Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - BLACK ORA (5) sat up on the speed and got the job done on debut at Northam, running a good figure in the process. She looks a smart filly and Pike remaining in the saddle is a positive sign. Ticks plenty of boxes and can improve off the debut win. CATCH CARTER (1) won well in this grade as favourite two back before a bold effort in the Placid Ark Prelude most recently. Back to this grade now with Steve Parnham hopping in the saddle looks a recipe for success. He's the main danger. GOLD MAKER (2) disappointed most recently in this grade 77 days ago band comes into this on the fresh side. Still chasing his maiden victory but obviously possesses good ability. Nicely drawn and can play a major role. AWESOME BOY (3) looked sharp in his most recent trial and won't be far away on debut. PLAYFUL STAR (6) scored a good win at big odds last start and is not to be discounted.
RACE 2 - MA MA BELLE (13) showed enough on debut but disappointed at Bunbury last start when a 3-1 chance. Drawn awkwardly again today but the debut effort suggested she does have some class about her. Fiore rides now and she can bounce back. I'M CRAFTY (3) produced his best run over 1427m at Bunbury to end last campaign and his recent trial was superb. This trip fresh looks ideal and he can make his presence felt from a good alley. CAPORETTO (7) bumped into a good race first-up and will be fitter for that effort. Out in trip now looks to suit and he won't be far away. NORTHERN DIAMOND (14) was sound on debut and has claims.
RACE 3 - SPANGLEDSTAR (15) just missed when running home strongly from the back of the pack, beaten just 0.3L over 1200m here. Back up in trip doesn't appear an issue and while she'll most likely get back from the draw, she'll be hitting peak fitness third-up. Can storm over the top and get the job done. FRAPPUCCINO (2) is still a maiden but was tested in Saturday grade last start when jumping a 4-1 chance and disappointing. Now back to this level and Pike hops in the saddle for the first time. Can find the front and prove tough to run down. STAR PROPHET (3) ran home strongly at Northam to finish 0.3L off the winner over this trip in a high-rating effort. Suspect similar tactics will be adopted today from a wide alley and he's sure to be flashing late. LINE OF THOUGHT (13) was horrible as favourite at Northam but she's obviously better than that. Anticipating a sharp turnaround. HOPE TO RULE (16) won't be far away if she can replicate her fresh effort.
RACE 4 - NONESOSPICY (7) led them up and put them to the sword last start over this trip at Ascot on Melbourne Cup Day. Pike remains in the saddle this time and while she has drawn out, she looks to have plenty of versatility. Looks a nice horse coming through and can improve again now. JUST SAINT JAMES (2) just missed fresh at Northam when beaten in a photo finish as favourite. Chris Parnham rides now and he'll be fitter for that run. Form out of that race has been superb and he can build on that effort today. He appears the main danger. COONDLE (4) resumes today with a nice trial under his belt. He was an improving commodity last campaign he should be right on the speed from the draw. Showed good ability in his 2YO campaign and can resume on a winning note. SUNSHINE TAFE (8) can play a major role first-up on the back of a handy trial. I'M NIPOTE (1) has claims with CJP riding from a favourable alley.
RACE 5 - SIX SHOOTER (10) has been impressive to begin his career, just missing at Bunbury in this grade 15 days ago as favourite. Chris Parnham hops back in the saddle now and he was a comfortable winner here two back. Ticks plenty of boxers and can continue to work through the grades. RIGHT TO SILENCE (6) wasn't far away here last start over 1200m when beaten only 1.1L. Draws for a lovely run under Galati and she looks to be getting back to her best. Ready to peak third-up and is a leading contender. CLOSE TALKER (2) was far too good in a CL1 here last start and is on the 7-day turnaround. Hard to knock what she did last start and she's improved with every run this time in. Can make her presence felt once again. OUR NEMESIS (1) can improve now third-up into the campaign and the slight rise in trip should suit. MAGICAL GEM (5) was a fresh winner last campaign and has to be included first-up.
RACE 6 - RALLY THE TROOPS (9) got the job done at Geraldton two back before a strong effort as favourite at Ascot most recently. Up to the mile doesn't appear an issue and he draws ideally to find the front. Blinkers come off now and he can go to another level again now. IDYLLIC RULER (1) led them up over this trip at Northam and was too good, winning by 0.8L as favourite. He'll carry less weight today with the claim of Gaerth and he'll be fitter again third-up. Should be prominent in the run and will take catching. AUDIO BOY (2) just missed behind Idyllic Ruler last start when trying to run him down at Northam. Pike now hops in the saddle and he was a good winner at Ascot prior. Wide alley but rates highly and should be in the finish. WOZZECK (6) comes through the same race behind Idyllic Ruler and Audio Boy and has to be included. FIVE DOWN (3) disappointed on Saturday but gets the blinkers on today on the quick turnaround. Can bounce back.
RACE 7 - PLAY DICE (8) went around in a stronger race at Ascot 11 days ago and faded out of contention there, following a good win here prior. Now Pike hops in the saddle from a favourable alley where she should be close to the speed. Can bounce back in a big way and get the job done. INDIE RULER (3) disappointed in a tougher race at Ascot first-up when feeling the pinch late in the race. He does tend to race well second-up, and he'll appreciate this easier company now. He is a course and distance winner in the past and sharp improvement is anticipated. WICKED VENOM (6) is racing in good order of late and actually beat home Indie Ruler at Ascot last start. Likely to get back from the draw but that form reads well and he's expected to be in the finish. ESTIMATOR (2) can run a strong race fresh after failing as favourite at Bunbury 69 days ago. LINDEN'S GOLD (4) pulled up with an issue last start and looks an improver.
RACE 8 - PROCESSIO (8) got a long way back second-up at Ascot but rattled home to be just 0.9L off the winner. She now draws inside third-up into the campaign and she looks open to sharp improvement. Still has plenty of upside and can go to the next level now. CABLE ROCK (1) resumed in good order with a Maiden victory over 1200m here which suggested it was just the beginning. Now gets Parnham in the saddle, but he'll need some luck from the wide draw. Looks to shoulder his share of ability and can make his presence felt. ROMMEL'S GODDESS (9) was good from the back here last start following a nice win two back. Out to this trip now doesn't appear an issue and Brad Parnham remains in the saddle. Live chance if she can handle the quick turnaround. DON'T TRUST JUDAS (2) resumed in good order as favourite and can build on that effort. SPIRIT OF LUNA (15) scored a handy debut win and looks to have a bright future.
