Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - Tricky race to begin. AND THEN WHAT (2) makes his way to his third stable following a 1.3L trial defeat here on August 18. Chris Nicoll remains in the saddle for today's effort which is a positive sign and he should get his chance from gate one. Happy to side with him in a race that appears to lack strong exposed form. FAIR GRACE (4) led them up over a mile last start and was gunned down late, beaten 2L as favourite. She drops back to 1000m today though she has sprinted well earlier this campaign. Carries no weight after Cooper's claim and won't be far away. SLOGITSON (1) finds a very suitable race after a 2.9L defeat over 1200m here last time out. He can sit just off the speed and come over the top late if he runs up to his most recent effort. MADAME SHIH (6) comes through the same race as Slogitson and has claims.
RACE 2 - LET'S ERUPT (7) won well two back before just missing over 1700m last start, beaten 1L here. The inside draw may be a little sticky for her, but she rates highly on her recent efforts and gets a nice drop in weight. Hard to knock her recent form and a return to winning ways is expected. MAN FROM MEMPHIS (8) has been good over 1700m his past two after a narrow defeat over this course and distance on July 12. Drawn well again for Nicoll, he can hold a good position and power over the top of his rivals late. MAGIC OF ZEUS (1) was only fair over this course and distance a fortnight ago, beaten 3.5L as a 5-1 chance. Cooper's 2kg claim comes in handy as he drops substantially in grade today. Can bounce back to winning ways in what looks a suitable race. SLY AS A FOX (4) can mix his form nit has been effective over this trip recently. Can play a role. LA CARTIER (6) can improve second-up and is best of the rest.
RACE 3 - REGAL CITY (1) got back to winning ways last start over the mile at this track, scoring by 0.6L. He should be able to find the front again and he only rises 0.5kg for the win last start. Should find the front once again and prove very hard to gun down. SET THE SCENE (5) is hard to knock on recent form but got a long way back when beaten by Regal City last start. Getting a senior jockey back on board is a big tick and if he can settle a touch closer today, he's sure to go close. OMBUDSMAN (3) was beaten a long way in the Broome Cup 8 days ago and now drops back to the mile. Jessica Gray is in hot form of late and she hops in the saddle. Wouldn't surprise to see him make his presence felt. WHO'S YOUR MAMA (4) pushed Regal City last start and while she meets that galloper worse at the weights, Kyra Yuill takes the ride. Expecting to be in the finish again.
RACE 4 - SAINTLY CITY (8) held on to win narrowly as favourite over this course and distance last start, remaining undefeated at this course and distance. The gelding is now 3/3 here and the Visors replace the blinker this time. Faithfull remains in the saddle and he's sure to take beating again. DARK CITY (1) was slicing through the grades in Broome before a disappointing effort as favourite in the Broome Sprint last time out. Back to 1000m now and while he does have to carry the big weight, he has earned it. Can bounce back in a big way. GOLDEN FIGHTER (3) just missed behind Saintly City last time out, continuing to build into his campaign. Now fourth-up and at his peak, Yuill takes the ride and he's expected to put his best foot forward. MIR (4) is better than he showed at Broome last start and can bounce back. GINGER JONES (2) is another who comes through the Broome Sprint and may appreciate the shorter journey.
RACE 5 - WISE WORDS (1) just wasn't fast enough over 1000m last start after some good efforts over this trip and further prior. This looks a much better race for her now and Cooper's 2kg claim comes in handy. Has the speed to get across from the wide alley and can bounce back to winning form. MOORUMBINE (6) hasn't been far away of late, beaten 1.3L over this course and distance 14 days ago. Faithfull replaces the apprentice hoop and he should get his chance from the alley. Racing well without winning but looks to get his chance today. SPEEDY PYE (8) is better than she showed last start when beaten a long way following an impressive win two back. Happy to overlook her latest effort and anticipate she can get back to her prior form. COMPAK (3) is ticking along nicely without winning and has claims. THE COOLAKIN KING (7) is better than he showed last start and is not to be discounted.
RACE 6 - ORISTANO (3) jumped a 4-1 chance last start when beaten 1.8L over this course and distance. He should be hitting his peak now fourth-up into the preparation and he maps for a similar run this time around. Hard to knock his recent form and he can go one better today. DASHING IMAGE (2) was only 1.5L off the winner last start in a much stronger race at Broome 37 days ago. Now back to this course and distance where he's been placed before and Gray takes the ride. Up in weight but should be making his presence felt in this grade. TALKABOUTYOU (11) held on to win narrowly here last start and drops in weight despite that effort. He has the speed to cross from a sticky alley and he's sure to be in this for a very long way. PASSPORT (1) is better than he showed last start when beaten 5.9L and can bounce back. WAR TACTICS (8) is next best.
