Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - IT STAYS IN VEGAS (3) showed his customary pace last start over this distance at Scone but was overwhelmed in the final stages. Very fit youngster who might benefit with the addition of winkers for the first time. Ready to win. SONG FOR ROSIE (4) led for home and gave those who took the huge odds a thrill before eventually succumbing late in the piece over 1100m at Dubbo last time out. Big danger coming back to this trip. The other chances are all unraced. AIRWAVES (1) is a half-brother to a smart juvenile in Serjarden on debut. Hasn't trialled since February and has switched stables since. Watch for any market moves. KITSUNE VIXEN (6) won a recent Wyong trial and from a nice gate is a definite contender as early betting suggests. SKYZA (7) hasn't shown much at the trials but has been kept safe in early markets so watch for positive moves.

RACE 2 - The lightly raced SEE YOU THEN (7) returned from a spell as warm favourite last start but found one better over this course and distance. Sure to improve with that run under the belt and in a shallow race she gets her chance. NUGGET SMART (2) returns from a four-month spell. Ran a couple of cheeky races at the end of his maiden campaign in longer races than this. Five furlongs looks a nice trip while fresh so expect him to be highly competitive. RUBILICIOUS (6) led for home in the same race as See You Then when fresh from a spell here recently but tired late and missed the placings. Not out of the equation with the help of the inside gate. HELLWITHASMILE (1) is a Zousain gelding on debut for local trainer Cody Morgan. Impressing at the trials and this is reflected by his tight quote in early markets. The winner should come from this quartet - for wider exotics include RANSOM'S GIRL (5) who is second-up today.

RACE 3 - OCCULT (1) is a new acquisition for the Cody Morgan stable and resumes from a seven-month spell. Opened last prep with a very close third at Kembla off a longer break. Trialling in great style and looks perfectly placed to open the account. HE'STHECHIEF (3) overcame early interference to chime in late and finish third over 1000m at Dubbo last time out. Progressive three-year-old who will be hard to hold out over this longer journey. EXPEDITIOUSLY (2) didn't fire first-up at Wyong recently. Strips fitter and will find this far easier. DARTBROOK (7) found the line first-up at this track and should be in the mix again. The other two runners look no hope.

RACE 4 - The lightly raced RESUME (14) was scratched from Race 3 over 1200m to be saved for this. Came from last to be beaten in a photo last time out over 1280m at Muswellbrook. Failed on debut over 1400m but needs to get back up to that trip based on her latest effort. Big chance at nice odds. HALLE BEE (9) worked home well to just miss the placings at her latest appearance over 1200m at this track. Has raced eleven times over today's trip and weighed in seven times. Each-way the best play. RAW GOLD (7) is a twenty-two-start maiden whose last effort at this track had merit. Finished third two back over this distance at Newcastle which is decent form. One for the exotics. SPANDEX (8) was strong through the line when resuming over 1208m at Port Macquarie last start. Fitter and the extra furlong looks perfect. Market watch on GHAZNAVI (4) who returns from a six-week freshen up with a tongue tie back on.

RACE 5 - FLORINO (5) was forty-seven days between runs when he led for the judge but weakened late to miss the placings over 1400m at the Kensington track last start. Down in grade, back to his pet distance, and strips fitter so this looks the perfect assignment. BJORN IRONSIDE (8) has been racing well in open sprints, particularly two back when edged out at Casino over 1000m. Goes well here at this trip so he poses a significant threat. RHYTHM IS A DANCER (2) raced wide and did a good job to battle of for second recently over 1400m at Dubbo. Yet to miss the placings in five runs at this trip and is the winner of three from five at Tamworth. Has the right credentials. WANDA RIVER (9) resumed with a barnstorming win over this distance at Quirindi. Up in grade but he is a very honest sprinter drawn to advantage. STAFFA (10) went okay in town last start and should be peaking at the third run back.

RACE 6 - FIORSUM FRED (2) just missed in open company over this distance at Gunnedah two back then struggled over the Randwick mile last Saturday. Nicely in with the claim and the quick back-up is a positive sign from the stable. Big chance to bounce back. CENOTES (4) has settled at the back of the field and made late ground without threatening in his two runs this prep. Usually starts to hit form at this time of the prep and he is unbeaten in three Tamworth appearances. Big danger. RAJNISH (10) isn't racing badly but hasn't won for a long while. Draws a better gate today than recent runs so might be worth one more chance over his pet distance. AUZSTAR (6) ran a decent race in open company at Port Macquarie last start. Capable of a top-three finish. MACLEAY (7) turned in a real eye-catcher over 1400m at Dubbo last time and will be hard to hold out at the end of a mile.

RACE 7 - LORD PROTECTOR (4) has returned to racing in good order. Travelled on the pace last start but lacked the turn of foot required and just missed the placings over 1200m at this track. Looking for seven furlongs now so although tackling a stronger race he is well placed to take this out. TO BE FRANK (5) didn't do a bad job in a good form race over 1500m at Rosehill at his last run four weeks ago. Strong winner of an easier race here at this distance two back. Certainly in the mix. BIG SHORT (7) is racing well but has forgotten how to win. In the money in five of eight at this trip so worth throwing in the exotics. VISUALISE (14) has returned in fine fettle and looks capable of mixing it with better opposition today. ARRABBIATA (9) is fitter for two runs back from a spell and draws a much better gate today. Right in contention.

RACE 8 - THIS ONE TIME (3) has been most impressive since returning from a long spell. Went within a whisker of a hat-trick of wins last start over this course and distance when coming off a six-week let-up. Better for that hit-out and is clearly the testing material. IRISH ARTHUR (18) made some late ground but didn't really threaten over 950m at Moree. Finding it hard to win but with plenty of pace up front he might prove hard to hold out over the slightly longer journey. SPANISH NIGHT (4) came from next to last on the corner in a small field to record an impressive win on debut last time out over 950m at Moree. Promising sprinter who has a far tougher assignment today but has plenty of scope for improvement. CALL ME TERRY (5) has been freshened up since failing in a Class 1 at Scone that has produced six subsequent winners. Capable of a big run if he brings his A-game. BRIGHELLA (10) wasn't far away at Scone last time and is in the mix despite a tough draw.