Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - SIR BEAR A LOT (3) was superb when running on from the back here first-up over 1000m and should improve getting out in trip now. Form from her last start has already been franked and she maps for a lovely run in transit. Gets her chance to shed the maiden tag now. SANTERIA (6) led them up over this course and distance last start and was only narrowly defeated despite jumping a 20-1 chance. Should find the front again from an inside alley and he'll strip fitter again this time. Can play a major role. PLAYS WITH MAGIC (7) showed enough on debut when leading over 1000m and finishing only 1L away. Shaun McGruddy replaces the apprentice hoop and she'll benefit from the debut effort. Can improve off the debut. WALYALUP (8) will benefit from the debut effort and draws a softer gate this time. Can improve. THE MIGHTY BUTCH (2) looks next best.
RACE 2 - SHOULDER PATCH (6) was no match for a good winner first-up at Geraldton but closed off strongly to suggest he's in for a successful campaign. The slight rise in trip looks ideal and CJP sticking is a positive sign. Looks set to go one better this time around. KAMAKAZI SHOOTER (8) went forward and led them over the mile here 21 days ago on the back of a sound run on the Scarpside at Pinjarra prior. Wide draw is a niggle, but he's ticking along nicely and can poke his nose into the finish. PUNTERS PILOT (2) is no an 11-start maiden but he wasn't too far away over 1230m here last time out. Up in trip for just the second where he was narrowly beaten over the mile three starts ago. Can play a major role. BELLE NOIRE (11) has been around the mark her past couple and is rock-hard fit. Won't be far away. LIVING LIKE KINGS (5) is an improving type who has claims from a nice alley.
RACE 3 - HEEZA BEAU (2) showed plenty of promis in his debut campaign when bolting in over 1230m to win his maiden on debut, before a defeat prior to the spell. He hasn't been sighted publicly since then, but you have to think he's come on in the break. Can return on a winning note. HOT CHATTER (1) is hard to knock on her recent form, finishing in the placings her past six outings. She's drawn for a lovely run once again and the 3kgs coming off for Martinan come in handy. Rates the main danger on her recent performances. KING HALLOWELL (4) won well over 1000m here two back and may not have seen out the extra trip most recently. Back in trip can see him bounce back to winning form. DEMITO (6) has been thereabouts for much of this campaign and should be handy from the draw once again. Stable have found the right race for her. MY LOVELY PET (3) is better than he's shown his past couple and is not to be discounted.
RACE 4 - BEAU ZOOM (1) found the Bluff Knoll a bridge too far last time out when beaten a long way, but he looks much better placed in this race. Good efforts here three back and in the Mt Barker Sprint hold him in good stead. Just has to get back to that level to be winning. GALAXY AFFAIR (2) was racing well in Kalgoorlie prior to a break and trialled nicely behind Quokka runner Triple Missile recently. Big push with CJP booked to ride and he has been known to fire fresh in the past. Can play a major role. HENRY THE AVIATOR (7) bumped into one over this course and distance 15 days ago but rates well off that effort. Drops in weight today and can be in the finish if he runs up to recent performances. MEGA REWARD (8) was very competitive in town toward the end of last campaign and looks to have found a nice race for him to return. Include. VIA MONTE (5) is better than he showed last start and can bounce back.
RACE 5 - GAGE ROADS (2) has joined the Stephen Wolfe barn since his latest effort 119 days ago. He'd bee performing well in tougher races prior to the break and he should get a lovely run form the draw. Gets the blinkers back on and he can return a winner. DANUBE RIVER (7) resumed in good order first-up when running on from well back, beaten 1.3L. He'll get back from the wide draw, but she's fitter now and she loves this track and trip. Looks an improver. VRUM (6) may have found them too quick over the 1100m last time out and getting back up to this trip suits. Should find the front from the draw and he drops in weight. Can play a major role. SACRED OATH (13) disappointed last start but is better than that. Can bounce back. CHAD'S ME DAD (12) can give a big sight from the front.
RACE 6 - STAR IN TIME (6) jumped favourite over the mile last start and was almost too bad to be true, finishing well back. Back slightly in trip can help and Yuill has had good success when riding previously. Can return to winning ways. SUN CHACEN (2) just missed at Geraldton last start over 1400 and the slight rise in trip shouldn't be a worry. McGruddy replaces the apprentice hoop and while he hasn't won for a while, his recent form suggests a win isn't far away. PRO IS HERE (1) made it three in-a-row with an emphatic win over this course and distance last time out. ZJP taking 2kgs off helps and he may prove too tough to catch from the front. WARRALEA DIAMOND (9) couldn't back up his win here two back over the mile last start. Can atone. MAGNABURMA (5) can bounce back after a disappointing effort last time out.
RACE 7 - The feature of the day and MANAVENDRA (4) looks the one ot beat in the Albany Cup. He brained them in the Esperance Cup two back before a sound effort with a big weight at Bunbury. He drops in weight today and maps for a lovely run under CJP. He 'll take plenty of beating. DUCHEES DEMERIT (8) has been running consistently of late and that level can see him competitive in this event. He'll most likely get back from the draw, but if they over do it up front, he can be storming home late. TONI'S SPIRIT (3) was super in the Bunbury Cup last start and a repeat effort would see her go close to winning this. LET'SDEAL (2) should appreciate stepping out in trip again and is not to be discounted.
RACE 8 - FEELS HOT (10) hasn't been disgraced his past couple and dropping back to the mile fourth-up looks a nice setup. It's been a while between drinks but his recent efforts suggest he's not far away. Can end his winning drought today. STAY WEALTHY (2) was only 1L away over this course and distance last time out and the slight rise in trip shouldn't be a worry. Nicely placed for Mahoney who remains in the saddle. Can take it right up to the top pick. BEAUTIFUL BAROQUE (6) drops back to the mile which is a slight niggle based on her recent form, but she'll be poised to strike if they overdo it up front. Faithfull has never missed the placings when riding and she commands plenty of respect. YES OF COURSE (3) is in hot form of late and Kennedy replaces the apprentice hoop. Include. RED WITH TED (1) can continue his good run of recent form.
