since been franked and gets his chance from the gate. CHAMPAGNE HERO (3) big drifter in betting when coming out of the same race as Cabriole to run a handy fourth on debut. Strips fitter and the extra trip suits. MAKE MINE MOET (9) nice filly resuming. No match for The Playwright and Tempted when seventh on debut in the G3 Widden over 1100m at Rosehill last February. Fitted with the two sound trials and no surprise if she took this out. SAPLING (10) trained on the track and worth consideration after gripping on late for a handy fourth over 1100m at Canterbury. Gets an economical run again and stays in the mix.
RACE 4 - NOVEMBER AIR (5) starting to hit her straps and deep into the prep now. Closed strongly for an unlucky second over this track and trip at latest. Gets the same set up again and expect to see her jump cleanly here. Can go one better. CHARLEROI (1) smart gelding who will appreciate Stanley's 2kg claim. Slow into stride from the low draw and got further back than expected when an unlucky second over 1500m at Hawkesbury. Extra trip in his favour and comes here in peak condition. SOUTHERN SKY (6) started big odds when making his debut with a slashing victory down the middle of the track over 1500m at Goulburn a week-and-a-half ago. Can go on with it. CHILLCUZ (7) fourth up now and capable of better from the good draw after drifting back from the wide gate when a plugging eighth over 1450m at Muswellbrook. Backs-up with the blinkers going on. Value prospect.
RACE 5 - PARIAH ENGAGEMENT (11) indicated a win was imminent when surging late from back in the field for a solid fourth over 1200m at this track. Drops in class and she will relish the extra trip. JARED (7) trained on the track and expected to bounce back at his third run in. Slow into stride and then hunted through to lead, when a tiring last over 1250m at Newcastle in the heavy (8) conditions. Winning rider back aboard and look for a better performance on the improving surface. ICEMAN (5) raced without luck all prep and drawn to stalk the speed today from the good gate. Drops in weight and has the figures to take this out. SUPER SUGOI (8) strips fitter now after resuming with a plugging fourth over 1250m at Newcastle. Proven second up and capable of figuring in the minor money.
RACE 6 - MISS CHECKONI (3) recent efforts have been acceptable and finds her race deep into the prep. Gripped on late with the 57kg when a narrow fourth over 1300m at Kembla Grange. Has a good record here and drops further in weight. ZIP ON BY (6) looks to have come back in top order after sprinting well first up with a narrow second over 1000m at Gosford. Goes just as well second up and gets the claim again. Map suits and doesn't have to improve much to win this. DUMEBI (1) underrated gelding who looks set for a good campaign. Had plenty up the sleeve when a slick trial winner over 800m at Kembla Grange. Stalks the speed and can finish over the top of these. ZULFIQAR (2) fourth up for the new yard today after catching the eye along the inside when fourth over 1250m at Canterbury. Look for him powering late.
RACE 7 - MISS BACKCHAT (11) progressive filly who gets the right set up today with the 3kg claim from the low draw. Worked hard early from the wide draw at her second run back when a tiring fifth over 1100m at Goulburn. Strips much fitter on the quick backup and will take catching. FLAME OF HESTIA (9) well-bred filly resuming with the two wins from four starts. May have jarred up on the firm track when a disappointing sixth over 1100m at Canterbury last April. Returns with the one good trial win over 800m and senior rider booked from the low draw. NO STATEMENT (1) tough old gelding having his 75th race start. Not far away at Newcastle when third over the 900m last time out. Stays in the calculations. PRIMA BELLA (6) improving mare going nicely through her grades. Faces a tough task here from the wide gate at her third run back. Top four prospect.
