Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - ANNIE WARBUCKS (6) just missed here last start at this track and trip when beaten as a $1.55 favourite. The inside barrier should see her close to the speed and the blinkers go on now. Ticks plenty of boxes and now that she's at peak fitness, she can get the job done. PERFECT RULER (2) is on the quick turnaround after leading the way and ending up 1.5L off the winner at Bunbury last week. Up in trip now, but he should be prominent from the inside barrier under Corver and with improvement expected, he'll take plenty of catching. MIDNIGHT STAR (10) was very impressive from the back on debut over 1200m and now rises to the mile for the first time. CJP rides now and she's expected to put her best foot forward. COUSIN MORTIMER (1) comes through the same race as Perfect Ruler where he jumped favourite. Up to the mile now which should suit and he won't be far away. LEAD CINGA (9) showed good improvement at this track and trip last start and is not to be discounted.

RACE 2 - Tricky race. TWISTED STEEL (8) is on debut for the Simon Miller barn with William Pike taking the ride, despite not riding him at the trials. He was most impressive at his latest outing when running away to win impressively. Looks to have plenty of ability and he can land a win on debut. THE ROCKET (7) is another who has shown good ability at the trials coming into this. The booking of Chris Parnham is a good push for his chances and if he runs up to his trials, he'll be right there at the finish. HOLD MY WINE (2) has been tested in good company, running up against the Karakatta Plate winner before Christmas and then trying his hand in the Magic Millions in Feb. Fitter for a recent trial coming in and back to Maiden grade can see him put his best foot forward. BACKCHATTING (1) was impressive at the trials recently and has shown class in two runs prior to Christmas. Not to be discounted. GUARANTOR (4) will be better for the debut and is not to be discounted.

RACE 3 - DIAMONDS'N'RUBIES (7) was very impressive first-up when finishing off nicely from the back as favourite, beaten 0.4L. The form out of that has already been franked and while she may get back in the run, the slight rise in trip is a big tick. Has plenty of upside and can get the job done this time. ENCHANTED STAR (16) jumped favourite on debut, settled out the back and never got into the race in a disappointing effort. She's trialled well since that effort under CJP, as she had done leading into her debut. Happy to forgive her latest effort and she's expected to put her best foot forward. COUPE DEBURJ (14) is another who disappointed on debut without an excuse in the Stewards' report. The form out of her last start has worked out nicely and this shapes as a similar race. Can show what she's capable of. SILENT AMARDA (2) looked very good in a recent trial and Pike sticks from that outing. Won't be far away. ZED HOT EXPRESS (8) is next best.

RACE 4 - RIVER ANGEL (7) sat up on the speed first-up and was too good at this track and trip, winning by 0.4L as the race favourite. The form out of that has worked out well and she still looks to have plenty of upside. Fitter now and with Pike sticking, she can repeat the dose. FAVOURITE SONGS (4) is a speedy customer on resumption having trialled well recently in readiness. She was tested in stronger company last campaign where she wasn't disgraced two back, before winning as an odds-on pop to break her maiden. Needs some luck from out wide, but she'll give a big sight if she can roll across. ART SESSION (1) comes right back in grade today after placing in Saturday company most recently. He was a big winner two back and the 3kg claim comes in handy. Ticks a few boxes and can make his presence felt. POINT OF CONFLICT (6) was too good here first-up and can repeat the dose. ELLICAZAM (3) won well on debut and has trialled nicely coming into this. Can fire first-up again.

RACE 5 - TRUE PLAYER (3) jumped favourite first-up over 1400m and closed off steadily to the post. He has plenty of improvement up his sleeve however and Pike remaining in the saddle is a good push for his chances. He was a second-up winner last campaign off a similar mark and he can return to those winning ways. MAJOR MARIO (5) was only gunned down late when leading here last start as a $9.50 chance in a strong return to form. Suspect they'll adopt similar tactics today as it took a smart one to beat him there and a repeat effort would see him hard to catch. NICKELPLAY (11) steps back up to the mile today. The last time she was at a mile was the G3 Champion Fillies last year. Needs some luck from the barrier but has her share of class and is expected to be in the finish. SHEEZA SHEILA (9) was good from the back last start and is a track and trip winner previously. Include. AMAZING CHEAT (6) was too good last start and should be finishing off strongly yet again.

RACE 6 - SANTANOVA (9) looks a nice filly on the rise following a strong first-up effort over 1000m. She can be better again up slightly in trip and Chris Parnham now hops in the irons. Laid a good foundation first-up and she now looks set to go to a new level this time in work. LET'S TALK (3) will put up a good fight however coming back from Saturday company where he was narrowly beaten last start. He too still has some upside and the 3kg claim comes in handy. He'll need some luck from out wide, but he possesses good early speed and he'll take catching if he can get across. SCENIC GEORGE (5) has trialled well since his first-up win over 1000m here, with that form having been franked in the 17 days since. The map is a little sticky for him, but if he can land in a good enough spot, he should be in the finish again. MAGIC TO EXCEED (2) resumes after a long layoff but his two trials back have been solid. Can feature. DASHING ERIKA (6) will be doing her best work late on resumption.

RACE 7 - PLATINUM SHOT (5) flew home from the back of the pack to just miss here 13 days ago and should appreciate the slight rise in trip. She maps for a softer run this time around under Faithfull, who strikes at 22% when riding for Team Pearce. Looks well placed and can go one better this time around. CLIMB ON TOP (3) was good fresh when just peaking on the run late in the same race as Platinum Shot. The map looks a touch sticky for Pike this time around, though he'll be fitter and he's won 3/4 second-up. Expecting him to be right in the finish once again. SHOW THE WAY (10) can bounce back third-up after dipping in his form a touch at Bunbury last time out as favourite. Back up to 1400m looks a smart move, however, and if he gets some luck from the gate, he'll go close. EXCELTRAIN (1) disappointed in Saturday grade fresh and will find this much easier. Will take catching. LONG GENES (8) can feature in the finish first-up under CJP.