Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CHER (3) was very strong first-up over 1200m at Belmont when only narrowly beaten and should have come on from that effort. Right up to her best on resumption, laying the platform for a successful campaign. Nicely placed and can return to the winners stall today. IF I DIN HAVADIME (1) won impressively two back before a 1.7L defeat at Bunbury most recently. She hasn't had much luck over this track and trip, but she's nicely drawn and Catarino takes 3kgs off. Sure to give a big sight once again. SHILLING LANE (5) makes his debut for the Steele Casey barn and looked very impressive in his only trial in readiness for his debut. It wouldn't surprise if he wanted further than 1000m, but his recent trial suggested he'd be sharp enough over the short course. Can make his presence felt. CESSATION (2) comes into this undefeated and is sure to be in the finish once again. GRACE ROSE (6) shed the maiden tag last time out and has claims.
RACE 2 - BELTA OF A SONG (8) was only narrowly defeated at Pinjarra last time out, going under in a photo finish down the Straight course. Up to 1200m looks ideal for her now and she's drawn beautifully for Brad Parnham who sticks. Can go to another level now and shed the maiden tag. LIPS DON'T LIE (7) has made the move to WA after being trained by David Jolly in South Australia previously. While beaten 4.5L at her last start, the form out of the race was red-hot and she has trialled well recently at Lark Hill. Big tick with CJP engaged and she can take it right up to the top pick. CENTRE BOND (3) showed enough on debut when rattling home over the 1000m journey at Pinjarra. Looks as though he'll appreciate the rise in trip and can be prominent in the finish this time. DUTCH POR (4) missed the start on debut and was never a hope at Kalgoorlie. Has trialled nicely and can feature on resumption. MAJESTIC PRINCESS (14) gets the blinkers on first time and won't be far away.
RACE 3 - HIERONYMUS BOSCH (2) just missed over this trip at Belmont last time out, beaten 0.2L when overrun in the dying stages. He maps for a similar run this time and he drops in weight off the latest effort. Ticking along nicely and can go one better this time. SAVORSKI (1) was the one who gunned down the top pick last time out but was an $8 chance there. Where he gets to from the draw is a niggle and he meets Hieronymus Bosch worse at the weights, but he's a gelding on the way up and he may not have hit his ceiling yet. SIMPLY (6) is hard to knock on recent form, jumping favourite against Savorski and Hieronymus Bosch last time out. He now gets the blinkers on first time and it wouldn't surprise to see him running over the top of them late. MANZOR MAGIC (7) just missed at Narrogin over 1900m and steps out to this trip for the first time which appears to suit. Big tick with Pike riding for this stable. Improver. BLUE CARD (4) is racing well and won't be far away.
RACE 4 - BEACH PAD (2) ran over the top to win impressively on debut and was thrown straight in the deep end last start when not disgraced in the J.C Roberts. Sticking at this trip looks ideal and he'll face much easier competition this time. Can bounce back to winning ways in a suitable assignment. WIN TO RETIRE (7) ran over the top to win by 0.8L last start over the mile at Belmont and looks suited by the rise in trip. She's likely to get back again, but she's sure to be closing off strongly at the finish once again. TRIO (6) just missed over this course and distance two back before finishing 4.3L off a big winner at Pinjarra last time out. This is tougher than his latest efforts, but he's nicely drawn and he's in the right stable to make an impact. BE AWESOME (5) is better than he showed at Narrogin last start and Noske replaces the apprentice. Keep safe. HE'S ARCHIE (4) steps out to this trip for the first time and is not to be discounted on recent figures.
RACE 5 - OCEAN OUTLAW (6) disappointed at the end of last campaign when getting too far back over this course and distance, but his prior form stacks up well in this event. He was an impressive trial winner earlier this month and he can be handy from the draw. Can return on a winning note. MISS ESPRIT (1) can't be knocked on her recent form, finishing in the placings all campaign. She bolted in over 1108m at Bunbury two back and only just missed when stretching to 1300m last time out. Back in trip on the fresh side and should be in this for a very long way. CLOSE TALKER (8) tackled tougher company last start at Bunbury after winning at Pinjarra, with the form out of that maiden quite strong. Back to this level suits and she's sure to be in the thick of the finish. AHYEAHRIGHTO (4) made a winning start to his career and can go on with the job. EXPOROSE (12) wasn't far away first-up and can be thereabouts at the finish.
RACE 6 - OCEANZARA (5) was only 1.6L off the winner when dropping back to 1400m last time out, sticking on well over the closing stages. Back up to the mile now and into easier company looks an ideal recipe. Maps well from the draw and can bounce back to winning ways. MY FURY (7) was terrible at Albany most recently but was in great form prior to that. She is known to dip third-up though and she can bounce back sticking at the mile now. Nicely placed and can return to the winners list. JUSTAMIDDY (10) just missed two back before a sound effort in CL3 company over this track and trip most recently. He drops in weight this time and draws a much better gate today. Sure to be about the finish. HIS EMINENCE (9) disappointed second-up after a nice fresh effort, but he boasts strong third-up stats. Won't be far away. NEVER SOBER (8) is better than he showed last time out and is not to be discounted.
RACE 7 - The feature of the day and LORD VAMPI (1) is the one to beat. He gave most of them a head start in the J.C Roberts and blew right by them all to win by 1.1L. He does rise a kilo, but he won the lead up with ease and it's going to take a horse improving sharply to turn the tables on him. A LOT OF GOOD MEN (2) looked a little flat in the J.C Roberts but he may be looking for this trip now. He started favourite in the lead up after a strong run in the Lex Piper two back. Noske hops on board now from a handy draw and if one can turn the tables, he's the most likely. ALASKAN (4) bought different form into the Roberts and showed what he's capable of, finishing behind Lord Vampi. Chris Parnham hops back in the saddle now and he's sure to make his presence felt. IN GOOD ORDER (8) closed off well last time out and looks ready for this trip. Won't be far away. ROYAL TORONADO (6) was never given a chance over a mile last start and is much better than that.
RACE 8 - FLY WITH CAUTION (4) resumed in good order, just missing out on the win behind a smart one at Belmont. Nicely placed from the draw once again and his best figures have come over this course and distance. Fitter now and can get the job done. CHINA SPIRIT (5) finished 0.6L off the winner last start at Belmont and has been knocking on the door his past few starts. He's now 495 days between wins, but he's right on the cusp and he can serve it up to the top pick. NOBEL LAURENCE (1) hit the line alongside China Spirit last time out but does meet him a touch worse at the weights this time. Nobel Laurence is expected to be at his peak now third-up though and if there's any improvement to unlock, he'll be right in the thick of the finish. DANCING CHOOSE (11) also comes through the same race and is nicely drawn along the inside. Can play a role. LUCKY'S WAY (8) is better than she showed second-up and can bounce back today.
