Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - MAI ALOHA (9) just missed as favourite first-up at Bunbury, finishing only 0.4L off the winner there. This looks a better assignment and Pike sticking from an inside alley is a big tick. Can sit on the speed again and with her added fitness, she can go one better. FLINDERS LANE (8) only whacked away over 1400m at Bunbury last start and dropping back to this trip looks ideal. She was narrowly beaten in a Belmont Maiden back on September 4 over this trip. Can get back to her best with the distance drop. WHAT'S THE POINT (6) was strong from the front in a recent Belmont trial and can be prominent from the outset on debut. He draws nicely with the Winkers on and he's expected to take plenty of catching from up on the speed. VIRIKAH (5) has trialled well coming in and I'm happy to think the debut effort was just a bad day. Expecting an improved run this time. ROMMEL'S GODDESS (4) placed first-up last campaign and is not to be discounted.
RACE 2 - SCENIC BOOM (8) was in the market at Toodyay when being overrun late in the race, beaten just 1.1L. He draws a much better gate this time and Tash Faithfull hops in the saddle now, striking at 20% for Team Pearce. He can be prominent again from the draw, and he looks set to shed the maiden tag. SURROUND ME (5) was only fair on debut at Belmont, but she got a long way back and never really got into the race. Drawn out again today but this is a much easier assignment and Pike sticking is a positive sign. Anticipating a much better effort second-up. SUN KOSI (4) bumped into a good race at Northam 42 days ago and has been freshened since. Lucy Fiore now hops in the saddle and with improvement expected, he won't be far away. FLAGSHIP (3) raced in much stronger company last start and back out to 1200m can see him go close. THE MIGHTY BELL (6) can improve getting out in trip third-up.
RACE 3 - DANDY'S GEM (7) was just fair at Northam first-up over 1300m and it looks as though the rise in trip will suit her much better. She has plenty of upside being a 3YO filly and while the draw may be sticky, she started right in the market in a tougher race last start. She looks to one to beat today. FLYING FOREVER (1) failed on debut when a 6-1 chance at Northam, racing greenly and weakening out to finish a long way off. He had trialled well leading into that race though and the aid of an inside barrier may help his chances. Out in trip now and can show what he's capable of. MAXIMUM IMPACT (10) has had plenty of goes now but has found a nice race, sticking on to finish 3.6L away at Northam last time out. The 2kg claim of Cooper comes in handy as he lands in a much easier race today. Can feature. MANHATTAN JEWEL (4) can be in the finish dropping back to an easier race. HAUNTED ANGEL (8) is best of the rest.
RACE 4 - GOLD VANCOUVER (2) sat back and ran over the top of them in a small field at Northam last start, winning by 0.4L. The slight rise in distance is no issue, though she may need a touch of luck from the barrier. Her recent performances rate highly in this field and she can go back-to-back. HOOCHIE GUCCI (3) sat on the speed and proved too good at Toodyay when a 13-1 chance, winning by 0.4L. Tash Faithfull takes the ride now and he's bound to sit close to the speed again from barrier two. Can make his presence felt again. WORK HOME FRONT (6) was good at the back end of the last campaign when winning at Narrogin. Her recent trial suggests she's back in good order as well and she has the speed to cross from out wide. Will be in this for a long way. SEDUCE ME (1) is better than she showed last time out and can bounce back. NORMA STARS (9) won't be far away with the winkers on again.
RACE 5 - MIRRORSCHINO (7) has been ticking along nicely over the shorter distances of late and now steps out to 1920m. He's stretched to 2231m in the past and he should be able to make his own luck on the speed. Turner hops back aboard and he can run a bold race. BEANIE (2) stretched to 2100m three starts back before sticking on well over the shorter distance lately. Back up to this distance can see him get back to something like his best. PRINCE I THINK (5) is another who may appreciate getting out to this trip. He ran a good figure over 2100m at Belmont just four starts back and another at Pinjarra over 1800m in July. Drawn nicely and can put his best foot forward. ARROW SONG (9) is ticking along without winning and can close off strongly from the back. EYE OPENER (12) steps out tot his trip for the first time and is not to be discounted.
RACE 6 - KINGS SICARIO (2) dropped back to 1400m last start and ran a much better race at Bunbury, beaten just 0.9L when sitting on the speed. He drops back in trip again today, as well as a big drop in class as well. The tongue tie goes on for the first time and he can end his winning drought. CHARLIE JANE (6) just missed over this trip two back before fading out of contention at Belmont last start at 1400m. The wide draw is a slight niggle, though she rates highly on her recent performances and a return to that level would see her hard to beat. NUNES (3) has been just fair in her past couple in town, though this does appear a much better setup for her today. She maps well with William Pike hopping in the saddle now. Blinkers come off and a much better effort is expected. KISS A PRINCESS (5) was building nicely through her debut campaign and can feature first-up. BILL SELECTS (7) got the job done at Toodyay last start as favourite and has claims.
RACE 7 - COSMIC ECLIPSE (10) was very disappointing at Belmont most recently after a gutsy win at Bunbury the start prior. She drops right back in grade today and it's obvious she is better than what she produced last start. This looks a nice race for her with Pike sticking and she can bounce back in a big way. RAZMAS (6) ran over the top to score two back before dropping to the 1000m journey and ending up a long way off the winner. Back out in trip looks to suit and he should get his chance from the draw. Can make his presence felt. DON'T TELL NAN (8) resumes without a trial though she was producing good figures at the end of last campaign. Still lightly raced with upside and she is a course and distance winner previously. Can roll forward and be in this race for a very long way. LADY CABERNET (11) resumed at Bunbury in stronger company and should strip fitter for that effort. Can put herself in the finish. CRYSTALIST (2) is worth including.
RACE 8 - CANGGU (1) was an impressive winner first-up at this track, leading the field and kicking away to score by 1.4L. Suspect he'll push on again from the wide draw and take up the running, with the form out of his last effort stacking up nicely. Progressing well and can go back-to-back. KRATESIS (7) ran over the top to win at Kalgoorlie last start, shedding the maiden tag. She draws well today with Pike remaining in the saddle and she should get the run of the race. Can put her best foot forward and go back-to-back without surprising. WOZZECK (4) got back and never really featured as a 9-1 pop at Belmont last start. The Visors replace the blinkers today and he is a third-up winner in the past. Expecting him to bounce back. ABBOU (6) is another who was disappointing last start following a good run at Northam two starts ago. His best is good enough and he is a track and trip winner previously. DEAL OBTAINED (5) is looking for the hat-trick and has to be included.