Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - The 2YO's kick off proceedings today and CAPITOLA (1) goes on top following his debut victory. He does rise in weight, though he travelled wide throughout and was still too strong under Chris Parnham who remains in the saddle. Can go on with the job today. KINGS COURT (2) jumped favourite ahead of Capitola first-up but was gunned down late in the race. Fitter for that effort and now the winkers are applied. Meets his rival better at the weights now and can turn the tables. HOLD MY WINE (4) makes his debut today and has looked impressive at the trials coming in. Both of his siblings have won multiple races over sprint trips and Pike remains in the saddle from his most recent trial. Ticks plenty of boxes on debut. STRIDEAWAY (6) wasn't far away on debut and can be right in the finish once again. ELLE VEE (7) was good in her only trial coming in and can feature.
RACE 2 - ALL PLAY (3) showed promising signs last campaign and looks to be back in top order judging by his recent trial. He jumped favourite in his last start with the form out of that being quite strong. He's been off the scene for a while, but he can fire fresh and he's expected to be right in the finish first-up. NORICH (5) has gone close in two runs this time in and looks ready to peak now third-up into the campaign. Bumped into a smart galloper last start and should get his chance from the draw again today. Big chance. KING AKEED (4) is racing well at a lower level and can feature if he improves as expected. LAST STYLEBENDER (7) can be in the finish on the back of a nice trial.
RACE 3 - LET'S TALK (7) stepped up to this grade last start and went close when only 1.2L over 1100m here a fortnight ago. Suspect he'll be better again now as he continues to learn the caper and if he can continue on his current trajectory, he'll prove very hard to beat. AIN'T NO OTHER MAN (1) had plenty of favours last start when back to this grade, getting the job done by 0.6L. He beat home Let's Talk last time out, but there is a weight swing against him today, Despite that, he looks to get plenty of favours once again and should be going close to winning. HEZANGELIC (4) dropped back in grade last start and ran some good figures despite going under, beaten 0.7L. He wasn't far away in this grade two back when a 2-1 chance and he is still improving. Can put himself in the finish. SWIM THROUGH (2) gets Pike back in the saddle today and is sure to be closing off strongly. EMPRESS OF INDIA (3) is better than she showed last start and can bounce back.
RACE 4 - SIMPLY (1) has gone to another level this time in work, winning his past couple and putting up some good figures in the process. He sat close to the speed and won by 1.7L last start and this looks to set up similarly with Pike remaining in the saddle. Hard to see anyone turning the tables on him today. MANAVENDRA (2) was expected to improve over this course and distance last start but was only just fair behind Simply. He's better than he showed last start and he'll be better for that run. CJP hops back in the saddle now and a much better effort is anticipated. RED CADILLAC (3) has been racing well in feature races in Kalgoorlie recently and put herself into the finish of the Kalgoorlie Cup most recently. Those figures stack up highly in this event and she should get her chance from the draw. Can go close again. RYEWOOD (6) won impressively in Kalgoorlie last start and has claims. STOP DREAMING (4) is racing well and is worth plenty of thought.
RACE 5 - FULL OF MERIT (9) led them up at Kalgoorlie last start and kicked away to win impressively, scoring by 2L. She has the speed to offset the wide alley and Pike remaining in the saddle is a big tick. Looks to be trending the right way and she can bring up back-to-back wins in this suitable race. SPEAK TO ME (1) comes into this third-up following a strong run over 1200m here last time out. He does improve getting out to this trip and while he may get back from the draw, he's run on strongly in previous efforts. Rates well and won't be far away. OLYMPIC PARK (12) was an impressive winner on debut at Bunbury 33 days ago and the form out of his maiden win was fantastic. He may get a long way back from the draw, but if he can improve on the fresh effort he's sure to be steaming home late. MAJOR MARIO (7) hardly puts in a bad run and is sure to be in the finish again. YARRALEA (5) can be thereabouts first-up with Chris Parnham in the saddle.
RACE 6 - ROYAL TORONADO (10) is deadset airborne at the moment, he just needs a touch of luck to go his way. While he has drawn wide again and will get a long way back, it mightn't be the worst for him so he can build into the race around the turn. He's right on the cusp of winning another race and today looks a great opportunity. SECRET ATTRACTION (4) went through the Kalgoorlie carnival winning her past three outings, jumping a heavy favourite in this grade and winning comfortably 21 days ago. Drawn out today, but she's shown good versatility and Pike remains in the saddle. Just needs to hold her form to be going close. GREAT FORTUNE (8) is working his way through the grades, leading throughout to win last time out. He can cross from the wide draw and if he can dictate from the front, he'll take plenty of catching. ALASKAN (7) was solid first-up and can build on that effort second-up and out to the mile. HERE FOR CHEQUES (5) boasts a strong second-up record and has to be included.
RACE 7 - ROPE THEM IN (1) was collared late over 1400m last start and drops back to this trip today. He posted strong figures despite going under and he can improve again third-up into the campaign. He should be on the speed from his favourable alley and if he can improve again third-up, he'll be very hard to beat. GENEROSITY (9) got a long way back first-up but ripped home in fast time to end up just 2.4L off the winner. Up in trip and a better draw are both huge ticks, and she drops in weight to boot. Can sit closer today and get back to winning ways. ALMIGHTY CLASS (3) showed what he's capable of with a clear run at it last start when running away to win by 1.3L. Can improve again second-up and should get every chance from a nice alley. Can play a major role once again. TWAIN'S ANGEL (8) hasn't put a foot wrong and comes into this on the back of two strong trials. Wouldn't surprise to see her remain undefeated. TOROPA (11) wasn't far away last start and has to be included again.
RACE 8 - The feature of the day and WEST STAR (5) goes on top. He was just too far back in the Max Simmonds Stakes last start but was the eye-catcher late in the race. Now fitter and drawn a better gate, he should be able to sit much closer and the rise in distance won't be an issue. Can stamp his authority. SEPTEMBER BORN (10) has plenty of hype around him and has lived up to that so far. A full brother to G1 winner Kay Cee, he's impressed at the trials coming in, including trialling against West Star on September 30th. Tough ask to come here and win off a maiden, though the market and stable believe he may be something special. SIREN ASSAULT (6) was strong in 2YO features last campaign and now gets pike in the saddle first-up. 1200m fresh is a niggle, though she has plenty of class and can feature. HORCRUX (9) showed good ability on debut and can resume in good order. ONEMORETWOMANY (3) will be fitter today and can improve stepping out in distance.
RACE 9 - BRAVE SPIRIT (11) rattled home first-up over 1200m to finish just 0.8L away after jumping awkwardly. He should relish the rise in trip and his ratings suggest he's picked up right where he left off. Looks well-placed in this event and can return to winning ways. KESHI BOOM (7) disappointed in her only run last campaign but there's no doubt she has more class than she showed there. She hit the line nicely in her only trial coming in and she should be in a nice spot from the draw. Expecting her to get back to her best and make her presence felt. INVESTMENTSTRATEGY (4) disappointed in his only run last campaign but has been gelded coming into this campaign. His best is good enough to feature and he loves this course and distance. Can make an impact on resumption. COUNT THE SESSIONS (12) was very impressive when winning over the top last start and has winning claims if he can hold that form. UPPER LIMITS (1) trialled nicely coming in and can feature despite the wide draw.
