Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Small field to kick things off but there seems to be good talent engaged. TACTICS (4) looked as though he was run off his feet over 1000m last time out with his best figures coming over this distance earlier this year. Blinkers come off now, he maps for a lovely run and he can be winning if he returns to his best. SPICE IS RIGHT (1) jumped favourite over 1300m here last start in a CL1 and did a bit wrong in the run, beaten 2.2L. He should get his chance from the inside draw today and Gaerth's 2kg claim comes in handy. Should be making his presence felt. SNIPPY SEAN (3) was only fair on the quick turnaround and up to the mile last start with this looking a much better set up for him today. Parnham remains in the saddle and he's expected to be right there at the finish. KING HIT (2) shed the maiden tag impressively at Northam and can build on that effort.
RACE 2 - LAST STYLEBENDER (1) comes back to Maiden grade today following a strong effort first-up in Saturday company at Ascot. He just peaked on the run there after leading the field throughout. The tongue tie goes back on today and if he can run up to that effort again, he'll be very hard to beat. ART SESSION (7) has shown good ability at the trials leading into his debut, sitting on the speed and proving hard to run down. He maps to do just that today and Chris Parnham remains in the saddle from his most recent trial. Can make a bright start to his career. OUR SHILLAYLEIGH (5) was strong on debut over 1200m at Pinjarra back in June and has trialled well coming into this. Brad Parnham sticks from the trial and he did jump favourite on debut. Can put his best foot forward. RAY'S SAUCE (6) showed enough on debut from well back and he'll find this easier today. APACHE ADIOS (10) will need some luck from the draw but has claims as she strips fitter.
RACE 3 - ROMMEL'S GODDESS (4) bolted in over 1000m at Northam to shed the maiden tag last start and looks ready to step back up to 1200m now. Third-up into the campaign, she looks to get a lovely run from the draw and she rates highly off her last start win. Can go back-to-back. PSYCHO SISTA (3) was a $3.50 chance when bucking on debut, before leading throughout and winning impressively at Northam last time out at long odds. Suspect similar tactics will be adopted today and she'll burn to the front from the gate. Will prove very hard to run down. CLOSE TALKER (1) is ticking along nicely this time in work, improving with every run. She was good on the quick turnaround last time out behind what looks a smart one when wide and without cover. Can go a couple better today with a kinder run in transit. SWEET ADMIRATION (2) was slowly away last start but closed off well. Better for that run and can finish a lot closer today.
RACE 4 - GOLDEN DORE (2) was slowly away and got a long way back over 1300m last start, but rattled home in quick time to just miss by 1L. Expecting a much cleaner getaway today, so he can sit closer and launch his attack. Has plenty of upside and can go one better now if he runs up to what the sectionals hinted at. DON'T TRUST JUDAS (6) gets the blinkers on first time today following a nice trial coming into this. He was good in wet ground last campaign and hits his first dry track for over a year. CJP's booking adds confidence and he's sure to be in the finish. ON PATROL (1) can peak now third-up into the campaign and dropping back to a CL1. Gaerth's claim comes in handy and if he can build on his first two efforts this time in, he'll take beating. ROMMEO (8) can race well on the fresh side following a handy trial recently. SOUTHERN SCANDAL (10) was a good winner fresh and can build on that performance.
RACE 5 - FAMOUS DAIN (5) got a long way back last start but rattled home strongly to finish just 0.7L off the winner at Ascot. He steps out to this trip for the first time today, but it does look to suit judging by his racing pattern. On the quick turnaround today and can return to winning form. LORD RANDOLPH (9) jumped favourite last start following a big win here two back. While he did disappoint last start, he still rates highly off that effort two back and Pike remains in the saddle. Back to midweek grade today and can bounce back to winning ways. CANDLELIGHT SHERIF (6) finished behind Lord Randolph two back before a solid effort at Bunbury just 8 days ago. He'll be able to slot in from the draw and Jason Whiting has won aboard the gelding previously. Can be right in the finish. HAFEY (1) is racing well and is worth including on recent performances. LATE FLYER (8) went close last start at Bunbury and won't be far away.
RACE 6 - HOW PRETTY (8) just missed first-up at Northam when only 0.4L off the winner. Those figures were right up to her best there and she is open to further improvement as she resumed without a trial. Pike hops in the saddle now and if she can improve as anticipated, she'll be very hard to beat. LORD SHIVA (4) disappointed as favourite last start at Northam, though he was trending the right way prior to that. He comes into this off a freshen and it wouldn't surprise to see him bounce back in a big way today. LOST GRAVITY (1) was fair on resumption when rattling home strongly at Northam as favourite. The wide alley is a bit of a niggle, but Noske has a successful record aboard and he'll be flashing home strongly. TYCOON DEMON (2) has joined a new yard following a successful start to his career. Can put his best foot forward. BUTTERFLY HOUSE (7) is racing well this time in and has strong claims.
RACE 7 - SIMPLY THINKIN' (2) is racing well and has plenty of upside following a strong win at Northam last time out. She boasts a handy record over this course and distance and she maps for a lovely run off the inside barrier. Looks set to bring up back-to-back wins. TON OF GRUNT (1) is another who has plenty of upside, running into a subsequent Saturday winner in the process. Now third-up and open to more improvement, he maps for a nice run and can get back to winning ways. KHUTOS (6) just peaked on the run late in the race after leading them up over 1300m at this track. He gets the Norton Bit on today and he should be fitter for the fresh effort. Expecting him to prove tough to run down once again. BONDI BAY (3) drops right back in grade today after testing himself in Listed grade recently. Blinkers go on now and he can bounce back. MORE LIKELY (4) is racing well and is not to be discounted.