Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky race to kick off proceedings. ALL GRUNT (2) has made an impression at the trials of late, winning an outing back in May, before returning with another trial win at Belmont earlier this month. He's a half to multiple winners and can begin his career on a winning note. ROCKSOME (9) finished midfield as a 25-1 chance on debut in the summer and looks to have returned in good order. The wide draw may be a little niggle, but suspect she's come on in the break and she'll take some beating with improvement anticipated. FAVOURED SON (3) closed off well in his recent trial, sticking to the task well and he looks to have good ability. Trial was quicker than All Grunt's on the same day and he appears an obvious danger. MODERN MISS (11) trialled behind Rocksome recently and the booking of Pike suggests he can fire fresh. Include. EARL IT IS (1) is better than he showed first-up and can improve.
RACE 2 - COSMIC ECLIPSE (11) jumped favourite on debut at Pinjarra (S), beaten 1.7L over 1200m before being tipped straight out. She's back with a nice trial recently and Pike hopping back in the saddle fresh is a big tick. Has shown good ability and can put it all together today. HYPERREAL (6) resumed in good order at Pinjarra when only beaten 1K over this trip down the straight. He should be handy from a good barrier and with improvement expected second-up, he's sure to put himself right in the thick of the finish. FIRE THE GUARD (4) will be fitter for a recent trial and was effective over this trip first-up last campaign. The wide draw may be a slight niggle, but his ratings stack up highly in this event. Will go close if he gets an ounce of luck. KIMBERLEY CURRENCY (5) hasn't been far away his past few and is sure to be in the finish again on the quick turnaround.
RACE 3 - FOXY RASCAL (1) draws an outside barrier again today after being 1.3L away at Bunbury last start. The winner of that race has since gone on to win at Belmont on Wednesday. He is an improving commodity and while he is likely to get back in the run, he'll be finishing off strongly late in the race. LEAD BY EXAMPLE (7) jumped a 3-1 chance at Pinjarra (S) last start and missed out by 2.5L in heavy conditions. Drawn out again today, but she tends to get back in her races anyway and keeping her on the fresh side can see her perform up to her best. OMERTA GRACE (3) jumps straight out to the mile now following a 5L defeat fresh, but the booking of Pike is a big push for his chances. MODELISTIC (12) is better than she showed last time out and out to this trip can see her go close.
RACE 4 - STORMAGEDDON (1) jumped favourite when resuming without a trial and just missed over 1100m at this track, beaten 0.7L. Out in trip is a big tick for him and Chris Parnham takes the ride this time. Drawn to get every chance with the blinkers coming off and he looks set to go one better. L'IL CAPRI (11) has shown glimpses at the trials leading into today's debut. Pike hasn't ridden in the trials, but the fact he's booked for the debut suggests she's going well. Has to overcome a wide alley, but it wouldn't surprise to see her make a statement on debut. GALILEA (8) rattled home strongly from toward the rear of the field last start, finishing 3L off the winner. Suspect she gets well back once again, but she's sure to be rattling home over the concluding stages once again. MAZZETTI (9) closed off well first-up and looks ready to improve again now. BELTA OF A SONG (7) is better than she's shown so far this campaign and is not to be discounted.
RACE 5 - TRESPASSING (5) led them up last start at Bunbury and only missed by 1.2L over this trip, following a good effort at Belmont prior. Suspect he rolls forward from the draw once again and if he runs up to his recent efforts, he can go a couple better this time around. AYUMI (2) draws a better gate this time after a 2.7L over this trip at Pinjarra last start. Chris Parnham also takes the ride in a big push for her chances. Should get a better run in transit this time and improvement is expected. KING AND QUEEN (6) has been disappointing this time in, but his best form is good enough to feature in the finish. Can be in the finish with the tongue tie applied. IMA WILD GIRL (8) can bounce back after a disappointing effort last start.
RACE 6 - ESTIMATOR (1) held on for a narrow victory as favourite at Pinjarra last time out, scoring in a photo finish over 1200m. Now out to this trip for the first time, though there isn't anything that suggests he won't run it. Can put himself on the speed and prove very hard to charge down. FORTUNE'S LUCK (8) boasts a strong record over this track and trip following a 0.2L defeat here in this grade 21 days ago. She has drawn a worse barrier this time, but Fiore has been successful when partnering and her best form is good enough to win a race like this. ROYAL TORONADO (4) was given an easy time of it first-up. Now out in trip and with Pike on from a good alley, he can make his presence felt. PRETTY DEVINE (10) can bounce back after a disappointing run last start.
RACE 7 - TIGER LINE (2) just missed at Bunbury when beaten 1.4L over 1695m, following a good win in Heavy conditions at Pinjarra (S) prior. Pike hops back in the saddle now though and while he does rise in weight, this is an easier race to last start. Can return to winning ways. MORE LIKELY (5) steps out to the mile again today third-up into the preparation after a solid 0.8L victory at Bunbury a fortnight ago. Chris Parnham takes the ride now and while he's drawn wide, he has enough early speed to offset the alley. Can make his presence felt once again. QUEENSLAND DIESEL (1) is hard to knock on recent form following a 0.9L win at Pinjarra last start. He may get back in the run, but he should be closing off strongly if he runs up to recent form. RIG A DIG (6) can sit closer than he did last time out and an improved effort is anticipated. NOD AND SMILE (7) has been freshened and drops back to this trip. Not out of this if he's at his best.
