Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - Looks a nice race to kick off. BOUDOIR BELLE (7) has shown plenty of ability at the trials and trialled up in quick time recently at Lark Hill. Holly Watson has been with her through the whole process and remains in the saddle today. She'll be prominent from the draw and take plenty of catching. RIPPER FAROOQ (1) was pitched into Stakes class through his debut campaign and wasn't disgraced by any means. His trial coming in was solid and he maps for a lovely run under Fiore. Leading chance if he can resume in similar form. CASINO NURSE (8) was very good at the trials recently with Pike in the saddle, who sticks today. The outside alley is a niggle, though she did get back and run on in those trials. Watch for her storming home late. HAIDA GWAII (5) was well fancied on debut and only went under 0.2L. Better for that effort here and can be in the finish again. EXCEED THE PLANET (2) gets the blinkers on first time today and can go close.

RACE 2 - ZOUCONI (10) was very impressive at the trials and jumped a 7-4 favourite on debut at Pinjarra. Looks to have come on from that effort and Pike remains in the saddle with the Tongue Tie going on today. Looks well-placed and can get the job done if she runs up to her trial effort. SURF PATROL (7) is on debut for Team Pearce and trialled behind Zouconi most recently. Parnham was aboard there and he remains in the irons today. Should be close to the speed from a favourable alley and will put up a good fight. MAKWELL SMART (6) has shown good ability at the trials coming into this and looks to have plenty of upside. He's closely related to a smart horse in Valency and he can fire a shot on debut. FIRE THE GUARD (2) has been close his past couple and has claims despite the wide alley. SUPER SNIPPY (1) has had plenty of goes now but is knocking on the door.

RACE 3 - SWEET EYES (12) jumped favourite last start at this course and distance and bumped into one better. She does look to have good ability though and she draws a much better gate today. She remains down in the weights and with improvement to come, she can put her best foot forward. TRUE PLAYER (6) ran on strongly from last on the turn to finish 2.1L off the winner in an eye-catching effort at Bunbury. Up to the mile should suit, though the outside alley is a niggle. Trust Pike to get it right though and he's sure to be right there at the finish. AH KUM (9) showed good improvement last start when only 1.7L off the winner at this course and distance. He's still learning his craft and he looks to get the run of the race once again from the draw today. Major player. CHOICE THINKING (5) should be able to sit a little closer today from a better barrier and can make his presence felt. COVENTRY REEF (1) wasn't far away here last start and has claims.

RACE 4 - Looks another maiden where the debutants can come to the fore. ETERNAL ROMANCE (10) showed good ability behind what looks a smart one at her latest trial and this trip looks ideal on debut. That form may have been franked by now and her sibling is a multiple winner. Drawn ideally and can make an immediate impact. MA MA BELLE (11) is another who has shown plenty at the trials finishing close up on September 24th in a Lark Hill heat. Nicely placed from the alley for Shaun O'Donnell and if she can run up to what she showed at her latest trial, she'll go close. BELTA OF A SONG (4) gets a big jockey upgrade with Pike taking over from the apprentice hoop as the mare comes into this off a 35-day freshen. She should be prominent in the run despite the wide alley and if she can run up to recent efforts, she'll be hard to hold out. TALKAWAY (9) was good on debut at this track and trip and can feature again. POLYVANOVA (8) is racing well and should get her chance.

RACE 5 - POND MASTER (4) has shown promising signs this campaign despite going under as favourite in his first two runs. Looks set to peak now third-up and he maps for a lovely run under Pike. Tracking in the right direction and can shed the maiden tag today. ZEEZEA (5) disappointed at the end of last campaign, though her prior efforts rate highly in this event. She possesses good early speed and Steve Parnham has partnered her previously. Can get across and run a bold race. ZORBRIST (7) kept on well last start to finish just 1.5L off the winner over this course and distance. Fitter and more experienced again today and he's shown good versatility. Can make his presence felt. HILLSIDE MONARCH (12) showed enough on debut here last start and can feature in the finish once again. MISTER RAFFLES (8) didn't have anything go right for him last start and can bounce back today.

RACE 6 - QUEEN OF HAWKS (7) found one better on debut but scored comfortably at Geraldton last start as a heavy favourite. Chris Parnham hops in the saddle now and she has the speed to roll forward from a sticky draw. Can continue to work through the grades in what looks a very suitable assignment. CLASSIC RULER (2) has been racing well over further of late but does come into this on the fresh side following a 92-day break. Pike is 1/1 when riding and he hops back in the saddle which is a positive sign. Lightly raced with upside and is expected to turn in a bold effort. LORD SHIVA (1) has gone under narrowly in all three runs this campaign, jumping favourite on each occasion as well. The tongue tie goes back on and he should be running up front from a nice draw. Knocking on the door and today may be his day. BUTTERFLY HOUSE (4) kept on well here fresh as a 25-1 chance and is worth including. NO PEER (6) is better than she showed at Belmont fresh and can improve.

RACE 7 - SMART SHADOW (8) led from start to finish over the mile here last time out following a 1.4L defeat at Bunbury over this distance. Dropping back a furlong doesn't appear a big problem and she should make her own luck up on the pace. Looks to be progressing nicely and is not to be discounted. KELORA (5) looks ready to peak third-up after running out of time to catch his rivals in tougher company here last time out. He's a winner third-up in the past and the inside draw should see him get the run of the race. McNaught has won aboard him before and he appears as the main danger. AYUMI (3) got the job done narrowly last start as favourite and looks nicely placed in this event again. She'll be up on the speed and the 3kg claim comes in handy. Racing well and has to be included. ALMAYA (1) just missed as a 16-1 chance fresh and does improve with a run under his belt. Include. MORE LIKELY (2) is better than he showed last start and is worth another chance.

RACE 8 - LORD GANNICUS (1) has been running in much stronger races than this, starting in the market and performing well. Now back to a midweek CL5 and nicely placed following the claim of Cooper. Should get a lovely run in transit and if he runs up to his recent figures, he should be winning. Interestingly, Pike rides CANNY JACK (8) over Lord Gannicus. He was 0.4L off the winner at Bunbury most recently in a return to his best. Pike has won twice when riding and the inside draw is a big tick for his chances. Can feature if he runs up to his recent figures. FAMOUS DAIN (6) has been right around the mark in recent efforts, finishing 0.9L off the winner as favourite at Kalgoorlie last start. Back to the mile today, but nicely drawn and he drops plenty of weight. Expected to be in the finish. CHANTEL (3) is looking for her third win in a row after a dominant victory last start. Form from that has worked out well. MEGAMI (2) can be in the finish third-up and out to the mile now.