Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - HEZANGELIC (4) resumed in top order over this track and trip 17 days ago, missing out by just 1.8L. Up in grade today, but he has plenty of upside and Pike remaining in the saddle is a big tick. Open to a stack of improvement and can return to winning ways today. OREGON HIKER (2) is a lightly raced commodity who got the job done in the same race as Hezangelic last start. He maps for a similar run this time around with Campbell's claim coming in handy. Race well and is sure to go close again. DIVINE FLIRT (1) disappointed last start but that follows her usual pattern. She tends to bounce back third-up though and back to this trip mightn't be an issue with good speed engaged. Watch for her late. SMOKEY MOUNTAIN (3) bounced back last start and can be around the mark once again.
RACE 2 - Good race. SIR DREAMALOT (1) contested the good races as a 2YO and resumes with just one trial under his belt. This was his pet trip and he maps to get plenty of favours from a suitable draw. Form stacks up strongly and if he can pick up where he left off, he'll take plenty of beating. QUEEN OF HAWKS (7) is on debut today following a scintillating trial win at Lark Hill recently. The trial caught the attention of William Pike who hops in the saddle for the first time today. The blinkers were on for that trial and she showed plenty of speed. Expecting her to be prominent in the run and take catching. KEEP ITA MYSTERY (2) may not have handled the Heavy conditions last start following a good win two back. Back to this trip suits too with Chris Parnham remaining in the saddle. Has plenty of upside and race fitness on his side. LONDON'S IMAGE (3) has trialled nicely coming into this and is not to be discounted.
RACE 3 - SINFUL LIVING (4) sat up on the speed last start and was far too good, winning by 2.1L from up on the speed. Pike hops in the saddle now from an inside alley and she should be hitting her peak third-up. Has plenty of upside and can bring up back-to-back wins. AIN'T NO OTHER MAN (3) pushed a smart one from up on the speed last start in Soft conditions, beaten just 0.3L. A firmer surface may suit better today and he's expected to be up on the speed from that alley. Huge chance if he can repeat that effort. UNDER INFLUENCE (2) is better than he showed last start when on the 7-day backup again, racing in a flat manner. Now Chris Parnham hops in the saddle and he's well placed to pounce on his rivals. CAPITAL FLIGHT (1) was good behind Under Influence 21 days ago and has winning claims.
RACE 4 - LORD GANNICUS (4) was very good on resumption over an unsuitable trip, keeping up over 1000m first-up. He is a second-up winner in the past and has the speed to get across from the alley. Pike rides and if he can run up to his fresh effort, he can get back to winning ways. OTHERONESON (3) looks to be getting back to his best following a 0.4L defeat over 1300m last time out after spending over a year on the sidelines. He is 2/2 over this course and distance and has placed third-up in the past. Likely to make his presence felt again. WANGO AWARD (5) boasts a good record over this course and distance after winning here 28 days ago in Heavy going. CJP rides again from a similar draw and he drops in weight today. Expected to be right in the finish again. DESERT NYMPH (6) may have got too far back last start and can sit closer today. Right in the mix. PLAYHOUSE PATRON (2) is worth including after a good win a fortnight ago.
RACE 5 - The feature of the day and VAST ART (4) looks to have found his race. He's been racing consistently this time in work, closing off well to be just 0.5L off the winner in the Listed Farnley Stakes last start. Up to this trip suits and he should be at peak fitness now. Can sit handy and prove far too good in the run to the line. CRESCENT CITY (6) disappointed last start when fading backward over 1650m in this grade. A firmer surface may suit him today, with Pike remaining in the saddle from an inside alley. His first-up run suggests he was on-song this campaign, so expect him to bounce back in a big way. RIVER RUBICON (1) kept up well first-up over 1400m and boasts a strong record second-up. He came into that without a trial, so suspect he's taken plenty of improvement out of it. He maps nicely again today and if he can improve as expected, he'll go close. ROKANORI (5) blew the cobwebs out first-up and looks well placed here. Expect sharp improvement.
RACE 6 - An open race. HEMLOCK STONE (2) stuck on well over 2100m here last start when jumping favourite in a stronger event. Back slightly in grade now and CJP remains in the saddle from a good alley. Ran out the trip strongly last start and he can go a couple better this time around. BERNBRAE (4) will be fitter again now after a narrow defeat behind an in-form galloper 14 days ago. He hasn't won for a long time but is always around the mark and he's racing right up to his best. Can make his presence felt once again. RED DWARF (6) finished just behind Bernbrae on that occasion, sustaining a run to be 0.5L off the winner at the finish. Pike remains in the saddle and he'll jump from an inside draw again. Can get the job done without surprising. DARK LOOKS (8) is racing well of late and has claims if she can run up to her latest effort at Northam. I LOVE YOUR SMILE (1) steps out to this trip third-up and is not to be discounted.
RACE 7 - GREAT FORTUNE (10) ran over the top to score by 0.3L at Bunbury second-up and tends to hold his form third-up into the campaign. He drops in weight today as his is tougher, though Pike sticking adds confidence and he maps well. Can win again without surprising. MEGAMI (1) finds herself in the easiest race she's been in for some time. It usually takes her a few runs to get going, though if she's able to be somewhere near her recent form first-up, then there's no reason why she can't come out on top. GRAND RESERVE (2) found one better last start but looks to be working his way through the grades nicely. Has to be included. SOLDANELLE (4) was good fresh and can build on that effort up to the mile.
RACE 8 - SIMPLY (8) powered over the top to win fresh before getting too far back over this track and trip last start. Should be hitting his peak now third-up and Pike rides from a much better draw this time. Doubt he'll be as far back as he was last start and he's expected to return to winning ways. IN GOOD ORDER (2) got the job done last start when winning by 0.3L, beating Simply in the process. He too is third-up today, but he meets the top pick worse at the weights. Chris Parnham remains in the saddle and he's expected to be right in the finish once again. YALLINGUP GIRL (10) has just missed her past couple, being 1.9L off the winner over this track and trip most recently. Back onto a firmer surface may suit and while the draw is sticky, she rates a winning hope. CLASSIC ROGUE (1) Is racing well without winning of late and has claims. CIVVY STREET (6) looks to be getting back toward his best and he's found a suitable race today.
RACE 9 - ELITEONE (5) was far too good in easier company last start, running over the top to score comfortably. She hasn't won on a good track previously, but she maps for a similar run this time around and the form from her last start has been franked already. Can repeat the dose. INFLUENCING (1) is a lightly-raced gelding who bumped into a good race second-up. Back slightly in trip looks to suit and Faithfull has a good record when riding, winning 4/6. Can be prominent in the run and prove too good late in the race. MEAN MACHINE (9) won narrowly two back in Open company before a 1L defeat last time out. He looks to have a stack of upside and he's lightly weighted coming into this grade. He rates highly on recent efforts and may prove too good. KING AKEED (6) is lightly raced with upside and looks a sharp improver for Pike from an inside draw.
