Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - LAVISH CHARM (1) was very good first-up at Pinjarra when only 1L off the winner over 1200m. He drops back in trip slightly today, but that doesn't appear a big issue, though he is likely to go back from the draw. Has shown plenty of class in his recent efforts and can make his presence felt now. NEW HYMN SHEET (8) is on debut for Team Williams and gets Pike in the saddle on the back of a nice trial coming into this. She was down to start on Boxing Day when scratched at the gates for refusing to load. Looks as though the chinks have been ironed out and she can make a statement. NICCIANA (3) is another debutant out of the Listed winner Viana. Three of his 4 siblings have won races up to 2000m, but he's shown plenty of sharpness at the trials. CJP sticks from the trials and he won't be far away. DARK OPAL (5) has been solid in recent efforts and maps to sit closer this time around. Can put her best foot forward. KUNAPIPI (6) is better than she showed last start and can bounce back.
RACE 2 - RIVER ANGEL (5) resumes for Grant & Alana Williams on the back of a nice trial at Lark Hill. She was beaten over 1000m at Belmont prior to the break which turned out to be a strong form reference moving forward. Should make her own luck up front and will be tough to run down. SANSANEE (3) has had a few goes now but looks to be knocking on the door in recent efforts. Back to this trip is no issue and Fiore replacing the apprentice is a big tick. Can put her best foot forward from a favourable alley. OFFSHORE (8) flew home from the rear of the field to finish 1.4L off the winner over 1200m at Pinjarra first-up. Back in trip today, but she draws a much better gate and she'll can go close if she's within striking distance on the turn. COUPE DEBURJ (10) trialled impressively coming into her debut and looks as though she can play a role on debut.
RACE 3 - SPANGLEDSTAR (7) got a long way back at Pinjarra last start but closed off impressively to just miss, beaten 0.8L after a solid fresh effort. She's likely to get back from the draw again for Dhurun, but she's ready to peak now third-up and can go one better this time. SOLDIER OF GOD (1) was rather plain last time in work but has looked good at the trials coming into this campaign. He kicks off at an easier level this time and from a good gate, he can return on a positive note. DAME D'ARGENT (11) makes her debut for Team Williams with Pike in the saddle after a couple of trials coming into this. She's likely to get back from the alley, but she's trialled well coming in and can play a role on debut. GRINGO (3) drops back in trip today after a disappointing run last time out and can return to his best. ZULTANITE (8) is next best.
RACE 4 - FLYING CHOUX (2) gets the tongue tie on again following a 1.1L defeat at Pinjarra last start over 1200m. The slight rise in trip looks ideal for the son of Jimmy Choux and he's trending the right way this time in work. Can fly home over the top and get the job done. MAALIS SONG (1) is knocking on the door of a maiden victory, closing off strongly to finish 1.3L behind a smart one in Saturday grade last time out. This is much easier today and while he is likely to get back, he should be coming home at a rate of knots. METALIC MARLIN (4) can land midfield from the draw and looks well placed first-up over 1300m. He showed glimpses of ability last time in work and while he resumes without a trial, he can play a role. JUST ERIC (9) can make an impression on debut on the back of a handy trial recently. LONGTIMEBELIEVER (11) has claims off a solid last start effort.
RACE 5 - OUR PALADIN AL (1) flew home last start over 1300m as the odds-on favourite and looks primed for a big effort third-up. Accounting for his last-start sectionals, he has a big edge on the rest of his rivals and now gets the blinkers on up to the mile. Clearly the one to beat on paper. ELEGANT PEAK (7) jumped favourite at Albany first-up and never got into the race as favourite. She remains at the mile but now gets Faithfull in the saddle who has ridden her well before. Needs a touch of luck but should have come on with the fresh run under her belt. SAUCISSON (2) sat on the speed last start but couldn't get his nose in front, going under narrowly. Whiting replaces the apprentice hoop now and he can put the 3YO on the speed again. Expecting another big run. NEW YORK SKIE (9) turned in an improved effort out to this trip last start and has claims. AZABELLE (10) gets the blinkers on now and can improve out to the mile.
RACE 6 - MIGHTY HOSANNA (7) got the job done last start at Belmont, winning by 1.9L after sitting up on the speed as favourite. She's a lightly-raced filly on the way up and she has the speed to cross from out wide. Can improve again and bring up back-to-back wins. DATE WITHTHE DEVIL (8) was solid first-up before a disappointing effort as favourite last start at Pinjarra. Back in trip today is a positive sign and he's been freshened since that latest effort. Lands here with a big chance of returning to the winners list. AMERICAN ESCAPE (5) finished 3.3L off the winner at Belmont first-up and looks well placed now out in trip and with the run under her belt. She has plenty of improvement to come and now Pike hops in the saddle as she drops back in grade. Can play a major role. BOUSSAC (3) is better than he showed last time out and can bounce back to form.
RACE 7 - The feature of the day now and CORRECT CHOICE (6) ticks plenty of boxes. He's been very competitive at this level in Saturday grade and Pike hops in the saddle now replacing the apprentice hoop. Maps to get his chance and can land the knockout blow this time. CATEGORY THREE (4) won impressively first-up at Kalgoorlie before a disappointing performance last start at Belmont when getting a long way back in the run. Up to the mile now suits and Fiore remaining in the saddle is a good push for her chances. Appears the main danger with improvement to come. CLASSIC ROGUE (1) is putting in some strong performances in stronger company, beaten 2.7L in Saturday grade last time out. The 3kg claim comes in handy and while he has drawn wide, he'll be flying home late in the race. FIRST ENCOUNTER (8) has been back to the trials since his fresh run after a long break. CJP rides now and he can play a role. IDYLLIC RULER (9) has claims off a strong all-the-way win most recently.
RACE 8 - AMAZING CHEAT (4) has gone under narrowly in her recent performances, jumping the race favourite over this trip at Ascot last time out. She looks to get a similar run in transit this time around and she still has some improvement to come. Form out of her past couple has been good and she looks the one to beat. PROCESSIO (7) went to Northam 22 days ago and was beaten 2.5L there, with the form out of that race working out already. Up to the mile for the first time today but it should suit and CJP sticks with her in a positive sign. Expected to go close. DARK LOOKS (1) hasn't won for a long time, though looks to bee knocking on the door in recent efforts. The wide draw is a niggle, but she's third-up now and looks poised to strike. Watch for her flying home. SKY GOD (5) may not have run the extra trip last start and looks a key player coming back to the mile. MYZOOM (9) has to be included off some strong efforts recently.
