Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - KINGS HONOUR (1) led them up down the straight here last time out when only collared late in the race. He'll be fitter for that effort and the small field should allow him to get to the outside fence and lead. Returned in good order and can improve again now second-up. The one to beat. ROCKING GEM (4) looked good when winning a recent Lark Hill trial and gets Carbery in the saddle for her first-up assignment. First time down the straight, but she's drawn nicely out wide to race down the grandstand rail. Can make her presence felt back to maiden grade. AIN'TNOCUREFORLOVE (2) resumes without a public trial. He was 40-1 in his most recent effort at Belmont, but the form out of that race stacked up nicely. Can sprint well fresh. RIVERCREST MAGIC (6) will be fitter for her trials coming in and is not to be discounted on debut.
RACE 2 - ALIEN CLOVIS (1) has been close his past couple and now drops back to this trip after getting out to 1800m earlier this campaign. He maps for the run of the race off the inside alley and the visors come off today. Racing well and finds a very winnable assignment today. LUNCH IN PARIS (6) was back in the run first-up and never really got into the race when beaten 3.8L. She draws a much better barrier this time around for Brad Parnham and the blinkers go on first time today. Expecting sharp improvement second-up. DIEGO DYNAMITE (2) stuck on well at Narrogin last time out as he stepped out to this trip for the first time. The wide draw may be a little niggle, but he still has plenty of upside and he's not to be discounted. FLINDERS LANE (7) trialled well coming into this event and should get every chance from the draw. Won't be far away. DEEP DISCRETION (8) draws the best barrier she's seen this campaign and can improve.
RACE 3 - KINGS SALUTE (4) bumped into a smart one who has since won again first-up when beaten 3.5L. Drew wide on that occasion and he now gets a softer draw and Chris Parnham hopping in the saddle. Fitter now and looks to be trending the right way. He can shed the maiden tag today. SASSY SKYE (8) shot across to sit outside the leader from a wide draw last time out and only just missed over 1406m here. Back to 1200m today is a niggle, but she has the speed to offset the draw and the winkers go on first time. Appears the main danger. GODLESS STORM (2) has trialled really well coming into his debut today and looks to get every chance from the dray. Staples was on board for his latest trial and rides again today. Can make a statement on debut. IMPOSSIBLE DREAM (9) rattled home strongly first-up behind a smart one and is right in the mix. NOBLE REIGN (5) comes through a good form race on debut and is not to be discounted.
RACE 4 - SANDFIRE ROSE (9) just missed when out to 1406m last time out at this track and rises in trip once again. She has the pace to offset the wide alley and she gets a good push for her chances with Chris Parnham in the irons. Has her hoof on the till and can knock over the maiden today. WARNING SHOT (5) ran on strongly over 1406m last time out, coming through the same race as Sandfire Rose. He looks suited by the rise in trip once again and the booking of CJP adds interest. Looks an improving type and he won't be far away. KING KAWANA (4) was too far back to challenge last time out despite running on well from the back. Should be prominent from the alley and he should relish the rise in trip. In the mix. COSMIC CHAOS (2) will be fitter for two trials where he's looked very impressive. Will be strong late. PUIKOVA (11) did enough on debut at Kalgoorlie and is worth including.
RACE 5 - CRUISE TO RIO (3) shed the maiden tag over 1406m last start and steps out in trip once again third-up. Should be hitting her peak now and further improvement is expected out in distance. Strong last start and should get all the favours from barrier 1 again. Can go back-to-back. MR BLING (1) ran on strongly first-up to be just 1.2L off the winner despite jumping a 50-1 chance. Strips fitter now and he should be suited by the rise in trip as he won over 2200m last campaign. Looks in for a good prep and can go close once again this time. LORD RANDOLPH (4) went for as spell after finishing well back over 1400m to end last campaign. He's now first-up over a mile without any public trials. Best form is good enough and he creates plenty of interest. DELTA ANNE (7) is better than she showed last time out and can bounce back. CHERRY CAN RUN (5) bumped into a good winner most recently and has claims.
RACE 6 - FAT ROY SLIM (2) felt the pinch late at Ascot 16 days ago and should find this easier than his recent assignment. His form prior stacks up very well for a race like this and he has enough early speed to offset the sticky draw. Racing well of late and looks the one to beat on this occasion. MISS INTENTION (3) was no match in the Albany Cup but wasn't far away over 2000m here most recently in Open class. Holly Watson replaces the apprentice as she hops back on board. Ticking along well without winning and finds her right race now. BIG SWOOP (6) comes through the same race as Miss Intention where he was beaten 1.1L. He looks to get every chance from the alley and the rise in trip is no problem. Likely to figure prominently again. BLUE CARD (5) fell out the back at Ascot but is better than that. Not to be discounted. GOLD FRIARS (1) was good in the Geraldton Cup and is worth keeping safe.
RACE 7 - PLATINUM SHOT (4) just missed over this trip at Geraldton last start, going under in a photo finish. She now gets Chris Parnham back in the irons and she's drawn to get every chance once again. Rates highly on her last start effort and can go one better this time. DIAMOND ROCKS (7) was well back and never really a winning hope over the Ascot 1200m last time out, beaten 2.1L. Up to this trip looks ideal now as she hits her peak fourth-up. Wide draw is a concern, but she rates the testing material with improvement anticipated. KERMIT'S LUCK (5) is in no-man's land at the moment, having won on debut in August before a couple of disappointing efforts last campaign. Recent trial was only fair, but CJP rides and he's showed that he has the talent. He just needs to extract it now. LIEUTENANT DUNBAR (2) just missed on the Scarpside here 20 days ago and is not to be discounted. SPORTS TALK (6) got the job done over this trip at Ascot and warrants plenty of respect.
