Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SHOOT TO FAME (4) comes through a 3YO Open race in Saturday grade at Ascot where she wasn't disgraced. Her run here two back was good when winning by 0.4L and she shouldn't be too far off the lead in a small field. Can get back to winning ways back in grade. AMARLIME (6) won well down the straight here fresh and steps up to 1400m for the first time today. Pike remains in the saddle and she looks suited by the rise in trip. Can bounce back to her best. POLYVANOVA (5) looks to be one of the main pace influences in the race and comes into this on the back of a strong maiden win as favourite. The form out of her past few races has stood up and there's no reason why she can't make the step up in grade. Will give them something to catch. MAIN ACT (2) steps up in trip again today and drops back in grade this time around. Draws well and can put his best foot forward.
RACE 2 - UNFORTUNATE LAD (3) comes through the same race as Statewide where he was 100-1 on debut, beaten just 3.9L. He should find a suitable position from the barrier and strike jockey McGruddy hops in the saddle. Can improve on the debut run and make his presence felt. BRAZEN BUTCHER (14) finished behind a smart one on debut and was right in the market there a fortnight ago. The inside barrier should see him close to the speed again and he can put his best foot forward. PENNYLASS (15) comes through good 2YO races and can run a bold race if she gains a start. WATERSHED WISDOM (12) has shown enough at the trials up against older horses most recently. Not to be discounted.
RACE 3 - SHAMILIAN MISS (10) was good here fresh before a strong effort from the back as a $1.55 favourite here most recently. The wide draw is a niggle again, though the rise in trip should suit and the form out of her last start has been solid. She's open to plenty of improvement and she can get the job done. ALITTLE SCOONER (5) dropped back to the mile last start and got too far back on the Scarpside here last start. Pike rides again which is a tick for his chances and he showed two back that he has the ability to win races. Can work into the race at the right time and get the job done now. TIVACISAURUS (2) was sound first-up over 1400m at Ascot on the back of some good trials coming in. The rise in trip should suit and he'll be doing his best work late. SAVVY RULER (11) is building nicely this time in work and should get her chance on the back of a good effort on the Scarpside here last time out. JACKPOT BINGO (3) is better than he showed las start and won't be far away.
RACE 4 - SWINDLE THE DOUGH (7) is knocking on the door of his maiden win, just missing out by 0.2L in a close finish on the Scarpside here last time out. He has enough speed to cross from out wide and he can set the tempo up on the speed. Rates highly on the last start effort and he can go a couple better this time. CARAWAY (12) just missed first-up on the Scarpside, going under in a photo finish over 1300m. She's another that can be prominent in the run and if she can improve on the fresh effort, she'll be hard to hold out. BARECOVE ROCK (9) rattled home in eye-catching style on debut, finishing just 0.2L off the winner in a blanket finish here. He may be able to sit a touch closer with an inside barrier today and if he can run up to his debut figures, he'll go close. ELEGANT INDI (13) was sound fresh and is open to plenty of improvement. She's not to be discounted. STRYKER'S GAL (10) can turn in a strong effort on resumption.
RACE 5 - FAMOUS DAIN (5) stuck on well on resumption over 1200m at Belmont, finishing 1.3L off the winner as a $6 chance. Pike now hops into the saddle and the rise up to 1400m is a big tick. He draws nicely on this occasion and while he's never placed second-up this looks like a great opportunity to return to winning ways. SNIPPY SEAN (3) was beaten in a photo finish last start at Ascot. That horse has since gone under narrowly in Saturday grade. He's a third-up winner in the past and he maps to get every chance. Form reads well and he should go close. HIGHLAND FLAIR (2) picked up his maiden win last start at Belmont and the second horse has since come out and blitzed a maiden field. Blinkers come off now and he has to be included with improvement likely. TOUSLED CROWN (9) was too good last start on the Scarpside and can repeat the dose. I'M CRAFTY (1) can play a role fresh with CJP in the saddle.
RACE 6 - REDBACK FLYER (6) bolted in over the mile on the Scarpside here last time out, leading and running away to win by 1.9L. Brad Parnham hops in the saddle now and he can take up the running from a good barrier. Open to further improvement third-up and looks the one to beat. PRINCESS IN RED (2) lost no admirers last start when jumping a $3.30 chance in Saturday company and finishing only 3.4L off the winner. She was a good winner over 1200m prior at Belmont, and steps straight up to the mile today. That's an interesting move, but if she handles the rise in trip she should be in the finish. STARWALKER (5) ran on strongly from the back last start at Ascot and should be better suited up over a mile now. He'll be back in the run, but he can be closing off with a wet sail. TRESPASSING (9) is better than he showed last start and dropping back to this trip can see him return to his best. ROCK DEE JAY (10) is knocking on the door and has to be included.
RACE 7 - MOHEGAN RULER (2) jumped the $2.30 favourite in his only run last campaign when well beaten an pulling up with an issue. He looks back on song judging by his recent trial and Pike remains in the saddle from that trial. Wide draw is a niggle, but he looks to have class and can resume on a winning note. DATE WITHTHE DEVIL (5) was very good last campaign and is open to further improvement this time in work. He's a lightly-raced 4YO who won his recent trial coming in and was effective first-up last campaign. Can resume in good order. FAMOUS DREAM (7) resumed with a good win down the straight here, leading all the way to win by 0.2L. Up in trip is no issue and she's a second-up winner in the past. Catarino's claim gets her in light at the weights and she can play a major role. THREE GRAND (8) can find the front from out wide and give a bold sight in front. Worth noting she comes through a good form race. RALLY THE TROOPS (10) can run a good race first-up as a gelding.
