Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CANDLELIGHT SHERIF (3) races forward and has been threatening. Just missed at Narrogin last time over 1900m as a short-priced favourite and will get every chance to make amends. SAMURAI WARRIOR (8) trialled well and had plenty of support on debut but was never in the hunt from a wide barrier. Has a low gate today and steps up immediately to a middle distance. In a top metro barn, and drawn low can't be ruled out. LIEN HYPHEN (10) peaks and has been around the mark over a mile. He has more to give and has to be given a chance. AGRABAH (5) was plain last time but was narrowly beaten at Ascot prior over 1800m. Has the blinkers first-time applied and expect a much better effort.
RACE 2 - RED TORI (3) resumes off a close-up effort in Stakes grade. Won at Ascot prior in stronger than this and is very well placed with the 3kg claim. Progressive and the filly is likely to return even better. MORE THAN ENUFF (2) resumes off an on-pace Maiden win at Bunbury. He placed the only fresh outing and has warmed up with a Lark Hill trial. Will be naturally improved and can make the finish. ELBOW LOUNGE (1) brings strong form to resumption. Owns a solid trial and may be more forward this time around. He'll be in the money if he is. Ditto FEARLESS TALK (7) who is capable on his day.
RACE 3 - COSMIC ECLIPSE (13) resumes for a top barn with Pike a key jockey booking. She brings a string of excellent Lark Hill trials stretching back until January last year and won the recent one. She's sure to be well prepared and this is winnable. STRYKER'S GAL (6) won a trial and placed here on debut. The gate is awkward but she strips fitter and can make the finish again. DUG ANOTHER HOLE (1) finished just behind the above in the same contest making good improvement. Maps for the run of the race and fitter is also a hope. HANOI MISS (14) debuts and has trialled nicely at Belmont. Chris Parnham sticks from that and drawn to advantage keep very safe.
RACE 4 - TRUE PLAYER (8) debuts for a top metro yard and owns a sharp trial. Pike's booking suggests he's pleasing and this is a winnable assignment. FINAL TRADE (7) resumed at Belmont and was only beaten 1.5L from the front. He draws an inside gate again and fitter is sure to give a sight. ALIEN CLOVIS (2) peaks and has raced a well-bet favourite here and at Belmont his last two over longer. Dropping back to a sprint is likely to suit and he should be around the mark. DREAM BROOK (13) and PERCUSSION PRINCE (5) are both gallopers with upside and are in the mix.
RACE 5 - KINGS HONOUR (3) was a big trial winner before leading on debut in a no metro win at Ascot beaten just 0.4L. Resumes in easier grade owning another trial win. The speedy galloper will be naturally improved and is suited under the conditions. Should have them covered. DEEP DISCRETION (12) missed 1L at Northam on debut and has trialled sharply for her return. She will have come on and can make the finish. BRAVE SHOT (2) is in a top metro barn and looked in need of the first-up outing despite a nice trial. Chris Parnham replaced the 4kg apprentice and he's going to be much more competitive today. Stablemate BOUSSAC (5) and UNIVERSAL HOTNESS (8) both debut and have trialled well. The former has a 3kg claim. A betting watch the pair.
RACE 6 - PRINCE RAGNAR (3) is a leader who missed a nose at Albany before a 1.4L defeat here down the shute in this grade. Has a handy 3kg claim and hits this race at peak fitness. Briefly freshened he can repeat the dose. CAPRE OMNIA (4) switched to a WA barn following a big 58 win at Kyneton Victoria. Trialled sharply at Lark Hill before a 2L defeat first-up in a CL3 at Belmont. He has more to give and the shorter sprint should advantage. ESPIRITO (2) is a former NSE galloper resuming for the Pike yard. He has some nice pieces of form in stronger than this and performs fresh. He will ride the speed and has to be kept safe. SUNNY HONEY (1) peaks and is better than the numerical form suggests. Drops in grade and should not be underestimated.
RACE 7 - CRIMMO (3) brought strong form from Victoria and raced forward first-up at Belmont beaten 1L. He has more up his sleeve and has weight relief at this level. Maps for a soft run and will be hard to beat. JUST FOR MARCUS (8) improved again winning comfortably at York. Has the rail and has been briefly freshened. He can be in the finish. DIVINE INANNA (1) is a leader who won the CL1 at Geraldton as expected and hits this race at peak. Has the handy 3kg claim and a positive gate but the niggle is the longer sprint. NORMA STARS (5) has been finding it hard to win but her best form would see her around the mark. The longer sprint suits and expect her to run at them late.
