Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - LOST GRAVITY (1) resumes without a trial today, though the booking of Chris Parnham suggests he's ready to fire first-up. He's placed 2/3 on resumption and he's got plenty of ratings good enough to feature in this. Can pick up where he left off and resume on a winning note. GOLD VANCOUVER (2) is on the quick turnaround after a disappointing run last start at Belmont. Her figures here and at York in his two runs prior rate highly and she can take up the running from the draw. Can bounce back in a big way. OSCAR CHARLIE (4) was just fair in his only trial coming into this and was engaged to go around yesterday in town. He did win first-up last campaign though and he still has some upside. Can feature. HOW PRETTY (3) worked through the grades nicely last campaign and can be in the finish if she can resume in a similar fashion.
RACE 2 - SOUTHERN SCANDAL (1) will benefit from racing as a juvenile and looked good in his recent trial at Lark Hill. Chris Parnham liked what he saw too, now hopping in the saddle as he drops right back in grade. Maps for a lovely run today and can shed the maiden tag. GINGER FIZZ (2) has only had one trial this time in work and he looked very good with the blinkers on there, with that gear remaining on for his race day debut. Steve Parnham has been on board the gelding a number of times previously and he looks to have some good early speed. Can make an impression on debut. TWELVEUNDER (4) has been back to the trials since her debut run at Bunbury 32 days ago. She didn't have much luck there and she shouldn't have as many issues from a good draw today. Can make her presence felt. ZOOMACHINO (5) can improve on the debut effort.
RACE 3 - HYPERREAL (2) drops right back in distance today though it doesn't appear an issue judging by his ratings earlier this campaign. Chris Parnham hops in the saddle now and while the barrier is a little niggle, his best rating this time in work came over this course and distance. Can get the job done this time. PLAY FAIR (7) makes his debut today after a nice trial recently at Belmont. Ramoly was on board for that effort and he can put his best foot forward on debut. BUBBLES IN RIO (8) showed good improvement last start when just missing by 0.3L at this track and trip. Form out of that race has worked out well and if she has more improvement to come now, she'll go close to winning. FIRE THE GUARD (1) is better than what we saw last start where there were a number of issues. Wouldn't surprise to see him turn things around. DESERT WAVES (5) has come back in good order since being gelded and can find the frame.
RACE 4 - UNI STRIKE (5) closed off fairly last start over this course and distance when beaten 2.2L, but he'll be fitter again this time out. He still has plenty of upside being a lightly raced commodity and while he has drawn wide, he should be running over the top of them late. POLYVANOVA (10) steps out to the mile for the first time today following a 2.4L defeat most recently when setting the tempo. She fought on strongly there and her best rating this campaign came over 1400m at Belmont. Thinking she can go to another level now. ANTZ PANTZ BABY (11) was just fair at Ascot when first-up over 1500m when left racing wide and without cover. That run will toughen her up and she'll strip fitter now. Has a nice platform to build on and can put her best foot forward today. FIGHT IN FLIGHT (7) resumes today and is first-up over the mile. CJP riding is a positive lead. THE MAN HIMSELF (1) was only fair first-up but this looks a much better setup today.
RACE 5 - ETERNAL ROMANCE (12) closed off well over 1300m at this track on debut when she never really got a fair crack at them. She'll be better for that effort and the sectionals said she was as good as any other horse late in the race. Can improve on that effort and shed the maiden tag. FRAPPUCCINO (2) has had a few goes now but was only 2.1L off the winner at Ascot most recently. This looks a touch easier for him and he has the speed to work across from out wide and be prominent in the run. Can get back to his best now and make his presence felt. ALIEN CLOVIS (3) resumes today and ended the last campaign in good order at Pinjarra. Those ratings stack up well in this field and while he hasn't trialled coming in, if he can pick up where he left off he'll be going close. KING HIT (7) showed good improvement when out to this trip last start at Ascot, being 80-1 in tougher grade. He looks well-placed today. HIGHLY SPOKEN (4) is next best.
RACE 6 - BECALOTTI (1) drops right back in grade today. Nothing went right for her last start when slowly away and never got into the race. This is much easier than what she's been racing in for a long time and from a good draw she can sit much closer than she has so far this prep. Can turn her form right around. WESTCOAST EXPRESS (3) finished toward the back at Bunbury last start following a solid first-up performance. He's lightly raced with plenty of upside and he looks open to plenty of improvement third-up and right back in trip. Sure to go close. KAZKAZI (2) has been racing in much stronger company this campaign and hasn't been disgraced either. He was only fair last start but this looks like a much better race for him today and he's right in the mix. SCHUHBECK (6) has placed 2/4 third-up in the past and has claims.
RACE 7 - LINDEN'S GOLD (2) dipped in his form a touch when out in trip last start but did pull up with a slight issue. Now back to this track and trip where he's had success previously, he maps well and Chris Parnham sticks with the gelding. Goes well fresh and can bounce back to winning ways. PRETTY DEVINE (8) has trialled well since her last start over 1400m here where she kept on strongly to the line. Luke Campbell hops in the saddle now and if she can run up to the figures she produced last start, she'll be hard to hold out. DIABLO LAD (4) got a long way back and never really got into the race in tougher company at Ascot last start. He's better than that though and is open to plenty of improvement today. Ticks plenty of boxes and can put himself into the finish. BEAUTIFUL BAROQUE (6) finds a nice kick-off point today and is worth including.
