Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - ROYAL TROOPER (13) makes his debut today on the back of an eye-catching trial here recently. CJP hasn't ridden him in the trials, but lobs in the saddle for his debut effort. Likely to get back in the run but can get to the outside and storm over the top of them for a debut win. VANDEMOER (5) put in a good effort on debut at Sandown as a 60-1 pop, but that was over a year ago. Now with the Miller stable, she trialled brilliantly in readiness for today and Turner sticks from that trial. Drawn wide but can return in good style. FLAGSHIP (12) is another on debut today, this time for the Parnham stable. He trialled well behind a Saturday winner back in March and resumes here without a trial. Draws the inside and should put himself right in the mix. FRAPPUCCINO (1) was beaten a long way last start but that was in a hot race. This is much easier now and he's sure to go close. WINNING SHUFFLE (3) gets the blinkers on first time and is not to be discounted.

RACE 2 - Good race. PHAROAH SHOW (7) just missed over this trip at Pinjarra last start in Maiden company as the favourite. This is tougher, but Pike takes the ride and the blinkers come off today. Ready to peak now and he looks set to shed the maiden tag. THE TOP BAR (1) bolted in over 1000m here a fortnight ago and steps out to 1200m again today. He's still an improving galloper and CJP remains in the saddle today. Carries the big weight again but should go close if he runs up to his latest effort. GREAT EMOTION (10) got the job done at Pinjarra over this trip 13 days ago and looks a filly on the way up. The wide draw is a niggle, but she looks to have plenty of ability, and she's expected to be running home strongly late in the race. GOLD MAKER (2) is better than he showed last start and will find this much easier than recent races he's contested. Live chance. MOMENT IN THE SUN (4) rattled home on debut in an eye-catching effort and has claims.

RACE 3 - LORD SHIVA (7) was improving through the grades last campaign before a disappointing run to end the preparation. He's trialled very well in readiness for today and the gear changes suggest he's a more mature commodity now. Still plenty of improvement to come and he can go to the next level now. HEZANGELIC (2) only has the one run last campaign when beaten over this trip at Ascot and was sent straight back to the paddock. He has trialled nicely in late August and the booking of Pike suggests he's back on track. Right in this if he's at this best. AHYEAHRIGHTO (4) trialled behind Lord Shiva recently and Brad Parnham sticks from the lead-up trial. He was a good winner on debut last campaign and he's expected to put his best foot forward from a favourable alley. ACHICI VUOLEMALE (3) resumes again today after ending last campaign on a good note. Worth thought despite no public trial. EMPRESS OF INDIA (5) goes well fresh and is worth including.

RACE 4 - SUPER ROMANI (2) may not have handled the heavy going last start following a good run on a firmer surface two back. Pike remains in the saddle and he'll find this easier than his latest effort in Saturday grade. He rates highly on his best form and Pike should get every chance from the alley. LORD LALA (4) rattled home from well back last start to just miss by 0.8L over 1400m last time out. He steps out to this trip for the first time, but it doesn't look an issue from the way he finished off last start. Can go close once again. BEACH PAD (7) resumed with a brilliant effort over an unsuitable trip, beaten 1.1L. The winner of that race has since been placed in Saturday grade. He'll appreciate getting out in trip and if he gets some luck from the inside draw, he'll be very hard to beat. ADVANCED (1) won well at Bunbury 20 days ago and looks nicely placed from the draw again. Live chance. GRAND RESERVE (3) can build on a good first-up win.

RACE 5 - Open race. WARRALEA LASS (7) has been building nicely this campaign, running well two back before a 5.3L defeat over the mile last time out. On the quick turnaround and up to this trip looks a positive. Good in the Oaks last campaign and she can get back to winning ways now. JIVE KING (1) gets Pike back in the saddle after a disappointing effort over this course and distance a fortnight ago. Drawn to sit much closer this time around and a return to his best form would see him in this race for a long way. MR TALENTINO (2) is racing well over this trip of late, finishing just 2.7L off the winner here as favourite a fortnight ago. Jarrad Noske hops in the saddle now and although he carries a big weight, he's sure to go close on recent efforts. ILGIRO DELMONDO (6) was too good from the front at Pinjarra and is right in the mix with a repeat effort. BLUE CARD (5) wasn't beaten far last start and has strong claims.

RACE 6 - DECORATION (1) was strong from the front a week ago, scoring over1300m here as favourite. Chris Parnham remains in the saddle and while he rises in weight, he looks to get all the favours once again. Trending the right way and can bring up back-to-back victories. MINE HOST (10) drops back in trip following a 3.1L defeat at this track a fortnight ago. He boasts a good record over this distance and was eye-catching from the back here two starts ago. Racing well of late and deserves to be thought of as a contender. BE AWESOME (6) will be fitter for two trials coming in and has placed first-up in the past. While Pike didn't ride in the trials, his booking suggests he's ready to fire early in his campaign. May get back in the run but he'll be doing his best work late. ONE PUNCH (3) is better than he showed last time out and a sharp return to form is anticipated. GOLD MERITS (7) is in a similar boat, with her last start form already being franked.

RACE 7 - DIRTY CHAI (12) disappointed in Heavy going over 1300m last start after beginning this campaign in fine style. Suspect this shapes as a much better set up for her and Pike hopping back in the saddle adds confidence. Wide draw is a niggle, but her prior form suggests a race like this is hers for the taking. BORDER FORCE (2) just missed fresh before a 3L defeat behind a smart one 32 days ago in Saturday grade. Kept fresh and with CJP taking the ride, everything points to a forward showing. Can get back to his best now following a long layoff. JUST LEROY (5) was too good at Pinjarra 13 days ago when winning by 0.4L, capitalising on his good form this time in. Maps for a similar run this time and with further improvement expected, he'll be right in the finish. APACHE BLUE (8) is a niggle stepping back out in trip, though the draw and claim help. KRAKEN TIME (3) is in good form of late and is not to be discounted despite the wide alley.