Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MISS SKYHIGH (3) is inching closer to another win, getting a long way back last start before rattling home and missing out by 1.3L. She draws a much better gate this time with Pike hopping back in the saddle. Expecting her to sit a little closer this time and land the knockout blow. FIRST BEACH (9) was progressing nicely through the grades before a 2.8L defeat here last time out. Now out in trip for the first time, but it may suit judging by his latest effort. CJP rides and he should get his chance from the barrier. MADAME MAGIC (2) was solid on resumption when running on from a long way back. Anticipating that he'll get back again, but she'll appreciate the rise in trip and she was placed in a listed race here back in April. Must be considered. GOD'S GATE (12) is hard to knock on dorm and should get his chance again.
RACE 2 - SPEAK TO ME (1) is on the quick backup as he stretches to the mile again today. He maps for a lovely run for Pike and he'll find this a little easier than his most recent effort. Jumped favourite in a similar event two back and he looks the one to beat off his most recent figure. AMJAAD (8) was backed into favouritism last start over 1500m last start and kept on well to the line, only caught late in the race. She can find the front once again today from a good barrier and she's expected to take plenty of catching from out in front. PROPHET AND POWER (2) has just missed in his past couple, beaten 0.2L in both runs this campaign. Now hitting peak fitness and out to this trip looks ideal. He won at the same stage of his preparation last campaign in impressive style and with further improvement expected, he'll go very close. STORMAGEDDON (6) is racing well and has to be included. ROCK IN WONDER (5) drops back in trip today but will find this much easier. Can bounce back.
RACE 3 - WATCH ME ROCK (5) won like a good horse last start when storming over the top in very impressive fashion. He draws a better gate today and while this is a tougher grade, he's a progressive type and the form out of his last start has worked out well. Pike sticks and he can go back-to-back. BRAVE SPIRIT (4) finds a good scenario for him today following a 4.7L defeat in G3 company most recently. Out to the mile now is a big tick and he gets the blinkers on first time. Better than he showed last start and can bounce back in a big way. GREAT FORTUNE (11) is racing well and was only caught late in the race last start. He finally draws a nice gate today where he won't have to work too hard to find the front. Will take plenty of catching with no weight on his back. ANTIQUE MISS (2) jumps right out in trip today but it should suit. Watch for her flying late. HERE FOR CHEQUES (7) is better than he showed last time out and can make his presence felt.
RACE 4 - JOKERS GRIN (4) returned in fine order, keeping his winning streak alive by 0.9L, winning comfortably in the end. He's likely to be a long way back on straightening, but this is an easier grade of race and he'll be fitter again today. Thinking there's more improvement to come now and he can make it five in a row. DEVINE BELIEF (3) was fair in her only run last campaign before heading back for a spell. She's trialled once coming in and looked good there around G1 winner Western Empire, and she goes well fresh. Maps for a nice run and can win first up. ALL PLAY (10) won as favourite first-up over this course and distance and now comes into this with 21 days between runs. He needs some luck from the draw, but he's a progressive type who looks like a leading contender. RULER ROCKET (5) looks well placed in this event first-up and is sure to be in the finish. BOPPING BLUE (2) won very impressively fresh and can go on with the job.
RACE 5 - A key Winterbottom lead-up and WESTERN EMPIRE (1) creates plenty of interest first-up. Connections have said they'll now sprint with the Railway Stakes winner and he's looked very sharp at the trials coming into this. He was unlucky in The Joey when fresh last campaign and can make a statement on resumption. SALOON BAR (7) took a while to wind up last start and is looking for this trip now. The draw is a slight niggle, though he's flying of late and he's sure to be storming home late in the race. ALMIGHTY CLASS (8) is working through the grades nicely this time in work and continues to raise the bar. He's a progressive type. Looks to have a bright future and can continue to make his presence felt. BOOTS LIKE BRUCE (6) was solid in the Prince Of Wales fresh but will appreciate the slightly longer trip today. Draws better too and can be right in the finish. SNOWDOME (4) resumes a gelding today and creates plenty of interest first-up without a trial.
RACE 6 - Time for the Champion Fillies and FLOWER OF GOLD (4) lands on top. She was luckless in the Burgess Queen when a fast-finishing third as favourite there. Arguably should've won that race and maps for a similar time of it here. Should be winning with more luck this time. RON'S FINALFLUTTER (2) had the momentum up down the outside and held on for second in the Burgess Queen last start in a strong effort out in trip for the first time. Now up to the mile, though it doesn't appear an issue. Will likely be back in the run again, but she'll be strong late and is the obvious danger. STORYVILLE (5) has absolutely no luck in the Burgess Queen and went to the line hard-held under Pike. A better draw this time can see her sit closer in the run and a sharp turnaround in form wouldn't surprise. DIVINE IMPACT (3) looks a progressive filly and won't be far away. DIAMOND DANCER (7) set up a strong tempo in the Burgess Queen and looks on song for her grand final today.
RACE 7 - The last chance to get into the Railway next week and LUVNWAR (8) is looking to stake her claim. She was great fresh in the Asian Beau when 20-1, but now gets the blinkers on and Chris Parnham in the saddle. She's a very progressive mare who is undefeated second-up and looks the one to beat. AZTEC RULER (4) bounced back last start in the Asian Beau to finish 1.4L off the winner in a return to his best. He draws better today and maps for a similar run in transit. He remains down in the weights and can make his presence felt once again. YONGA LASS (12) was only fair in the Asian Beau though she did improve nicely second-up last campaign. Not to be discounted. RUSTY DREAMS (11) ticks plenty of boxes today and can give a big sight.
RACE 8 - Time for the Placid Ark and WIND AND THE LION (7) lands on top following an eye-catching run in the Prelude a fortnight ago. He looks as though he's screaming for this trip now and he should settle much closer this time around. He was the run of the race first-up and with improvement likely, he can get the job done. HORCRUX (6) looks a nice chance at odds after peaking on the run late in the Fairetha a week ago. He set up a good gallop there and will be at peak fitness third-up. Should be prominent in the run and take plenty of catching over the closing stages. REPOSSESSION (4) stole the prelude from the front when winning by 0.9L and this looks to set up similarly for him. He's still improving and he'll prove very tough to run down from the front. CHARINO (5) beat a lot of these in the Max Simmonds 35 days ago. Big price there, but ran a good figure and he's worth including. MADHI GIRL (9) bounced back in the Prelude last start and is worth including.
RACE 9 - THE BOSS LADY (5) was eye-catching late in the race first-up when getting well back over 1000m. She's unbeaten at this track and trip, as well as second-up and she clocked some slick times in her run home behind Jokers Grin. Open to plenty of improvement and looks like the one to beat in the finale. TOROPA (14) has pushed Almighty Class her past couple over this course and distance and looks to get her chance today. She's a very progressive mare who continues to improve and she can pick up some valuable black type in this suitable event. LACED UP HEELS (3) looks well placed in this race after going around in some strong lead-ups to Pinnacles features this campaign. Back to Listed grade now with the blinkers on first time. Wouldn't surprise to see her turn her form around. TWAIN'S ANGEL (6) is unbeaten second-up and pulled up with an issue fresh. Can bounce back. BABY PARIS (1) needs some luck from the draw but has the class to be winning this.