Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Most of these have had plenty of chances. WHAT SHOUT (2) is a leader who brings a near-miss from Northam over 2200m. Drops back 300m but is suited in this grade and she benefits from the 3kg claim. CAMPFIRE JACK (1) placed in the same contest as favourite and over this trip prior at York. The blinkers come off and he's worth another chance. WHAITIRI (3) hasn't been far away at Bunbury her last two They also stack up for this. MOON DOG (7) is also hard to catch but is a hope forgiving the latest.
RACE 2 - WAR TACTICS (1) resumes and the three-back was narrowly beaten here on debut. Raced in stronger in town the two after and brings a Lark Hill trial placing. Will be naturally improved and this is winnable. UNDERCOVER SNIPER (6) is an improver from a leading metro barn and will find this easier than Northam. Was much better his latest and fitter should go close. SAMARAS JOY (5) debuts and is also in good hands. The recent Belmont trials have been sharp and she has to be kept very safe. EIN STEIN (2) is third-up and brings a solid figure from Northam. He races forward and has the winkers applied for the first time.
RACE 3 - Tricky. LIVING HIGH (6) resumes and his form is good enough if she's presented on song. Has switched barns and has won fresh. Performs this track and trip and has the visors applied the first time. TINY'N'TUFF (4) won comfortably at Collie and then wasn't disgraced in much strong at Ascot. Has an inside gate and is a decent chance to bounce. CRYSTAL VAIN (1) belted the 66 graders at Collie before finding the CL3 competition too tough at Northam. Comes back plenty in grade and 300m in distance. The 3kg claim takes care of some of the weight rise and he can't be ruled out. FANZ (2) resumes and has switched from a NSW barn on an 81-day turnaround. Has raced well in stronger and has placed 2/4 fresh. The betting should indicate if he's ready to go.
RACE 4 - Tricky. ZAC LUVS TO FLY (9) resumed with a narrow defeat at York and is back on track. Draws low and Poy takes over from the apprentice in a key jockey switch. Placed hi only start here and fitter will take beating. WESTERN IMPACT (8) resumed as favourite at Collie finding one too good before a plainer run at Bunbury In a CL1. He has plenty up the sleeve and has a handy 3kg claim and the tongue tie applied for the first time. Will go close finding his best. FRANTIC WAR (4) resumed in a strong form race at Ascot and then found one much too good at Albany. Suited at best and has placed third-up. Has the rails gate and is a chance. MANTELLI (1) has been outgraded his last two at Ascot and has switched barns. His best efforts are good enough but he has to find them.
RACE 5 - HEARTFORD HOUSE (1) spiked his figures winning the Maiden at York. He looks back on track and won't have to be much improved to take this out. AUNTY JEAN (2) was only beaten 3.5L two-back at Belmont in stronger and that would be good enough for this. Mucked the start at Ascot after that also at long odds. Has been scratched since with an issue and has been freshened. A hope if presented on-song. MASTER BUDDHA (3) peaks and draws to advantage. Goes well here and is in the mix. PRINCESS DEJOUR (6) resumes off stronger races. Usually needs a run but can't be ruled out.
RACE 6 - ALBITON (4) resumed at Bunbury and was beaten a nose. Is still a tad off his Victorian best and can push forward and sit handy. Fitter and will be hard to beat. AIYZA (3) resumed for the new stable in a CL3 at Ascot beaten 3.5L. It was a decent effort after settling last. She draws low and has more to give. She's suited and will have come on. PACIFIC BOXER (2) was back to his best narrowly beaten at York at this level backed into a tight quote. Has an awkward gate but would be a chance holding that form. MAGNUM CLASS (5) didn't miss by far at Albany in a CL1 and can build on that. In the mix.
RACE 7 - MONEY FOR OLD ROPE (1) has won his last two with the latest at York over 1500m as a firm favourite. He races forward and keeps the handy 3kg claim. The hat trick is within reach. FLOAT OUR BOAT (3) resumed in the same race beaten 1.2L. Found more like his best and will get a soft run from an inside gate. Fitter and should be right in it again. JACK IN THE BLACK (4) led and won at York over a touch longer before tacking a middle distance at Northam outgraded. Has to come back 480m but this isn't overly strong and he can get into the finish. MORTICIA (9) is in a leading metro barn and should be ready to show more.
RACE 8 - SMOKING BARREL (4) missed a lip at York this grade before the 3L defeat there in a 72. Gets more weight but finds much easier. He can secure the run of the race from an inside barrier and gets his chance. BIG RED HAWK (7) wasn't far away at Ascot before the narrow defeat at York at this level. Has a wide gate but is ready to win for the sharp Durrant yard. CHUCK A LUCK (2) was okay from the back in the York 72 and was beaten 1.5K prior in an Ascot 66 over longer. In the mix with the benefit of the 3kg claim. ZERO DEMERITS (1) comes out of the same race and it wasn't a bad effort after settling rearward from the wide barrier. Has been racing well in town prior and has the handy 3kg claim. The veteran will also be around the mark.
