Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Not a lot between them in the opener. FLOWER IN THE WIND (1) has really hit her straps of late, winning by 0.6L over 2100m here when rounding up her rivals with ease last start. She does rise in weight, but Parnham sticks and she can be closer from the draw this time. Looks set to go back-to-back. FAT ROY SLIM (4) was favourite in the race won by Flower In The Wind, beaten 3.8L. Gone under as the fave at his past couple, but hasn't lost any admirers and meets the top pick better at the weights today. Sure to make his presence felt. PAIGEY'S TURN (5) steps out to this trip for just the second time after sticking on well over 1800m last start. She's been in good form this campaign and she has run well off a similar setup previously. Expected to be right in the finish. SOLDANELLE (6) was given a nice tick over last start and now out to this trip suits. Big tick with Chris Parnham engaged. SANTA BRAE (3) can give a big sight from the front.
RACE 2 - Open race. STREET PARADE (3) appears the one best suited coming back to the 1000m journey after a handy performance over this track and trip first-up. He never really got into the race a week ago and now Steve Parnham replaces the apprentice hoop. Can end his winning drought. PREMIUM CHOICE (1) got over the top to score narrowly over this track and trip and beat some handy ones in the process. He goes up in weight for that win but this looks a similar race. Should be right in the thick of things once again. THOMAS MAGNUM (8) kept on well to the line in easier grade last start after a sound effort in the Bluff Knoll. Drawn a little better this time and he now reaches peak fitness third-up. Brad Parnham knows him well and he won't be far away. SUPERSESSION (2) is racing well of late, just back to the 1000m is a big niggle. Hard to knock on form though. CAPITAL FLIGHT (4) comes through the same race as Thomas Magnum and has to be included.
RACE 3 - HEZANGELIC (4) showed plenty of promise when only beaten narrowly at Bunbury after leading them up over 1211m. He bolted in at the trials recently and he looked a much-improved commodity. Has an abundance of upside and looks the one to beat. BARNEY'S WORLD (3) was improving rapidly prior to a disappointing end to last campaign, finishing well beaten in an open 3YO event. He'll be fitter for a recent trial where he was strong through the line. CJP and Fernie are both on fire of late and they can give the top pick something to think about. THE BOSS LADY (2) won the event that Barney's World failed in before heading to the Champion Fillies to end the campaign. Chris Parnham was on board for the recent trial and he sticks with the filly today, having won 3/4 when riding. Will be in the finish. CLOSE TALKER (7) is racing well of late and can give a big sight on the quick backup. PLAYING GAMES (5) can be hitting the line well first-up.
RACE 4 - YARRALEA (7) is hard to knock on recent form, finishing just 1.6L off the winner in another sound performance here last time out. She continues to race well and finds a very suitable race now from a perfect draw. She can go one better this time. ARNIE'S BOY (6) comes through the same race as Yarralea where he finished a half-length behind her on that occasion. He does meet her better at the weights this time and the slight rise in trip looks ideal. Can play a major role once again. FALCON TRADER (2) wasn't far away last time out over 1200m and stretches in trip for the first time this campaign. He was good over 1400m at the end of his last campaign and maps for the run of the race today. Wouldn't surprise to see him return to the winner's stall. FULL OF MERIT (9) has been right around the finish of late and now gets the blinkers on first time. Can challenge for the win once more. PLAY WITH DESIRE (5) may need the run first-up but can threaten if they overdo it up front.
RACE 5 - The Karrakatta lead-up for the boys and SIR DREAMALOT (1) is the one to beat. He was superb when winning the Supremacy a fortnight ago and while he meets his rivals worse at the weights, he maps for a similar run this time. Improving with every run and can bring up the hat-trick. BUSTLING (3) won impressively on debut before maybe finding them a touch sharp over this track and trip three weeks back. Good space between runs and the booking of Chris Parnham is a positive lead. Can make his presence felt. SHMOOV MOOVA (11) has impressed at the trials, winning both outings and doing it from the lead and from the rear. Carbery has options from the draw and he can make a statement on debut. GOLD MAKER (4) looks as though he's searching for a rise in trip now and he gets just that. Steve Parnham replacing the apprentice is also a big tick. ANGELS IMPACT (2) should enjoy rising up in trip again and can feature with the blinkers on first time.
RACE 6 - Now time for the 2YO Fillies and GOLDEN KATHLEEN (6) has to be the top pick. She was scintillating on debut at Bunbury when pulling away to win by 2.8L. The wide draw is a bit of a niggle, but she should be improved on the debut effort and if she has come on, it's ominous signs for his rivals. BLUE ROCKET (4) bumped into Sir Dreamalot last start at Bunbury after an all-the-way victory on debut. That debut win ties in somewhat to Golden Kathleen through the second horse. Drawn ideally this time and won't have to do too much work to find the front. HEAVY METAL (9) stormed home in the Supremacy on debut and was the big eye-catcher there. The rise in trip looks to suit and she's sure to threaten once again. GOLDEN VALE (2) pulled up with an issue out of the Magic Millions and now gets the blinkers on and Pike in the saddle. Can bounce back. EARTHSTORM (7) has been impressive in both career runs and is right in the mix.
RACE 7 - SISU WARRIOR (9) won well two back before Rokanori turned the tables on him over this course and distance last time out. He was favourite there though and he meets that rival better at the weights today. Should find the front again and be in this for a very long way. WEAPONSON (5) stuck on well in the Grandstand Cup and has never missed the placings over this course and distance. Barrier two is a big tick and he's expected to be right in the thick of things once again. ROKANORI (6) has been right around Sisu Warrior in his last two runs and maps for a perfect run once again today. Brad Parnham replaces the apprentice hoops and he is hard to knock on recent form. Will make his presence felt once more. MOJO RHYTHM (4) is better than he's shown so far this campaign but is trending the right way. Has to be included. TIN CHOOKS (10) looks an impressive type on the way up and is not to be discounted.
RACE 8 - The feature of the day and WA's star AMELIA'S JEWEL (6) is back in town. She disappointed in the Toorak before being severely hampered in the Golden Eagle to end last campaign. Nice trial coming in and she won this race well last year off a similar set up. Can stamp her authority. OSCAR'S FORTUNE (8) returned in good touch in the Bluff Knoll when making steady ground late in the race. He now gets Pike back in the saddle from a handy alley. Good to see him pick up where he left off his debut prep and can raise the bar again now. SUPER SMINK (9) is going sprinting this campaign which looks ideal. Should be fitter for two trials coming in and her best form is good enough. Expecting her to rise to a new level this prep and that can begin today. RIPCORD (7) hasn't been sighted since his run in the Gold Rush which is very interesting. Will get back but should be hitting the line full of running. TRIPLE MISSILE (5) is now with Team Williams and is not to be discounted.
RACE 9 - MALKAR PINDARI (5) looks a nice horse on the rise after working through the grades impressively at the end of last preparation. She's won a trial in readiness for this and I love that the concussion plates come off. Still has plenty of upside and can resume on a winning note. HALATORION (1) has returned to his best since joining the Lane stable and only just missed here 3 weeks ago. He does rise in weight, but he maps beautifully for Campbell and he'll give a big sight if he runs to his last start figures. VAMPI AT PLAY (7) has been disappointing her past couple but looks to have found a nice race this time. The barrier should see her be closer than recent starts and she drops in weight for today's race. Looks an improver. CROSS STATEMENT (4) led all the way to win at Belmont last time out and should relish the inside draw this time. Can be in this for a very long way. DIVINE PAIR (6) is ticking along nicely and his form ties in through Cross Statement. Include.
