Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - NICCIMOTA (8) debuts and owns two dominant trial wins. The gun hoop is booked and from what we've seen she will be hard to roll. WIND AND THE LION (5) also brings sharp winning trials to debut. Chris Parnham rides and will give him every chance. THE AGENCY (2) will be better for the two placed efforts here in no-metro-wins. Maps well and has the race fitness and experience. SCENIC GEORGE (1) led and found one better here last time. He is hard-fit and always puts in.
RACE 2 - Competitive. RUSSIAN SNIPER (2) deserved the win here this grade/trip and then came back and was narrowly beaten over 1400m in stronger. Back to 1200m should benefit and the gun hoop sticks aboard. CAPRICORN MAN (1) led here over 1200m beaten 1.7L behind the above a short-priced favourite. He's proven third-up and has been kept on the fresh side. PEARLY NUGGETT (5) won a CL3 here easily and was heavily bet. Peaks and the in-form Chris Parnham rides for the first time. A chance. SNAZZLER (3) resumed in the same race and got busy late. Maps better today and has a 1.5kg claim. Fitter and is also in the mix.
RACE 3 - KISSES FROM KELLY (5) peaks off two comfortable middle-distance wins and keeps getting better. Draws inside again and CJP sticks. On a 7-day return and can go on with the job. ANTIQUE MISS (3) is also on a quick back-up. She won big before enduring a wide run following beaten a whisker. She gives every indication the 2100m will suit and Pike is a key jockey switch for the apprentice. STRIKE NOW (4) brings a win and a placing at 66 level. His latest effort stacks right up and we know he will run it right out. DESENNEA (1) and FALCON TRADER (2) will be around the mark.
RACE 4 - DEAMBER (3) delivered an Ascot hat-trick before the spell and resumed here narrowly beaten in stronger. Settled back from a wide gate and belted home to just miss an unlikely win. She is proven second up and can enjoy a softer run. The improving galloper can go one better. SIBERIAN SIREN (7) resumes and was nudged out in Listed grade two starts back. She brings a dominant trial win from Lark Hill and Chris Parnham is back aboard. MEMORY PARADE (9) resumes and has also raced well at Listed level. Led and won a Maiden here her only fresh outing and has trialled well for the return. She has early speed and is an each-way hope. FAMOUS JURNEY (1) peaks and has been busting to win. He has a handy 2kg claim and can control the race from an inside barrier. He's sure to give a sight.
RACE 5 - The former Kiwi LUVNWAR (1) spiked her figures again taking out the Listed Belmont Stakes over a mile. The promising filly did it comfortably as favourite and the middle distance should hold no fears. She maps well and will get every chance. PETROUCHKA (3) came from the back beaten 1.4L in the same contest. She's sure to appreciate the middle distance and also presents fourth-up. It's hard to risk the potent Pike-Williams linkage. ANTIQUE QUEEN (6) improved again narrowly beaten in a CL3 and goes into the trifecta. Ditto CRUISE TO RIO (4) who may show more stepping up in trip.
RACE 6 - COOL MEMORY (1) runs along and has placed his last two at this level. Ran a convincing peak last time over a mile and draws to advantage. The longer trip is a slight niggle but he's hard-fit and improving and can see it out. STYLISH LORD (2) deserved the CL3 win over a mile. Hit the line well in that giving every indication the middle distance will suit. Tumbles in weight this grade and has a chance. WEERAECHOUX (3) is better than the two duck eggs suggest. He didn't have the best of it behind Cool Memory in the Belmont Guineas last time and is likely to appreciate the 2000m.
RACE 7 - BEST MOOD (10) went back-to-back and then settled rearward this grade picking up nicely in the stretch beaten 2.2L. Has a key jockey switch to Pike and is likely to sit handier. Sits down in the weights and has been kept on the fresh side. Fitter again and can bounce. Williams-trained FLURO NEURO (1) improved again winning this grade as a $6 favourite. Third-up now and will go close with average luck from the awkward barrier. TOP OF THE POPS (5) has laid a solid platform in better class and is proven third-up. CJP sticks with the above but he's capable and with a good ride won't be far away. BIRDIEAGLE (3) resumed in good order and likely has excuses following. He's a third-up winner who'd be a player at best.
RACE 8 - FINAL SIREN (11) was heavily bet but didn't finish it off second up placing distantly behind Ginnivan. Resumed further improved leading and winning a 66. That's the measure of his ability. Has the speed to clear the wide gate and the gun hoop stays with him. Fitter and tumbles in weight. GINNIVAN (12) led and dominated in the Open 3 spiking his figures. Peaks and will push forward and go close. STORMCHASER (6) resumes in a 2L defeat in a rich Magic Millions at Listed level. His figures stack right up and he's proven fresh. Maps for the run of the race and he also has winning claims. KINGS HONOUR (13) and LEXINGTON CITY (5) have marginal claims on what we've seen.
RACE 9 - INFURIATED (11) went close at Scarpside and then stepped up to 1700m winning the Maiden at this track. He settled last from the wide gate and couldn't have been more impressive. Pike sticks aboard and would have had choices. He draws inside today and can go on to better things. OUR ROCKY BAY (5) peaks and he improved again when beaten 1.5L in an Open 3. He's raced well at Listed level over 1800m so the extra trip won't bother. Positions forward and will get every chance. SENSESSIONAL (12) came from the back willing the CL1 over 1400m and will sit closer today from a soft barrier. Pike gets off but the mile will suit and he can make the finish. WONDER WEAPON (8) was good winning a no-metro-win over this distance. She can build on that and also has claims.
