Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - It could be a big day for Brett Pope and Tash Faithull and KING MAHUTA (1) kicks off proceedings. He disappointed last start in a CL3 at Northam, though there's been 2 winners come out of that from just 3 starts since. His form prior stacks up highly and he drops right back in grade today. Looks suitably placed and can bounce back to winning form. DIVINE JUDGEMENT (3) gets the blinkers on for the first time today after a 3.9L defeat over 1400m most recently. He got a long way back on that occasion and stepping back up to the mile looks a good move. Hearn replaces the apprentice hoop and he's expected to be in the finish. LE TROY (4) steps up to the mile for the first time this campaign which looks a good move. He comes through the same race as Divine Judgement last start and while he disappointed there, a return to his prior form would see him go close. SKITTISH (2) is next best.
RACE 2 - Faithfull and Pope combine again in the second event with OREGON HIKER (2) who profiles similarly to their horse in the opener. He'll find this easier than what he's been racing in and while he disappointed last start, the rating he ran two back is clear of his rivals. Can sit handy from a good gate today and he can return to winning form. ROMERO (5) stepped up in trip last start but it looks as though he didn't run out the extra furlong there. He just missed at this trip fresh and looks set to return to that level which would see him extremely competitive. Up in grade now, but racing in good order and he can play a leading role third-up. CHEEKY CHARLOTTE (3) got the job done in easier grade two back and wasn't beaten far in a CL3 here last start as the race favourite. The claim comes in handy today as he drops in weight and the form out of his last start has stacked up well. Has to be included. TALKING HEADS (1) is better than he showed last time out and can bounce back to his best.
RACE 3 - SHASFA (4) drops back to 1000m today after jumping a $4.40 chance on the Fibre Sand surface at Bunbury and going under by 5.4L. Faithfull replaces with the apprentice hoop however and she's shown good early speed in recent events. Looks well placed and she can bounce back to winning ways. EIN STEIN (1) went under narrowly at 1200m here a fortnight ago and drops back to 1000m for today's assignment. He was off a long layoff coming into this and he looks ready to go to another level third-up into the campaign. Should be close to the speed and he'll be hard to hold out with the claim of Tsang. CALICO'S GIRL (3) usually improves third-up into the campaign where she's placed in both third-up attempts and looks ready to do so again. She draws well and has placed at the track and trip previously. Can play a role. PIO KERRI (7) is better than she's shown recently and can bounce back. GINGER JIVE (2) is next best with the Visors on first time.
RACE 4 - PUDDIN 'N' PIE (10) rolled forward last start but felt the pinch late to finish 4.5L away. The form out of the race has been strong however and she'll find this an easier race with Faithfull replacing the apprentice hoop. Needs some luck from the barrier, but has the class to get the job done. CASINO ROYALE (1) just missed two back before a 1.8L defeat over 1400m at this track a fortnight ago. He jumped favourite there and he maps for a similar run this time around and the rise in trip doesn't look an issue. Can improve again up in trip and won't be far away. SWEET EYES (9) disappointed last start but was better two back at Kalgoorlie. Blinkers come off now, but she maps for a better run this time around and getting up to the mile now is a big tick. Can be in the finish. LONG WAIT (6) won't be far away getting up in trip again. PRIZED BENEFIT (8) can improve getting up to the mile now.
RACE 5 - WESTERN IMPACT (4) was too good here two starts ago before a narrow defeat as favourite last time out. He draws well this time around and the claim of Webster comes in handy. Gets a good chance to blend into the race at the right time and can return to winning ways. IMPERIALIZE (3) drops back in trip today after going under at Bunbury in a strong race at Bunbury last time out. Faithfull hops off Western Impact to take the ride on him and that's a big push for his chances. Can improve back to this level and he's sure to make his presence felt. RUN TEDDY RUN (6) resumed off a long break in good style over 1200m at this track. He was 60-1 there and that looks a strong foundation for him to build on. Can sit closer today and with improvement expected, he can play a role. KUNAPIPI (5) was far too good last start and can repeat the dose. SHABALALA (1) beat a few of these rivals first-up and is not to be discounted.
RACE 6 - CONSERVATIVE MISS (6) resumes without a trial, though she did show good ability in her last campaign at this track. She's a lightly raced filly and while she disappointed at the end of last campaign, I'm happy to overlook that effort. She was progressing nicely prior to that and if she can be close to that level on resumption, she can return on a winning note. WISE WORDS (3) couldn't reel in the winner last start at this track and trip but maps for a cosy run with the 3kg claim of Sharni Webster. She boasts a strong record over this course and distance and her recent performances stack up highly. Can be in the finish again. BIG CITIES (9) drops back in grade today after running around in Saturday grade most recently. He's now over 700 days without a win, but he's on the quick turnaround today and won't be far away. LACEVINSKY (1) has form that ties in through Wise Words and has to be included on recent efforts. RAKIURA (10) can give a sight from the front.
