Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - ZEEZEA (7) has missed a whisker both starts this preparation and is much improved. The effort in the no-metro-win was the best of them and Pike is reunited from that. Fitter again and rates the one to beat. UUKHAI (1) peaks off three solid placings. Has more to give and is at his best this trip. Maps well and will go close. DELICATE RULER (2) had been well-trialled and led at Belmont in debut beaten a nose. Fitter and will get every chance to go back-to-back. TIVACISAURUS (6) debuts and his latest Belmont trial was sharp. He has the blinkers applied and the rails gate should advantage. Chris Parnham rides and a bold run is likely.
RACE 2 - PROCESSIO (6) showed plenty in her maiden preparation and was beaten a whisker at Bunbury first-up, spacing the others. Started even money and will keep getting better. Rates clear and it's hard to go past the lethal Pike-Williams linkage. Tougher sorting the rest. HUHTAMAKI (11) debuts and owns a Belmont trial win. Keeps Whiting and is likely to race well. MANGANUI (2) resumed at Northam from a wide gate and needed the outing. He has placed second up and will be sharper. Draws low and is a trifecta hope. Ditto EVERLASTING SPIRIT (7) who placed distantly behind Processio on debut and has a handy gate. She will have taken fitness and experience from that. WHISTLING WARRIOR (8) showed enough on debut to suggest she can pick up some money.
RACE 3 - TOURETTO (12) is another strong winning chance for the Pike-Williams linkage. Had been well-trialled before a 2L defeat at Belmont on debut. Fitter again and maps for the run of the race. PROSPECTOR'S PICK (8) was well supported in the Listed Supremacy Stakes on debut and folded up at the business end. Resumed owning two trial wins and was okay in an Open 3 at Belmont. Chris Parnham takes over from Pike and will position him forward from an inside barrier. Quick improvement is anticipated. KING'S ARTILLERY (6) was spelled off a promising debut and then got too far back at Bunbury on resumption. He'd won a Lark Hill trial and fitter expect him to be much more competitive. HELL'S CITI (5) resumed here with a tidy effort and has more to give. He can use the rail and is in the mix.
RACE 4 - MAXINE'S WISH (9) peaks off three threatening efforts and was a firm favourite the Belmont last time. Keeps Pike and can skip over and control the race. Gets another chance. THE HILL TRIBE (1) resumed here over this trip and missed a whisker from a wide gate. He draws awkwardly again but Harvey sticks and the gelding will present fitter. Rates well and is a chance with average luck. DESIGNER LABEL (8) keeps Chris Parnham and was good at Belmont on debut. Has trialled well and has the first-time blinkers applied. Draws to advantage and will get every chance to build. GOLD RUBY (15) didn't have the best of it on debut. The market suggests she can make sharp improvement. CABLE GIRL (13) resumed with a tidy effort at Northam and is also further improved. CJP is back on for Pike and is likely to secure a soft run. Goes in at odds.
RACE 5 - Tough. UNDERCOVER SNIPER (2) resumes for a leading barn and has warmed up with three soft trials. CJP sticks from those and that's a positive. Brings the best figures and the betting will be the key. MARYBEE (9) resumes off a promising maiden preparation. She will be naturally improved and has trialled nicely at Lark Hill. OUR SHILLAYLEIGH (14) debuts and brings a big trial win. Has to be kept safe. INVINCIBLE IDEA (8) has switched from a strong Victorian yard and has the first-time blinkers applied. Has a 1.5kg claim, and while not burning the house down, the well-bred filly has raced in better Maidens. Won't have to improve much to make the finish. TIME CONNECTION (13) debuts and her latest Lark Hill trial was good. Chris Parnham is reunited suggesting she will race well.
RACE 6 - EN PLEIN AIR (13) is a progressive filly who followed an easy debut win with a narrow miss in a no-metro-win at Belmont heavily bet. Fitter again and it's hard to risk the Pike-Williams linkage. SAINTLY CITY (8) posted a hat-trick on the dirt in the Gascoyne and then switched back to the Durrant barn beaten 1L at Belmont first up. He's much improved and will be fitter. CJP rides today and the speedy galloper will take catching down the straight 1000m. DESERT NYMPH (5) resumes and is proven fresh. Rates well at best and is a chance. BUSTERS FREE (9) peaks and has been within range at his last two starts. Harvey stays aboard and he gets another chance.
RACE 7 - Competitive. PLAYING QUEST (3) peaks and threatened at Ascot and Belmont before a slightly plainer effort at Belmont last time. He has more to give and Chris Parnham stays aboard. He gets his chance in this contest. SENSESSIONAL (4) is in the top metro barn and Pike sticks from the solid first-up effort here. He has plenty up his sleeve and is proven second-up. He should go close. Playing Quest's stablemate GENERAL KNOWLEDGE (6) impressed beaten a nose at Scarpside first up at a short quote was expected to win a CL3 at Bunbury after and was plain. Fitter now and he's good enough. An outside gate is a negative and Chris Parnham gets off. CHINA SPIRIT (5) flopped on a heavy track at Belmont but he missed by a whisker the three before, also in metro company. Uses the paint and a bounce is likely.
RACE 8 - Competitive. RIVERCREST MAGIC (13) won her Maiden at Belmont and then went close there in a CL1 over this distance. She tumbles in weight at this level and will present at peak fitness. Should be suited by the step up to the mile and can bounce back. ALBERICH (1) has laid a nice foundation for this contest. He was cruelled by a wide gate at Northam last time and today he has the first time blinkers applied. Proven third up and should go close. FLASH PADDY (3) is right up to this at best and needs this distance and longer. Pike is a key jockey switch and expect the gelding to settle back and hit the line hard. ROCK DEE JAY (14) spiked his figures narrowly beaten at Belmont in a CL1. Will need things to go his way but he deserves consideration at a big price.
