Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - LIBERTY DAME (6) has only just missed her past couple, both at this course. She sat off them last start and finished only 0.9L off the winner, who has since placed at Pinjarra on Sunday. Drawn much better this time and can capitalise on her strong form. WOOD CUTTER (5) makes his debut for the Adam Durrant yard with ZJP claiming 2 kgs. He's shown good speed at the trials so the inside draw suits and in a race that looks to be lacking depth, he can play a major role on debut. DISCUSS (11) comes through the same race as Liberty Dame where she was beaten 3.2L. The wide draw is a little niggle, though Altieri is striking at 14% of late. Can go close again with the slight rise in trip. TIMELY ADVICE (7) disappointed throughout last campaign before heading for a spell. Form prior to that stacks up in a race like this. Keep safe. AUSSIE EURO (8) is better than she showed last start and dropping in trip suits. Can improve.
RACE 2 - STAY ASTERN (2) deadset bolted in over 1400m last time out, running away to win by 3.3L at this course. He rises to this trip again where he hasn't had much success, but on the back of his latest effort he looks a clear top pick. Just has to run up to that effort today. PURE CHINO (5) scored a good win first-up before being a touch outclassed at Belmont second-up. On the quick turnaround now and back to an easier grade today. Looks a nice setup for her third-up into the campaign and she can make her presence felt. TRADED CROWN (9) disappointed last time out after a good run here two starts ago. The inside barrier can see him be a touch closer and if he can get back to his best form, he'll be right in the finish. MORE LIKELY (3) is improving with every run in this time and getting out to the mile should suit now. Won't be far away. MOONIEMIA (6) has form that ties through Traded Crown and has to be included.
RACE 3 - DAIYAMONDO (3) ran home strongly from near the back of the field to be just 1.1L away at the finish. She was only narrowly beaten over this course and distance two back and the form out of that race has worked out well. Draws a much better barrier this time and can get back to winning ways. BAYHARA (5) just missed last time out when racing greenly in the straight, with the winner of that event since winning again at Belmont last week. He won't have to get too far back from the draw today and if he can replicate the effort he produced last start, he'll go very close. IDENTIFIER (4) was an impressive first-up winner as favourite here 26 days ago and now takes the step up in grade. Like the fact she's been kept fresh and if she can stretch her form she'll be right in the thick of things. LUCKEE FLORAN (1) is better than what he showed last start and is not to be discounted. SPARKLE CORNER (2) won't be far away on the back of a nice effort last start.
RACE 4 - WELL PLAYED (4) stepped out to the mile last start and bolted in, winning by 2.2L. Back to this trip isn't an issue as he's been successful here before and he's drawn well for Mahoney. Racing in hot form and will take plenty of beating once again. MIFF MUFFERED MOOF (7) dropped back to 1200m and never got into the race last start after winning over this course and distance two back. Back up in trip suits and she still looks to have plenty of upside. Can return to winning ways. BUTTERFLYROCK (5) is racing well of late, winning two back and running well last start when beaten 2.3L. Back to the 1400m journey looks ideal and Altieri knows the mare well. In good form and should make her presence felt. HAMMARMILL (2) has been contesting stronger races of late and now rises in trip. Can run an improved race. BRISANCE (3) Is ticking along alright for a race like this and is not to be discounted.
RACE 5 - HOW PRETTY (8) resumed a winner over 1000m at Albany, shedding the maiden tag. She makes a big jump in grade going to a CL2, but her figures from the first-up win stack up nicely in the field and she should be fitter for that effort. Nicely drawn and can repeat the dose. SAFE HUSTLE (3) finished 3.1L behind a smart one over this course and distance 10 days ago after going under narrowly over 1200m here the start prior. Austin Galati has a successful record when riding the gelding and he appears the main danger. COMPAK (1) stuck on well over 1200m here last time out after a narrow defeat at this track and trip prior. He can burn across from the wide alley and Sardelic taking 2kgs off helps his chances. Will be in this for a long way. POP THE MOET (6) went under in a photo finish over 1200m here last start and the form out of that race has been franked. Must be included. FIRST CONTACT (5) can be in the finish if she's close to her best.
RACE 6 - SORAIS (6) has been running on strongly his past couple and was only narrowly defeated over 1100m last time out. Out to 1200m at this stage of the campaign is ideal and he can settle much closer than he has done recently from a nice alley. Looks poised to strike third-up. TYCOON DEMON (2) sat handy and put his rivals away last time out, winning by 0.7L over 1100m. He's building a handy record and has the pace to get across from the wide alley. Continues to improve with racing and it wouldn't surprise to see him go back-to-back. JUSTHANDY (7) never really got into the race last start and does tend to mix her form. Her good days are right up to winning a race like this, she just needs to bring those efforts. THREE SESSIONS (1) has disappointed his past couple but is much better than that. He drops right down in grade now and has to be included despite the big weight. QUEEN TIFFANY (9) can bounce back after a disappointing effort last start.
RACE 7 - UNI QUEEN (5) has just missed her past couple at this course and now rises up to this track and trip where she has won previously. That win came in a 3.2L romp only four starts ago. Drawn well for McNaught at the bottom of the weights and she can go one better today. HONORFIC (3) ran on well from the back over 1900m here 10 days ago and stretches out in trip again today. He draws a much better barrier this timer and can sit closer than he did last start. He'll be sure to make his presence felt if he's within striking distance at the turn. WHAT A PRINCE (1) is in the middle of an unusual preparation, going a mile back to 1200m and now out to 2125m. Creates plenty of interest off the inside alley and he's very hard to line up. Must be kept safe. LUKE'S PIERRO (4) should be hitting his top fourth-up now and beat some of these last start. Include. MOMBASA (8) is usually around the mark and is not to be discounted.
