Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - DIAMOND SCENE (3) was far too good in the Apprentice's Cup last time out when favourite and looks to set up similarly. Loses the claim but gets Pike in the saddle who has won 2/4 when partnering. Progressive type who can extend his winning streak. I LOVE YOUR SMILE (10) was great at Bunbury when scoring over 1750m first-up and steps straight out to this distance. Drawn to do no work down low for Lucy Fiore and she presents as a great winning chance down in the weights. PLAYHOUSE PATRON (1) steps out to a more suitable distance this time as he's rock-hard fit with 4 runs under his belt. Good in Listed and G3 company once out to this trip last campaign and won't be far away. BERNBRAE (7) looks to be building nicely and gets Berry in the irons this time. Keep safe. DUN WITH THE BLUES (9) can be storming over the top of them late.

RACE 2 - PLAYZ WITH FIRE (9) looks ready to peak now after being edged out narrowly in both runs this campaign. Out to 1400m should suit and Pike sticking adds plenty of confidence. Mightn't be so far back from the draw and she still has plenty of upside. Can go one better this time. KINGS SICARIO (8) stuck on well fresh over 1200m and has run some good races at this course and distance previously. Brad Parnham strikes at 17% when teaming up with the Gangemi's and he's a major player. CLIMB ON TOP (3) ran over the top to score a handy win at this track and trip last time out. Has the platform to improve once again here with the aid of an inside barrier. Can go on with the job. CIVVY STREET (2) can settle much closer today and the 2kg claim brings him into calculations.

RACE 3 - STARRY HEIGHTS (6) won four on the bounce before spelling and has trialled fairly coming into this. Pike rode him in his latest trial and sticks with the gelding today. Improved with every run last preparation and can continue that to begin the new campaign on winning terms. ABOVE THE PEG (4) disappointed last week when beaten 6.3L and may be suited by the drop back in grade. Jumped favourite over this course and distance two back and an inside draw this time helps his chances. Expecting a much better effort this time. CURRIMUNDI (2) stuck on fairly in the G2 Lee Steere and drops back in grade for this assignment. Big chance if he runs up to that recent effort. BRUCE ALMIGHTY (1) comes back to 1400m which is some niggle, but loses 2kg with the claim of Campbell. Keep safe. BROOKLYN PIER (5) just missed last start and must be included.

RACE 4 - ONEMORETWOMANY (1) led all the way to score on debut, looking very professional in the process. Draws nicer this time and drops slightly in weight. Will take plenty of improvement and experience out of that and can remain undefeated. SOMETHING ROYAL (11) has been trialling well for Pike who sticks with the filly today. She's shown good pace in her outings and Pike strikes at 31% when riding for Luciani. Can play a major role. SNIPER'S SON (5) debuts for the Trevor Andrews barn with the acquisition of Tommy Berry making this colt very interesting. His latest trial was good when sitting outside the leader. The gate is some niggle but he's expected to be in the finish. BATTLE COMMANDER (2) looked to have his chance on debut but was taking ground off the leader close to home. Include. PRETEY ROYAL (10) won her only trial impressively at Lark Hill and is not to be discounted.

RACE 5 - CASINO SEVENTEEN (1) didn't have the best of luck in the Luckygray, only getting out late to miss by 0.8L. Stepping out in trip looks ideal and Pike may be better positioned from gate 3 this time. Looks set for a return to the winners' stall. BLACK FANTASY (5) stuck on well in the RJ Peters and is another who will relish the step up in trip. He'll make his own luck from barrier 5 and Tommy Berry riding is a good push for his chances. Leading contender. ANOTHER CHINO (2) won the Luckygray against a number of these rivals but does rise in weight for the narrow victory. Ticking along nicely and is sure to feature in the finish once more. NEUFBOSC (11) wasn't far away in the Luckygray despite his starting price and looks ready to feature stepping out in trip. QUEEN ALINA (12) was back to her best last start and can improve again over further.

RACE 6 - POMPEY (11) just missed in the Luckgray in a strong run to the line. He does drop back in trip but is a course and distance winner only three starts ago. He's ticking along nicely and McGruddy looks to have options from the draw. Looks the one to beat. Have been impressed with how VAST ART (4) has trialled heading into this event. He's a fresh winner previously as well as a track and trip winner. CJP has never finished out of the placings when riding, including four wins and the inside draw reads nicely. Can make a winning return. LET'S GALAHVANT (1) just keeps on chugging along, missing by 0.8L in the RJ Peters last week. On the 7-day back-up but is racing well and merits plenty of respect. RIVER RUBICON (3) rattled home from the rear in the Luckygray after being slowly away. He's sure to be storming home once again. MAGNIFICENT ANDY (2) is racing well and has plenty in his favour today. Sure to go close.

RACE 7 - Siding with ZIPAWAY (4) in the WA Guineas. Big win two back before an eye-catching effort in the Fairetha. Now draws a much kinder barrier where he can sit closer and the mile looks right up his alley. Backing him to get the job done. SUPER SMINK (13) was beaten on Melbourne Cup day when given a 10/10 ride in the Burgess Queen. She now drops significantly in weight but the big query is the 1600m journey. Classy filly that must be respected. INVESTMENTSTRATEGY (2) won the Fairetha and wasn't stopping on the line. Sure to take plenty of catching again. ROPE THEM IN (3) comes through the same race and won't be far away.

RACE 8 - The feature of the day and eastern raider ROOTS (5) looks the one to beat on the back of an impressive win in the Hot Danish a fortnight ago. Berry makes the trip over to ride and whilst the obvious issue is the barrier, she's got the ability to overcome the draw. The one to beat. ALSEPHINA (7) has just missed in both runs back this campaign but has been set for this all the way through. Gets the blinkers on for this effort and drops sharply in weight back to handicap conditions. Stable and jockey are airborne and she's sure to go very close. BUSTLER (8) had no luck in the Lee Steere when beaten 3L. Drawn ideally once again and he's undefeated third-up. Expecting a much better effort this time. TUVALU (1) is the class galloper of the field, just missing in the Crystal Mile last start. Will lead under Kah and be in it for a long way. FORGOT YOU (9) has been superb in Melbourne and brings the right form to feature.

RACE 9 - SALOON BAR (7) ran over the top to score in this grade last start. That was over this course and distance and he draws to settle a little bit closer this time around. Going along well his past couple and can go back-to-back in this suitable assignment. CAPRICORN MAN (8) led all the way to win easily 28 days ago when favourite, and that form may be franked again early on in the card. Draws to find the front easily and he drops in weight off his last-start win. Will be in this for a long way. METALLON (6) ran on strongly last start as favourite and lobs in easier company this time around. 0/2 at this trip but looked as though he wanted the extra distance last start. Expecting improvement. PLAYTHATFUNKYMUSIC (3) is looking to make it four on the bounce. This is tougher but winning form can't be ignored. TRIPLE JAY (9) bolted in last start and merits plenty of respect.