Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The promising MAGNIQUE (3) built on the narrow first-up defeat at Ascot with an impressive win at the track over 1000m. She maps for a soft on-pace run, and the longer sprint looks ideal. The in-form Fiore stays aboard and will give the filly every chance. ADMIRE THE GIRL (2) also presents third-up and brings back-to-back wins with Pike sticking aboard. Spiked her figures last time and should be better again. LUCKY I AM (5) was backed off-the-map, winning a Northam Maiden comfortably. Steps up to 1200m for the first time, but she rates to give a decent site. PINGERS (8) is speedy and has more to give third-up. She will carry just 53kg with the claim, and should be around the mark. NICKELPLAY (6) resumes and has raced well at Listed level. Owns an Ascot trial win, and the betting will be a strong guide to her readiness.
RACE 2 - THE CALABRESE (6) resumed at Ascot and worked home well beaten 1.5L behind the promising Magnique. He draws inside again and will have taken fitness and learning. Suited and should go close. TOP OF THE WALK (1) has had one blip in a string of threatening efforts. Found more like his best at Pinjarra 7 days ago, and the in-form Fiore stays aboard. Third-up and deserves another chance. PURPLE CIRCLE (7) debuts for the Luciani barn with the blinkers applied. Brings a comfortable Ascot trial win, and the colt should be highly competitive. CASSENITE (11) mixes the form, but she'd be around the mark, putting her best foot forward.
RACE 3 - LORD SHIVA (2) resumed at Ascot for the new stable and was too good at this trip and grade. Maps well and is proven second-up. He's an improved galloper capable of winning again. PRECAST (7) switched from a Victorian stable and looked a run short at Ascot first-up. She's won 2/4 second-up and has more up her sleeve. Pike stays aboard, and that's a decent push for her chances. HEZANGELIC (1) is also a winning hope, building on his all-the-way win in a Pinjarra-Scarpside CL1 over this distance. Keeps the handy 3kg claim and will be fitter again. SOLAR SYSTEM (4) resumes and brings an Ascot trial win. Has sprinted well fresh over 1200m and is speedy enough to manage the shorter sprint. Has an inside barrier and deserves a betting watch.
RACE 4 - ZORBRIST (5) went close at Ascot before a nose defeat at Northam, jumping an even-money favourite. He laid out at the business end and couldn't be fully tested over the final 100m. Keeps Brad Parnham and will get every chance to go one better. CLASSIC IMPACT (6) came back to a Maiden at Ascot and got the chocolates bet into red figures. That rates well enough, and she keeps the handy 3kg claim. Draws inside again and will get every chance to repeat the dose. QUEEN'S SACRIFICE (7) led and missed a whisker this grade/trip at Ascot. She started at big odds but draws inside today and would be a chance holding the form. PRINCESS IN RED (3) went close at Northam and comes back from a mile on a 10-day return. Needs a good ride, but can't be ruled out.
RACE 5 - MIGHTY HOSANNA (10) made good improvement, narrowly beaten in a CL3 at Ascot. She will position forward from the inside barrier and is well-placed in this contest. ACROSS GENERATIONS (1) built on his first-up Maiden win with a 2L defeat in this grade at Ascot. He's raced well in stronger than this, and fitter is a decent chance to bounce. MILLY'S CLEVER TOO (4) resumes and showed enough in her initial preparation to consider. Gives away starts, but she owns a solid Ascot trial and is likely to go well. CANTRIX (8) led and won a Scarpside Maiden on debut. She'd been a while getting to the races and will be better for it. She will push forward again and give a sight.
RACE 6 - TYCOON HARRY (2) has placed both starts this campaign in stronger races and has won 2/3 third-up. He keeps the handy 2kg claim and will race forward again. Well placed and will get every chance to run out the longer sprint. SIMPLY THINKIN' (9) peaks off two threatening efforts at Ascot. Maps well, and Pike is a key jockey switch. She's been kept on the fresh side, and stepping back 200m should advantage. A live hope. AVOIDANCE (4) resumed in good order at Ascot before leading and demolishing the 70 graders at Albany by 6.8L. The speed-bred gelding has a handy 3kg claim and will skip across and control the race. Tougher, but he's sure to give a sight. CHERRY CAN RUN (7) resumes and has decent ability. Usually needs a run, but no surprise to see her around the mark.
RACE 7 - CARAWAY (8) stepped up to 1500m and delivered a Scarpside Maiden as expected. She's been a touch unlucky at Pinjarra prior, and five winners have come out of that contest. Maps for a soft transit, and the in-form Fiore stays aboard. She's capable of taking the next step. MISTRESS OF WAR (9) draws awkwardly again but will settle forward and is busting to return to the winner's list. There was only a nose in it this grade and trip at Ascot two weeks ago. THE HILL TRIBE (1) led at Scarpside and wasn't far away and then got too far back at Ascot against the above but hit the line well. He's proving hard to catch, but would be a hope if things went his way. OISIN (5) has needed his two runs this preparation. He maps better today and is likely to show more like his best.
