Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - PLAYING GAMES (4) was beaten 2L in Listed grade before the spell and has placed twice at Ascot this preparation. She has more to give and is down in grade. Fitter and is the one to beat. SIMPLE LOGIC (2) won here and has gone close the two since. He's also suited at this level and the 1.5kg claim assists. TROPICAL SUN (7) went well at York for the new yard and then spiked her figures when beaten a nose at Narrogin this grade. Chris Parnham is a key jockey booking she can get into the money. Ditto SEMIGEL (5) at a price. Is knocking on the door and he'll arrive at peak fitness.
RACE 2 - SKYTALKER (1) will provide a stern test if presented on song. The Belmont trial win and the early betting suggests he will be. His effort at Belmont on debut reads particularly well. THE KING'S UNCLE (4) resumes owning a Belmont trial win over 1000m and has the blinkers applied. Maps for a soft run should go well. POWERPOP (9) will run along and can build on the Geraldton placing. HARD TO TOP (8) resumed sharply-improved beaten a nose here on the main course at big odds. Found the line well and the extra metres shouldn't be an issue. Fitter and is in the mix at a price. HISTORY WON'T CARE (5) debuts and CJP is a positive jockey booking. Has been well-trialled and keep safe.
RACE 3 - CHAMPAGNE STREET (11) has placed 5/8 and was spelled off a narrow defeat at Ascot. Resumed here on the main course heavily-bet beaten a whisker. Maps for a soft run and the top hoop (Pike) stays aboard. Fitter and is the one to beat. WEAPONS HOT (6) is the threat. Resumed in good order over shorter and his form last preparation more than stacks up. He's sure to have come on and Chris Parnham sticks and will give him every chance. RELIABLE QUEEN (10) resumes and has trialled well at Belmont over 1000m. Comes into her own over a middle distance but has placed at 1300m and no surprise if she finds a place. ONLY US (5) can show more second-up. The 1200m will suit better but he'll also find his best over longer. Should be hitting the line.
RACE 4 - Tough. ELLE OF A BOOM (12) spiked her figures placing over 2000m here on the main course. That's good relative form and she should hit this at peak fitness. CENTRALLA (3) led and finished just behind the above in the same contest. He draws low again and is likely to keep building. WARNING SHOT (4) is fourth-up and will be better for the run on the main course over a mile bet $4.5. Has an awkward barrier but CJP stays aboard and can manage. VERGREY (5) resumed here on the main course beaten 1L over 1400m turning his form completely around. Steps up 387m but there was plenty to like about his effort and he will be fitter.
RACE 5 - SASSY SKYE (9) brought strong form to resumption and just missed here on the main course over 1406m. Fronted up there again over shorter and didn't get into it from a wide barrier. Fitter again and has the key jockey switch to Pike. Will race handy on the quick backup and the 1500m should be right up her alley. SCENERY (2) has pieces of city form that are good enough. He raced a short-priced favourite at Geraldton last time and pulled up with heat stress. The form line doesn't inspire confidence but he's suited and is worth another chance. MISSEDTHEDEEL (10) peaks and best to forgive her latest run when she pulled up with an issue. She improved the race prior when beaten 1.8L here on the main course over a mile. Has a wide gate but keeps the handy 3kg claim and a much better effort is likely. WEST COAST WARRIOR (1) was around the mark here and at Ascot before dropping back to a sprint where he lacked a finishing dash. He's had plenty of chances but may be the one for the first fours.
RACE 6 - LET SPARKS FLY (8) showed plenty in her first preparation but first-up disappointed in a strong form race at Geraldton starting at a short quote. Raced favourite here following on the main course and missed a whisker over 1413m. Fitter again and has plenty up her sleeve. Keeps Chris Parnham and will get every chance from the inside barrier. STRYKER'S GAL (9) went close here twice and the one following on the main course over 1413m. Peaks now and maps for the run of the race. A decent chance. COVENTRY REEF (2) needed the first-up outing and will be better over this trip and longer. Has a wide barrier but is capable of getting into the money. CHEVAP (7) showed enough on debut to consider. Has been away for a while but brings two sharp trials. It's an ask but she's likely to be finishing it off.
RACE 7 - IMPERIALIZE (1) won a strong form race here this grade and then lifted his figures again beaten 2L in a no-metro-win at Ascot. Finds easier and will sit on-pace from the inside gate. He's capable of bouncing back. The speedy DIVINE INANNA (2) was caught late in a CL5 on the main course last time but won here prior and that reads well. She can control the race and comes back in grade with a 3kg claim engaged. Go close. ALLEGRO SONATA (4) was better again narrowly beaten this level at Ascot. She's also been kept on the fresh side and will present at peak fitness. A chance. STATE OF FURY (6) steps up in grade following a nice effort at Ascot and is on the quick backup. CJP sticks and she has weight relief. Can't be ruled out.
RACE 8 - MORE THAN ENUFF (1) resumed here in solid order before a narrow defeat on the main course. Races forward and has the benefit of a 3kg claim today. Fitter again and the one to beat. CRIMMO (2) was beaten 1.3L in the same race and it was a good effort after settling rearward from a wide barrier. Draws inside today and will be back on speed. His effort here two back in a CL3 reads particularly well. PANDORA GIRL (5) has been around the mark but has an awkward barrier. She can get into the frame if things go her way. STRIKING FELLA (3) led on resumption and delivered a comfortable Maiden win. He has more to offer and a leading hoop stays aboard.
