The first race jumps at 1pm. Gates open at 11.30am with COVID restrictions and requirements in place and free general entry for owners and public.

The track will be a good 4, with the rail remaining true, so expect an even pattern early before a gradual late trend wider.

The maidens get us underway on a very strong card, and 4YO Wyong gelding 1. DUNLEE (Darryl McLellan; 58kg) trained by Damien Lane can win second-up getting on to the bigger track after finishing off okay in a deeper maiden at Wyong.

Main Dangers: Improving 3YO gelding 3. My Greyt Mate can settle a little closer here after hitting the line late in two runs back at Muswellbrook; while local 4YO gelding 4. Fitzroy Boy can improve fourth-up over more ground and dropping in weight.

Likely Tempo: Fair to Solid

My Betting Attack: DUNLEE to WIN

The first-up brigade can have this one between them. Tamworth-based gelding 1. DANZA DARK (Greg Ryan; 59kg) from the Stephen Meyer stable is a talented 4YO resuming off a lengthy break for only his fourth start. Should have broken through on debut here back in autumn when rocketing home late after being badly held up trying to get through the field. Will be screaming home over the final furlong.

Main Dangers: Handy Tamworth filly 12. Mischief Managed was close-up in two good maidens to start her career, and resumes off two trials from the inside gate. Big watch on 3YO local colt 9. Intercept who hasn't publicly trialled, but gets blinkers on for form stable.

Likely Tempo: Strong

My Betting Attack: DANZA DARK Each Way and Box Exacta 1,9,12

Very tough and open race at set weights, with a stack of debutants on show. One of them, Mudgee 3YO gelding 5. AMICUS CURIAE (Aaron Bullock; 56.5kg) from the Mack Griffith yard looks hard to beat from the draw off a smart trial win, and is bred to fly.

Main Dangers: Talented local 3YO gelding 15. Ranuncula had little or no luck on debut getting home at Muswellbrook before charging late to just miss at Tamworth. Only needs a clear run from the turn back at home to be in the finish. Big watch on resuming Warwick Farm filly 17. Super One Susie if she gets a run. Took on much tougher company in her first prep, and has been fitted with two trials. Include 7. Dream Eclipse at a big price after trialling okay at Kembla; while 13. Express Flight found the line well in that same trial as the top selection.

Likely Tempo: Solid to Good

My Betting Attack: AMICUS CURIAE to Win and Trifecta: 5,15,17/5,7,13,15,17/5,7,13,15,17

Very even tactical battle over the mile. Randwick 4YO gelding 1. HOLY SUNDAY (Jeff penza; 61kg) trained by the wily John Sargent returns to where he charged home scoring over this trip two runs back, and the second horse that day has since bolted in. Should have won at Canberra last start in a BM 65 when put into brick walls from the 250m mark.

Main Dangers: Progressive 4YO Wyong gelding 6. Sapphires Son is at the peak of his game sweeping home to win a BM 58 here after chasing home the top selection previously. Expect him to be a contender for next autumn's provincial c'ship series. Hard fit mare 2. Glamour Fox has been consistent enough in four runs back, although will find this easier than last start's ordinary effort in a metro BM 72. Consistent 5YO 4. Hubble was rewarded for some tidy efforts powering home to win a thinner race at Tuncurry, and is drawn to get a nice trail. Local 5YO 3. Magic Charlee got strung up in traffic here last start after hitting the line well in similar grade. Also accepted for a Highway at Rosehill on Saturday, but obviously better placed here.

Likely Tempo: Fair to Solid

My Betting Attack: HOLY SUNDAY to Win and Trifecta: 1,6/1,2,3,4,6/1,2,3,4,6

Back to the sprinters, and home-track 5YO gelding 4. FREE RIDER (Mitchell Bell; 57.5kg) from the Paul Messara stable can strike second-up after an ordinary effort in a similar race at Dubbo. Draws to get good cover, and as long as he can get to the outside around the 400m mark, will be charging over the top.

Main Dangers: Tamworth 4YO gelding 2. Depth That Varies resumes off a lengthy break, with the blinkers coming off. Has plenty of ability, normally fires early in the prep, and well in at the weights after rider's 4kg claim. Progressive 5YO stallion 3 Belle Reve has won his last two in dominant fashion, although more depth here and drawn off the track. Watch the betting on resuming mare 6. Star Alibi who hasn't officially trialled, but normally runs a strong one fresh, and is used to carrying more weight.

Likely Tempo: Solid to Good

My Betting Attack: FREE RIDER to Win

Good strong sprint across a tactical showdown, with plenty of chances. Like the big value about capable 4YO gelding 8. REVEAL THE MAGIC (Chad Lever; 60kg) who resumes in his first run for the local Peter H. Bloomfield yard off good work at the trials. Was close-up behind some smart ones last prep, and has only missed a place twice from 11 starts, and this is a lovelty starting point.

Main Dangers: Lightly raced ex-Victorian 5YO 6. More Sundays resumes for his first run also for a new stable. Has trialled well behind a smart sprinter, and took on stronger opposition last prep. Cessnock 4YO gelding 2. Luff flew home to win a weaker race resuming, and if he can pick up a trail and be saved for the final 300m, will be in the finish. Big market watch on another local, 7YO gelding 3. Aristograts who resumes off a smart trial win, and has a 50 per cent winning strike rate from six attempts. No public trial, but trainer has made a stack of gear changes, and only needs to find a position from the wide barrier to be running home; while lightly raced 4YO 9. Star Raider won a weaker race two starts back, and is best of the rest.

Likely Tempo: Good

My Betting Attack: REVEAL THE MAGIC Each Way and Trifecta: 2,6,8/2,3,6,8,9/2,3,6,8,9

Another even and competitive battle. Expecting 3YO gelding 8. IRISH THUNDER (Jeff Penza; 56.5kg) from the Kris Lees yard at Newcastle to improve sharply second-up. Was very plain & well beaten resuming in a BM 58, but the winner Ice In Vancouver ran a record and is a big chance in the Kosciuszko.

Main Dangers: Home track 3YO colt 5. Freedom Square exploded away to beat a handy field here on debut, and while this is tougher, he has a stack of potential and is the obvious threat. Local 3YO filly 12. Lucky Banner felt the pressure in that same race as the top selection after an impressive maiden win covering plenty of ground. Draws to get a much softer run, and will be strong late. Improving 3YO 14. Son Of Sampson scored a deserved maiden win at Tuncurry after tracking the speed, although taking on some stronger ones here; while 7. I'm Going ran a terrific race at big odds on debut, and can progress further from the inside draw.

Likely Tempo: Solid

My Betting Attack: IRISH THUNDER to Win and Quinella: 5 and 8

Deep and open one to finish. Somewhat shocked by the easily big price of 5YO Wyong mare 6. BELLE DE VEGA (Serg Lisnyy; 59kg) from the Kim Waugh stable who charged home late in a similar field resuming. Will again be forced a long way back from the wide barrier, but she's a second-up winner, and as long as she can tuck in somewhere, will relish the long sweeping run home.

Main Dangers: Tamworth 5YO gelding 4. Ronan's Rock has had a couple of false starts since sweeping home for a dominant CL2 win at Coffs early last month. Kept up to the mark with a recent trial, and is drawn to coil up in behind the speed. Well bred local colt 17. Tempel One needs to secure a run, but resumed with a dominant maiden win here running good time, and looks well up to this class rise. Super consistent 4YO local mare 5. Entreat has won her last two narrowly, and again draws to get a lovely trail, but sneaking right up in the weights; while improving mare 14. Hard Faith is better placed over this distance third-up.

Likely Tempo: Solid

My Betting Attack: BELLE DE VEGA Each Way and Box First Four: 4,5,6,14,17

Race 1: 1. DUNLEE** Expect: $4.00 - $4.50; My Early Rating: $2.52

Race 5: 4. FREE RIDER** Expect: $5.00 - $5.50; My Early Rating: $3.20

Race 2: 1. DANZA IN THE DARK** Expect: $6.50 - $7.00; My Early Rating: $4.00

Race 6: 8. REVEAL THE MAGIC* Expect: $9.50 - $10.00; My Early Rating: $5.20

Race 7: 8. IRISH THUNDER** Expect: $5.50 - $6.50; My Early Rating: $3.60

Jeff Penza

Mitchell Bell