Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - WHY ME (3) only narrowly went down here when resuming before not being disgraced in town last time out. Strips fitter third-up from the break and will find this assignment much more to his liking. Looks the hardest to hold out. FAMOUS DAIN (5) has been thereabouts in both outings to date and will be near his peak now third time at the races. Looms as the main danger. WARRALEA LASS (8) put in a career-best performance when placing here first-up and this is not an overly strong contest. Top-three conveyance. KAMAKAZI SHOOTER (4) is improving with racing and gets the services of Whiting in the irons. In the mix. BELLE NOIRE (6) is unlucky to still be a maiden finishing runner-up at the past couple. Include with the claim.
RACE 2 - SKY DUKE (4) has been plying his trade at metropolitan level and will appreciate the sharp drop in grade here. Has placed one from one over this distance range and should be in this for a very long way. The well-named MORGS FREEMAN (3) got the job done around this circuit last time out and will have derived a stack of confidence from that victory. Can go right on with it now. OXBRIDGE (1) grows a leg for Mahony who has four wins and a placing from just five steers. Again gets the benefit of her 2kg claim and rates a serious contender. LONG KNIFE BROTHER (6) is a six-time winner at this venue and cannot be discounted. CLASSIC MAGNUS (2) is drawn to get a soft run from the inside alley and looks one for the exotics players.
RACE 3 - STAR POWER (4) wasn't too far off them when resuming and the form she showed when last in work was good enough to feature in a race like this. Has placed two from three when second-up and should be right there when the whips are cracking. AMERICAN THIGHS (6) has been thereabouts in both starts to date and will be near her peak now third time at the races. Expected to play a major role in the outcome. JOHNNY WAFFLES (3) was too bad to be true last time out and is worth another chance in this line-up. I'M THAT GIRL (8) has drawn low for Parham and will appreciate the drop in grade. Top-three credentials. SANCTIONS (5) next in line.
RACE 4 - MY LOVELY PET (4) was a touch plain last time out but the two runs to start the preparation were good enough to play a major role in this. His only victory came over this sprint trip and is sure to give backers a sight. HOT CHATTER (2) has been in a purple patch of late with a win and four placings from her past five outings. Cannot ignore mares in form. MAKE YOUR POINT (3) boasts a win over this course and distance and will be near his peak now fourth-up from the spell. In the mix. KING HALLOWELL (5) gets in very well at the weights with the 4kg claim and may make his presence felt. SOSIPATRA (7) broke the maiden status last time out and can go right on with the job now.
RACE 5 - DOUBLE THUMBS UP (1) loves this track and trip with two wins and a placing from just four attempts and will get a soft run in transit from the low draw. Should be right there when the judge calls a halt. ABBOU (3) presents third-up here and has won under those conditions in the past. May improve on recent efforts. WARRALEA DIAMOND (7) was too good here last time out and winning rider Faithful sticks in the stirrups. Can go back-to-back. FLOPPY (2) is a two-time winner over this mile journey and is getting better with racing this campaign. In the mix. NATURAL SPICE (5) best of the rest in a race with plenty of chances.
RACE 6 - MY FURY (1) just ran into one better in town when second-up and will find this drop in company much more suitable. Strips fitter third-up from the break and should prove very hard to toss. STAR IN TIME (6) has a handy record around this circuit with two wins and six placings from 12 outings. Is racing in good form at present and has to be included. DAZZLING DANE (8) has been thereabouts in recent efforts and rarely puts in a poor performance. Top-three commodity. ODDONEOUT (4) has placed five from six over this course and distance and is a must for the multiples. PAIGEY'S TURN (5) next best with Parnham on from the favourable gate.
RACE 7 - The feature race on the card, the $350,000 Bluff Knoll. OSCAR'S FORTUNE (13) resumes here but the form he showed in his first preparation was elite. Placed at Group 1 level before the spell and has since been given time to furnish. Drawn to get across easily from gate three and will prove very tough to beat. GEMMA'S SON (4) wasn't disgraced in the Listed Scenic Blast and gets McGruddy back on from the inside marble. Should be right in the finish. LACED UP HEELS (12) is back in WA after a stint in Melbourne and has tuned up for this with a recent trial win. Can run a race while fresh. ACROMANTULA (2) is yet to miss a drum in five first-up attempts and cannot be discounted. The well-related RED CAN MAN (3) doesn't know how to run a bad race and may earn some minor money.
RACE 8 - STAY WEALTHY (2) has placed over this track and trip, draws low and gets 2kg off with the claim. Will be rock-hard fit for this and ticks plenty of boxes. MINE HOST (5) is a bit of a hit or miss type but has placed over this course and distance and may feature with any luck in transit. LOT HO (7) hails from a handy family (full to G2 winner Hobart Jones) and will be near his peak now fourth-up from the spell. In the mix on best form. FEELS HOT (4) doesn't win out of turn but is usually thereabouts and looks one for the exotics.
