Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SHOULDER PATCH (2) looks the one to beat in the opener. He was great throughout last campaign and looks to have trialled impressively in readiness for his return. Strikes a very suitable event first-up with CJP engaged. Should be shedding the maiden tag today. DREAM BROOK (8) was 50-1 at Ascot on February 21st but caught the eye when rattling home from the rear. The rise in trip should suit this daughter of Pierro and it wouldn't surprise to see her improve sharply out in trip. DIVERSE (9) tends to make things difficult for herself, but has been running on strongly from the rear in her recent outings. Drawn a touch better today, if she can be a little closer to the lead turning for home she'll have something to say at the finish. ZERO DAWN (6) looks suited by the drop back to the 1400m where she was narrowly beaten two back. Keep safe. SPEAKING SWAHILI (4) looks best of the rest.
RACE 2 - GOLD VANCOUVER (9) disappointed when in the market at Ascot after going under as favourite at Pinjarra first-up. This looks a much easier event and the addition of visors helps her chances. Nicely drawn and finds the right race to knock over her maiden. DISCUSS (11) surprised on debut when 25-1, running on strongly and catching the eye when beaten 2.2L. Should benefit from that experience and she may be able to settle a touch closer from the draw this time. Can play a major role. LIBERTY DAME (5) drops back in trip slightly after a 1L defeat here 16 days ago. The wide draw won't hurt as she gets back anyway and if the overdo things up front, she can be finishing over the top of them. GINGER JIVE (6) can sneak into the placings in a race that appears to lack depth. DIXIE PRINCESS (10) is best of the rest.
RACE 3 - DIVINE INANNA (1) showed good improvement last start at Pinjarra when only collared late in the race. Form out of the race has been good and she should find the front once again from the draw. Good third-up record and can return to the winners stall. QUEEN TIFFANY (7) just missed here first-up when 25-1, going under by 0.3L. Usually takes a run to get going, so if there's improvement to come she'll definitely make her presence felt. LUCKEE FLORAN (2) finished just behind Queen Tiffany last start when coming on from midfield. That effort holds him in good stead here and a repeat effort can see him fighting out the finish. FINE LINE (11) is some niggle dropping back in trip, but he does draw the inside for Turner. Include. DAIYAMONDO (6) will be a long way back in the run but looks a progressive type and should be flashing late.
RACE 4 - Tricky race. STAADEN (1) hasn't won for almost 950 days but looks to have his hoof on the till judging by his efforts this time in. Back in trip suits and he should get every chance with CJP engaged and the winkers going back on. Can end his winning drought. UNI QUEEN (4) produced her best rating three starts back over 2100m and getting back out to that sort of trip is a positive sign. Right down in the weights for Corver and looks ready to put her best foot forward. SLUICE BOX (2) stuck on well in the Esperance Cup last start and hasn't been far away all campaign. The wide draw is a little knock as he'll be behind his main rivals, but his recent form makes him hard to knock. HONORFIC (3) won well over a similar trip two starts ago and while this is harder, his figures have him right in the mix. EGG WHITE (7) has been good without winning this campaign and now gets his chance.
RACE 5 - BONDI'S FUTURE (3) won impressively here first-up and has held his own in town since that victory, finishing just 0.2L off the winner at Belmont last start. Hard to knock his form this campaign and he would just have to repeat his latest effort to be getting the job done here. CHARLIE JANE (5) stuck on well on the Pinjarra Scarpside course last time out, only beaten 1.5L. Was tried at this trip two back at Bunbury and the form out of that race has been superb. Wide draw is an issue but he's right in this if he's at his best. THE SLAP (1) will get back from the draw as per his usual pattern, but he has been running on well this campaign. Loves this track and out to this trip for the first time appears to suit. Can play a major role. TRADED CROWN (8) just missed at this track and trip last start and warrants plenty of respect. FUEL THE FRIAR (13) will find this tougher than recent efforts but should appreciate the rise in distance.
RACE 6 - HYMNS OF ELADDAIR (6) was very good first-up at Belmont but has only been fair his past couple, admittedly in much tougher company than he faces today. Both the drop in class and rise in trip suit and he should be handy enough off the inside alley. Looks the one to beat. MOMBASA (3) dropped right back in trip last start and ran on strongly to be 1.5L over the unsuitable 1213m journey. That looks a perfect prep run for this as he rises to his preferred distance. May be back in the run, but is sure to be closing off strongly in the straight. NAVY SUN (10) was just run off his feet last start when back to 1400m. Out to this trip suits him much better and he drops to the bottom of the weights. Expect a sharp turnaround in form. NEVER SOBER (1) can be prominent from the jump and may take some catching with 4kg's coming off for Cooper. BUTTERFLYROCK (7) is right in the mix off his last start win here.
RACE 7 - The feature of the day and SUPERSESSION (2) is the one to beat. Brilliant putting two on-end before a tick-over run at Pinjarra last time out. Wide draw doesn't matter and getting back to 1200m is a big tick. Has to go on top. BIGDAYONIT (6) appears the main danger after a good run at Ascot last time out. The wide draw is a slight niggle, but he has plenty of early speed to get across. Right down in the weights here and will take plenty of catching. BUDGERIGAR (9) was too good at Esperance last time out, rounding them up from the rear. Racing well and can repeat the dose. DREAM TO ME (4) ran on well at Pinjarra last start and must be included.
RACE 8 - TYCOON DEMON (5) was overpowered late over the 1200m journey here 16 days ago when favourite. Has been forced to press on from wide draws of late and now gets a very soft draw for the in-form Altieri. Nice horse on the way up and can add to his successful record. MAGNIFICENT CARAT (6) just missed here on February 22nd and the form out of that race has been handy. Draws a nice barrier today with CJP replacing the apprentice hoop. At peak fitness now and rates the testing material. SAFE HUSTLE (7) drops in grade after narrowly missing over 1200m here a fortnight ago. He doesn't rise too much in weight thanks to the claim of Martinan and his last run suggested he could win a race of this calibre. SAUVEGARDE (3) is searching for the hat-trick and has to be included on recent form. 2kg claim comes in handy. JUSTHANDY (8) won impressively at this track and trip two back and has to be included.