Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - EARTHSTORM (7) is still a maiden galloper but she has shown plenty of class in her career thus far. This looks a nice race for her down in the weights following a strong run in Listed company a fortnight ago. Likely to get back in the run but can storm over the top of her rivals. KING HIT (2) was trending nicely before attacking the G2 W.A. Guineas last time out where he was well beaten. His prior figures suggested he was on target for a race like this and he should make his own luck close to the speed. Can make his presence felt. BLACK ORA (8) was in the finish at Belmont last time out over 1200m and stretches in trip for the first time today. It doesn't appear an issue for her though and she can roll forward from out wide. Looks to have some class about her and won't be far away. WHAT'S THE POINT (5) clung on to win at Pinjarra last start and can go on with the job.
RACE 2 - FINAL SIREN (1) showed plenty of ability throughout last campaign and looks to have come back in top order judging by his recent trial. Bayliss had him to start last campaign where he was a winner in this grade first-up. Nicely placed in this event and he can build on what he did last campaign. SNOW PRINCE (2) drops back to 1000m today and draws beautifully down low. Can improve now third-up and back in trip. BOPPING BLUE (3) didn't see out the extra journey last start and comes back to this trip now. Good behind Jokers Grin two back and has to be included.
RACE 3 - CRIPPALENKO (1) was in top order before tackling G3 and G1 company in his past couple of starts. He's been long odds in both, though this looks a much better race for him back to a ratings race. Draws nicely to be on the speed and can return to winning ways in a suitable assignment. TWAIN'S ANGEL (3) is on the quick turnaround after a solid performance in a good race over 1000m last time out. Chris Parnham hops back in the saddle now and she can improve again now. Has enough pace to offset the draw and should be right in the finish. KEEP ATTACKING (6) just missed in a tight finish here 21 days ago to keep his strong run of form going. He's never won at this course, but he's knocking on the door and he maps to be much closer this time around. Can land the knockout blow. SONOFTHEBOSS (5) can take up the running from the inside and will be in this for a long way.
RACE 4 - THE BOSS LADY (3) showed what she was capable of last start when running over the top to win by 0.4L in Listed company most recently. Back to a ratings race today, and she maps to get every possible chance once again. Just has to run up to her latest performance to be winning again. DEVOTED (1) was great from the back in the Carbine Club first-up and he is a two-time winner second-up previously. The wide draw is a niggle, though Gaerth's 2kg claim comes in handy and he can be storming home over the top late in the race. ROCKIN' RUPERT (2) looks ready to peak third-up into the campaign after a strong effort in the Winterbottom Stakes most recently. He's won 2/4 third-up and he maps to be much closer today from barrier 3. Accepted in the Gold Rush but this looks a much better race for him. HELL I AM (7) dipped second-up but he can tend to do that. Usually bounces back now and is not to be discounted.
RACE 5 - WAR MATTERS (9) just missed in a good finish over this track and trip last time out at his first try over the 1800m journey. He's still got improvement to come being lightly raced and he looks to get his chance once again in this event. Can go to another level now and get the job done. PROPHET AND POWER (1) led them up over 1650m at Belmont last time out and steps out to this distance for the first time. Barrier 15 is a niggle, but he has good early speed and the extra trip doesn't look an issue. Can repeat the dose. BORDER FORCE (2) was good here last time out after posting back-to-back wins prior. Chris Parnham remains in the saddle and he'll probably be ridden a little quieter from the draw this time. Hard to knock on recent form. STORMAGEDDON (5) was too far back to feature last time out and gets the blinkers on again today. Can bounce back. LIEN HYPHEN (11) has to be included as she looks for the hat-trick of victories.
RACE 6 - MADAME MAGIC (4) was fancied in a tougher race last tie out where she never really got into the finish from well back. She drops in grade today where she was very good two starts back. Chris Parnham hops in the irons again and she can get back to her best now from a favourable draw. MY JIMMY (5) didn't have the best of luck when favourite in the Grandstand Cup at Pinjarra last time out. He is 2/2 second-up and the Visors go on for the first time. He'll be close to the speed from his inside barrier and he has plenty of upside. Plenty to like about him and he can turn his form around. RED TORI (15) rocketed home in strong sectionals last start at Belmont and stepping out to this trip now looks ideal. Brad Parnham knows her well and she can be right in the finish. PAPAVERO PRINCESS (13) was very good first-up in the Grandstand Cup and she can go on with job. BLUE LAGOON (2) is racing well and is worth including despite the wide alley.
RACE 7 - Time for the Starstruck Classic now and BONJOY (7) was the eye-catcher late in the Jungle Dawn when storming home up the inside to be beaten 1.6L. Now draws inside for CJP, she can sit much closer today from a handy draw and her stats show she can go to another level now. Can get the job done. OWN THE QUEEN (1) just missed last start after being slowly away and storming home in a bm72+ over 1400m last time out. She's an exciting mare on the rise and it's hard to ignore what she did fresh despite her SP. Form out of that has been good and she can make her presence felt. MISS SKYHIGH (8) deserves her chance in this grade following a couple of strong performances of late. She looks a nice mare on the rise and this is well within her wheelhouse. AMBER GLIDE (5) is better than she showed last time out and can improve getting out in trip. ANTIQUE MISS (6) just missed last start in the Jungle Dawn and can go close once again.
RACE 8 - The final feature of The Pinnacles and MAGNIFICENT ANDY (8) lands on top. He was the big winner from the barrier draw and he sets up for this perfectly off the Railway Stakes where he was only 1.2L away. His 1400m record is brilliant, he shouldn't be far off the speed and he can win the Gold Rush. BUSTLER (4) was game in the Northerly last start but did feel the pinch late in the race. Back to this trip is ideal and he was great in this race last year without much luck. He's right on the cusp and should be going close to winning. SUPER SMINK (14) had no luck in the Northerly and is screaming to win another race. She looks primed for this race and shouldn't be as far back as we've seen recently. Can land the knockout blow. WESTERN EMPIRE (1) was only fair in the Winterbottom but this suits him much better. Will be a long way back but watch him storm over the top. COMFORT ME (3) always flies under the radar and will be in this race for a very long way.
RACE 9 - HARBIN (10) just missed when storming home from near the back at Pinjarra last time out and looks to be back in form. Hasn't won for a little while, but he's nicely placed here and he'll be making his run right down the outside. ATLANTIS BEACH (8) beat home Harbin last time out but does meet him a little worse at the weights. He can tend to dip second-up, but he was very good fresh and he mightn't have to be too far back this time around. Can repeat the dose. NOTEWORTHY (11) will get back in the run but can finish off strongly if he runs up to his recent form. HESKET (1) was very impressive winning last start and can go on with the job.