Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - CLEANEMUP (8) is the full sister to G1 placegetter Oscar's Fortune on debut for the Dion Luciani barn. The filly has trialled impressively this time in work, with Pike riding her at her most recent outing and he sticks with her today. Drawn to be prominent in the run and she can make a winning start to her career. OVERDRIVE (1) got the job done in good style first-up at this course and distance despite jumping a 20-1 chance there. Figures out of that race were good and while she has drawn wide this time, if she can run up to her latest effort she'll be hard to hold out again. THIS'LL SHOW YA (6) was trapped wide and dropped out first-up over this track and trip. She gets the blinkers on first time today and if she can get a softer run in transit this time, she's sure to make her presence felt. AUBREY'S STAR (7) trialled on the same day as Cleanemup but in slower time. Respect Parnham takes the ride. Include. GREAT EDITION (4) can improve on a solid first-up effort.
RACE 2 - DESERT EDGE (2) has been in super form of late, leading all the way to score by 0.9L at Northam last time out. He has the pace to cross from a sticky gate and Pike taking the ride is a big tick. The soft ground will suit and if he gets it all his own way out in front, he'll take plenty of catching. ABISSI (1) is a lightly raced gelding on the way through, scoring an impressive maiden victory at Northam last time out. Up 500m in trip, but he wasn't stopping at the line over a mile last time out and Chris Parnham is happy to stick with him. Has plenty of upside and appears the main danger. BUCKLAND (6) hasn't been far away over the shorter distances of late and rises back out to this trip for just the second time. He can be prominent in the run and while he hasn't won for a while, he can put his best foot forward today. WEIGHTMAN (8) kept on well last start at Bunbury and maps for a similar run this time. Has claims. HIT THE LIGHTS (5) is better than she showed last time out.
RACE 3 - Wide open event. IFF YOU'RE READY (10) showed good signs first-up and should appreciate stepping out in trip straight away. The performance caught the attention of Chris Parnham who takes the ride this time. Will need some luck from the wide draw, but he rates highly with further improvement expected. PIRATE'S ALLEY (5) can build on a nice fresh effort at Northam where he closed off well to finish 2.5L off the winner. Pike hops back into the saddle which is a big tick and out to this trip looks ideal. Strips fitter and is expected to put his best foot forward. COVENTRY REEF (1) has had a few turns now but continues to run well. He was 2.9L off the winner last start following a good second here two starts back. Can be about the finish if he's at his best. FLYING CHOUX (6) gets the blinkers on for the first time and looks a big improver out to this trip. Maps well and won't be far away. THE HILL TRIBE (2) is better than he showed last start and is not to be discounted.
RACE 4 - DON'T TRUST JUDAS (3) went under narrowly at Northam 27 days ago and looks ready for the rise in trip now. William Pike takes the ride once more and he maps to get every chance from the alley. Thinking he still have more improvement to come and if he does, he should be knocking over this field. MARINSKY BALLET (5) went close two back at Pinjarra before a disappointing effort here most recently. Back to this trip is no issue and her prior performances stack up nicely. Expected to go close. ZAZA ROCK (1) blew the cobwebs out with a 5.1L defeat last start when getting back and never really featuring. Straight up to this trip looks ideal and she has placed 2/3 second-up. Can make her presence felt. GRATIAS DEO (8) is ticking along nicely this campaign and can be closing off strongly from the rear. TAK GOES BOOM (9) is better than he's shown lately and is not to be discounted.
RACE 5 - Another open race. KHUTOS (2) returned in good order when just 1.9L off the winner over 1200m here a fortnight ago. He drops back to an easier grade and Cooper taking 3kgs off means he'll carry less weight than last start. Can find the front and make every post a winner. DEVILS I (1) bolted in over this trip at Bunbury last time out, scoring by 4L as favourite. He hadn't done anything like that previously, though it is hard to ignore the way he put his rivals to bed last start. Pike takes the ride now and he's expected to go close. AKAI AKUMA (13) got well back and never got into the race, finishing well back at Bunbury. She is better than she showed there and with a cleaner break this time she can put herself into a strong position to challenge for the victory. MORE THAN ENUFF (3) draws better this time and can put his best foot forward. UNCLE GERARD (6) is sure to be flashing home at the finish.
RACE 6 - TOROPA (5) bolted in from a midfield position over this course and distance a fortnight ago, remaining undefeated. She looks a filly for the future and the wide draw doesn't hurt as she does tend to get back. Getting to the outside may be the way to go at this stage of the day and she looks destined for better races than this. UNIVERSAL PLAYBOY (6) was only 0.5L off the winner in tougher company last time out and is nicely placed back to midweek company. He's a second-up winner in the past and Altieri will put him in a prominent position from the outset. Close to his best fresh and he can make his presence felt with improvement likely. UNDER INFLUENCE (2) ran over the top to win at Northam and will have to be just as good from the wide alley today. Expecting him to get a long way back but he'll be flashing home at the finish. CESSATION (10) looks to have plenty of ability and is not to be discounted while fresh. SAINTLY CITY (8) can also run a big race.
RACE 7 - Another good race to end the day. MAGICASH (10) disappointed last start when blowing the start and never featuring in Open 3YO company and drops right back in grade today. He is much better than he showed there and Pike taking the ride is a big tick. Out to 1200m now and he can return to winning ways. SILVER EYE (1) returned in good order behind a very smart galloper and he's undefeated second-up. The 2kg claim comes in handy and he won in similar conditions second-up last campaign. Returned in good order and if there's improvement to come, he can take it up to the top pick. EN PLEIN AIR (9) led them up last start and got the job done as favourite at Pinjarra. She still has plenty of upside and the inside alley increases her chances. Can make her presence felt. SCORPION RULER (12) showed good signs first-up over 1000m and has strong claims. ROCKET JUICE (3) is ready to peak now third-up and is not to be discounted.
