Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Good race to kick things off. TIMELESS GEM (2) was beaten close to the line by a smart one last time out when leading the field throughout over 1200m. Now out to this trip for the first time, though it doesn't appear an niggle. Can take up the running and prove hard to gun down once again. CHEYNE BAY (3) settled well back over this track and trip 10 days ago to rattle home and win on debut. Suspect he's come on since that effort and it wouldn't surprise to see similar tactics adopted. Watch for him flashing late again. BONDI BAY (4) made his run with Cheyne Bay last start and couldn't fend him off, though he meets him better at the weights and gets Pike in the saddle this time around. He's trending the right way this time in work and is sure to put his best foot forward again. ANOTHER LOVE (6) can go on with the job following a nice win on debut. ARCADIA PARK (5) was behind Bondi Bay 16 days ago and has claims.
RACE 2 - GINNIVAN (1) is hard to knock on recent form, setting the pace and scooting away to win again, this time by 1.6L. He maps to find the front once again for Campbell whose 1.5kg claim comes in handy. Still looks to be improving and can bring up back-to-back wins again. SOFIA'S SYMPHONY (3) kept up well in the Listed Beaufine Stakes when fresh from a break and usually improves with the run under her belt. She now gets Pike from gate 1 in much easier company. The concussion plates are a niggle, but she should be going close if she runs up to her first-up effort. AIN'T NO OTHER MAN (5) took it up to Ginnivan last start and clung on well to the line, beaten 3.1L. He meets him better at the weights now and should be fitter again third-up. Can finish closer. SONGAA (4) beat Ginnivan first-up before finishing 0.4L away last week. Tracking well and has to be included on the quick turnaround.
RACE 3 - BUCKETS RIDGE (2) rocketed through the grades last campaign to win the Melvista at Listed Level before finishing 2.2L away in the Derby. He'll be fitter for a recent trial coming in and he is a fresh winner in the past. Suspect we haven't seen the best of him yet and he can return in good order. CAPTAIN PLUTO (3) bolted in over this course and distance a fortnight ago when on resumption, pulling away late to win by 3.4L. He'd promised that sort of performance in previous campaigns, but it looks as though he's ready to explode now. That was a high-rating effort and he can win again. TOO DARDY (5) was no match for Captain Pluto last start, though he did jump favourite ahead of that galloper. He maps for a good run once again today and is likely to put his best foot forward. CATALPA (1) is building nicely this campaign and boasts a good third-up record. Out to this trip suits and he's not to be discounted.
RACE 4 - SILVER EYE (5) was gunned down as favourite last start in a stronger race than this, beaten just 0.8L. He looks well placed in this event and he maps for a similar run this time around. It took a good one to beat him over this trip first-up this campaign and he can return to winning ways. ELITEONE (9) resumes today on the back of a winning trial after ending last campaign in the J.C Roberts stakes. He's been racing in stronger class for a while now and although he hasn't won, the ratings he has produced are competitive in this field. Can turn his form around this time in. SKY DUKE (3) impressed at the trials coming in but has found one better in both runs this time in. Just missed last start here by 0.7L and he usually peaks third-up. Can go one better this time without surprising. CESSATION (6) should be at her top now and can make her presence felt.
RACE 5 - QUEEN OF JERUSALEM (7) has been racing in good order, winning impressively two back before a 1.3L defeat over this track and trip last week. This is a little tougher, but she gets some weight relief and CJP knows her well. Can be a touch closer today and land the knockout blow. STRIKE NOW (1) has been knocking on the door for a while, beaten just 0.9L last start over 2100m. That was in stronger company than he meets today and Luke Campbell's 1.5kg claim comes in handy. He'll be right in the finish if he holds his form. XTRAREVZ (2) gets the Blinkers on again now as he reaches peak fitness following a 4.6L defeat last start. Interestingly, John Allen comes across from VIC to take the ride. Can improve again. EMERALD TRADER (3) was in that bunched finish with Strike Now and the likes last start and has to be included. FILTHY HABITS (4) rises back to this trip which is no issue and brings a different formline.
RACE 6 - MISS SKYHIGH (2) was a first-up winner over this track and trip last campaign before going down narrowly in Listed and G3 company. She's returned with a sharp trial win and she's still lightly raced. Well placed in this event and can return on a winning note. KEEP ATTACKING (1) got the job done first-up before bumping into an in-form galloper over this track and trip last time out. The form out of that race has worked out well and John Allen rides from a favourable alley. Ready to peak third-up and can put his best foot forward once again. JUST FAMOUS (7) bolted in first-up at Northam before getting too far back at Pinjarra (S) last time out. Steve Parnham takes the ride now and he comes to town now third-up and ready to fire. Can make his presence felt. DESERT NYMPH (4) was superb at Pinjarra (S) last start with that form being franked on Wednesday. Can repeat the dose without surprising. SHOOTING SPIRIT (8) gets the blinkers on again now and can improve sharply second-up.
RACE 7 - SENTIMENTAL BELLE (2) is racing in strong form of late, running over the top to win again here last time out by 0.8L. Pike rides from a favourable alley once again and getting away from the inside probably helps her chances. Can make it four in a row in this suitable race. FLURO NEURO (1) disappointed last time out, beaten 11L following a good start to the campaign. Getting back to this trip suits and the Winkers replace the blinkers. Best form is good enough and he can recapture that form with a nice setup today. BRAVE STRIKE (6) is on the 7-day backup following a 1.6L defeat over 1200m last Saturday. She's been doing her best work late in races and the slight rise in trip appears to suit. Can put herself into the finish once again. AUTUMN REBEL (5) was sound in the Derby after working through the grades nicely last campaign. Can be thereabouts on resumption. PROBITY (8) is better than he showed last start and can bounce back.
RACE 8 - CRESCENT CITY (7) kept on well from midfield last time out, finishing 2.8L off the winner over 1400m. Fitter and further are both big ticks, with Pike remaining in the saddle from a good alley. Drops sharply in weight and can turn the tables on his rivals with a win today. ADMIRATION EXPRESS (5) looks to be recapturing her 3YO form following some hiccups over the past 12 months, just missing in a good race over the mile here 21 days ago. CJP can have her in a good spot in running and if she runs up to what she produced last start, she'll be right in the finish. TRIPLE JAY (4) beat his rivals in a similar race over 1400m last start when kicking away from the front to win by 1.1L. Out to this trip for the first time which is the question, but he's relatively bombproof and will make his own luck. Can win again without surprising. UPPER LIMITS (9) is ready to peak now third-up and won't be far away. DESENNEA (8) can build on a good win last time out.
RACE 9 - A raffle to end the day. COVERT ROSE (5) was building nicely before a 3.1L defeat over the mile here last time out. She can tend to dip third-up, but she can bounce back today with Pike remaining in the saddle. She can work across from the outside alley and take plenty of catching from up on the pace. ARCADIA KNIGHT (10) looks to be working his way through the grades nicely, just missing in a CL3 at Northam last time out. He draws a better gate today and he drops in weight. He has figures good enough to win a race like this and he's sure to be in the finish. WANGO AWARD (1) got too far back and ended up 2.3L off the winner last start over the mile. On the quick turnaround today and he should sit closer in the run this time. Can get back to winning ways. KERMAN ROCK (8) was very good first-up and usually shows good improvement second-up. Can make his presence felt despite his last start SP.
