Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BEYOND THE WALL (1) resumes today on the back of a handy trial at Ascot. He was just pipped at the post first-up last campaign at Northam, but this does look a touch easier. Can roll forward from the barrier and will prove tough to run down. ALABAMA ELEGANCE (5) was placed first-up last campaign at Bunbury and will be fitter for two trials coming into this. She has a class edge on some of her rivals and she's well placed first-up. Shouldn't be far off the speed and can shed the maiden tag. CLASSIC CODE (4) bumped into a smart one last start when well beaten, but put up a competitive figure. Will need a touch of luck from out wide but has to be included on her recent effort. POETANDIKNOWIT (3) is on debut today and is not to be discounted, while ROSAY ALLDAY (6) is next best.
RACE 2 - SAINTY CULLITY (4) drops back in trip today following a narrow defeat over the mile at Northam. He went close the start prior at York also and looks to have found a suitable race here. Whittington hops on board again after almost claiming the win two back. Can get the job done this time. QUICK COOKIE (8) disappointed first-up at Albany but should be better for the first-up run. She never really got into the race there, however the form out of the race has been good. This looks to suit now and she can go close to winning. PROPHET STEEL (9) wasn't far away when out to the mile last start, running home well to finish 1.2L away. Back in trip now is a niggle, though Fiore now rides in a good push for her chances. Should be peaking now and is ready to fire. AWEEMAWAY (1) is better than he showed last start and can bounce back. ICANDOIT ONMYOWN (7) has to be included after a solid last-start performance.
RACE 3 - CLOSE AT HAND (4) ran on nicely from the back of the pack to finish 3L away at Northam a fortnight ago and has now moved to the Fernie stable. The inside draw suits and Fiore replaces the apprentice hoop in a good push for his chances. Nicely placed and get back to winning ways. SO LIKABLE (8) got the job done two back before a disappointing effort in this grade most recently. He remains down in the weights, but now gets a senior jockey on board. Has the speed to be up front and will give them something to chase. HIGH PRESSURE (3) was too good two back before dropping in trip and finding them too speedy here. Up to 1400m looks the smart play now and he's a track and trip winner already. Can bounce back. WESTERNIZE (5) ran on strongly last start and has to be included. VILLEINS (1) can run a strong race off a freshen.
RACE 4 - Good race at the top. SANTA BRAE (2) ran home strongly first-up over the mile, settling last and rocketing late. The rise in trip and inside draw are both ticks and he usually improves with a run under the belt. Can sit closer this time and get the job done. FEUDING (1) comes through the same race where he was only beaten 1L and finished ahead of Santa Brae. He too draws better this time and his recent effort suggested he's not far off a drought breaking win. He looks the main danger. ALOTTA FIGHTING (6) got the job done over 1612m last start when running on from midfield, shedding the maiden tag. Likely to be back in the run once again, but is open to further improvement out in trip and has claims. ONEMOREFORLEO (3) is better than he showed last start and his form ties in through Santa Brae and Feuding. Include. MAGIC WILL REIGN (4) is on the quick turnaround and can improve out to his preferred track and trip.
RACE 5 - I NEVER DREAMED (3) closed off nicely to just miss over 1400m here last week, finishing just 0.6L off the winner. The rise in trip now looks to suit and Troy Turner takes the ride. She's only been tried at the mile twice in Victoria and this is a very suitable race. She can go one better. RULING DAME (2) missed two back when favourite but couldn't get close last start over 1400m when on the quick turnaround. Given more time between runs now and Fiore hops on board as she steps out in trip. Placed 2/3 at this distance previously and has winning claims. PRAY WITH YOU (4) flashed home from last to just miss over 1400m and comes into this on the fresh side. He's placed at this track and trip previously and the form out of his last start has worked out well. He won't be far away. EVERLASTING SPIRIT (6) got the job done here 22 days ago and has to be included on the back of that effort. BONNY ROCK (5) is racing well and won't be far away up to the mile for the first time.
RACE 6 - KARNUP QUEEN (8) struck a suitable race last start and didn't miss out, sitting up front and landing the blow as a $1.26 favourite. Put up a strong rating there and the drop back in distance is no problem. Fiore remains in the saddle and she can bring up back-to-back wins for the new stable. AMERICAN THIGHS (5) disappointed last time out but started this campaign in good order when only 0.9L away two starts ago. Drawn better this time which should see her sit closer and a return to her best form would see her right in the finish. JAZALOT (2) won well on debut before a 2.6L defeat over 1300m at Northam most recently. The 4kg claim comes in handy today and he's expected to be doing his best work late in the race. WEAPONS HOT (1) resumes today and will be fitter for a recent trial at Ascot. 0/3 fresh but strikes a suitable race this time. TWIST OF GOLD (6) resumes without a trial but is a fresh winner in the past. Worth including.
RACE 7 - FLOBA (6) led them up on resumption and wouldn't be caught, getting the job done by 0.2L in good time. He still has some room for improvement in his ratings and he's placed 2/4 second-up. Has the speed to roll across from out wide and will be hard to run down once again. LOVE DRUNK BABY (2) comes through a nice form race over this track and trip 30 days ago, finishing 2.4L off the winner after setting the tempo. He can track Floba across and sit up on the speed from out wide and he boasts a strong record here. Live chance. NATURAL GEM (4) won two in-a-row before a disappointing effort over 1200m here last time out. Cooper hops on board now and the winkers replace the blinkers. Can bounce back to form now. PRIZED JEWEL (5) is knocking on the door following a 0.8L defeat last time out and won't be far away again. PEARLY NUGGETT (3) hasn't been far away lately and is not to be discounted.
