Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - AL UNIQUE (5) gets the blinkers on for the first time after going under as favourite at Belmont 13 days ago. He was a long way back there and the blinkers may help him settle a touch closer from the draw as he drops back in trip. He still has plenty of upside and if he can improve again, he'll be hard to beat. MYTHICAL DREAM (3) is better than he showed last start when never getting into the race at Geraldton. Now right out in trip which appears to suit and Pike hops in the saddle. Suspect he can go to another level now and that'd see him go close to winning. UNI STRIKE (6) improved nicely out to the mile last start and his racing pattern suggests he can improve again out in trip. He may need some luck from the inside draw, but he's tracking nicely and he won't be far away. AHREA (10) was good at Northam despite her odds and a repeat effort will see her in the finish. BAD COMPANY (12) has claims stepping out to this trip for the first time.
RACE 2 - RALLY THE TROOPS (5) led them up at Geraldton and put them to the sword, winning by 1.4L. That rating looks good in this field and the slight rise in trip doesn't appear an issue. Chris Parnham hops in the saddle now and if he can continue on his current trajectory, he'll go close to winning. CASHEL PALACE (8) stuck on well from midfield at Belmont over 1200m and looks ready for the rise in trip now. She maps for a similar run this time around and the in-form Brad Parnham hops in the irons. Looks ready to strike now. COSMIC ECLIPSE (3) ran on strongly 26 days ago at York and steps out in trip for the first time today. Pike sticks with her today and while she may get back in the run, she'll be storming home late in the race. VERRY TIMELY (4) pulled up with an issue 97 days ago and can return in good order with a nice draw to boot. ROYAL SPLENDOUR (6) finds a nice spot to resume and has claims.
RACE 3 - TRUE PLAYER (7) got a long way back last start but chewed up and spat out his rivals with ease. Now draws inside so suspect she'll sit a little closer with Pike remaining in the saddle. Looks right up to this grade and he can bring up back-to-back wins. DASH OF BRANDY (6) just missed at Bunbury last start 82 days ago and has had a trial since that effort. Her last two ratings stack up highly and the form out of her most recent start is hot. Jumped favourite there and appears the main danger today. BORDER FORCE (8) is better than what we saw last start when a beaten favourite over this course and distance. He didn't have the best of luck on that occasion and now Chris Parnham hops in the saddle. It's been a long time between drinks, but he's knocking on the door. ROCH LEGACY (4) was too good last start at Moora and he's been competitive in similar races here prior. Include.
RACE 4 - MAGNIQUE (8) sat up on the speed last start and only found one better over this course and distance. She draws a better gate today and Steve Parnham remaining in the saddle is a good sign. Can be prominent again and should take plenty of catching. NONESOSPICY (11) stuck on well over 1200m first-up and now comes back in trip as she finds herself in tougher company. The fresh rating stacks up though and now Pike hops into the saddle. Fitter today and can make his presence felt. HAIDA GWAII (10) has been favourite in both runs to begin her career and disappointed most recently when fading out of contention. Back slightly in trip is a positive sign, as is Chris Parnham remaining in the irons. Can make an impression third-up. TACTICS (1) peaked late after a tough run first-up and drops back in trip now. Can improve. BEYOND THE WALL (6) will be fitter again now and can improve.
RACE 5 - THE ROOSTER (6) sat up on the speed last start and ran away to win impressively over the mile at Belmont. Now out in trip, though it doesn't appear an issue with the way he finished off last time out. Drawn to get a nice run once again and can bring up back-to-back wins. SOLDANELLE (4) gets the blinkers on first time following a 4.6L defeat last start at Bunbury. Dropping back in trip today looks a smart play by the stable and his figures stack up highly in this field. Drawn ideally and can land the knockout blow. FAMOUS DAIN (3) is racing well of late without winning, closing off well at Northam most recently over the mile. He's been placed over 1760m two starts ago and while he may get back, he's sure to be winding up strongly late in the race. TRIBAL RULER (7) is better than he showed last time out and can bounce back. FIOREYES (5) can improve on the solid first-up run.
RACE 6 - DEFINE BEAUTIFUL (2) weakened badly first-up though she does get the blinkers and tongue tie on first time today. She jumped favourite last start in this grade and the form out of that has worked out nicely. Has improved in both second-up runs in her career and she can turn her form around. MAI ALOHA (13) tired last start when favourite over this course and distance when sitting on the speed. Better for that effort and the form out of that race has stacked up nicely. Pike remains in the saddle and if she can get back to her best, she'll go close to winning. SANDFIRE ROSE (7) bolted in to end last campaign over the mile, but she was effective over the shorter trips prior to that. She can sit just off the speed and is sure to be strong at the finish. RAINLINE (5) can improve off just a sound first-up run and improvement is likely. RISE TO GLORY (6) steps out in trip again today and has placed in stronger grade than this over this distance. Include.
RACE 7 - MADAME MAGIC (4) ended last campaign with a Listed placing over 1400m which rounded out a relatively successful campaign in much tougher company. She lobs here first-up on the back of a handy trial with Chris Parnham in the saddle. She's won 2/4 fresh and can resume on a winning note again today. DEAMBER (2) got a long way back last start and was only 1.6L off the winner at the finish in a bunched finish. She is likely to get back again, though she comes through some very strong Saturday grade races. Will find this much easier and can land the knockout blow. ON PATROL (8) found one better 10 days ago, though he was sound first-up from the back. He now gets Pike in the saddle with a handy second-up record. Back to midweek company now and can go one better. NORICH (7) should be in the finish if he can hold his form out to 1200m. DEEP SPEED (3) needs some luck from out wide but can be in the finish if the breaks come.
RACE 8 - The feature of the day and FLOWER OF GOLD (6) looks the one to beat. She's been very eye-catching in both runs this time in, scoring easily over this course and distance 20 days ago. Loses Pike, but maps for a lovely run in transit and if she can continue to improve as expected, she'll take plenty of beating. It is worth noting STORYVILLE (4) retains Pike following a disappointing effort as favourite in Open 3YO company in Saturday grade 17 days ago. She carries no weight today and she has the speed to cross from the deep. Can improve now third-up into the campaign and appears the main danger. EARTHSTORM (2) went back to maiden grade last start and did plenty of work up front when beaten there. She's obviously better than she showed that day. Expecting her to get back in the run and be storming over the top late. DIVINE IMPACT (3) can keep her winning streak alive if she can improve as anticipated. NICKELPLAY (9) beat home Earthstorm last start and has to be included up to this trip.
RACE 9 - SUNBRONZED (2) showed good improvement last start in Saturday company when only 0.5L off the winner. Back to the midweeks now and he was a dominant winner last time he raced at the midweeks. Needs some luck from the draw, but is racing well and can get back to winning ways. PROPHET AND POWER (1) sat on the speed first-up and only found one better when just feeling the pinch late. He'll be fitter for that effort and he was a second-up winner last time out when showing good improvement. He appears the main danger. PROCESSIO (13) ran on strongly first-up over 1200m here and it looks as though she'll appreciate the extra furlong today. Pike remains in the saddle and if she can get back to her best, she'll go close to winning. MILLSTEE (11) can go to another level now stepping out to 1400m for just the second time. PETITE VITESSE (12) is building nicely and has to be included with the blinkers on first time.
