Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SCIENCE DEGREE (1) was an ex-Victorian gelding who kicked off the new season with a second-place finish for his new connections on this track a fortnight ago. He has a slightly superior draw this time and with an extra 100m to travel, he could go one better this time. KRATESIS (4) showed some improvement when finishing fourth as favourite here last time out and is still part of the powerful Williams team. William Pike sticks with him and so do we. Follow your money. PLEASE MIZTER (7) is a local gelding who needed his fresh-up run against most of these 2 weeks ago and he should improve quickly. A good draw will help. Stick with him. LYN'S DAKOTA (5) next best.
RACE 2 - DATE WITHTHE DEVIL (4) made up a lot of ground when resuming at Northam just over 3 weeks ago, finishing third and under 2 lengths from the winner. He cops a decent draw and has William Pike in the saddle. The step up to 1400m will suit him and he can improve to take this out. DE ZANE GREY (1) has turned a corner in his last couple of starts and was runner-up here a fortnight ago when trying to make all the running. He has a furlong less to travel this time and could take them all the way. CHOIXRISKA (3) is normally running on in his races but can do a few things wrong in the run which has not always helped him. He has had a couple of gear changes since his last start and is good enough to figure in the finish here. ALL CHILL (8) weakened out of it after setting the pace last start and could be ridden more quietly this time from a good draw. Include in all combinations.
RACE 3 - SECRET STYLE (7) made it 3 wins on the bounce for local trainer Peter Fernie when leading all the way here a fortnight ago and scoring by over 3 lengths. She has a better draw this time and with a rise in class, she has 1.5kg less to carry. She is in a good space and is the one to beat again. ZING TO WIN (2) has been just as impressive as the top pick on this circuit and made it 4 wins in a row when getting up in the final stride to score by a nose in a similar field here last time out. He has 100m less to travel this time which is a query but with the advantage of the pole position, he can win again. KHALIDA (4) finished fourth as favourite behind the second pick in the same race last start and is better off in the weights against that runner here. She had a brace of wins on this track before her last effort and can have a say in the outcome of this contest. EEVALINA (1) was beaten by a nose in the same race as the second pick last start and is a solid each-way chance again.
RACE 4 - DONT WAIT FOR LUCK (1) is a very progressive gelding who let down with a powerful finish to score here 2 weeks ago by well over 3 lengths. That effort says he should have no problem with the step up to a mile and he gets to stay in the same class. A 2.5kg weight rise should not be enough to stop him from repeating that win. PIRATE'S ALLEY (4) overcame a wide draw and came home with a sustained burst to get up late and breakthrough for his first win here 2 weeks ago. Now that the penny has dropped, he can go right on with the job. MORE THAN ENUFF (2) made up many lengths here a fortnight ago when finishing fifth and is likely to be doing the same here. If the pace is hot, then he can have the last say. Watch for him late. ELSUENO (6) next.
RACE 5 - WANNA CRACKER (1) peaked on his run late here 2 weeks ago when finishing fourth and has less time between starts leading into this suitable assignment. Troy Turner will be looking to slot in early on and with the right run, he should go close to taking this out. MORIAH (8) did not get into the race off a wide draw and muddling pace last time out and his form prior is the guide to use. He meets an even lineup and with a slightly improved draw, he can bounce straight back into the money. LUCKY LILY (6) finished runner-up behind a handy type last time out and lands the pole position this time. The blinkers are on for the first time and she can go one better. RULING DAME (7) is not having much luck with her barrier draws and cops another bad gate here. William Pike is keeping the faith and she is worth another chance at what should be some decent each-way value. Don't drop her just yet.
RACE 6 - COLOSSAL (5) enjoyed the drop in class and found winning form again with a soft win here a fortnight ago by a length. He won't find this much harder and stays at the same weight. A good draw will help and he is poised to go back-to-back. HIGH PRESSURE (9) was a length behind the top pick in the same race last start and is holding his form well this winter. He is better off at the weights this time and from the pole position, he can make his presence felt again. SENTIMENTAL HERO (1) is having his second start for local trainer Peter Fernie and his first on this track. He is dropping back in class and has to be respected. Can win. DANCE OF THUNDER (8) is also in the mix.
RACE 7 - The Boulder Cup is the feature of the day and STARRY HEIGHTS (5) comes out on top after finishing runner-up in a similar lineup here 2 weeks ago. He flew home that day to only miss out on winning by a head and the extra 356m should suit him. He is still on the up with his fitness and the Williams/Pike combination is usually the benchmark on the country cup circuit. ADMIRATION EXPRESS (2) showed a lot of courage when downing the top pick last start in the lead-up to this assignment. She is up 2kg for that win but she is proven over the longer trips and can win again. IOWA (6) beat a handy field at Belmont just over 3 weeks ago to make it 2 wins on the bounce and he will definitely have no issues with the journey. He drops 6.5kg in weight and can complete the hat-trick. ANOTHER CHINO (3) is building his fitness and will relish the step up in trip. He is more than capable of taking this out. Each way value.
RACE 8 - SECRET ATTRACTION (4) is a locally trained mare who improved her form consistently this prep and was rewarded with a soft win as favourite here a fortnight ago, courtesy of another brilliant William Pike ride. She stays in the same grade and only has to carry an extra 2kg. She is the one to beat again. NO WHISPERING (1) was run down late by the top pick last start and has been holding his form strongly on this circuit. He steps out beyond a mile for the first time but another honest run can be expected. RYEWOOD (2) was in good form here before his last start at Belmont where he was beaten into eighth but less than 3 lengths from the winner. He is not out of it with a return to this track. Stick with him. IT'S A LANCE (3) may have needed his last start here and with less time between runs leading into this, he is worth another chance. Each way value over a more suitable trip.
