Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - SALT LAKE SHAKE (4) is back after a 21-week spell. Opened last prep with a close second over this distance at Belmont. Recent trial winner who looks ready to hit the ground running this time in work. ANOTHER STRIKE (1) launched a late challenge but just failed to pick up Rocket Juice last time out. Rarely far away and with blinkers on for the first time today he might be able to go that extra step. ROCKET JUICE (3) raced handy then proved a shade too strong when resuming over 1200m a fortnight ago. Has never raced over less than six furlongs in his sixteen starts so this is an interesting placement. Suited by the small field and will be hard to hold out. CAPRICORN MAN (2) improved sharply last start when fourth in the Rocket Juice race. Draws a better gate so he comes into contention. STAR POWER (6) led but was swamped and finished near the tail when resuming against many of today's rivals last time out. Has a far better second-up record so should be more resilient.

RACE 2 - LONDON'S IMAGE (2) has been freshened up since leading and hanging on gamely for second in the Listed Lee-Steere over 1400m seven weeks ago. Classy sprinter who was beaten narrowly in the Placid Ark over 1200m so this shorter trip holds no fears. The one to beat box-seating out of the coveted rails draw. The speedy DESERT WHISPER (6) led all the way and destroyed her rivals here over 1000m ten days ago. Takes a big leap in class but her figures suggest she is up to the challenge. GOLDEN VALE (4) last raced when edged out of second place by London's Image in the 1200m Listed Placid Ark nine weeks ago. Flies when fresh so she is right in contention. BRAZEN BID (1) raced handy all the way when a minor placegetter first-up over 1200m. Meets some smarter types this time but he is lightly raced with plenty of improvement in store. CLEANEMUP (5) gets a pass mark for her return over 1000m last time. Gets a few gear changes and should be thereabouts again.

RACE 3 - A host of first starters make this tricky. We go with the race experience of GOLDEN OPERA (6) who was ridden a bit quieter last start then worked home well to finish second over 1100m. Perfectly placed out to this trip so expect her to be tough to hold out. PERFECTLY PROPER (8) was friendless in betting but caught the eye late on debut a fortnight ago in the same race as Golden Opera. Keen to see her out to this distance with that race experience on board. Simon Miller has a couple of promising first starters engaged in MESSINA (10) and MARDUSA (4). Messina has had the benefit of two trials, winning most recently at Belmont. She looks a ready-to-run type while Mardusa, a son of Maurice, will get better with racing but should sprint well while fresh judging by his sound trial on 6 January. OUR NAUGHTY SECRET (7) has been safely held in her two runs to date but is sure to appreciate getting out to 1200m.

RACE 4 - MEMORY PARADE (10) looked the winner but was bloused near the line when resuming over 1000m a fortnight ago. Was competitive at Listed level last season so he is nicely placed in this grade. The one to beat getting out to this more suitable journey. AIN'TSOBAD (8) is unbeaten in three runs out of town this prep, the latest a dominant all-the-way performance over 1400m at Pinjarra. Drawn well and gets in nicely after the claim so she is well placed to go to this next level. ROGUES POINT (2) showed pace and dug deep but was overwhelmed near home when resuming in midweek company. Veteran who performs well second-up so don't leave him out. AVOIDANCE (3) succumbed late in a strong race at Albany last time. In the mix if he gets some luck from the wide gate.

RACE 5 - FLOWER IN THE WIND (1) has contested three Stakes races in her last four runs, most recently finishing a creditable sixth in the 2400m Perth Cup. Ready to break a run of outs in this far easier contest. NOTEWORTHY (3) recorded a couple of eye-catching placings before being given her chance in the Group 3 La Trice where she did a fine job to finish fourth. Finds the line well in shorter races so she should enjoy getting to this distance for the first time. ROCKING SOCIETY (2) continued his outstanding form when he got the bob in on the line over 2200m here a fortnight ago to bring up the hat trick. Getting up in the weights but it's hard to fault what he is doing. STORMAGEDDON (5) was ridden closer to the pace last time and battled on well for third over the mile. Has never raced beyond 1800m. One for the exotics. FIOREYES (7) got too far back behind Rocking Society last time. Gets in on the limit - one to keep safe.

RACE 6 - LEXINGTON CITY (5) returned from a 24-week spell with a game second over 1000m last start. Did some work to find the front on that occasion then dug deep under pressure only to fail narrowly. Generally improves second-up so from the good gate there is plenty to like. CELESTIAL STORM (10) has been beaten under a length in her two runs since crossing from Victoria, both over five furlongs. Perfectly placed over the slightly longer trip and her best figures measure up favourably. ALL PLAY (7) tackles a better race here after chalking up a third win from four runs this prep over 1000m recently. Lightly raced four-year-old with improvement to come so he looks up to this challenge. SNOW PRINCE (6) has raced three times here at 1100m and is yet to miss the frame. Enjoys the perfect run out of the inside stall and should have plenty to offer. SONOFTHEBOSS (8) is racing well without winning. One for the exotics.

RACE 7 - HOSTILE TALK (10) showed a nice turn of foot to just get the prize last start over 1200m. Tackling a better race today but he still has room to improve at the third run back, and the step up to 1400m for the first time looks a good option. RISSOLES (6) opened this prep with a couple of wins then got too far back before closing late to just miss the placings over 1200m last time. Unproven at today's trip but this honest mare gives every indication she will run it out now. DEFENDING (3) last appeared in a similar race to this three back when he was beaten just over a length. No luck from a wide gate last time in a feature at Albany. Back in a BM66 he makes plenty of appeal. FLURO NEURO (4) found 1000m far too slick when resuming last time. The winner of 2/4 second-up so expect a lot more today. ON PATROL (12) isn't a prolific winner but at the weights is worth including in exotics.

RACE 8 - Good race. Classy mare RUSTY DREAMS (9) enjoyed a nice run in transit and looked a chance before just missing the placings last start in the Group 3 La Trice over 1800m. Enjoys a lovely run again from an inside draw. Back in trip but with a strong tempo likely she could be hard to hold out. OWN THE QUEEN (6) disappointed in the La Trice last time out after being edged out by Bonjoy the start prior in the 1600m Starstruck Classic. Hasn't won for a while but she gets her chance at redemption. BONJOY (4) added to her imposing record when she took out her first stakes race last start, just prevailing over Own The Queen in the Starstruck over a mile. Meets her poorly at the weights but winning is becoming a habit. RUSSIAN TO THE BAR (3) was well held last time at Group 2 level. Worth another chance back in this grade with the blinkers reapplied. ANTIQUE MISS (8) beat a few of these in the La Trice on New Year's Day. Getting up in the weights but she is too good to rule out.

RACE 9 - ANTIQUE QUEEN (9) turned in an eye-catcher last start over the mile when she wound up late to grab third. Sparingly raced mare who was beaten just 1.3 lengths in a Listed race last prep. Strips fitter and out to this more suitable journey she looks the testing material. LONG GENES (4) has been a bit hot and cold of late. Good effort two back over the mile at Pinjarra Scarpside then failed to get the 2200m here a fortnight ago. Draws the fence and worth another chance coming back in distance. MAGIC WHISTLE (7) raised a few eyebrows when he raced on the speed and scored over 1600m at Pinjarra Scarpside recently. Yet to land a blow in eight runs at Ascot which is a concern, but the last effort had merit so he cannot be ruled out. I DREAMED A DREAM (3) enjoyed the step up in distance and scored here on New Year's Day. Handy type with further improvement to come at the fourth run back. WHY ME (6) is racing very well and should be thereabouts again on a seven-day back-up.