Race 1 (1600m) Bm60
YOU ARE KING (2) is a leader who just conceded late at Moruya before belting a CL field here by 4L also at this distance. He's promising and Penza stays with him. Is sure to take pegging back. IZFALLINGDOWN (5) finds the right race and is in well with the 3kg claim. Forget the latest in Open grade and go on the 2.5L defeat prior in the CL5 at Newcastle. That more than stacks up. IVERSON (6) wasn't far away in a city 72 and followed with an okay effort in Open company. On a 9-day return and is a chance at this level. MOOKAREENA (4) has a handy 2kg claim and will run along from a low barrier. Found her best when lipped out in the Moruya 58 up to this distance and gets another chance.
Race 2 (1000m) Cl2
ALICIA ROMA (2) is a promising mare resuming off a Gosford trial win. Two-back she led there first-up beaten a whisker as a 5-4 favourite and that's good form for this. The stable places its horses well and Penza's booking is a strong lead. She'll take beating. LETHAL LADY (3) won here this grade first-up and has threatened the two since (all with Penza aboard). She comes back to a shorter sprint but looks capable of coming over the top of them. MOOSHAKA (4) is an improver from the Olive barn. Has been nudged out both starts this preparation and has more to give. MISS LAMAR (6) bounced straight back winning the 50 at Nowra bet an 11-10 favourite. Carries 2kg less and draws for the run of the race. She also deserves consideration.
Race 3 (1400m) Cl1
KWIK AZ HELL (6) is in a strong Sydney barn that's building a sharp record at this track. Just found one better at Goulburn first-up before racing handy delivering the Maiden win at Nowra (as expected). Fitter the Hellbent filly is capable of taking the next step. PATRIKA MIST (4) resumed here well-supported and was slow off on a day that advantaged the speed. She brought strong form to that and should get a soft run from the rail. Won her only second-up outing and the lightly raced mare has upside. HOW DO YOU SLEEP (2) disappointed last time but the two efforts here prior would see him very competitive. Has been briefly freshened and has a key gear and jockey switch. Worth another chance. NOBLE EXCEPTION (3) peaks for the Olive barn and is going well enough to make the finish.
Race 4 (1000m) Bm70 - Federal
A good contest. FEEL THE KNIGHT (1) has been proving hard to catch but found better form at Randwick beaten a half-length in a 72 bet 7-2. Penza is a key jockey switch for the apprentice and the Matt Dale-trained galloper can record an overdue win. PLATARA (5) wasn't beaten far here at this level from the speed and then dropped back to a 58 at the Sapphire Coast and stormed home to get the prize. Keeps a 1.5kg claim and won't have to improve much to go close. STAREDOWN (2) creates interest. He's switched from Victoria's premier barn and owns a recent trial win at this track. No surprise if he proves very competitive with Alysha Collett in the saddle. She's been riding EMMA'S GIFT (3) who won here this grade before settling rearward in town seeking the hat trick. Raced 40-1 in that and this contest is much more suitable. A bounce is likely.
Race 5 (1200m) Mdn SW
VELLA MAGIC (10) has threatened at her last two starts and peaks today. Has switched from the Gardner barn on a 15-day turnaround and will race forward. She sets a decent standard. ALL PROPHET (6) is a former Queenslander who will be better for the two outings for the new barn. She had support in a 50 the latest and endured a tough run first-up prior. Has a Gold Coast placing in the CV and that more than stacks up. BULLEYES (3) trialled well here and then picked up nicely at Goulburn on debut at long odds. Has an awkward gate but will be fitter and Penza is a positive jockey booking. BREAKAWAY WEEK (7) is in a top local barn and has needed the two runs this preparation. Has a handy barrier and quick improvement wouldn't surprise. MISS STALWART (9) debuts for the Olive yard and is likely better than the trial finish suggests. A betting watch.
Race 6 (1200m) Mdn SW
A good race. MERISI (4) is in a top Sydney barn and is fourth-up off a nose defeat at Orange. The colt has more to offer and draws for the run of the race. Should see out the middle distance and will take beating if he does. The same can be said for fellow Sydneysider XTRAREVZ (10) who went close here twice before going down by a whisker at Randwick despite losing a plate. Has Penza up and the longer journey should be right up his alley. ALL ABOUT OLLIE (1) was a big Maiden winner at Gosford and then placed here before the nose defeat back to Gosford. Penza gets off but he can't be ruled out. JESSANDI (5) led and just missed here 12 days ago at this distance in better class. Has a handy gate and keeps the 2kg claim. Will get every chance to go one better. KARAOKE KING (2) is in good Sydney hands and won't be far away.
Race 7 (1300m) Bm 65
BLOOD RIVER (6) won easily here from the speed and then came off a big trial win beaten 1.8L in a Randwick CL3. She will run along and is the one to beat in this grade. ROCSTAR BOY (3) resumed in a 64 at Beaumont (Newcastle) beaten 1.5L. Charged home late and the longer sprint suits. A second-up winner with more to give. I AM MAMWAAZEL (1) seeks the hat-trick off comfortable all-the-way wins at this track. Draws low and racing at peak fitness will take plenty of pegging back. FLYING TYROL (9) is going much better than the form line suggests. Two-back he was only beaten 1.6L in a Wyong 68 and that stacks right up. HEALTHY BEAUTY (4) resumes and creates plenty of interest. Won his last two by spaces (wet tracks) and has had a Randwick trial in preparation for this contest. The queries are the wide gate and the 306 days away.
Race 8 (1400m) Mdn
This is tricky and the race-day betting will be instructive. MAJEEDIS (6) is building nicely for the Sydney barn. He's raced well here and didn't have the best of it at Gosford the latest. Has a small claim and gets the nod. RISE TO IT (4) has his third start and is ready to win. Things didn't work out at Hawkesbury last time and he will be better for it. Draws out again but is in one of the nation's premier barns and will have plenty of admirers. BONUS TEMPUS (10) has been racing in stronger provincial Maidens. Dropping back to a sprint is likely to suit but Penza must manage an outside gate. UP TO ME (2) has threatened here both starts since the switch from Queensland. He has more to give but will also need a good ride from a cruel barrier. Ditto BRIDGET WENLOCK (11) who is an improver from the Neasham barn. Will be better for the solid first-up run at Randwick and keep safe.
