Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - NEAP TIDE (6) stepped up to this distance last start and only just missed when running on well from the back, beaten 1.9L at this track. He's likely to get back from the sticky barrier once again, but he has plenty of upside and if he can improve again now fourth-up, he'll take beating. AGE OF GRACE (11) seems to be improving with every run and jumped a $3.90 chance in the same race as Neap Tide last time out. She was plugging away there, but Pike rides again today and she can keep improving. Should be right in the finish. DECLARED INNOCENT (1) was a $14 chance in that same race when beating home Neap Tide and Age Of Grace, sitting up on the speed and finishing 0.2L off the winner. His early speed is a big positive and a repeat effort should see him go close to winning. KERMELIA (8) steps up to this trip once again and now gets the blinkers on. Can play a role. YUWILL BE THE ONE (10) is better than she showed last start and now jumps right up in distance. Creates interest.

RACE 2 - ACROSS GENERATIONS (4) was tested in Listed company at the end of last campaign and while he was well beaten there, he'd run blinders in tough company prior. Now gelded, he resumes on the back of a very sharp trial where he sat on the speed and he draws ideally. Can resume with a bang. ROYAL TALK (12) led them up down the straight here as favourite and was collared late, racing greenly to the line and beaten 2.4L. She was sent to the paddock following that effort and resumes without a trial today. CJP's booking is a positive sign though and she can put her best foot forward. SOCIAL AFFAIR (11) is progressing nicely, beaten 1.4L last start despite jumping a 40-1 pop and running a strong rating there. She wasn't disgraced on debut either and looks to have some ability. Maps nicely and can go close. LONGWAY TO THE TOP (6) has shown enough at the trials and can feature on debut. MORE THEN HARD (8) is another who can be thereabouts on debut.

RACE 3 - FAST HARRY (5) went under narrowly on debut at Bunbury when favourite and the form out of that race held up well. He was sent to the paddock straight after and his trials coming in have been good this time around also. Pike sticks with him and he can return on a winning note. ROCKING IN VEGAS (3) went under by 1L on debut 33 days ago down the Straight course here. The form have been good out of that race with a couple of subsequent winners and the rise in trip looks ideal. May get back but should be finishing off strongly. HYPERREAL (1) gets the blinkers on first time today following a 3.2L defeat at Geraldton last time out. He's had a few goes now but this doesn't look an overly strong maiden and he can feature from the inside barrier. OUR PALADIN AL (6) has shown enough in his trials coming into this and can play a role on debut. MANTA RAY BAY (2) needs some luck from out wide but can be in the finish on his best figures.

RACE 4 - ADMIRE THE GIRL (6) dipped at the end of last campaign but has started her career in good order prior to that. She's impressed at the trials coming into this campaign with Pike on board and he sticks for her fresh effort. She looks to have plenty of class and looks the one to beat. THE AGENCY (1) just missed in a strong raced first-up last campaign and ran around some nice types to round out the preparation. His trial coming in wasn't all that flash, but he'll be fitter for it and if he can run up to last campaign's fresh rating, he'll go close. RUNALONG WAY (3) was only fair in his first trial last year, but he looks a better horse this time in work, catching the eye in his most recent outing. He's a half to Listed winner Black Fantasy and he can put his best foot forward on debut. ELVIRA STAR (7) showed enough on debut over this course and distance as a 40-1 chance and won't be far away again. AREDUET (5) drops right back in grade first-up and can be in the finish.

RACE 5 - GINGERBREAD GIRL (7) was disappointing fresh over 1400m, but dropped right back in trip and was very good last time out at Albany. While this is much tougher, the rating she put up there was very good and she maps for a lovely run down the Straight course. Can repeat the dose. MASAMUNE (1) resumes from nearly a year off and has been gelding coming into this campaign. He trialled fairly coming into this and CJP hops back aboard for his raceday return. Form is good enough to win, just has to be up to that level off the break. CHOP SUEY (2) just missed over this track and trip last start when favourite in this grade, rattling home late to be beaten 0.2L. That rating stacks up in this field and if he can run up to that figure again, he'll be rig tin the finish. MISTER RAFFLES (4) is on the quick turnaround following a 0.4L defeat at Ascot last week. Racing well and is drawn nicely for the straight course. MAGIC BELLE (5) has to be included on recent performances.

RACE 6 - COUNTESS OF KENNA (5) was very good first-up over 1000m at this track, sticking on well to win by 0.7L. Pike now hops in the saddle as she rises up to 1200m and she did show good improvement second-up last campaign. Maps beautifully and can bring up back-to-back wins. MANGIFERA (7) was too good first-up over this course and distance, sitting just off the speed and winning very easily by 1.4L. The wide draw is a niggle this time, but she's shown adaptability in her races previously. Watch for her late in the race. PATRON EXPRESS (1) was very good in tough company at the end of last campaign and has trialled well coming in. The blinkers go on first time today and he maps to find a good position from the barrier. Can resume with a victory. SANCTIONS (4) was gunned down late fresh but the form out of that race has been franked already. Will prove tough to catch again. PROCESSIO (8) can feature first-up with CJP in the saddle.

RACE 7 - FAMOUS DAIN (6) steps up to 1800m third-up into the campaign after rattling home last start to win by 0.5L. That was a very impressive win and he's placed in both attempts over this distance. Pike remains in the saddle and he'll be coming home with a wet sail once again. AUDIO BOY (2) just missed first-up and rattled home strongly from the back of the pack to finish 1L off the winner last start at Ascot. This is a little easier and this is the first time he steps out beyond a mile. Looks well placed on recent efforts and if he can improve again, he'll be hard to hold out. ZAZA ROCK (4) will find this easier than last start where he was well beaten over this trip at Ascot. CJP opts to ride him over others which is a good push and he should be hitting his peak fitness now. Can play a major role. COVERT ROSE (3) may appreciate the rise in trip again and maps for a lovely run. Can be in the finish. BEEJAY BOY (5) is better than he showed last start and won't be far away.

RACE 8 - ASTRO WORLD (9) ran home strongly first-up over 1200m at this track, beaten 2.4L. The form out of that race has stacked up well and getting straight out to the mile looks a big tick. She looks a nice filly on the way up and while she may get back again, she can storm over the top this time. SKY GOD (6) steps back up to the mile following a 1.2L defeat on the main track here 9 days ago. The claim of Cooper comes in handy and if she can improve as anticipated back up in trip, she'll be right in the finish. TIME CONNECTION (8) didn't handle the heavy track last start at Albany and will appreciate getting back on top of the ground now. She's lightly raced with upside and turned in a good win here two back. Maps well and can put her best foot forward. ROCK DEE JAY (11) is racing in good order and won't be far away. THE HILL TRIBE (2) drops right back in trip today but boasts a good record over the mile. Can be thereabouts.