Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Small field to kick things off. RUN PATTIE RUN (4) ran on strongly down the Pinjarra Straight and looks ready to step out to this trip for the first time. She won't be far off the leader in running and she has shown she can go with them when the pace goes on. The one to beat. FLY WITH CAUTION (2) resumes today after a short-lived preparation at the end of last year. Was a dominant winner first-up over 1420m at Bunbury before a solid run at Ascot in similar grade. Suspect we haven't seen the best of him yet and that's a worrying sign for his rivals. INFLUENCING (1) comes in off back-to-back wins to start the campaign, but this looks his toughest assignment thus far. Should be prominent in the run though which is a big tick in the small field. Will be in this for a long way. HERO HUNTER (3) drops back in trip which is a slight niggle but must be respected.
RACE 2 - PRINCESS IN RED (5) came from a long way back last time out to just miss over this trip at Ascot. This is a tougher race, but Chris Parnham replaces the apprentice hoop and she still has plenty of upside to come. Looks set to return to her winning ways. YALLINGUP GIRL (2) can't be knocked on her recent form, just missing behind an in-form galloper last time out. She should be prominent from the draw as she was last start and she drops in weight after the claim of Campbell. Appears the main danger. FOREVER CLASSIC (1) is better than what she's shown this campaign and may be ready to get back to the form we saw her in last preparation. She's never missed the placings third-up previously and she's sure to make her presence felt. CHARMING BELLE (3) is racing well of late though she does make things difficult for herself by getting a long way back. SNIP'S ROCK (7) can be running over the top of them late.
RACE 3 - MR TALENTINO (4) was tossed into the deep end last start in the Lex Piper Stakes after a solid first-up effort at Ascot. Has been 100-1 in both runs this campaign, but rates well off the fresh effort and looks to have found a suitable race. AL UNIQUE (7) showed enough on debut despite being 25-1 and was put away straight after that effort. Expect a more mature horse this time in and he's trialled similarly to how he did prior to the debut. Should be in the finish. ALIEN CLOVIS (2) drops back to the mile today which looks to suit after tiring at the end of 1800m last time out. He finally draws a barrier this time and will find the front with ease. Will take plenty of catching from the front. FLASH OF DALLAS (14) had a lot to do on debut and wasn't disgraced in the process. Now gets Chris Parnham on board and she warrants respect. IRONCLAD BOY (5) can be an improver stepping out to the mile for the first time.
RACE 4 - HEMLOCK STONE (4) ran over the top to win comfortably at Bunbury first-up. The win suggested there's more to come from the 4YO and he draws to sit a little closer than he has been in recent efforts. CJP is in hot form and he can bring up back-to-back wins. COOL MEMORY (3) scored a tough win two back before stacking up well in an open 3YO race at Ascot last time out. The rise in trip suits much better and he should be handy from the inside draw for Parnham. This is an easier race and he'll make his presence felt. CHINA SPIRIT (5) has been right around the mark all preparation and comes here on the 7-day backup. Nearly 500 days between wins but he's racing well without winning. Key player. DANCING CHOOSE (6) steps out over further today for the first time in WA and won't be far away. NOBEL LAURENCE (1) is noted to improve sharply second-up and it wouldn't be surprised to see him get the job done.
RACE 5 - COMEALILBITCLOSER (3) has been right around the mark this campaign without winning, finishing 1.7L away in a what looks a tougher event 18 days ago. She has the pace to cross from out wide and Martinan taking 3kg's off comes in handy. Will be in this for a very long way. HIERONYMUS BOSCH (2) gets the blinkers on first time after a solid effort from the back over this trip at Ascot last week. Fitter again for that effort and he may be a touch closer with the blinkers on first time. Big chance to return to the winners stall. BLUE CARD (4) finished just ahead of Hieronymus Bosch last start and has to be included through that form line. Likely to be running somewhere close to the front and won't be far away. SIMPLY (5) can build on a good maiden win as favourite at Bunbury. MONEY FOR OLD ROPE (7) steps out to this trip after sticking on well at York. Keep safe.
RACE 6 - SOLAR SYSTEM (3) is a former Waterhouse & Bott galloper making his stable debut for the Gangemi's. The form he brings across is solid and his recent trial suggested he's ready to go first-up. Only lightly raced with plenty of upside and can make a winning start to his career in the west. CHER (4) pulled up with an issue at her last start before a spell after displaying good promise early. She's another that has trialled well coming in and if she can improve on what she did last campaign, she'll take plenty of beating. STORM LEADER (2) beat Cher in a recent trial although the draw is some knock. CHERRY CAN RUN (9) can improve on what she did first-up. at Pinjarra.
RACE 7 - TIN CHOOKS (2) got the job done as favourite at Pinjarra (Scarpside) last start and looks to be hitting his straps. The form around him from his previous runs has been superb and his form from last start has already been franked. Looks on the way up and can go back-to-back. GAMBLER'S GOLD (4) drops back to the mile after a 3.9L defeat and has switched stables since that effort. He was a big winner over the mile at Esperance three starts back. Big chance if he can bring that form to this event. BANDALERA BEAU (6) was just too far back to make an impression at Pinjarra last time out. His runs prior have been much better and he should be able to get across and set the tempo. Key player. SINGLETON PARK (7) was good here first-up and is sure to be coming at them strongly at the finish. TRULY RELIABLE (3) should appreciate the rise in trip and is not to be discounted.
