Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - GASPARDO (3) was very good in his debut campaign, ending his campaign in a $50k maiden at Ascot where he wasn't disgraced. His recent trial was just fair, but he was given a very easy hit-out and he was only narrowly edged out on debut. Finds a suitable race and looks to have a class edge. LADY COCO (7) has gone under narrowly his past two, including as the $2.70 favourite over 1000m at this track last time out. She should be up on the speed from the inside barrier once again and she'll prove tough to run down. WRITTEN SIN (8) showed enough in her debut campaign and trialled nicely behind a subsequent winner recently. Faithfull stays in the saddle from that trial and she's expected to be right in the finish. MEGAMERIT (4) is better than she showed last time out, beaten 5.5L. This suits better and she's not to be discounted. DENVER AFFAIR (12) wasn't beaten far at massive odds at Pinjarra last start. Can feature in this easier maiden.
RACE 2 - SWEET EYES (9) has been tested in stronger company this campaign and has held her own when right in the market. She didn't hit her best form until she got to this trip last campaign and coming back to Country level looks a smart play. This shapes ideally for her and she can score her maiden win today. ETERNAL ROMANCE (10) dipped a touch last start on the Scarpside at Pinjarra but the fresh run suggested she was up to her best. Remains at the mile now third-up and she draws much better this time. Back in grade and can pounce. ARAFISIO (7) has had a few goes now and steps up to the mile again today. She's been running on well and the rise in trip may be what she's looking for. BULLS EYE PERFECT (1) is knocking on the door of a maiden victory and can be in the finish again. CROMBIE (2) steps right up in trip now but won't be far away on recent performances.
RACE 3 - WHERE'S MY LUNCH (1) absolutely destroyed his rivals last start, leading and kicking away to win impressively by a whopping 10.8L. Suspect similar tactics will be adopted today and the rise in trip is no issue. Can repeat the dose this time out. ENDLESS JOY (2) sustained a long effort to score by 7.4L in maiden company over 1720m at Narrogin and won't be phased by the rise in trip. She was narrowly beaten over 1900m two back and she looks to be hitting her straps now. Can take it up to the top pick. PRAY FOR LUCY (5) finished behind Where's My Lunch last time out and does meet that rival better at the weights. Getting back up to this trip is a positive and he can put his best foot forward. ALOTTA DANE (3) disappointed on the Heavy track here last start but was over 1000m there. Right up to 1900m is an interesting play, but he's not to be discounted. ASARKA (8) is next best.
RACE 4 - PLATINUM SHOT (6) was too good in a CL5 at Narrogin last start, sitting close to the speed and putting her rivals to the sword by 2.6L. Faithfull remains in the saddle and this shapes as a similar race. Maps for a lovely run and can bring up back-to-back wins. PIN DEEP (1) will find this easier than recent efforts when beaten 3.7L in Saturday last start. He's back to country level now and steps up in trip. ZJP's claim comes in handy and any sting out of the ground should suit. STORM COMMANDER (2) was 2.2L off the winner last start in a similar event and may appreciate the rise in trip. He was only 0.4L away over a similar distance two back. Nicely placed and won't be far away. GIFT OF THE HEART (5) was too good last start when leading throughout and has to be included. MAHALEO (3) hasn't raced for a long time but was good in a recent trial and he's a fresh winner in the past.
RACE 5 - CALL OF DUTY (1) was too good fresh before a 1.3L defeat over this course and distance 24 days ago. He's a lightly-raced prospect and while he has drawn wide, he looks to have plenty of upside. Beaten as a $1.30 chance last start, but he can go to another level third-up into the campaign. GOD HAS DRIFTED (4) ran away to win by 2L over this track and trip 24 days ago in a CL2 and looks to get the right run from an inside barrier. He boasts a good record at this track and trip and he can make his presence felt again. KAMIKAZE FIGHTER (5) gets the blinkers on first time following a 1.2L defeat over 1500m last time out. Back in trip now and a firmer surface is expected this time which may suit. Watch for him late in the piece. SECRET DEPLOY (6) was only 1.9L off the winner lasts tart and maps for a nice run once again. Worth including. SECRET STONES (7) has been around the mark lately and is not to be discounted.
RACE 6 - REAL DELUXE (4) resumes from a 218-day break and comes into this without a trial. Despite that, this looks a targeted assault with her being a Saturday winner at the end of last campaign, being first-up on her home deck. The apprentice claim comes in handy and she'll be very hard to run down. LATE ARRIVAL (6) was too good on a heavy track last start, running away to win by 4L over 1000m here when leading. He can roll forward from the barrier and make his own luck up on the speed. Rates well off the fresh run and can land the knockout blow. DODGE 'EM (8) went under as favourite behind Late Arrival last time out an maps for a lovely run this time around. Drops in weight and can put his best foot forward. FIRST LAW (2) hasn't been far away his past couple and looks to get plenty of favours off the inside once again. VONSNIP (1) boasts a good record at this track and trip and is not to be discounted.
RACE 7 - Time for the feature and it's an open event. FILTHY HABITS (2) steps right up in trip but that won't be an issue for him following a 0.4L defeat last time out. He's turned in a nice trial since then and he has the speed to offset the wide alley. Looks well placed on recent form and can get the job done. MANAVENDRA (5) jumped favourite in the Geraldton Cup but disappointed there when beaten a long way. He's likely to get back from the draw, but his form prior was much better and he can bounce back to his best. QUEEN OF JERUSALEM (10) proved too strong at Ascot last start and won by 1.8L over 2400m. On the quick turnaround today and rates highly on the last start win. CJP rides again and she'll make her presence felt. FAT ROY SLIM (1) comes through some strong races into this and can be thereabouts at the finish. PURE CHINO (9) was too good in the main lead up here 16 days ago and has to be included.
RACE 8 - GOLDEN DORE (3) is knocking on the door of another victory, finishing 1.8L off the victory at Pinjarra in a CL5 as favourite. The inside draw is a big tick and he looks well placed right back in grade today. Ticks plenty of boxes and is the one to beat. MAKIN PROPHETS (9) was too good on the heavy track here last start, winning by 0.3L over the mile here most recently. He'll need some luck from out wide, but the 2kg claim comes in handy and he'll be flying home late in the race. MY BOY EDDY (7) got the job done narrowly in this grade last start 30 days ago. The pads come off which is a positive sign and he was favourite when winning last time out. Can put his best foot forward. JUSTAMIDDY (5) disappointed last start after a good win at this track and trip two back. A firmer deck should suit and he can bounce back. BEAUTIFUL BAROQUE (1) hasn't been far away recently and should get her chance off the inside barrier.
