Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - PLAYTHATFUNKYMUSIC (1) hasn't been far away lately and gets back to 1100m today where he's been very successful at this track and trip. Cheung replaces the 4kg claimer and he's jumped favourite the past couple of outings. Back to this trip suits I think and he'll be hard to run down. TREASURED QUEEN (6) is first-up though showed plenty of ability in her last campaign when spending the whole time at Ascot. Back to this track and trip where she's been successful previously and she'll no doubt have Carnival aspirations. Can make her presence felt. HIGH PRESSURE (3) beat home Playthatfunkymusic last start at this track and drops back to 1100m today. That is the slight knock on him, but winning form is good form and he can repeat the dose. BAALBEK (5) showed enough first-up at this track and can put his best foot forward.
RACE 2 - WITCHY WOODS (1) just missed last start at 1612m at this track as favourite and drops back in distance again today. He's still an improving 3YO and he has some good figures over this trip. Maps nicely and can shed the maiden tag this time. PRETTY IN PEARLS (8) will find this easier than recent outings when well beaten at Ascot off a 28-day break most recently. She's likely to get back from the draw, but she finds a nice race and can be running on late. OUR SHILLAYLEIGH (2) never got into the race first-up at Northam and is on the quick turnaround today. He rises straight up to 1400m which should suit and he strikes a nice race. Fiore rides now and he can put her best foot forward. SWEET EYES (7) drops back in trip but looks to be close to a maiden win. Expected to be thereabouts.
RACE 3 - KARNUP QUEEN (8) rose to 1400m at Ascot last start when taking on Open 3YO company and finished well back there. Her runs prior were great and rate highly for a race like this. The form around her has worked out well and she's found the right race to knock over her maiden win. AWEEMAWAY (1) has been close his past couple, beaten 1.6L two back before a 0.4L defeat most recently. He's placed 4/4 at this track and trip and while he's had a few goes now, he's racing in good order. Can put his best foot forward yet again. ADMIRATION BAY (5) led and folded first-up over this course and distance 23 days ago. Fitter for that run and she draws well this time around. Form has worked out well from her last start and she's right in the mix. CLASSIC CODE (6) was scratched earlier this month after going off in the barriers and now lines up here. She's good enough to feature. GEM'S MAN (2) just missed fresh and can be in the finish once again.
RACE 4 - SURE THING (3) was claimed late last start over 1200m here, beaten 1.1L in a solid effort in a CL5. That form may have been franked on Saturday at Belmont and rates highly for a race like this. Drawn to find the front again, back in trip suits and he can go one better this time. DREAM BROOK (8) won fresh before a 1.3L defeat most recently, finishing behind Sure Thing. Gets a big jockey upgrade this time and the inside draw helps. Can go close with no weight on her back. DREAMTIME JEAN (1) has won fresh in the past and will be fitter for a recent trial. Worth including. KELLY'S LI ZA LU (6) is better than she's shown her past couple and can bounce back dropping in distance.
RACE 5 - JUST SUBLIME (5) looks a nice horse on the rise, winning by 0.9L most recently as favourite at this track and trip. Catarino claims 3kg now, but the map is favourable and she has plenty of upside. Ticks plenty of boxes and can build on the maiden win last start. THATSTHEWAYILIKEIT (4) was beaten 1L fresh but improved last start, beaten just 0.2L over 1100m here last time out. She's still lightly raced and this trip third-up looks to suit. Should be storming home late in the race. DUBLIN RED (2) gets Fiore in the saddle now after a good run over 1100m most recently. Her record at this track and trip is a niggle, though she's well drawn and her best form will put her right in the finish. SCIENCE DEGREE (1) comes through a good race last start and will give them something to chase. BLITZEM BABE (3) can bounce back to form following a disappointing effort most recently.
RACE 6 - SANTA BRAE (2) resumes today after a successful campaign last time in, ending up with a 0.4L defeat as favourite at Ascot. The mile fresh this time in looks to suit and he has placed fresh in the past. Looks to have a class edge on his rivals and can score a first-up win. RYEWOOD (1) looks poised to strike third-up now where she's won 2/3 in the past. The wide draw may see her back in the run, but she's got race fitness and only just missed here last start. Can go one better this time with Fiore in the irons. SCOTTISH LAIRD (4) edged out Ryewood last start to make it back-to-back wins, setting the tempo and winning as favourite. Can cross and lead from out wide and prove tough to run down once again. KALLAROO (6) is knocking on the door of another victory despite being 1169 days between drinks. Can feature again. FEUDING (3) will find this easier and can bounce back to form for the new stable.
RACE 7 - BONNY ROCK (8) was on the 7-day turnaround last start and was a little flat, beaten 3.6L over this track and trip. She's had some time between runs this time and the form out of her last start has worked out well. Cheung claims 3kg and she can bounce back to her best. MILITARY ACTION (4) got the job done two back before a 2.2L when up to the mile last start. Back to this distance is a big tick where he boasts a strong record. Maps to get his chance and can get back on the winner's list. I NEVER DREAMED (2) gets the blinkers on now third-up into the campaign after closing off well behind Military Action 23 days ago. Ticks a few boxes on this occasion and can turn the tables. ON JUST TERMS (7) is racing well and can be in the finish once again. BANG FOR BUCK (1) won two back before a disappointing effort over the mile last start. Can bounce back as he drops in trip.
