Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - PIN DEEP (4) just couldn't hold on over this course and distance last time out, going under by 0.8L as favourite. He draws the outside once again which is favourable for the straight course and he looks to have found a very suitable assignment. Can notch up his maiden victory. ON A WINNING DAY (6) ran home strongly over this track and trip last start to finish just 0.9L off the winner 17 days ago. May be looking for further now, but does draw toward the grandstand side which suits. Form his past couple stacks up nicely and he'll be charging home late. AIN'TSOBAD (7) showed enough on debut coming through the same race as Winning Day and should have come on from the debut effort. Paul Harvey replaces the apprentice hoop and he won't be far away with improvement expected. CRIPPALENKO (1) turned in a career best last start and can go on with the job. KAMAKA (8) creates interest coming here off a long layoff. Trials have been sound. Watch for market moves.
RACE 2 - LOMBADINA (5) didn't have the best of luck over 1300m here last start but did close off well once clear, finishing 1.2L off the winner. Getting away from the inside helps her chances and she is still hinting that she's a better horse than she's shown thus far. Today looks to be her day. SANDFIRE ROSE (7) may have just felt the pinch second-up and out in trip, being claimed late to be beaten just 0.4L as favourite. Her form ties through Lombadina who she was beaten by two back over this track and trip. Fitter again now and can play a major role. MYSTERY BULLET (1) resumes on the back of a winning trial at Lark Hill earlier this month. Has run some good races at Kalgoorlie last campaign and while 8 starts in now, he has been knocking on the door. Sure to be in the finish. DUG ANOTHER HOLE (3) faded on debut and can be an improver back to this trip and with a kinder barrier. WINNING SHUFFLE (2) is next best.
RACE 3 - This looks a thin maiden, so SAMURAI WARRIOR (7) appeals most on debut. Nice trial recently at Lark Hill and 1400m first-up looks an ideal setup for this son of Savabeel. The big track should give him every chance and he can make a winning start to his career. KING AND QUEEN (15) looks the best of the raced brigade having tackled a decent race at Ascot last start where the form out of it has stood up. She was 100-1 there but this is a much easier race and the rise in trip should suit. Won't be far away. WARNING SHOT (8) trialled on the same day as Samurai Warrior and the trial ran a faster time overall. Wide draw may be some concern, but he looks as though 1400m fresh suits and he can land the knockout punch. KING KAWANA (4) stuck on well over 1200m here last time out and can be about the finish if he runs up to that effort. MOLLY MAGEE (9) has had plenty of chances to notch up her maiden win but is usually around the mark.
RACE 4 - STORMAGEDDON (7) stuck on well over 1500m on the main track here and should relish the slight rise in trip to the mile. The form out of his last start has been franked and the blinkers go on for the first time. Ready to peak now and can shed the maiden tag. IMAROCK GOD (9) was only 0.6L off the winner last start and gets the blinkers on first time. Showed good improvement when out in trip last start and can do so again out to the mile now. Will give the top pick something to think about. CRYSTAL ROSE (12) just missed last start after sitting outside the leader last time out, ending up 0.8L off the winner. Draws a softer barrier this time and should be prominent from the outset again. Wouldn't surprise to see him go one better. KNOCKONEBACK (6) was moved into third with a successful protest last start and has winning claims.
RACE 5 - DIALLING (4) ended last campaign on a disappointing note after a good campaign. He looks to be in good order judging by his recent trial and he maps well for CJP who sticks from the trial. If he returns in a similar way he ended last campaign he should be returning a winner. JUST SAINT JAMES (2) was a very impressive debut winner down the Pinjarra straight course and looks as though he'll eat up 1200m. Where he gets to from the draw is a slight worry after being back in the run on debut, but if he has improvement to come he's right in the mix. GOLD VANCOUVER (8) scored a solid win last start at Geraldton and steps out to 1200m again this time. Fitter now and Azzopardi has been successful both times when riding. Key player if she handles the back up. KIRALUI (6) looked good in a recent trial and can make a statement on debut. DIGITAL MISS (7) can build on the fresh run where she was only narrowly beaten.
RACE 6 - SHELL BELL (1) just felt the pinch late on resumption and hasn't been sighted for 83 days. Now comes here on the fresh side with Martinan taking 3kg's off. Can lead from the alley and if she runs up to what she did off a break last start, she'll take plenty of catching. PLATINUM SHOT (4) ran on strongly to just miss at Ascot last time out and now drops back to 1000m. That's a little niggle as her best form has been over longer trips, but respect the fact Parnham hops in the saddle. Racing well of late and appears the main danger. CRYSTALIST (3) was 3L away at Ascot most recently but had finished closer the start prior. He'll find this easier than his most recent efforts and he draws nicely out near the grandstand. Should be right in the finish. STARS APLENTY (2) disappointed at the end of last campaign and his recent trial doesn't fill me with confidence. Great fresh record though and his best is good enough to feature. BERRY BERRY GOOD (9) can go on with the job after winning at York.
RACE 7 - SHAKA ZULU (2) doesn't boast the most appealing of formlines but has been going around in tougher races than he'll run in today. Big tick with CJP hopping on board and he barely rises in weight despite the easier company. At peak fitness now and can bounce back to winning ways. DEFENDING (1) wasn't far away two back at Ascot and backed that up in a good race at Bunbury last start and we'll get a good look at that form at Ascot on Saturday. He'll find this much easier and back to 1200m may hold the key. Can be right in the finish. SIMPLE LOGIC (4) scored a big win two back but was unable to back it up at Bunbury last start when beaten 5L. Happy to put that effort behind him and expect him to get back to his best. Winning chance if he can do that. BREAD TO FLIRT (3) has been placed 3/5 first-up and is not to be discounted. MY BABY BLUE JEAN (7) won't be far away as she rises back up to 1200m.
RACE 8 - The Pinjarra Cup and CASINO SEVENTEEN (1) goes on top. The Perth Cup winner lugged the big weight at Bunbury last start and only went down narrowly in a blanker finish. Better placed from the draw this time and should relish the rise in trip. Can see him going one better this time around. HOLY ENCHANTMENT (6) was also in the thick of the finish in the Bunbury Cup and has strong claims coming out of that event. Should get every chance from the draw for Brad Parnham and is expected to be in the finish once again. GHOBELLA (5) may be the one to spoil the party. Good in the Detonator Stakes around these horses at her last start and has raced well out to this trip previously. Brings different form in and can surprise. QUEEN ALINA (4) gets a much better setup today from an inside alley. Wouldn't surprise to see her back at her best. BLAZING AWAY (3) was 50-1 in the Bunbury Cup but was strong when winning. Has to be included on that effort.
RACE 9 - RUN PATTIE RUN (6) looks the one to beat in the last after a 1.1L defeat at Belmont most recently. She steps out to this trip for the first time, but she's drawn well for Steve Parnham who remains in the saddle. She has plenty of upside and the rise in trip may bring out her best. SNIP'S ROCK (11) looks as though she'll relish the rise in distance now fourth-up into the campaign. She was good from the back at Belmont 11 days ago, following on from an eye-catching effort at Bunbury the start prior. Will give the top pick something to think about. TALLANGATTA (2) comes through a strong form race at this course last start and drops into a slightly easier race. Will need some luck from the draw but his recent figures suggest he's good enough to be in the finish. TRUEVINSKY (3) returned with a good win at York and can go on with the job. BELLE JOURNEE (10) should love the rise in trip and won't be far away.
