Racing & Sports expert selections.
RACE 1 - PRETEY ROYAL (6) brings two narrow defeats and gives every indication that the step up to the middle distance will suit. She's on a 7-day backup, and Chris Parnham rides for the first time. Fit and ready to win. CHOICE ATTRACTION (7) improved beaten 2L at Bunbury over 2000m. Has the blinkers on again and can make the finish in a weak contest. ROYAL TROOPER (2) has laid a decent foundation for this contest and gets in light again with the 4kg claim. He's on a 7-day return, as is LYN'S STAR (5), who needed the first-up outing, and the trip wouldn't bother her at best. Has the ability, but stepping straight up from a sprint is the question.
RACE 2 - QUEEN ARIA (7) has placed her last two here over this distance, and that's good form. Maps well today, and the gun hoop sticks aboard. She can break through for a leading yard. AHH CHOUX (9) resumed over 1400m at Northam and wasn't beaten far. Draws inside today, and the mile is within her reach. PERFECT RULER (1) was back to his best placing at Bunbury over 1400m. He will skip over to the speed and just has to run out the extra 200m to feature. PUDDIN 'N' PIE (8) just missed at Northam two back and the 3kg claim remains handy. She's better suited today and will be around the mark with average luck in transit.
RACE 3 - SETAGAYA (9) is another strong winning chance for the potent Pike-Durrant linkage. She missed a whisker here first-up off Lark Hill trial win. Fitter and can go one better. MAJESTIC PRINCESS (10) resumes with Chris Parnham sticking aboard and on song would be a threat. Placed at both starts last preparation in decent enough Maidens and will be naturally improved. She's likely to sit back and come late. VAIN UNIVERSE (11) resumed as a short-priced favourite here 18 days ago and didn't finish it off (slow to recover). Keeps the 4kg claim, but she has an outside gate to manage. That makes it awkward, but it may pay to follow the money. RARE HONOR (5) debuts, and his recent trials have been good. Has the inside barrier and is worth a betting watch.
RACE 4 - REBELNADO (1) brought strong form to resumption and was narrowly beaten behind Savage Dancer at Bunbury. He has a wide gate, but a top hoop goes aboard and with average luck this is a winnable assignment. METALIC MARLIN (2) raced forward and just missed here first-up when expected to need it. He draws handy today and should go close with the extra fitness. THINK QUICK (12) was second-up in the same contest and finished a whisker behind the above. She also rates well enough and should get every chance. RETURN OF THE MACH (13) did a big job when beaten 1L in the Rebelnado race and is still well shy of her best. Gets in light with the 3kg claim, but the outside gate tempers expectations with her. Stablemate CHINESE DENTIST (7) needs to find more, but Pike sticks and that demands attention.
RACE 5 - Tricky. WORK HOME FRONT (4) led and won easily at York and then came here and missed a head. Has a 4kg claim today and will push forward and ride the speed. Tough to peg back. TALK TO WYN (2) resumes and led and won a Scarpside Maiden comfortably at his only fresh outing. He's back in grade and has trialled well. Gets in well with the 3kg claim, and he will use the low barrier. CHOUX SHOE (3) resumes and will be naturally improved. Has the ability, and she benefits from a 4kg claim. Has a wide gate, and that will require a good ride. MISTRESS OF WAR (9) has been freshened and is back in grade and trip. She missed a nose over a mile at Ascot two back, and the inside barrier is there to use. Keep onside. WHERE'S MY LUNCH (7) is going well enough to consider.
RACE 6 - FANCY RED (4) won twice and has been narrowly beaten here in her last two. The gun hoop stays aboard, and he will run her along from the inside barrier. The one to beat. SURF PATROL (2) peaks and a win is close. His near miss and Belmont two back reads well, and Chris Parnham rides today. Expect the longer sprint to suit. AZENA (3) also rates well enough, and the in-form Fiore rides for the first time. Won well at Scarpside two back and a bounce isn't out of the question. STATE OF FURY (7) surprised the market beaten 1.2L at Bunbury. Finally draws a low barrier and fitter can't be ruled out. PRECIOUS GOD (5) tumbles in grade and is worth a look.
RACE 7 - AMARLIME (3) could top a successful day for the Durrant stable. She's placed in her last three in better company, and 2x winning rider Pike replaces the 3kg apprentice. Has the inside barrier and is the one they have to beat. JUST ADORABELLE (8) resumed here in stronger and looked a run short. She has more to give and is proven second up. She can make the finish. SAXON JEWEL (11) led and won a Maiden here, jumping a short-priced favourite. Carries a feather again with the 4kg claim and that brings her into it. ET TU BRUTE (2) resumes after 111 days and has switched from a top Victorian stable. He wasn't beaten far at Moonee Valley two back and has won fresh. He owns a Lark Hill trial win and the betting will be key.
RACE 8 - Tough. KARSAVINA (10) resumed here over a mile in stronger and wasn't beaten far. She has more to give and a leading hoop goes aboard. She's likely to push forward and fitter should go close. PERCUSSION PRINCE (11) resumed in good order and didn't have the best of it here following. Steps up in trip and Pike staying aboard is a decent push for his chances. QUICK COOKIE (13) won three back and has threatened the two since. The mile is likely to suit and on a quick backup she's in the mix. ACES TO WIN (3) got closer at Pinjarra and keeps the 4kg claim. He has more to give and is also on a 7-day turnaround. Rates up to this and won his only third-up start.
