Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The 2YO's kick off the Belmont season and SILENT DIVA (8) can make an immediate impact on debut. She was very impressive in a recent trial at Lark Hill and clocked a strong time against other trials on the day. Pike sticks from the trial and she can make a winning start to her career. BUCKLED (4) showed enough in his debut campaign when running around some Karrakatta Plate fancies and trialled well under a hold recently. Time was slower than Silent Diva on the day, but he has the race experience under his sleeve. He'll be hard to hold out if he's come on in the break. CAPITOLA (1) was too good from the front last start over 1100m and is likely to be up front again back to this trip. The claim comes in handy and he'll give his rivals something to chase. PERFECT SISTER (2) comes back from the Karrakatta Plate where she was strong late in the race. Can put her best foot forward. ARCTIC SNOW (6) won a trial coming into this and looks to have some ability.
RACE 2 - KAY TEE WHY (3) scored an impressive win last start over this trip at Ascot, winning by 1.2L. The draw is a niggle, but Pike remains in the saddle and his form has already been franked. Likely to get back in the run but can finish over the top of them late. REPOSSESSION (1) won the Placid Ark Prelude before finishing 1L off the winner in the 3YO feature before a spell. He bolted in at the trials recently and Brad Parnham sticks from that effort. Still has plenty of upside and can return on a winning note. ANABALLISTIC (6) scored first-up before a 0.8L defeat most recently at Ascot. This is tougher, but she should be nearing her peak third-up and looks to have some upside. Can put her best foot forward. DESERT WHISPER (4) was caught by Kay Tee Why last start but will be fitter for that. Worth including. EARTHSTORM (2) will be better over further but can make an impression first-up.
RACE 3 - PROSPECTOR'S PICK (7) gobbled up his rivals fresh with an easy victory 28 days ago and looks a nice horse on the rise. He remains at 1000m, but draws nicely for Pike and the form out of his last start has been red hot. Can go to another level now and make it two in a row. RICHANCO (2) led and won first-up over this trip at Ascot, scoring by 1.3L in good style. He rises in weight, but he too has plenty of upside and can continue to work through the grades. Likely to be prominent in the run and can go on with the job. KEEP ITA MYSTERY (1) closed off nicely behind Richanco last start to be 1.3L off him at the finish, and meets him better at the weights this time after the claim of Gaerth. Nicely placed and can turn the tables. ANOTHER STRIKE (5) comes into this fresh but trialled nicely at Lark Hill. Can feature. SEBONACK (4) makes his WA debut today and won't be far away if he can run to his NSW form.
RACE 4 - KEGGS LATER (5) made it a hat-trick with a narrow victory over 2200m at Ascot and drops in weight for today's effort. He's placed 2/3 at this trip and while this is tougher, his recent figures stack up nicely. Can sit back in the run and launch over the top to extend his winning streak. AUDIO BOY (2) is knocking on the door in recent efforts, finishing 0.8L off the winner over 1800m last start after sitting on the speed. Up to this trip now for the first time, but is hard to knock on recent form and will give a bold sight once again. HENCHARD (1) has been around the mark in recent efforts and maps to get every chance on the 7-day backup. At the top of the weights, but his form reads well for this and he won't be far away. FAMOUS DAIN (3) won an easier race at Albany last start but did it impressively. Up in trip shouldn't hurt and he can win again. EXPELLIARMUS (9) has to be included following a 1.5L defeat behind Keggs Later last start.
RACE 5 - TRIO (2) ran over the top to score narrowly over the mile at Ascot last start in impressive style. He looks to be a horse on the rise still, putting up a career peak last start and Pike remains in the saddle. Likely to get back again but can storm over the top to bring up back-to-back wins. WESTERN POWER (5) was beaten 1.3L when back to 1400m last start at Ascot, jumping the favourite on that occasion. He was edged out by Trio two back off a similar set up and meets Trio better at the weights this time. Gets the in-form jockey on board and he can turn the tables. BONDI PLUNGE (6) is knocking on the door, finishing 1.2L off the winner last start at Ascot and steps up to the mile for just the second time today. This is tougher, but she's racing well and can put her best foot forward. LOVA SESSION (7) steps up to the mile again now and has placed 2/3 at this track and trip. Can bounce back. LET'SDEAL (3) has been off the scene a while but trialled well coming in. Can feature.
RACE 6 - SKY DUKE (2) is racing in good order and is hard to knock on recent form. He's finished in the placings his past six starts and is unbeaten over this course and distance. Form out of his last start has been franked already and he can go one better this time around. CLOSE TALKER (4) was solid on resumption over 1200m at Ascot, running on strongly to be beaten 1.2L. She jumped the favourite there and while this is tougher, she goes well at the track and trip. Pike remains in the saddle and she'll be flying home late in the race. AMERICAN ESCAPE (10) comes through the Magic Millions 3YO where she was solid prior to a break. She's bolted in at the trials since and looks set for a bold run fresh. Fiore rides and she'll make an impression. CATCH CARTER (5) ran on well to finish 2L off the winner and the form out of that race has been great. Can go close once again. ZING TO WIN (1) will appreciate the rise in trip and won't be far away.
RACE 7 - BOHEMIAN DIAMOND (7) was very impressive last campaign before disappointing at her last start, beaten 3.2L. She's bolted in at the trials since then and this trip first-up isn't an issue. Can put herself close to the speed and with plenty of upside, she can resume on a winning note. UNIVERSAL HOTNESS (8) just missed two back at Pinjarra before a 2.3L defeat at Ascot over 1400m most recently. The wide draw is a niggle, but he does have plenty of early speed. Wouldn't surprise to see him roll across and give a big sight up front. SNIPPY WHICH (1) disappointed last start when sitting up on the speed despite a solid first-up run at Ascot. He's a winner third-up in the past and a return to his best form will see him right in the finish. HAMMARMILL (3) ran over the top to score last start, beating some rivals she lines up against here. Can go back-to-back without surprising. MAJOR MARIO (5) was sound fresh and can be in the finish again.
RACE 8 - Tricky race the feature. PSYCHO SISTA (13) may have the upside that some of her rivals lack and that could hold her in good stead. She bolted in second-up last campaign and has the early speed to roll across from barrier 12. McNaught knows her well and she can bounce back to winning ways. PLATINUM SHOT (2) is hard to knock with her form this campaign and should get a lovely run. She brings in strong Saturday form when narrowly beaten and can track Psycho Sista across from the barrier. Pike rides and she's a winning hope. TREBLE MAKER (16) was too good in a heat at Kalgoorlie, winning by 1.1L when running over the top. She's drawn well for the in-form jockey and she'll put her best foot forward right down in the weights. BELTA OF A SONG (4) was only fair first-up but she improves with racing and getting up in trip. Won't be far away. SECRET ATTIRE (14) was solid fresh at Kalgoorlie and looks an improver.
RACE 9 - MADAME MAGIC (2) was too good at Ascot a fortnight ago when running over the top to win by 0.4L. That form may have been franked by now and while she has drawn wide, she tends to get back anyway. Put up a good winning figure last start and can go on with the job. BLACK ORA (12) missed out last start over 1000m at Ascot when favourite and now rises up to 1400m for the third time. She's run well over this trip previously and it wouldn't surprise to see her go to another level now. Pike sticking is a big push for her chances. CORRECT CHOICE (8) got the job done over 1500m last start at Ascot. Back in trip may be a slight niggle, but he maps beautifully with the claim for Gaerth. Can bring up back-to-back wins. BLUE ROCKET (7) is better than she showed last start and now rises in trip again. Can sit close to the speed and get back to her best. KNOT SECRET (6) is racing in good order and has to be included.
