Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Keep to be with MEAN MACHINE (6) in the opener. Not many horses can do what he's done at the trials so far, winning his latest 400m heat by 13.2L at Lark Hill. Hard to know what he beat there, but the time was quick and he looked to do it easily. Looks one right out of the box. BLUE ROCKET (1) couldn't have done much more on debut, crossing, leading and kicking away to win impressively. Showed she had the speed last start and suspect she'll be right up the front again. Wouldn't surprise to see her go back-to-back. THIS'LL SHOW YA (7) was no match for Blue Rocket last time out but draws a much better barrier this time around. Won't have to do much work off the inside and should be getting to her peak now third-up. Sure to go close once again. DESERT WAVES (5) has looked good at the trials in readiness for this and has claims on debut. DIVINE IMPACT (9) ran behind Desert Waves in a recent trial and is not to be discounted.
RACE 2 - TYCOON HARRY (1) is looking for four wins in-a-row after a 0.4L win at Ascot last time out. He steps back into Open company today, but led all the way to win at this track and trip two starts ago. Looks a nice horse working through the grades and can extend his winning streak. INSYDE SUCCESS (2) also looks a progressive type, leading all the way and bolting in by 7.3L in a dominant display. That was a Cl2 at Albany, but the figures stack right up in this tougher assignment. Should still have plenty of improvement to come and he appears the main danger. CLOSE TALKER (6) led all the way down the straight at Pinjarra and drops slightly in weight off the first-up victory. Can be prominent from the outset for Brad Parnham and it wouldn't surprise to see her continue her winning ways. SALT LAKE SHAKE (4) faded when taking on Listed company last start but the first-up effort behind Tycoon Harry would see him right in the finish. SEEYOUATTHESESSION (5) won't be far away.
RACE 3 - DIAMOND ROCKS (8) resumed on a winning note, storming over the top and pulling away to win by 0.7L. The form out of the race has already been franked and she can sit closer than she did at her latest effort. Can build on first-up run and bring up back-to-back wins. LUCKY'S WAY (5) ran on well last start at Ascot and should benefit from the first-up run. The wide draw may be a little concern, but the booking of Chris Parnham is a positive guide to her chances. Ready to get back to her best now and that'll see her right in the finish. ULTIMATE COMMAND (3) missed narrowly first-up at this track and trip in a similar event and draws to do no work along the inside. Has won twice when second-up previously and she can make her presence felt. THE GREAT HOYA (6) us racing well without winning and is not to be discounted. HALATORION (1) returned to form last start and can go on with the job.
RACE 4 - PLAYING RIO (6) made it back-to-back wins at Pinjarra on January 17th and hasn't been seen since that effort. The form coming out from behind him for those two wins has been superb. Looks on the way up and he maps to get every chance again today. The one to beat. UNCLE GERARD (10) has been racing well without winning so far this campaign but may have found his chance today. Should be placed nicely from the alley and he gets a positive jockey switch with Parnham engaged. Competitive in this grade so far but strikes a winnable race this time. SUPPORTIVE (3) disappointed last time out when getting back in the field, but finished alongside Uncle Gerard the start prior. This is a little easier than her latest effort and she can bounce back to be in the finish. VAMPI AT PLAY (4) is on the quick turnaround after a solid effort last start and is not to be discounted. KEEP ATTACKING (5) is better than he showed last time out. Keep safe.
RACE 5 - NERO KING (4) rattled home from a long way back last start to finish just 1.9L off the winner. Drawn better this time and the slight rise in weight won't be an issue. May need some luck in the run but if he gets the breaks, he can be storming right over the top of his rivals. SNAZZLER (1) faded when leading at Pinjarra last time out, beaten 3.8L after a narrow win at Belmont the start prior. Gaerth now takes 3kg off and a much better run is anticipated. LORD GANNICUS (5) just missed on the Scarpside at Pinjarra 13 days ago and now gets Chris Parnham replacing the apprentice hoop. Wide draw may be a little concern, but his best form is right up to his rivals and he looks set to mount a challenge. KIA ORA JEWEL (10) looks well placed coming back in trip with an inside draw. Better than she showed last start and can be in the finish again. FOREVER BOY (8) looks on the way up and merits respect on the back of his last start win.
RACE 6 - Interesting race. CAPTAIN PLUTO (3) stuck on well at Pinjarra but might be looking for the extra furlong he gets today. Should be in a handy spot for Noske and that's where he races best. Still looks to be hinting that he's better than he's shown and today might be the day he shows that. TIFF'S LAD (6) was too strong over the 2000m trip at Pinjarra, sitting outside the lead and holding on for a 0.3L victory. Many of these rivals were in that race, and he only rises 0.5kg after the claim of Corver and he draws better than his last start. Main danger. MANAVENDRA (1) rounded them up in the Esperance Cup last Sunday and showed plenty of staying ability in the process. Mightn't be as far back on this occasion and the fact CJP sticks is a good push. Appears a key contender. FLOWER IN THE WIND (10) comes through the race behind Tiff's Lad where he was flashing late. Include.
RACE 7 - One of the features of the day and RED FIFTY THREE (13) goes on top. Didn't have the best of luck at Pinjarra, but there's still no denying that he was disappointing there. Like the fact that Parnham replaces the apprentice hoop and the wide draw can see him rolling into it when the time is right. Looks set to bounce back. MULTINATIONAL (12) brings not only different form, but winning form into the race too after winning a bm72+ at Pinjarra 3 weeks ago. Should be fitter for that effort and he drops right down in the weights today. Looks a big threat. COLD SHIZZLE (9) stuck on well in the Pinjarra Classic and looks to get plenty of favours once again with the booking of CJP. He was 50-1 last start, but his prior form holds up well and he's sure to be in the mix again. TRIX OF THE TRADE (1) is better than what we saw first-up and can run an improved race. SEARCHIN' ROC'S (4) just missed a fortnight ago and can't be discounted.
RACE 8 - The main event of the afternoon and BLACK FANTASY (3) looks the one to beat. Just didn't have the sprint to match the winner in the Detonator but showed plenty in defeat. Fitter now and can press on to make his own luck up front. Gets a nice weight swing in his favour and will prove hard to go past. MAROCCHINO (2) kicked away to win impressively in the Detonator and rarely runs a bad race. Will find the front comfortably for Turner from an inside draw, but it's the rise in weight which is the niggle. If he can dictate as he did last start, he'll be going back-to-back. QUEEN ALINA (4) is always around the mark and can be a touch closer from the draw this time around. Ticking along nicely her past couple and gets a slight drop in weight. Key player. CURRIMUNDI (7) has only been out to this trip once before but his recent form has been solid. Keep safe. HOLY ENCHANTMENT (8) is better than what he showed in the Detonator and won't be far away.
RACE 9 - SISU WARRIOR (3) just missed first-up at Ascot but laid the platform for what looks to be a successful campaign. He usually improves with a run under his belt, and although the wide draw is a niggle, he still looks to have more improvement to come. Can go one better this time. OLY'S CHOICE (6) has been superb his past couple but is now almost 500 days between wins. He drops right down in the weights this time though and should be handier than he was last time out. Will give the top pick something to think about. DEFENDING (8) gets Chris Parnham back in the saddle after a good effort last time out. That form ties him in through Sisu Warrior and looks one of the key formlines for this event. Ticking along nicely and can end his winning drought. WITHOUT REG (5) should get every chance from the inside and it wouldn't surprise to see him go back-to-back. ROKANORI (1) will find this much easier than what he faced first-up and has claims.
