Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - PRINCE EPAULETTE (1) was campaigned like a good horse in his debut preparation and now resumes a gelding this time in. He was very good in his recent trial and if he can run up to the figures he produced as a 2YO, he can get the job done here. MANGIFERA (6) bucked on jumping last time out when a 6-4 favourite ate Bunbury and has been back to the trials since then. Hard to ignore what the market expected from her there and it's hard to think this is much better than an average maiden. Should be going close if she stays on all four legs. PROMISING (4) can build on the fresh run and will find this a little easier. SESH TIME (7) got a long way back and never featured on debut. She'd trialled nicely coming in and it's worth giving her another chance. QUICK AS SILVER (2) is improving with racing and won't be far away.
RACE 2 - EXQUISITE TASTE (8) makes his debut today on the back of some handy trials at Lark Hill. CJP has been on board for his most recent outing and he stays with the galloper today. With the exposed form looking a little iffy, he makes the most appeal. HOLDOUT (3) didn't resume at his best at Northam 49 days ago and has been back to the trials since then. He's a better horse than we saw first-up and if he can get back to his prior figures, he'll be right in the finish. PUSH TO PLAY (9) is another debutant on debut today for the Fiore and Durrant combination. All of his siblings have won races and the 1400m first-up looks ideal. Draws to get every chance and should be right in the finish. TERRITORY MAN (10) is another who has looked good at the trials and is worth including. BARRA MUNDY (4) out-performed his SP last time out and has claims if he can replicate that effort today.
RACE 3 - BIRD ON A WIRE (8) went close to shedding the maiden tag last campaign prior to a spell and looks set to pick up where she left off judging by her recent trial. She should get his chance from the draw and if she's close to her best fresh, she'll be mighty hard to beat. SANCTIONS (9) resumed in top order when finishing off well down the Straight here and should appreciate getting out in distance. It's her first try at 1200m, but she has good figures over 1100m in the past and she'll be right there to strike from the draw. Can go a couple better now. OCEAN GODDESS (10) can play a role on debut following her recent trial efforts this time in work. Carbery knows her well and if she can perform up to her trials, she'll be in the finish. NEW HYMN SHEET (12) is another who has shown glimpses at the trials and she won't be far away. POINT OF CONFLICT (11) wasn't beaten far at Albany last time out and has claims.
RACE 4 - Time for the feature of the day and ROCKIN' RUPERT (1) can turn the tables on his rivals. He was good last time out when only gunned down by The Boss Lady and the drop back in trip won't hurt his chances. He maps for a beautiful run and with a weight swing in his favour, he may prove too good this time. THE BOSS LADY (2) is hard to knock following a Listed win two back and an impressive victory most recently at Ascot. Brad Parnham rides now and while she'll be back in the field she'll be doing her best work late. LACED UP HEELS (3) has been racing in tougher company of late and wasn't disgraced in Listed grade two back. Drawn well this time and it wouldn't surprise to see her form turn around. HELL I AM (6) is better than what we saw last time out and can bounce back with CJP in the saddle. FAST FLICKER (5) will appreciate the drop in trip and may be hard to run down from the front.
RACE 5 - STAR PROPHET (2) was too good over 2000m here last time out, winning by 0.5L. He's back in drip, but he maps for a nice run from the barrier and he's sure to make his presence felt. MY IDOL (7) was too good over this 1600m at Albany last time out when rounding up his rivals to win by 0.5L. The rise in trip doesn't look an issue and CJP remaining in the saddle is a big tick. Draws well and should be right in the finish. WHAT'S THE POINT (4) gets the blinkers on first time today following a 0.3L defeat in an Open 3YO event at Ascot last time out. He's building nicely and if he handles the rise in trip, he should be right in the finish. UNI STRIKE (3) got the job done by 0.6L last time out at Ascot and has had a trial since that run. Comes here fresh but was fresh heading into his last start and is likely to feature. ONLY US (1) draws a better gate this time and won't be far away.
RACE 6 - SCORPION RULER (4) ended last campaign on a winning note over 1000m at Belmont and he boasts a strong fresh record. Brad Parnham hops back aboard today and he's drawn ideally for the straight course. Can get the job done on resumption. CESSATION (1) was solid first-up last start at Belmont and should have the pace to offset the inside barrier down the straight course. She is a track and trip winner previously and getting back onto a firm surface may suit. She appears the main danger. TAWKIN' JIBBERISH (7) disappointed in her only run last campaign but looks back in form following her recent trial. Has good early speed and will go close if she's back to her best. JUST SAINT JAMES (3) is better than he showed last time out and can bounce back. EXTREME LOVE (5) can return to form first-up and she is a fresh winner in the past.
RACE 7 - LONG GENES (3) is better than he showed last start when sitting midfield and not getting into the race at Ascot over 1800m. Back to the mile looks a big tick though and he was favourite in a similar race two back. Looks to have found his race. TON OF GRUNT (4) steps out to the mile now and he is a winner over this trip previously. He kept on well despite finishing a long way off at Ascot last time out and he can settle much closer this time from an inside barrier. Racing well and should go close to winning. STRIKING FELLA (5) comes into this third-up on the back of a strong effort at Geraldton last time out. Parnham rides now and the wide draw is no issue as he does possess some versatility. Won't be far away if he's at his best. STATE OF FURY (12) draws well and is much better than she showed last time out. Can bounce back. DEEP SPEED (2) steps out to this trip for the first time and has claims.