Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Good 2YO race and it's hard not to be impressed with what we saw from TWISTED STEEL (1) on debut. He'd trialled like a sharp horse coming in, but he put his rivals to the sword impressively at Northam. The wide draw adds an extra element, but Pike sticks and he can repeat the dose. GIRLS ON FIRE (5) showed enough in her debut campaign and wasn't beaten far in the Magic Millions at Pinjarra to end last campaign. Her trials coming into this have been strong and she looks to get her chance from a good gate. Looks set to go to another level now. SHERPA EXPRESS (3) has looked good at the trials coming into this and draws the inside on debut. Brad Parnham hasn't ridden him at the trials, though he hops on for his debut effort and it wouldn't surprise to see him right there at the finish. MALOLO (7) has claims with CJP in the saddle.
RACE 2 - BARTIME (7) was too good on the Heavy deck two starts ago, but lost no admirers last start when beaten 1.5L. He'll be up front again from barrier 8 and a wet track plays right into his hands. Will take plenty of catching if he gets it all his own way. HISTORY WON'T CARE (6) flew home last start at Pinjarra and the slight rise in trip is a big tick for him. He boasts a strong third-up record and while he has drawn out again, he looks ready to go to the next level. Expecting him to be flying home late in the race. SUCCESS PLAY (3) resumes today from a 112-day break and his recent trial suggests he's ready to go first-up. He worked through the grades nicely last campaign and Chris Parnham sticks from the latest trial. Can put his best foot forward. ASPHALT (8) scored a dominant maiden win last start at this track and trip and while he is up in grade, he has to be included. STYLISH LORD (1) is back in grade now and looks a winning hope on recent form.
RACE 3 - TRUE PLAYER (3) looks a nice horse on the rise, showing plenty of ability when rounding up his rivals and winning comfortably at Northam last start. The form out of that race has been hot and Pike remains in the saddle from a good draw. Doubt we've seen the best of him yet and he can continue to win through the grades. MORE THAN ENUFF (6) just missed last start as an $11 chance at Pinjarra, finishing 0.6L off the winner. Third-up now and ready to strike, he maps for a lovely run in transit and he can be in the finish yet again. FAMOUS DAIN (1) got the job done here two back in narrow fashion before tiring over the longer journey last time out. He has the speed to roll across from out wide and if he runs up to his winning figure two back, he'll go close. LONG GENES (4) is building nicely this time in work and can put his best foot forward third-up into the campaign. UNCLE GERARD (8) finally draws a gate and can be a winning hope if he can settle closer.
RACE 4 - The first of the features today and ELITE MISSILE (1) goes on top from what we've seen in the lead-ups. He's been sticking on strongly in recent races and he may be able to sit a touch closer now up to 2000m. While he's out to unchartered territory, he's a classy gelding and can get back to winning ways. REDBACK FLYER (4) was solid last start in the Belmont Guineas off a freshen and showed he's up to this grade. He'll take closer order this time around in a race that looks to shape positively for him. Can dictate and give himself every chance. ARCADIA PARK (2) was too strong from the front last start in easier company after rolling across from the wide draw last start at Pinjarra. CJP remains in the saddle, he draws better and if he can handle the rise in trip, he'll be in this for a long way. OUR PALADIN AL (6) has shown plenty of talent in his debut campaign and the rise in trip looks suitable. Can play a leading role with Pike in the saddle. PATRON EXPRESS (5) is next best.
RACE 5 - WANT A WINNER (6) showed plenty of fight to get up in the shadows of the post, winning narrowly at Pinjarra first-up. He's got some class about him and although he drops in trip, the race looks to set up well for him. Looks a nice horse on the rise and he can step up to the plate again. HORCRUX (10) needs some luck from the wide draw but he only just missed behind Want A Winner last start at Pinjarra. He was first-up there off just one trial and improvement is expected. Can be in the finish again. VALSASSINA (5) has claims first-up. Happy to overlook her recent trial where she went around without Blinkers and she can return on a strong note. DESERT WHISPER (7) won well last start and can go on with the job.
RACE 6 - The Belmont Oaks is a tricky race to assess. FANCY RED (1) made it back-to-back wins and highlighted her quality when scoring by 1.4L at Pinjarra last week. The glaring niggle is that she's now out to 2000m, though Pike remains in the saddle and she maps well in the big field. Looks an improving type who can continue on her current trajectory. LILLIAN (12) gets the visors replacing the blinkers today as she rises up to 2000m for the first time. The rise in trip looks a big tick and this stable and jockey combo is absolutely airborne of late. Has plenty of upside and can go to another level now. SHOWLAS (2) was solid in the Belmont Guineas and that form may have been franked by now. She has the speed to cross from out wide and she's right in the mix if she can run up to her recent ratings. KIMBERLEY ROSE (3) is ticking along nicely and the rise in trip looks a big boost for her. Watch for her late in the race. ROSIE CAN RUN (4) won't be far away.
RACE 7 - NO BRAINER (12) showed plenty of talent in his debut campaign, winning two on-end before a spell. Interestingly, he comes into this without a trial, though the booking of Chris Parnham suggests he's ready to fire first-up. Ticks plenty of boxes and can pick up where he left off. SUPERSESSION (4) just missed last start in a good performance at Pinjarra, going down by a nose. Fiore remains in the saddle and he looks to get a similar run today from the inside barrier. Looks set for a bold effort, with the wet track being his only niggle. WUBIN GOLD (6) flew late but never really looked likely over 1400m at Pinjarra last start. Back to 1200m today and she's won both attempts on a wet track previously. Can land in a midfield position and fly home over the top of her rivals. SUNNY HONEY (10) is racing well without winning and has to be included. SISU WARRIOR (1) won well first-up, beating Supersession and can feature again.
RACE 8 - REGAL STATUE (12) gets the blinkers on for the first time today after flying late in the race to finish 1.7L off the winner. Chris Parnham takes the ride today and while she is likely to get back again, she'll handle the going and be flashing home late in the race. GREAT FORTUNE (4) has been freshened since his fresh run at Ascot over 1400m where he was only caught late and hasn't been sighted since that performance. He has the speed to be up front from the barrier and the form out of his last start worked out well. Can play a prominent role. SUPERNATURAL (15) flashed home down the outside after getting well back last start at Pinjarra. Up to 1400m now looks a good move and the booking of Pike suggests she's ready to land the knock out blow. EN PLEIN AIR (13) is better than what she showed last start and she can bounce back with the blinkers on first time. CELEBRITY PRINCE (3) will appreciate the rise in distance and should be strong late.
