Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - TRUE APOSTLE (1) stepped out to 1300m last start and proved too good in this grade, running away to win by 0.9L at Belmont. Out to this trip is no issue and he should get the run of the race from barrier one. Only rises 1kg today and looks set to repeat the dose. STORYVILLE (8) looks a nice horse on the way through, winning first-up when leading throughout. She looks to have plenty of class about her and Pike remaining in the saddle is a big tick. Can continue to work her way through the grades. ARCADIA PARK (3) broke his maiden in this grade as favourite 42 days ago. He remains at the 1400m journey and now Chris Parnham remains in the saddle. Can continue to improve through the grades. ELITE MISSILE (2) Bolted in over 1400m first-up last campaign and has trialled nicely coming in. Watch for him running over the top late. THE MERRYMAN (6) was an eye-catching winner at 40-1 on debut and is worth including.
RACE 2 - IN GOOD ORDER (4) is looking for the hat-trick following a comfortable win at Belmont 28 days ago. The form out of his last two starts has been superb and he drops in weight as he rises slightly in grade. May be back in the run, but if he can improve again he can run over the top of his rival. CAPTAIN PLUTO (2) has been right around the mark since his first-up win, only 1.8L off the winner last start over the Belmont mile. He's drawn well again today for Pike and if he can race that touch closer today, he's sure to put his best foot forward once again. CLASSIC ROGUE (3) was too good over the mile at Belmont 21 days ago, running away to score by 1.7L. He maps for the run of the race once again and if he runs up to his latest figures, he'll be right in the finish again. EXCELTRAIN (5) can be prominent in the run and take catching.
RACE 3 - WESTERN POWER (6) returned to winning ways last time out when scoring by 1L at Belmont over the mile. He's from a smart family who can continue to improve with racing. He may need some luck from the alley, but he'll take beating if he continues to improve on his current trajectory. GRAND RESERVE (3) comes through a nice form race last start at Belmont when beaten 4.4L. He can improve again now fourth-up into the campaign and he can roll forward from out wide to be prominent in the run. Rates highly and should get his chance. STORMAGEDDON (5) looks a progressive type, showing plenty of strength to win at Bunbury most recently. CJP replaces the apprentice hoop and he should get the run of the race. Can put his best foot forward again. MISS SKYHIGH (4) can improve sharply out in trip and with a better gate today. ARCADIA KNIGHT (9) needs a bit of luck from the barrier but can feature if he runs up to his best.
RACE 4 - BOHEMIAN DIAMOND (8) was far too good over this course and distance last time out, running away to win by 3.1L as favourite last start. Looks to have turned a corner this time in work and while this is tougher again, she's a very progressive type. Parnham remains in the saddle and she can win again. BOUSSAC (9) shed the maiden tag last start at Bunbury in a high-rating effort. He looks to get a similar run this time around and he still has plenty of upside to come. Sure to make his presence felt, particularly if he continues on his current trajectory. DIALLING (4) found a couple better at Kalgoorlie last time out, but the fresh run suggested he was back on song. Now third-up and out to 1400m again, it looks a nice spot for him to bounce back. Watch for him late. PROFIT POCKET (6) resumes without a trial but can feature if she picks up where she left off. SUNBRONZED (3) can bounce back to winning ways getting out to this trip again now.
RACE 5 - KINGS HONOUR (9) has shown glimpses of his class through the early part of his career but looks ready to put it all together now. His recent trial was superb and just looked like a good horse. Can roll to the front and is expected to take plenty of catching. MISS FLIRTACIOUS (11) will put up a strong challenge dropping back to 1000m after just failing to see out the extra furlong last week. She maps for a lovely run in transit for Parnham and she can return to winning ways without surprising. DRAKAINA (8) makes her way to the west following a win in Listed company in New Zealand at her last start. Her trial coming into this was good and while she's expected to be better over further, she can produce a bold effort fresh. MALKAR PINDARI (3) can produce a smart run first-up and is worth including.
RACE 6 - RICHANCO (5) goes up a notch again, but he's taken plenty before him. He is a very exciting galloper going forward and he was just far too good first-up 10 days ago. He rates highly with plenty of improvement to come and he'll take plenty of catching from out in front. BONDI PLUNGE (3) disappointed as favourite at Belmont 21 days ago, though her first two runs back this time in were very good. She drops slightly in weight today and if she can bounce back to her best, she's sure to be there at the finish. BLUE ROCKET (7) has been edged out her past couple, bumping into a smart one in tougher company most recently. CJP hops in the saddle now from a favourable draw and she should get every chance. SPEAK TO ME (2) resumed with a good win and he can feature in the finish once again. CROSS STATEMENT (4) can be prominent in the run and be in this race for a long way.
RACE 7 - The first of our features today and BRAVO CENTURION (10) can continue his winning ways. He was too good last start over this trip at Belmont 42 days ago and this looks a great race for him under the conditions. He'll appreciate some give in the ground and we may not have seen the best of him just yet. Can keep his winning streak alive. BABY PARIS (6) boasts a strong fresh record and she was very good at the trials recently in a hot heat. She has enough early speed to offset the sticky draw and if she can run up to her previous fresh efforts, she'll take plenty of beating. GEMMA'S SON (2) can sit just off the speed for the in-form Joe Azzopardi and is another who can perform well fresh. Nicely placed and he can put himself right in the finish. SINFUL LIVING (11) just missed last week and can feature again with no weight on her back. LIVE TO TELL (7) was much better than what the finishing position says last week and can improve sharply.
RACE 8 - This is a wide-open race. AZTEC RULER (12) ticks plenty of boxes getting out in trip second-up with Pike in the saddle. Many of the top raters in this race have drawn wide, but he looks to get a lovely run in transit and he's a two-time winner at this stage of the campaign. Can return to winning ways. MAGNIFICENT ANDY (5) was good fresh under the conditions but dipped last start in what was an unsuitable race. Now he draws well for Parnham and the conditions of this event suit him perfectly. He's shown he can bounce back third-up previously and he can put himself right in the finish. SUPER SMINK (13) showed she's back to her best first-up at Belmont when storming over the top last start, only just missing out. She'll need a touch of luck from the draw, but it wouldn't surprise to see her win if she gets the breaks. A LOT OF GOOD MEN (6) looks nicely placed in this first-up and can feature. SEARCHIN' ROC'S (14) will appreciate the extra journey and can go close if luck goes her way.
RACE 9 - WATCH ME ROCK (6) has shown good improvement this time in work despite not winning his past couple. He still has plenty of improvement to come and the blinkers go on first time today. Pike remains in the saddle and although he has drawn wide, he looks the one to beat on recent ratings. ANTIQUE MISS (2) stepped out over further last campaign but has placed 2/3 first-up and has run plenty of good races over this journey previously. She can put herself in a good spot from the draw and if she's close to her best first-up, she'll be right in the finish. WITHOUT REG (4) was too good at Belmont 21 days ago when sitting just off the speed and running over the top. Form out of that event has worked out well and with a touch of luck from the barrier, he'll be making his presence felt. CHOLLIMA (11) rattled home strongly first-up and can improve stepping out in trip and with Chris Parnham in the saddle. FLOWER IN THE WIND (1) Can run a nice race first-up and is worth watching for future races.
