Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - PICCADERRO (1) underrated gelding who finds his race today. Tough effort with the 60kg from the wide draw when fourth over 1300m at Hawkesbury. Gets a much better run here with the tongue tie going on. SMASHING NOVA (4) smashed in betting on debut ($1.90 fav), when a solid third over 1280m at Muswellbrook. Would have taken great benefit from that run and looks the main danger. SUGAR ISLAND (8) total forgive from the wide gate when sitting on the early speed before fading to run ninth over 1400m at the Sunshine Coast. Gets a much better run today with the visors going on. Keep safe. PIEDI VELOCI (2) is the best of the rest with the winkers going on.

RACE 2 - DOLLARS (3) bumped into some handy types in his five career starts and this looks more to his liking. Strong through the line at his first run back when second over 1400m at Newcastle. Strips fitter with the winkers going on. Hard to stop. NOT MY PROBLEM (11) improving with each run and shouldn't be a maiden for long. Put up a good fight when a narrow second over 1512m at Port Macquarie. Drops in weight from the better gate. Looks the main danger. CLUSTER'S GENERAL (2) deep into his prep and desperately close to a win. Raced much closer to the pace when a game third over 1512m at Port Macquarie. Value player. CAUSEWAYS (1) carries the big weights well and jumps in trip for this. Fourth up now and Peter Graham hops back aboard.

RACE 3 - BEEBEE (1) is a five-start maiden expected to shed his maiden status today. Was a month between runs when a gritty on pace fourth over 1108m at Port Macquarie. Takes control again with the claim and should prove too sharp for these. MISS AURORA (7) returns from a lengthy break and now in the Cassandra Schmidt yard. Back without a trial and will appreciate the weight drop with the 3kg claim. Has solid top three prospects. MAGIC THEY SAY (6) best effort in six starts when resumed with an eye catching fourth over 1005m at this track. Further improved and the firmer surface will help her chances. SIVO (3) kept fresh when an improved third over 1005m at this track. Luke Rolls sticks and gets his chance on the quick back-up. PRINCE RUPERT (2) resumes without a trial and looks the pick of the rest.

RACE 4 - HURRICANE HARLOW (4) first up run was acceptable when a narrow fifth with the 60kg over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast. Since fitted with a 1000m tick over trial and Daniel Thornton retains the ride. Can get over from the draw in this suitable race. DARK STRATUM (3) returned good figures last start when demolishing his rivals by 2.5 lens over 1405m at this track. Looks up to this stronger test on the quick back-up. WICKED GAMES (10) unsuited first up over the 1280m when a poor ninth at Muswellbrook. Will keep improving as he gets out in trip. Minor place hope. EJECT (2) will be fitter for two runs back and drops in grade for today's assignment. Has to be included.

RACE 5 - ZELESTIAL (6) exciting mare near her top now third up. Drifted back early and the slow tempo was against her when closing late to finish fifth over 1280m at Muswellbrook. Will relish this trip and race closer to the speed. Hard to hold out. VENCE (5) may have struggled on the back-up at his second run in when a fading ninth over 1600m at Scone. Winning rider back aboard and assess on his smart on pace win first up. SHALAMIYNA (7) returned for her second prep with a commanding 2.75 len win over 1250m at Taree. Can go on with it this time in. Stays in the mix. MEGHAN (8) due for a change of luck fourth up and the extra trip is in her favour. Held on okay when fifth over 1208m at Port Macquarie. No excuses from the draw. FALL FOR AUTUMN (3) sharp winner at start three over the 1205m here. Place prospects best.

RACE 6 - SAMMY CONQUERS ALL (1) returns from a let up in a winnable race. Will find this much easier after catching the eye when fourth over 1300m at Eagle Farm. Comes out of a decent race and since fitted with an 805m Coffs Harbour trial win. Trained on the track and hard to hold out. BEER BARON (3) stable is now set up at Coffs Harbour, and finds a suitable race today. Back in grade when a slashing second over 1100m at Goulburn. Tempo suits over this trip with the claim. Goes close. KAYZ TIME (6) lightly raced filly heading in the right direction. Looking for this trip third up after failing to sprint with them when fifth over 1008m at Port Macquarie. Winning rider back on and not to be underestimated. AYE AYE SKIPPER (7) consistent gelding racing in career best form. Big drop in weight in this tougher contest after gripping on late to finish third over 1208m at Port Macquarie. Worth thought.

RACE 7 - RUSSIAN RONI (1) tough gelding holding his form on the country tracks. Took control early from the inside gate before being collared late by the promising A Pound Of Salt over 1512m at Port Macquarie. Can go one better here with Newman retaining the ride. POINT COUNTERPOINT (5) near his peak now and will appreciate a solid tempo with the weight drop. Raced much closer to the speed when a tidy fourth over 1512m at Port Macquarie. Ready to win. INDIFFERENCE (3) has shown enough in his two runs back to suggest he has top three prospects from the draw. Found the trip too short when fifth over 1350m at Doomben. Stays in the mix. RONNY ROCK ART (11) was strong in BM58 company last start when carrying the big weight and now gets the senior jockey on board. Plenty to like.

RACE 8 - DE FORZA (2) lightly raced colt with a stack of upside resuming. Came to the end of her prep when a tiring seventh over 1000m at Eagle Farm. Back without a trial and expected to have improved further over the break. Looms large on his home track from the good gate. BELLZEN (3) drawn out at his last two starts and today is no different. Back in trip for this after being outclassed when eighth over 1200m at Rockhampton. Winning rider back aboard and no surprise to see a return to form. LOVE RAT (4) tough gelding who gets weight relief again after chipping away late when seventh over 1208m at Port Macquarie. Tempo suits and will be charging late. SPEEDY TARGET (6) comes out of decent race and due for a change of luck. Has the speed to overcome the wide gate and has a solid record on his home track. Value prospect. MR DAMAGE (1) resumes with a good fresh record and regular rider sticks from the inside gate. Keep safe.