Race 1 (1000m) Bm65
EL SALTO (1) is up from Victoria and creates plenty of interest first-up. He's been competing in much stronger city and provincial races and benefits from the small claim for a promising apprentice. He's won fresh and is certainly good enough. LILY ELSIE (6) improved again winning the 60 here and peaks. In good Sydney hands and won't have to be much improved to feature. AKAKA FALLS (4) resumes and has switched to the Widdup stable. He goes fresh and has shown enough in the country to suggest he'll be competitive. OFF TO WAR (3) didn't miss by far here second-up in stronger. Has the handy 2kg claim and has won third-up. She's in the mix. WILKSHIRE (7) has been narrowly beaten his last two in 58s. Has weight relief and an advantageous gate and goes in at a price.
BET: El Salto gets the nod.
Race 2 (1400m) Mdn SW
CARING LASS (8) brought strong form to resumption at Canterbury and needed it. She followed with a 2L defeat at Newcastle and has more up the sleeve. Penza is a positive jockey booking and fitter the filly will be tough to roll. FREE CHOICE (5) debuts for a sharp Sydney barn and brings a Rosehill trial win. She will be well prepared, and the race-day betting will tell plenty. FIERCE LEGEND (3) was tried over longer at the back of the last preparation including in Group company. Resumes for the Sydney yard with the blinkers applied the first time and he's trialled well at Hawkesbury. Has the ability and expect him to be ready to go. ALIGN THE PLANETS (2) is also in good Sydney hands and will be better for the first-up outing. Hutchings comes to ride and that's a lead.
BET: Backing Caring Lass to win.
Race 3 (1200m) Mdn
This isn't strong and that leaves the door open for BULLEYES (2) who placed solidly here 23-days ago well-supported. Draws handy and Penza is a key jockey booking. Fitter and this is a winnable assignment. RAIDER EIGHTYEIGHT (1) resumes and showed enough the initial preparation to say he can threaten. Found one better on debut heavily bet and is likely to have come on. The low gate advantages. PROMETIO MAS (3) raced favourite here two-back but has been disappointing. Fourth-up now and is likely to show more for the leading local barn. MARTINIONTHESIDE (5) didn't have much luck on debut. Has the rail and blinkers on first time and may prove next best.
BET: With Bulleyes.
Race 4 (1200m) Bm60
Competitive. CHARLEMAGNE (4) resumed with a solid effort at Goulburn in better class. He has plenty up the sleeve and performs second-up. Has a small claim and fitter should go close. SAIKO (2) was heavily bet here two weeks ago and just came up short behind Lily Elsie who goes around earlier. Draws wide but Penza stays with her and with average luck she can threaten. PIECE OF TURF (8) spikes his figures again nudged out at Moruya and is an improving galloper seeking the hat-trick. Can't be ruled out. DEFCON ONE (1) and RUBIWISH (9) are also progressing well and deserve consideration.
BET: Leaning to Charlemagne.
Race 5 (1000m) Open 2
Tricky. CELUI (1) is up from Victoria and led and belted the Bendigo Maidens on debut. He's been freshened and in-form apprentice Jett Stanley stays with him. Sets a decent standard. GUN (6) and CARNABY (5) both debut for leading Sydney barns. They bring sharp trials and come out of low gates. The race-day betting will tell plenty with them. CHOP THE ICE (3) led and surprised beaten narrowly here on debut. He will be better for that and will give a sight. BACK PAGE (11) debuts for Godolphin with Penza booked. Has been well-trialled and is worth keeping safe.
BET: On what we've seen Celui will take beating.
Race 6 (2000m) CL1 SW
JIMMY MANOLO (5) is busting to win. He placed at Gosford the latest after a tough run and the blinkers go on first time. Penza rides first time and can secure the run of the race. WHETU (3) improved beaten 1.6L here his latest. The former Kiwi peaks today and rates to go close. MELANIN (11) will be better for the two starts at the provincials and is looking for the middle distance. The Neasham stable is building a cracking record at this track and 32% stable striker Alysia Collet is booked. Sharp improvement is on the cards. Long odds the rest. COBA BREE (10) may be the best of them.
BET: Going with Jimmy Manolo.
Race 7 (1400m) BM70 – Federal
INVERTATIONAL (6) seeks the hat-trick off easily heavily bet wins at Wagga. Spiked her figures again the latest and can be winning with average luck from an awkward barrier. TWIG (9) raced favourite in the corresponding race two weeks ago and disappointed as a 2-1 favourite. The jockey suggested he needs further ground and gets that today. In good hands and fitter a bounce won't surprise. I AM MAMWAAZEL (2) led and won that race and keeps holding the form. Has an extra 200m to run and an awkward barrier and that makes it a bit tougher. CYBORG (1) resumes for the Gardner yard with a handy 2kg claim. He has a strong record this track and trip and enjoys the cut out of the track. No surprise if he races well.
BET: Invertational is progressive and hard to go past.
Race 8 (1200m) Cl1
Open on paper. KWIK AZ HELL (8) deserved the Maiden win and then was on-speed here well-supported and lacked a finishing kick. Fitter now and drops back 200m and that's likely to advantage. The Sydney barn flies this track, and the filly gets the nod. ELLEVES (2) didn't have the best of it at Kembla Grange the latest, but the narrow defeat there prior reads well. Finally draws a low gate and is a player. Stablemate BULLY FOR YOU (1) wasn't far away at Kembla when resuming in stronger grade. He'd switched barns and with the extra fitness is also a winning hope. TINGE OF GINGE (7) resumes and they've scratched the stablemate. Two-back the filly impressed winning at Wagga on debut and is likely to have come on. Draws well with a small claim and keep safe.
BET: Leaning to Kwik Az Hell.
