Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - AL UNIQUE (4) is knocking on the door of his maiden win following a nice run over 1800m at Ascot most recently. He went close over 2100m at Belmont prior to that, so the extra distance is no issue. Will need a touch of luck from the draw but is more than capable of taking this out. CENTRALLA (5) just missed over 1900m at Narrogin last time out when setting the tempo throughout. He was 10-1 there but he showed good improvement out in trip and he has a nice rating over this track and trip from last campaign. Can be in the finish again. BATTLE ON BATTLER (8) couldn't hang on when sitting on the pace throughout the race over 1685m last start and rises up to this trip for the first time. He gets the blinkers on again and an inside draw which should suit. May be looking for this trip and will take catching. DR MANETTE (7) can improve now out to this trip for the first time. ROYAL TROOPER (9) wasn't far away last start and has claims.
RACE 2 - MT SHIRATAKU (4) has impressed at the trials coming into this and is easy to put on top at his debut. He's performed well from on speed and sitting off it, which is handy as he draws the unfavourable inside for Pike down the straight course. He looks to have plenty of class and he can make a winning start to his career. ZIPPY ZANY (7) is another who has trialled well coming in and ended her 2YO campaign in good style in Saturday grade. She'll benefit from that experience and drawing out wide is ideal for the Pinjarra straight. Should get her chance on resumption. FAVOURITE SONGS (8) couldn't hold on at Belmont last start over 1000m when gunned down late. This is a different scenario for her now though and she should be at her top third-up. Can be in this for a long way. OUR SHILLAYLEIGH (2) was very plain first-up when awkwardly away. Suspect he's better than that and he can show us today. DAYTONA PETE (3) can build on a handy fresh effort.
RACE 3 - DRAG MACHINE (2) showed enough in his debut campaign when a beaten favourite on debut and his recent trial was solid coming into this. He gets the blinkers on first time and draws ideally down the outside for Brad Parnham. Ticks plenty of boxes and can get the job done now. ROCKIN' ROBIN (8) was tested in Saturday grade at the end of last campaign and looks to have trialled nicely coming into this. William Pike in the saddle is always a big tick and he too draws nicely out wide for the straight course. Can put his best foot forward. SUPER SNIPPY (1) has been around the mark all campaign and drops back to the 1000m today. He has been placed twice over this track and trip previously and Azzopardi replaces the apprentice hoop. Should get his chance again. OUTLAW MUSIC (6) can build on a nice debut effort back in trip.
RACE 4 - MY IDOL (9) is a son of Justify on debut for Michael Grantham and he's looked good at the trials coming into this. In what looks an open race, he should get his chance from barrier 4 with CJP sticking from his most recent trial. He looks to have good ability and he can make a winning start to his career. KARNUP QUEEN (13) trialled well coming into this campaign and has put up good figures in defeat. The wide draw is a little issue, but she's an improving type who should get a touch more luck in running this time. Looks a nice horse who can win without surprising. LUNCH IN PARIS (12) resumes today following some good efforts last campaign. Chris Parnham rides today and she showed good versatility in his last preparation. Rates well in this field and won't be far away. OISIN (10) can make an impression on debut on the back of some nice trials. PERFECT RULER (11) is another debutant worth including.
RACE 5 - WHAT'S THE POINT (6) showed promising signs on debut when beaten just 1.1L as favourite at Northam. He'll be better for that effort and the market is a key indicator there. Has the pace to overcome a wide alley and he should be fitter now. Can build on the debut performance. COSMIC SPIRIT (16) is on debut for the CJP and Grantham combination which strikes at 23%. She was very impressive in his most recent trial at Lark Hill and looks ready for this distance on debut. Looks a smart horse in the making and can score on debut. NORTHERN DIAMOND (12) is better than she showed last start when having to do plenty of work in the run as favourite. She did pull up with a little issue there and now gets the tongue tie on today. Expecting her to bounce back in a big way. STAR PROPHET (1) will be a long way back from the barrier but can be flashing home late. SAFARI BOY (2) has found a nice race on resumption and is worth including.
RACE 6 - LADY TREMAINE (6) ran over the top to get the job done last time out, shedding the maiden tag. That win suggested the rise in distance shouldn't be an issue and Pike remaining with the mare is a positive sign. Will be back in the run but should be storming over the top of them late. LIEN HYPHEN (7) got the job done as favourite at Narrogin last time out, running over the top to win by 1.1L. This is tougher, but the figures out of that were good and Faithfull remains in the saddle from a nice barrier. Form out of her prior starts has been strong and she can be in the finish again. ROSIE CAN RUN (12) drops right back in grade today following efforts in the Burgess Queen and Champion Fillies her past two. She was a good maiden winner prior to that and getting back to this level can see her back in form. VIRIKAH (9) was far too good at Bunbury last start and the form has been franked already. Live chance.
RACE 7 - JUST SAINT JAMES (4) is knocking on the door this campaign, bumping into a smart one at Belmont most recently. He's drawn ideally for the straight course out wider and he still has plenty of upside. Should be reaching his top now after only 1 trial coming into this and he looks the one to beat. MAGNASONIC (3) comes into this first-up with two trials under his belt, with Chris Parnham riding him in both of those. He does tend to get back in his runs, but his best form is good enough to be right in the finish of this. BUTTERFLY HOUSE (7) has held her form since winning three starts ago, finishing just 0.9L off the winner at Belmont last start. That form has already been franked and she has enough speed to get across to the outside from gate 1. Live chance in this event. CHEEKY CHARLOTTE (10) will be up on the speed for a very long way. LOST GRAVITY (2) has never missed the placings at this track and trip and has to be included.
RACE 8 - The Grandstand Cup for 2024 and I'm keen to be with MY JIMMY (7) on resumption. He was trending like a really nice horse last campaign, winning at Belmont before tackling Listed company. He didn't fire there, but this is much easier and his recent trial was very good. Will be back in the run but is sure to be storming over the top of them late. TON OF GRUNT (8) gets the blinkers on first time and a nice drop in weight following a 0.8L defeat at Belmont last time out. He hits this at his peak and if he can run up to his recent efforts, he'll take beating. MANHATTAN STRIP (11) rates highly on his last start effort and now Chris Parnham rides. Key player. DREAMTIME JEAN (6) won well last start and has to be included.
RACE 9 - FAMOUS DREAM (15) has improved with every run this campaign despite going under as favourite at Geraldton last time out. She was only beaten 1.1L there and the form out of the race has been strong. Looks a nice horse moving forward and can go one better today. SAULOK (4) was very good last campaign whilst not winning, holding his own in this grade and starting in the market. While beaten 3L at his last start, the form out of the race was very strong. Pike rides now on the back of a good trial and he can get the job done on resumption. PAPAVERO PRINCESS (7) disappointed in her only run last campaign before going out for a spell once again. She looks on song this time in judging by her recent trial. Steve Parnham sticks from that outing and she can return to form today. RIGHT TO SILENCE (8) has been right around the mark of late and has to be included. CANNY CONI (11) is right in the mix if she can bounce back to her best.
