Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The 2YO's kick things off and SPICE IS RIGHT (4) looks the one to beat. He showed good improvement when out to this trip last start, finishing just 0.7L off the winner. He was 18-1 there, but he maps for a similar run this time and Noske replaces the apprentice hoop. Expecting further improvement and that should see him go close to winning. AT YOUR SERVICE (10) has bumped into a couple of good ones in her two runs thus far, finishing 2.9L off the winner most recently. The wide draw doesn't hurt as she gets back anyway and this looks a very winnable race for her. It might be her time to shine now. GOD'S GATE (7) makes his debut for the in-form Parnham stable and was very impressive in his most recent trial. He sat outside the leader and put them away comfortably with the blinkers on. Can be in this for a long way. SHOW THE WAY (2) trialled nicely in readiness and won't be far away. BATTLE COMMANDER (1) continues to knock on the door and he must be included.
RACE 2 - This race looks to revolve around ULTIMATE COMMAND (1). He led all the way and held on to win narrowly over 1200m here last time out and while he rises in weight, that effort rates clear of the rest of the field. Should find the front again from an inside alley and will take plenty of catching. NORICH (4) is some niggle at the trip but can't be discounted based on his last two starts, both over this course and distance. Shouldn't be far away from a handy draw today and can land the knockout punch. RUSSIAN SNIPER (2) looks more suited to this trip than some of his rivals, getting over the top at Albany last start to win by 0.3L. That was in much easier grade, but the booking of CJP from the inside alley is a big push for his chances. Key player. ENCHANTING SOUND (7) resumes today and boasts a nice first-up record. Parnham sticks from the trial and any market moves have to be respected. BUSTERS FREE (3) is in the mix first-up.
RACE 3 - ON PATROL (8) didn't look out of place in the Guineas lead ups before heading for a spell in December. His recent trial suggested he's right on song and he lands at the bottom of the weights in this easier race. Well drawn and can resume a winner. SNOW PRINCE (1) bolted in over this track and trip last start, scoring by 1.6L. He rises in weight this time, but should strip fitter again and maps for a similar run from an inside alley. Can repeat the dose. SOLAR SYSTEM (10) was heavily backed first-up in WA and was only caught late in the race. Suspect he's come on from that effort and he was a big winner at Wyong second-up last prep. Can go to another level now. SONOFTHEBOSS (2) jumped favourite over 1000m here last start but may be looking for the extra journey now. Can give a big sight from the front. INSYDE SUCCESS (3) disappointed at Bunbury when favourite but was ridden completely different to his normal pattern. Should be prominent this time and is an improver.
RACE 4 - Competitive. LACED UP HEELS (1) was the eye-catcher late in the Bluff Knoll when running on from a mile back. She rises sharply in weight as she drops in grade, but she draws a much better barrier for Parnham and she'll relish the step out in trip. Looks set to return to the winners stall. ALMIGHTY CLASS (5) probably should've won first-up when strung up for most of the straight. He showed good improvement off a similar set up last preparation when narrowly beaten by Super Smink at Listed level. Can atone for his last start defeat. ICE PICK NICK (4) has enjoyed the move west, winning first-up and just missing last start over this course and distance. He drops in weight this time and although drawn a little sticky, he rates right up to his rivals. Can make his presence felt. REAR ADMIRAL (7) got the job done over this course and distance last time out. Drawn well for CJP and is a live chance. STREET PARADE (3) is right in the mix with the blinkers going back on.
RACE 5 - DEADLY AND FAST (5) ran right over the top of his rivals at Albany and pulled away to win impressively by 2.4L. Drawn well this time and has already ticked the distance box unlike his rivals. Drops in weight and a repeat effort will see him bring up back-to-back wins. BONDI'S FUTURE (9) was on the 3 day back up when winning at Belmont last time out. Now out to 1800m for the first time but he drops to the bottom of the weights. Building an impressive record and can win again. ANOTHER STRIKE (8) is hard to knock on recent form, starting favourite ahead of Bondi's Future last start and only going down in a photo finish. He might be looking for this trip now and he gets the Visors on first time. Can go to the next level now. PAIGEY'S TURN (3) absolutely bolted in over the mile last start, pulling away for an emphatic 5.3L win. This is tougher but she can't be discounted. DAD'S BIGHEADED (1) is better than he showed last start and getting back to this track and trip suits.
RACE 6 - WUBIN GOLD (9) sat off the speed before running down her rivals last start over 1400m. Sectionals say she was closing off strongly there, so the rise to the mile shouldn't be an issue. Nicely drawn for Turner and she can continue her winning ways. KNOT SECRET (1) proved too good when rising to the mile last start, scoring by 1.2L at this track. This looks to set up similarly to his latest effort and although he rises in weight, he should be right in the finish again. SOWAR (6) has been running on strongly his past couple and looks to have his hoof on the till. Recent figures suggest he's good enough to feature in a race like this. Wouldn't surprise to see him come out on top. ODINAKA (8) is better than he showed last start and getting back out to this trip can see him bounce back. TIN CHOOKS (3) is looking for the hat-trick after a big win at Belmont last start. Include.
RACE 7 - RUPERT'S EMPIRE (8) got the job done last time out over this course and distance and should be at his peak now. He rates highly off the last start win and should put himself in a handy position once again from the draw. Racing well of late and looks the one to beat. THOMAS MAGNUM (5) tackled the Bluff Knoll first-up and wasn't disgraced there 20 days ago. This is a much easier event and he is a winner second-up in the past. Big tick with CJP sticking and he'll give the top pick something to think about. SHELL BELL (9) returned with a bang down the Pinjarra straight only 6 days ago and lobs here with an imposing record. She now gets Pike in the saddle and she has the pace to offset the sticky draw. Should give a big sight from the front. MADAM KISSES (6) ties through Rupert's Empire and has claims along with CAPITAL FLIGHT (1) who hasn't been far away of late.
RACE 8 - The feature of the day and OWN THE QUEEN (1) goes on top in the WA Oaks. She's won both the lead ups comfortably, sitting out the back off a slow tempo last time out and rounding up her rivals with ease. Suspect similar tactics will be adopted from the draw and it's hard to see anything turning the tables. MISS SKYHIGH (4) has been no match for Own The Queen her past couple, but gets both Pike in the irons and the blinkers on first time. She'll be ahead of her main dangers in the run, and is sure to be there when the whips are cracking. QUEEN NARDI (3) brings a different formline into this but will have to jump sharply in trip in the process. Her breeding suggests she'll run out the trip and Fiore will give her every chance from a favourable barrier. Can land the knockout blow. KINELLINS LEGACY (5) wasn't far away in the Natasha last start and has minor claims. STARATING (2) got close last start and merits plenty of respect.
RACE 9 - Wide open to end the day. SPECTACULAR PARK (14) is an improving galloper who shed the maiden tag in impressive fashion last start at Pinjarra. Out in trip looks ideal and he heads to town now where he looks as though he'll stack up. Looks a nice prospect for the future and can go back-to-back today. HEMLOCK STONE (10) won as favourite last time out, remaining undefeated for the preparation thus far. This is a tougher race, but he maps beautifully once again for CJP and he is improving with every run. He hasn't hit the ceiling just yet. PRINCESS IN RED (16) held on to win as favourite at the midweeks last time out, but she is still learning her craft. Big tick with Chris Parnham sticking with her and she'll make her presence felt down in the weights. FAST FLICKER (5) won impressively here last week and it wouldn't surprise to see him go on with the job. EXCELTRAIN (2) is always around the mark and is not to be discounted.
