Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - GI GI POPS (5) was heavily bet and led when easily winning a Maiden at Bunbury. That followed a narrow miss here on debut. Fitter again and she sets a decent standard. OUR EXISTENCE (1) was having her second start when beaten a whisker this grade at Pinjarra. He's a quinella hope building on that. LINE OF THOUGHT (6) likely had excuses here last time and best to assess her on the near miss here prior. That would see her in the finish, and she will be presenting at peak fitness. VENUS KING (4) won a trial but didn't finish it off behind Gi Gi Pops at Bunbury on debut. The in-form Chris Parnham rides today and fitter can improve.
RACE 2 - Tricky. BOHEMIAN DIAMOND (12) resumes and will race over further. She has placed this distance and has trialled well at Lark Hill over 950m. She rates best and Chris Parnham is a positive jockey booking. The betting will be key. SHOOT TO FAME (16) was back on track placing at Bunbury over this trip. That stacks up and she draws low. The filly sits on the minimum and should go close. KNIGHT ADMIRE (6) trialled well before placing at Northam on debut. Kept finding and will be better for it. TECHNICAL ISSUE (10) was slow away at Northam on debut when expected to need it anyway. Has the rail today and the first time blinkers applied. He's likely to show more and it's hard to risk the potent Pike-Williams linkage.
RACE 3 - APACHE BLUE (5) missed a nose this grade/trip at Pinjarra improving again. Keeps the 3kg claim and maps for the run of the race. Race fit and can go one better. SINFUL LIVING (1) resumes and she has been within range 2x at Stakes level. She should return further improved and brings a trial win this track/trip. Chris Parnham is booked suggests that she's pleasing. SCENIC ECLIPSE (4) needed the first-up outing in stronger. She is right up to this and best and proven second-up. MAGNIFICENT CARAT (3) resumes and has won 2/3 fresh. CJP is reunited and she is some hope.
RACE 4 - As the market expected, ANTIQUE STAR (6) delivered the Maiden comfortably third up over this distance. She has an awkward gate but Chris Parnham is reunited and will likely push forward. Peaks and is capable of taking the next step. MIRO (2) was good again just missing over this distance in a CL3. He tackled a middle-distance following and didn't get into it on a heavy track. This suits him better and he has the first-time blinkers applied. WARRALEA LASS (10) was better when placing over this trip at Pinjarra and is still well shy of her best. The inside gate is a niggle with her but she will be fitter again and can't be ruled out. MR BLING (7) has pieces of form that interest and he's included at a big price.
RACE 5 - DECORATION (3) resumed with a narrow defeat at Bunbury this grade. The 1300m suits on the way to longer journeys. He has more up his sleeve and Chris Parnham is reunited. EXTREME LOVE (4) finished a lip ahead of the above in the same contest as a short-priced favourite and is improving. She draws an outside gate and gives away starts, but has the in-form CJP doing the steering. KIRALUI (9) resumed much improved winning a CL1 here over 1200m and she won't have to be much improved to fight out the finish. Stablemate KING'S ARTILLERY (5) was plain here last time but the Maiden win prior was good. Maps well and the gun hoop sticks aboard. Needs to find a bit more but that's not out of the question.
RACE 6 - BONDI PLUNGE (6) brings strong Ascot form to resumption. She's placed 3/3 fresh and 2/2 this course/distance. Maps for a soft run and Chris Parnham's booking suggests she's pleasing. The one to beat. KINGS FLIRT (10) ran her best race winning a CL3 at Bunbury. That stacks up and she will run along from the inside gate. CROSS STATEMENT (1) resumes and has placed 5/6 fresh. He also runs along and his best would see him very competitive. He's trialled well here and the 3kg claim brings him into it. MIA GUSTO (5) resumed here on a heavy track beaten 2.2L. She can build on and will appreciate the longer sprint. In the mix.
RACE 7 - A good contest. TRUE APOSTLE (9) won as a short-priced favourite on debut and found a place at Ascot following when heavily bet. Resumes and he will be naturally improved. He will use the rail and Chris Parnham sticking is a decent push for his chances. CENTRE BOND (4) resumes and is certainly good enough. Brings a solid trial and and will also be naturally improved. A bold run is likely. SUNBRONZED (5) was narrowly beaten in stronger at Pinjarra as a $3 favourite. Has a 3kg claim today but a wide barrier needs managing. Fitter and will go close with average luck. CLEVER COMBAT (6) resumed close-up in the same contest. It was a big effort after settling back and he will also appreciate the longer sprint. He also draws awkwardly but keeps CJP.
