Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky 2YO race to begin. ABERDEEN FLYER (4) was sound in his debut campaign and appears to have gone up a notch in the break, trialling impressively coming into this. Brad Parnham sticks from his latest trial where he won comfortably at Belmont. Can resume on a winning note. FLASH DANCER (5) was a little below his best last time out but gets the tongue tie on now as well as an inside barrier. This is tougher than recent efforts, though the slight rise in trip looks a good play and it wouldn't surprise to see him right in the finish. CAPE LEEUWIN (3) bumped into one here last week when beaten 2L but he stuck on well from on the speed. CJP rides now from a good gate and he's likely to put his best foot forward again. FIERY SPARK (1) was a good winner on debut as a 25-1 chance and looked solid in a recent trial. Can pick up where he left off. BANNERED (2) has claims after an improved run last time out.
RACE 2 - AMAROO STAR (2) was red hot last campaign, scoring three on-end over the Ascot 1000m before a break. He's trialled nicely coming into this and the wide draw suits down the straight course. Can stalk the speed and extend his unbeaten run. REAL DELUXE (6) just felt the pinch late at Bunbury last start after leading them up as a $3.30 chance. Chris Parnham replaces the apprentice hoop and she's drawn ideally for the straight course. Form last start has stacked up nicely and she can give a bold sight. HAIDA GWAII (3) made it back-to-back wins with an impressive win here last time out, leading and winning by 1.6L. The form has been franked already and while she's drawn inside, she has the speed to cross an be prominent in the run. MADHI GIRL (1) is on resumption today and gets Pike in the saddle. Can put her best foot forward. SCENIC GEORGE (7) is racing in top order and can't be ignored.
RACE 3 - MONEY TREES (6) flew home two back before a disappointing effort in Heavy going last start over 1400m here in an open race. Winkers go back on now as he drops back to 1200m and while he may end up back in the run, a return to his best figures will see him hard to hold out. EL PATRON (1) resumes today and while he may be better over further, he's placed 3/5 first-up in the past. Pike hops on board for the first time in a good push for his chances and he's been competitive at this level previously. Can play a major role. ON PATROL (7) got the job done in his latest trial, winning well and beaten El Patron in that hit-out. He too is expected to be better over further, though he can run well first-up and the booking of Chris Parnham is a good push for his chances. THE GREAT HOYA (8) will be better for the fresh run and can be in the finish. FRAPPUCCINO (4) can give a bold sight from the front first-up.
RACE 4 - FOREVER BOY (5) won impressively two back before a narrow defeat last start at this track and trip in Heavy conditions. The winner there looks sharp and Forever Boy made him work for it. Needs some luck from the barrier but if he can go one better if he runs up to his most recent figure. STARWALKER (6) made it back-to-back wins last start when scoring narrowly over 2218m on the Scarpside here. Up in grade today, but he drops in weight and he maps to get his chance if good enough. Can bring up the hat-trick. DENNIS CHOUX (3) couldn't make it three on-end last start as he was beaten in the same race Forever Boy comes through. Chris Parnham rides now and he's expected to be right in the finish once again. FAT ROY SLIM (1) is hard to knock on recent form and has to be included. FLASH PADDY (9) can improve sharply third-up and out to this distance.
RACE 5 - SPECTACULAR PARK (7) was too good first-up off a very long break, winning by 0.8L in good style. He's still lightly raced to have plenty of upside and the Grantham stable is flying. Form out of last start has stacked up well and there's no reason why he can't go on with the job. FANCY RED (8) got the job done at Northam by 0.6L as favourite under Pike and this looks to shape similarly. While this is tougher, she drops in weight and her last start figure suggests she's up to this. Expecting another forward effort. BARTIME (6) led and won comfortably here last start and this looks to shape similarly. This is tougher, but he only rises 1kg and draws better this time. Can go back-to-back. LEETRON (9) looks a nice horse on the rise and can make his presence felt despite the wide gate. BORDER FORCE (2) was sound first-up and usually improves with the run under his belt. Won't be far away.
RACE 6 - MISS SKYHIGH (1) sat closer last start on the Heavy deck and was only narrowly beaten as favourite in a stronger event at this track and trip. She'll be fitter again now and she draws a better gate this time around. Pike remains in the saddle and with further improvement expected, she can get back to winning ways. CHOLLIMA (11) won impressively two back but just missed last start as favourite behind an in-form galloper where she had backing late. Drawing off the fence helps her chances and if she can run up to recent efforts, she'll be flying late. FIRST ENCOUNTER (10) stepped up in trip and narrowly got the job done. Dropping back in trip is a slight concern, but he did jump a $1.95 favourite over the mile two back. Classy animal who is hard to ignore. ROYAL TORONADO (6) flew home last start and the rise in trip is a big tick for him. Can feature in the finish. ARCADIA KNIGHT (13) was too good fresh and can go on with the job as Chris Parnham hops on board.
RACE 7 - Looking a little wider in the feature of the day as the Beaufine looks to set up nicely for BABY PARIS (2) from a wide gate. She's a speedy customer and brings strong form through The Quokka lead-ups. Recent trial was just fair, but if she runs up to her usual fresh performances, she'll take beating. REPOSSESSION (10) continues to raise the bar and scratched last week to line up here. He'll be able to stalk the speed as he has done here this campaign and he drops right down in weight now. Ticks plenty of boxes and if he continues on his current trajectory, he'll be hard to hold out. WILD BELLE (3) comes back from Victoria where she was outclassed, though her form here prior was very good. No trial coming in, but the booking of Chris Parnham is a strong push and she's not to be discounted. GEMMA'S SON (4) flies first-up and has trialled strongly leading into this. Can bounce back to his best with CJP on board. TOROPA (13) has winning claims on the back of a good effort last start.
RACE 8 - ALLENTOWN (8) got the job done here a fortnight ago and looks a nice gelding on the rise. The wide draw may be an issue, though CJP is on fire at the moment. Can continue to work through the grades and can bring up back-to-back wins. TIMELESS GEM (11) resumes today and looked very good in a recent trial and that trial form may have been franked earlier in the card (race 2). The inside draw should see him right in the thick of the action and if he can pick up where he left off, he'll be hard to run down. KRAKEN TIME (4) may have been out-paced over the 1000m journey last start and is well suited by the rise in trip. He's likely to get back in the run, but a rain-affected track suits and he'll be flying home late. PLAYING GAMES (3) resumes from a freshen today and has claims if he can resume in similar order. CALIFORNICATION (2) comes into this off a long break but has looked nice at the trials. Worth keeping an eye on.
