Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - LORD SHIVA (1) has been good in his two runs back this time and is inching closer to another victory. The 3kg claim comes in handy again today and he's expected to be up on the speed from a favourable alley. Looks to be getting to his best now and with further improvement expected, he'll take catching. AROOCHACHA (5) wasn't far away last time out over this course and distance when taking up the running. He hasn't won for a while, but his recent figures have him around the mark in this event. GOLD VANCOUVER (6) may appreciate the drop back to this distance with the Visors being applied again.
RACE 2 - BEYOND THE WALL (8) was pitched into the deep end on debut and was sent straight to the paddock when not disgraced in Listed grade. His trials coming in have been great and Carbery sticks from those outings. Winkers replace the blinkers and if he's come on in the break, he'll take beating. LET'S TALK (3) has had plenty of trials coming into this and has shown good ability in those outings. He maps for a nice run from the barrier and Ramoly has ridden him in most of his trials. Expected to be right there in the finish. CHE FIGATA (9) trialled in slower overall time on the same day as Let's Talk most recently. Chris Parnham returns to the saddle today though and although he's drawn out he's right in the mix from what he's shown at the trials. WITCHY WOODS (12) gets Pike in the saddle for his debut after trialling fairly under an apprentice hoop. Won't be far away. THE MIGHTY BELL (6) stuck on well on debut and the slight drop in trip may suit.
RACE 3 - PIN DEEP (2) just missed out on the hat-trick when a beaten favourite in Saturday company last time out over this trip. Back to provincial level today and he's nicely weighted after the claim of ZJP. Has the speed to get to the front and he'll take plenty of catching. PEDAL POWER (1) was only fair in his recent trial but he has placed in all four first-up attempts. It's been a while since he's won, but he's had a few hiccups along the way and if he's at his best, he'll be in the finish. MILITARY POWER (4) is better than he showed last night and has won 4/6 at this track and trip. Live chance.
RACE 4 - NOW SHOWING (3) got into a good maiden last start over 1100m here following a good effort at big odds on debut. This looks like a nicer assignment for him and the rise in trip looks to suit. Can be prominent in the run once more and he should take plenty of catching. ZORBRIST (2) ran over the top to be beaten 1.7L over 1100m here on debut and the form out of that race has been solid. Stepping out in trip is a big tick and while he's likely to get back from the draw, he can be storming over the top of them late. TALKAWAY (11) is on debut for the Parnham barn and has been trialling well coming into this. She should get her chance from an inside alley and she won't be far away if she runs up to her trials. YUWILL BE THE ONE (6) was tested in much stronger company last campaign and should love this easier grade. Wouldn't surprise to see her return a winner. FLOWER OF GOLD (8) can be in the finish judging by her latest trial.
RACE 5 - WITH DISCRETION (12) is out of the Stakes-winning mare Very Discreet and is from a family of winners. His only public outing was very good and Pike is happy to stick with him as he goes to the races. He looks destined for better races than this and can start his career on a winning note. BOUSSAC (3) ran home strongly to just miss first-up over 1100m here and should be suited by the rise in trip. The form out of that race has been franked already and he should get a kinder run in transit this time. Expected to be right there when it matters most. HYPERREAL (1) led them up at Bunbury last start and was only caught late, beaten 0.7L. At peak fitness now, he will need some luck from the draw but if the breaks go his way, he'll make his presence felt. AMAZING CHEAT (8) just missed first-up as a 40-1 chance and that form has stacked up well. Won't be far away if she can run up to that effort. CHINO LA DIVA (6) is best of the rest.
RACE 6 - REPEATER (3) is a lightly raced galloper inching closer to a win, beaten just 0.6L over this course and distance last time out. He worked across to be prominent from an outside alley last time out. Fitter again now and the form out of his last start has been franked. The one to beat. FLYING FOREVER (8) makes his debut as a 4YO entire following a nice trial at Belmont recently. Carbery has been on board for both trials this time in and sticks with him today. He looks to have found a good race on debut and he can make an immediate statement. AL UNIQUE (7) disappointed first-up last campaign over a mile, but his recent trial suggests he's up to the mark. Pike hops in the saddle which is a big tick for his chances. Should get his chance and put his best foot forward. DANDY'S GEM (11) should have come on in the break after contesting some good 2YO races. Include. SNIP THE WIRE (10) was sound on debut and will appreciate the extra trip.
RACE 7 - MISSILE STORM (2) is searching for the hat-trick following 0.4L victory over 1650m at Belmont last time out. He's racing in great form and he was a winner at this track and trip two back. He does rise in weight, but he maps to get every chance from the draw and if he runs to recent form, he should be winning again. MORE LIKELY (5) was fair when back to 1400m at Bunbury last time out and should appreciate stepping back up to the mile today. He was good here two starts ago from a long way back and he should take closer order from the inside alley. He appears the main danger. DARK MISSILE (1) was just okay first-up, finishing 5.3L off the winner at Belmont. This is a much easier race though and stepping out in trip should suit. Chris Parnham hops in the saddle now and an improved effort is expected. ROCH LEGACY (3) scored a good win last start and can repeat the dose up in trip. IMA WILD GIRL (8) can roll forward and take plenty of catching.