Race 1 (2000m) CL1 SW
HALLOWED SON (4) was just nudged out at Scone (slow track) and then was heavily bet again when beaten a whisker here 8 days ago in heavy conditions. Was slow off and wide and as expected the blinkers are applied again. In good Sydney hands and is ready for the middle distance. BUFF IN DISGUISE (3) just missed here three weeks ago lifting to this trip for the first time. That stacks right up and he's a threat. JUDGEMENT DAY (5) is fourth-up and ready to show more. Has the 2kg claim and blinkers again. The longer distance is sure to suit. INTI (2) peaks and will be better suited at 2000m. Needs to find a bit more but can't totally be ruled out. WILD BUCKEROO (7) surprised placing here two-back and then was very plain after. The 2kg claim assists but he's running out of chances.
BET: Hallowed Son gets another chance.
Race 2 (1200m) Open
Tricky and plenty of chances. MORALIST (4) has been tracking well before a plainer run at Kembla Grange. Was only beaten 1L prior in a Newcastle 64 on the slow and that reads well. DREAM RUNNER (1) resumes for the Dryden barn with a 2kg claim in much easier grade. Missed a whisker two-back at 2000m in the Listed Wagga Cup. Won his only try this trip and is 2/3 this track. Keep him very safe. UPPER HOUSE (3) has just missed both starts back in decent provincial company. He can position handy and is in light with the 4kg claim. Has been freshened and looks a player. ISLAND BAY BOY (5) resumes and has trialled well. He's got the ability and is likely to run along. MAD AS ZARIZ (2) and GORUSH LIGHTNING (6) aren't out of it.
BET: Leaning to Moralist. Playing multiples.
Race 3 (1600m) Bm 70 – TAB Federal
Another competitive race. SKY DIAMONDS (3) overcame plenty of trouble to just miss at Rosehill and then held that figure beaten a whisker at Goulburn up to this distance. Peaks now and goes in the wet. Can be winning if the rail is managed. SCARLET PRINCE (2) won as expected at Wagga first-up and then was close-up at Rosehill at the mile. He has more to give, and fitter should be fighting out the finish. MATHRIN (4) has been busting to win over sprints. First time over 1600m but gives every indication it won't bother. THE PRES (5) drops back from a middle distance but id good enough to manage. The win here two-back at the mile was big. NIECES AND NEPHEWS (1) will use the low barrier and has the blinkers applied again. Peaks off solid efforts and is in the mix.
BET: The local Sky Diamonds appeals most.
Race 4 (1000m) Bm 60
Tricky. MISS HOFF (4) is ex Waterhouse-Bott resuming for the Mathew Smith barn. She's trialled well at Warwick Farm and two-back belted at Albury Maidens by 3L first-up. Draws handy and expecting she'll be ready to go. ZALINI (5) is also fourth-up and is in good hands. Improved at Kembla Grange in stronger and at best she would go close. Owen's booking is a lead. YESTERDAY'S GONE (6) peaks for the local barn and was better here the latest behind Shaddy without muck luck. Lightly raced and she gets her chance. NO STATEMENT (1) continues to threaten and there was only 1L in it at Newcastle the latest in stronger class. He's on a 7-day return and the 2kg claim helps some with the weight lift.
BET: With Miss Hoff if the market suggests stable confidence.
Race 5 (1400m) Mdn
MISS CAPELLA (3) is lightly raced and won the Maiden here as favourite before the spell. Needed the first-up run and has been freshened. Expect her to be firing today with Heywood a key jockey booking. LITTLE LANAI (4) is also second-up off a solid effort at Kembla Grange. Missed a lip in town three-back and that would be good enough for this. RUPERT'S BOY (6) will present fitter for a strong Sydney barn. Draws to advantage and showed enough on debut to suggest he's a player. THE PERCENTAGE (12) won't be far away, and QUANTUM STAR (5) is a betting watch on debut for a premier barn with two city trials under the belt and a 2kg claim. Elevate if she's fancied.
BET: The race-day betting will be instructive. Miss Capella gets the nod.
Race 6 (1400m) Bm65
SHADDY (1) had been busting to win before scoring with authority here three weeks ago. Likes wet tracks and gets the in-form Heywood for Penza. Should secure the run of the race and can win again. VANCOUVER KHAN (4) is city-trained and right up to this if presented on-song. Has a handy 2kg claim and two trials under the belt. As with the above, a wet track won't bother. UNEARTHED (3) won easily at Queanbeyan and draws to advantage. She'd be a player if she can build on that effort. The Dryden-trained pair LOAFING (5) and MANILA THRILLER (9) are both going well enough to consider.
BET: Sticking with Shaddy in a good contest.
Race 7 (1400m) Cl1
STILL IN FASHION (2) resumes after 224 days and has switched to the Beer barn. Has been scratched from tomorrow's Highway for this and the recent trial was sharp. Capable and goes fresh and is the new blood on the scene. FLYING MIA (3) comes back to a sprint with some weight relief. Has just been pipped here the last two and she should get every chance to convert. IN DE SUN IWILCOME (1) improved again just beaten at Kembla Grange and has trialled sharply here since. Draws to advantage and is a hope despite the weight lift. STARMOSS (4) led and was much better just missing in a CL2 at Moruya. Fitter again and is in the mix.
BET: Still In Fashion looks ready to go.
Race 8 (1200) Mdn SW
GEMINIDS (6) found one too good here resuming but covered the others and has plenty up the sleeve. Draws well with Ward up and respect the local barn. HOLD FAST TO LOVE (7) has been lipped out the last two and is feared. Draws low with the in-form Heywood booked and a heavy-track would further enhance her prospects. Tougher sorting the rest. TILLEY'S LOVE (10) was much better here the latest and can fill a slot. QUIZY (4) is an improver in the Petrovic stable and won't be far away. Of the debutants LADY KAH (13) appeals most at first blush.
BET: Leaning to Geminids.
