Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - GASPARDO (5) has shown promising signs in both runs to start his career, only beaten 1.3L here last start as a 9-4 chance. He was forced to sit wide here last start, and he now draws a much better gate with the blinkers on first time. Maps for a lovely run and can shed the maiden tag this time. FIRE THE GUARD (1) was given every chance last start by Fiore at Geraldton but bumped into once better when beaten 0.3L. The form out of that race has already been franked though and he should get his chance once again from an inside alley. Worth keeping on side and has shown he's good enough. STORMY'S SHOW (11) makes her debut today and showed plenty of talent in a recent trial at Lark Hill. Hearn remains in the saddle, and she'll be closing off well from back in the pack. CYPRESS MOUNTAIN (6) is better than he showed last start over 1000m and may be looking for the extra trip now. GREAT DEAL (2) can put his best foot forward first-up on the back of a nice trial.
RACE 2 - POINT OF CONFLICT (6) comes through a strong race first-up where she was well back down the Pinjarra Straight and ended up 3.4L off the winner. Suspect she'll be better for that effort and getting back around a turn should suit. Still open to plenty of improvement and from a good draw, she can get the job done. COSMIC SPIRIT (7) may have just felt the pinch first-up at Pinjarra over 1300m when favourite. Back to 1100m today may prove pivotal. She hails from a strong family, and she can shed the maiden tag. I LOVE LUCY A LOT (8) showed enough on debut at Northam before going for a spell and she's trialled impressively here leading in. She draws well and if she's improved over the break, she'll go close to winning. FOXMANIA (1) is a newcomer to the west and has won a trial in readiness for this. Can make an impact. G'DAY BLOKE (2) was impressive from the back first-up and the form out of that event has been strong. Can play a role.
RACE 3 - MY IDOL (6) was an eye catcher on debut when beaten 0.9L at Pinjarra 11 days ago and jumps up to the mile immediately. The extra trip is right up his alley and he looks a very progressive galloper on the way through. Ticks plenty of boxes and can shed the maiden tag. OPTIMAL (1) was very good here last time out over 1500m and should be getting to his peak now third-up into the campaign. A few gear changes can help his chances and if he can return to his best figures, he'll go close to winning. PARC IT IN HERE (4) jumps right up in trip on the 7-day turnaround as he jumps right out to the mile now. He's been good without setting the world alight so far but he can make his presence felt now. MAYBE DIVINE (7) is building into the campaign nicely and will be closing off strongly at the finish. BRANDBERG (5) is next best.
RACE 4 - CHEROKEE MISS (3) handled the 4-day back up to win impressively over 1916m here last week and is on the 7-day turnaround now. Can roll forward from the draw and she has good ratings from both runs over this track and trip. Dominant last start and she can win again. ABISSI (2) can go to another level now out to this distance after a solid run at Belmont over 1650m last time out. This is easier and she has some high ratings from last campaign over further than this. Nicely drawn and the 2kg claim comes in handy. Live chance to bounce back. VANCOUVER STORM (1) got a long way back as favourite first-up at Geraldton and never really featured in the finish. He goes straight out to this trip now which should suit and CJP remains in the saddle. Form out of his last start has been good and he won't be far away. MAGIC MIKEY (6) can feature fourth-up and out in distance.
RACE 5 - GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (1) resumes today and will be fitter for two trials coming into this. He was a first-up winner at Pinjarra last campaign and he maps to get every chance from the draw. Cooper's 2kg claim comes in handy and he can fire on resumption. BIG CITIES (3) ran home strongly over 1100m at Geraldton and usually improves with a run under his belt. CJP hops in the saddle now and he is a second-up winner in the past. Can build on the handy first-up effort and land the knockout blow. HIT THE JACKPOT (4) resumes today and has trialled well coming into this event. He is a winner first-up in the past and he has plenty of early speed. Can hit the ground running and prove hard to run down. SOSIPATRA (5) faded on the run fresh after taking up the running and this looks like a much better spot for her second-up. Can improve.
RACE 6 - EEVALINA (3) went to the Regional Championships at Ascot last time out and wasn't disgraced when only 1.6L off the winner. She won well at Kalgoorlie in the heat prior to that and CJP makes the trip down to ride. Back 100m but that doesn't look an issue and she can get back to winning ways. OXBRIDGE (1) has been leading them up in this grade recently and has taken plenty of catching, only beaten 1.9L here most recently. Cooper's claim comes in handy once again and he won't have to do too much work to find the front. He is on the fresh side but he loves this track and trip and will be hard to run down. FRANTIC WAR (8) finished just behind a good one who will go round at Pinjarra tomorrow. He was only beaten 0.2L there and the form out of the race has stacked up well. Can peak third-up and go close. ESTIMATOR (4) is better than he showed first-up and will appreciate getting back to this grade.
RACE 7 - HOW PRETTY (6) was too good when winning over 1240m here last time out. She only rises 1.5kg for the win and she maps to get every possible chance once again. Should be getting to her top now and a repeat effort is on the cards. PEDAL POWER (1) finished just off the winner in much stronger company last time out, beaten 0.2L in bm70+ grade. Has to carry the big weight, but he'll enjoy the easier company, and he can end his winning drought. FLYING SOUTH (7) got the job done as favourite over this course and distance to end last campaign in fine style. He's building an impressive record and he'll be fitter for a recent trial. Can land in a handy position and go to another level this campaign. BLUE LINE (3) wasn't beaten far here last time out and has to be included. BIN SHALAA (2) got the job done in good order at Geraldton and can go on with the job.
RACE 8 - ANTIQUE QUEEN (7) is an exciting mare on resumption after tackling the Belmont Oaks and Classic to end last campaign. She worked through the grades impressively and her two trials this time in have been great. Gets the winkers on first time and she can resume on a winning note. HEAR ME SING (1) was collared late over the mile here last time out in a return to form. Back slightly in trip shouldn't be an issue, though he will need a touch of luck from the draw. Hasn't won for a while but he is knocking on the door and can end the drought today. ODDONEOUT (4) finished behind Hear Me Sing last time out but was only second-up there and she tends to improve with racing. While the draw is sticky, she's building nicely this campaign and can get back to her best now. MAGNABURMA (5) closed off nicely over 1240m last start and should appreciate the extra trip. Include. JOLLY LACE (8) can improve again third-up after going under as favourite last time out.
