Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - LUCKY I AM (5) faded first-up after setting the tempo in stronger company at Belmont. That was in tougher company than she'll face today and she'll be fitter for that effort today. Form out of that race has stacked up nicely and she'll take catching with a light weight on her back. BLACK ORA (6) makes her debut today on the back of a handy trial in October. Pike hops in the saddle today for her debut and she should get the run of the race from the barrier. Can make an immediate impression. CAPORETTO (3) was solid in his 2yo campaign and will benefit from that early racing. His trial coming into this was solid and Chris Parnham sticks with him from that trial. Expecting to see him in the finish. MACHO ARQUERO (2) scored in his only trial this time in work and he can put his best foot forward.
RACE 2 - HOUSEWIFE (5) stormed home from midfield in a very impressive effort at Belmont first-up at Belmont. She may find this a touch easier and Pike remains in the saddle for her second-up effort. The form out of that race has stacked up well and she can go one better today. KIDDING ME (6) was thrown into strong company on debut following some handy trials coming in. Wasn't at her best there but this looks a much better race for her today. Will be better for the experience and can run a much better race today. BEYOND THE WALL (1) tired from the front last start when crossing from a wide stall to set the tempo. Drawn slightly better today and he'll be fitter again now third-up. Can find the front and prove very tough to run down. NORTHERN DIAMOND (8) has looked good at the trials all the way through and has to be included.
RACE 3 - LINE OF THOUGHT (6) resumes from a 71-day let-up today and will be fitter for a trial coming into this. She was strong to the line last start over 1400m in stronger company and if she's able to run up to those figures in this event, she'll be very hard to beat. SPIRITART (10) hit the line nicely in her only trial at Lark Hill in October and connections have booked the services of Pike on debut. She maps for a kind run from barrier three and both of her siblings are winners. Can make her presence felt first-up. GINGER AND TONIC (7) will be fitter for two trials coming into this after a handy 2YO campaign. She was going around at long odds in those efforts, though this is a much more suitable event and it wouldn't surprise to see her run over the top of them late in the piece. MATSOKA (3) is better than he showed first-up and can improve.
RACE 4 - WHAT'S THE POINT (7) has displayed plenty of talent at the trials but has proven to have a mind of his own at times, being scratched at the barriers at York on October 10. His two trials since then have been sharp and 1300m fresh doesn't appear an issue. Can put it all together today and land the knockout blow. MARKET PLAYER (5) showed good improvement in his most recent outing under Chris Parnham when running on strongly from the back. This trip looks ideal first-up and it wouldn't surprise to see him be better over further. Can land in a good spot from the draw and can make an immediate impact. HOLDOUT (1) was thrown into an Open 3YO event first-up last campaign and wasn't disgraced there. He was raced sparingly this year so far and should be fitter for two trials coming into this. Best form is good enough, he just needs to recapture that. MIDNIGHT EXPRESS (6) Looked good in his recent trial and has to be included.
RACE 5 - SUMMER'S LEGACY (11) is a lightly raced commodity who is open to plenty of improvement stepping out to the mile for the first time. She got into a good race first-up and closed off solidly there behind a big winner. While she is likely to get back again, Pike remains in the saddle and she can storm over the top of them. LIEN HYPHEN (6) has had a few foes now but she is knocking on the door of a maiden victory this time in. She was good here 11 days ago over this course and distance when right in the market. She's running figures good enough to be winning a race like this, she just needs to put it all together now. NO BID (1) was edged out by 0.6L here just last week and is on the quick turnaround. Can put himself close to the speed and a repeat effort will see him go very close to winning. KING MAHUTA (4) is building nicely and has claims with CJP in the saddle.
RACE 6 - CAPRE OMNIA (1) was very good first-up when running on from the back in Saturday grade at Ascot and usually improves sharply second-up. He boasts a strong second-up record and he should sit a little closer form a better draw today. Rates as the one to beat with improvement anticipated. THIS'LL SHOW YA (8) will give a big sight at the bottom of the weights though after a gutsy first-up win here 11 days ago. She'll be prominent from an inside barrier and she'll be fitter for that first-up effort. Still open to improvement and can repeat the dose. OREGON HIKER (2) is better than what we saw last start when well beaten at Ascot. His form prior is superb for a race like this and he now gets CJP in the saddle. Can bounce back to winning ways. THE GREAT HOYA (4) drops back to 1000m today off a freshen and is a track and trip winner previously. Not out of this.
RACE 7 - IDYLLIC RULER (2) was gutsy when first-up off just one trial, going under in a photo finish over 1400m here 11 days ago. The winner of that event has since won at Ascot on Tuesday. He usually improves with a run under his belt and is a winner over this course and distance. Can go one better today. AUDIO BOY (1) ran over the top to win at Ascot last start over the mile, winning by 0.7L in this class. The form out of that has been very strong and it wouldn't surprise to see him improve again off that win. Looks a progressive type who'll be hard to beat. ODIN OMEN (6) disappointed last start when racing at the back of the field and never coming into the race at Geraldton. Right down in the weights now and he rates highly off his prior form. Expecting a better run this time. WOZZECK (4) is racing in good order and can feature back in grade.
