Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CAPRICORN MAN (1) is a leader who won here as expected resuming off a long break. The promising galloper keeps the 2kg claim and performs second-up. He has more to give and can go on with it. CLIMB ON TOP (4) resumes and is a lightly raced improver. Has had a couple of soft trials and CJP stays with him. Was a big maiden winner the only fresh outing and can come back better. PLAYZ WITH FIRE (7) resumes off a sharp Lark Hill trial and Pike sticking is a decent push for his chances. Draws for the run of the race and has shown enough. ON THE FULL (3) just missed behind Capricorn Man improving again. Will race forward and has a handy 3kg claim today. Just needs to run out the extra distance. RULING DAME (8) deserved the third-up win and then just missed at the mile. Comes back to a sprint following a freshen and will be around the mark.
RACE 2 - ANGELS IMPACT (1) won here at this level on debut and it was a big effort after an awkward start and meeting some trouble at the business end. Fitter and he keeps the small claim. The long odds won't be available today and he looks capable of repeating. LONDON'S IMAGE (5) stalked the pace debuting in the same contest and just missed. Gets some weight relief and will also have come on. Should go close again. GOLDEN VALE (7) debuts for Simon Miller and has looked good at the trials. Pike's booking is a decent push for her chances and keep very safe. THIS'LL SHOW YA (6) was beaten 1L behind Angles Impact on debut but the gate is a little awkward. Has to be considered all the same.
RACE 3 - TRIPLE JAY (3) has missed a whisker both starts this preparation back and keeps improving. Positions forward and Pike has been with him all along. Fitter again and should be winning. RULER ROCKET (2) has a wide gate but presents as a danger. Won at Belmont and followed with a near miss here. That stacks right up. MAGIC TO EXCEED (1) resumes and the latest trial was sharp. Is back from a run in Melbourne where the saddle slipped. The form here prior reads well. Has won 2/4 fresh and keep safe. TREASURED QUEEN (11) spikes his figures just missing in the Ruler Rocket race and has the visors applied the first time. Can't be ruled out.
RACE 4 - PLEASURE CRUISE (11) just missed the hat trick here in the 66 when expected to win again. Draws handier today and stays down in the weights. Pike stays in the saddle and strikes at 28% with the yard. Peaks and expect the extra distance to suit. ARCADIA JEWEL (8) won the 52 first-up and easily ran his best figure beaten a nose at York. Has weight relief at this level and the blinkers go on the first time. Goes in at a price. DIAMOND SCENE (4) switched barns and missed narrowly here first-up over a mile. Pike gets off but he can keep improving and the extra metres should suit. BERNBRAE (1) resumed here over this trip narrowly beaten. Had come off Listed and Group contests and has more up her sleeve. Fitter and is a trifecta hope at least.
RACE 5 - STRIKE NOW (3) has won two of his last three with the latest here at this level. Draws handy and gives every indication he will run out the middle distance. TONI'S SPIRIT (12) will have no problems in that regard. Won the CL1 easily and then was only beaten a length here at this level as favourite. Should get a soft run and is a winning chance. BANDALERA MISS (4) just beat the above home improving again and the gun hoop stays in the saddle. Has an awkward barrier and more weight but can't be ruled out. MISS INTENTION (8) won the CL3 by a space at Northam over 2200m and has plenty of weight relief. In the mix as well.
RACE 6 - MAGNIFICENT ANDY (1) peaks seeking the hat-trick off his win in the Listed Hannans. Has been briefly freshened and the front bar plates come off. Holding the form he will go close. RUSTY DREAMS (9) resumes and won the Guineas over a mile before spelling off a 1.7L defeat in the Oaks over 2000m. Goes fresh and won her only try over this trip. Brings a sharp Lark Hill trial and Chris Parnham stays aboard. Is likely to be wound up and is feared. STREET PARADE (3) ran a competitive figure narrowly beaten here in a 72 from the front and can settle forward again from an inside gate. Hits this at peak and is on a 7-day return. Has to be considered. CAN'T BE DONE (7) has the rails gate and Pike and will be better second-up. Probably has to find too much to be winning.
RACE 7 - COSMIC CRUSADER (13) was solid from the back on resumption and then raced a short-priced favourite here over a mile and was much too good. It was a big effort and he has the rail today and stays down in the weights. Promising and can go on with it. BECALOTTI (10) was better again narrowly beaten here this grade and distance. He races forward and will get every chance. COLOSSAL (7) was okay the latest but best to go on the near-miss two-back at Belmont heavily bet. Will get every chance and it's hard to risk potent Pike-Williams linkage. AMBER GLIDE (9) seeks the hat-trick and the narrow defeat the latest reads well. Will be giving most a start and requires a good ride.
RACE 8 - A super race. SUPER SMINK (2) resumes and brings cracking form from Group and Listed level. Spaced them in the Sires' Prodcuce the latest bet 1-6F. Has warmed up with a nice trial at Lark Hill and Chris Parnham remains aboard. Has the best peaks and is likely to come back further improved. AUGMENT (11) spiked his figures comfortably winning the 66 and will likely secure the run of the race. Sit on the limit and will strip fitter. ALMIGHTY CLASS (3) won the Open 3 on resumption. Hit the line hard and is likely to do so again. Has the upside. RIPCORD (1) gets Pike for Chris Parnham and is sure to have admirers. Is a Listed winner and will show more third-up.
RACE 9 - SENTIMENTAL HERO (5) didn't miss a beat winning first-up at this level over 1200m. Followed with a narrow defeat in a 78 at 1400m. Relishes the mile and can take this out with average luck in the run. MACK MACK (9) rates similarly and can fire third-up building on the long-neck defeat at Kalgoorlie. At his best this trip and Pike is a key jockey switch for the apprentice. PLAYHOUSE PATRON (7) has the figures but is sure to give them a start from the outside barrier. Is in light this grade with a 3kg claim atop and on his latest effort can't be ruled out.