Racing & Sports expert selections.

RACE 1 - LORD SHIVA (1) led and gave nothing else a chance last start at Belmont, scoring by a whopping 4.8L. This is tougher, but he showed last start he's up to this grade and the form out of his last win worked out nicely. Can find the front off the inside again and prove very hard to run down. LET'S TALK (2) bumped into a smart one in this grade last start when only 0.2L off the winner. He has the speed to cross from out wide under Ramoly and while he does rise in weight, he's sure to take plenty of beating once again. MIA GUSTO (7) trialled well recently with Pike in the saddle who remains in the irons for her return today. She's a winner of 3/5 fresh and while she's likely to be better over further, she'll be one of the strongest late in proceedings. EMPRESS OF INDIA (4) was plain in the heavy going a last start but should appreciate a firmer deck this time around. Can bounce back. THE GREAT HOYA (8) is worth some thought first-up.

RACE 2 - Looks a good 2YO race on paper. BABY PEARL (1) led them up at Bunbury last start and got the job done in strong fashion, scoring by 0.8L. Now up in trip, but he'll be nearing peak fitness and he should be prominent from the inside gate again. He'll take plenty of catching. MARDUSA (4) comes through an easier race at Northam but turned in a figure that would see him competitive here. He sat close to the speed there last start and the way he hit the line suggests the 1200m won't be an issue. He appears the main danger. MONTE TREMEZZO (3) had no luck to end last campaign but was a good winner on debut. Nice trial coming in and the booking of Chris Parnham suggests he's ready to fire. Can return on a winning note. ABERDEEN FLYER (5) looks to have come on since his debut campaign and he'll be in the finish if he can run up to his trials. WRITTEN WORDS (6) looks suited to the rise in trip and is not to be discounted.

RACE 3 - REPOSSESSION (2) has been very impressive this time in work and now steps up to 1200m on the back of a dominant win. The late sectionals suggest the rise in trip isn't an issue and Brad Parnham knows him well. Has plenty of class and there's no reason when he can't win again. HANCHI (5) savaged the line once he got a split down the straight course here last start, finishing 0.4L off an in-form galloper. The rise in trip is a big tick and he can sit much closer this time around. Looks back to his best now and he appears the main danger. SUPERSESSION (6) got too far back last start over 1400m and never got into it, but his runs prior over this trip were great. Fiore remains in the saddle and he looks ready to strike. SNOW PRINCE (9) resumes with a couple of nice trials under his belt and won't be far away from an inside gate. CELESTIAL STORM (10) is some niggle up in trip, but Pike sticks with her and she'll give a sight.

RACE 4 - OUR PALADIN AL (11) has shown his class recently, bolting in to win his maiden and repeating the dose most recently over the mile. This is tougher, but he looks to have plenty of ability and versatility. Chris Parnham rides now and if he continues on his current trajectory, he can bring up the hat-trick. ARCADIA PARK (6) just missed last start over this trip on the Scarpside course when edged out close to home. CJP hops back in the saddle now and while he has drawn wide, he'll be fitter for that recent run. Has improvement to come and can go one better. L'IL CAPRI (9) gets Pike back in the saddle today after finishing off strongly from the tail last start 9 days ago. Up in grade now, but she's always hinted she has ability and she may be able to put it all together now. RALLY THE TROOPS (10) is better than he showed last time out and can bounce back to form. AMJAAD (8) can improve with the run under his belt and with the winkers going on.

RACE 5 - LOMBADINA (9) comes into this off a freshen having led and won over the mile on the Scarpside here 86 days ago. She's turned in a nice trial since and Chris Parnham takes the ride this time. She's a winner fresh last campaign and with some upside still up her sleeve, she'll be hard to hold out. EN PLEIN AIR (10) got the job done narrowly when storming over the top last time out over 1200m. Slightly up in trip looks to suit her and the inside draw may see her sit closer this time around. Expected to be in the finish again. REGAL SERVICE (12) just couldn't hold off En Plein Air after making their runs together last start and jumped the $4 favourite on that occasion. The blinkers go on now and that form rates highly in this event. THERMOSPHERE LAD (4) was far too good first-up and has to be included. HISTORY WON'T CARE (7) is another who got the job done fresh and won't be far away with improvement to come.

RACE 6 - WANT A WINNER (12) was scratched from a wide gate last week and looks well placed in this event. He's obviously had his issues, but he's shown plenty of class in his two starts and his recent trial says he's back on song. Maps to get every chance first-up and if he can resume in similar form, he'll take beating. OBJECTIFY (9) landed midfield and dead-heated last start on the Scarpside here 21 days ago. That was off a freshen and it wouldn't surprise to see her come on from that effort. Watch for her finishing off strongly. HORCRUX (10) trialled nicely coming into this and has shown good ability in previous campaigns. Pike hops on board today and with his speedy nature, he'll give a bold sight from the front. MY HIDDEN UNIVERSE (6) left himself with too much to do last start in this grade when beaten 1.4L. Draw is sticky, however he has the class to figure in the finish. MASAMUNE (8) was solid last start at Bunbury and has claims on that performance.

RACE 7 - Time for the Belmont Guineas now where OPPORTUNISTIC (3) goes on top following an impressive win in the Raconteur last start. He's still a very raw horse, but his class was on display last start as he won comfortably. Will get back in the run, but if he can improve again he can remain unbeaten. The big tick for STORYVILLE (7) is the big weight swing in her favour. She'll meet Opportunistic 5kg better this time around for a 2.5L defeat last time out. While she was a little plain to the eye there, out to the mile is a big tick for her and she looks the most likely to turn the tables. ELITE MISSILE (2) is not to be discounted however after finishing 0.3L off Opportunistic last start when they made their runs together. He continues to raise the bar and if he handles the step out to the mile, he'll be in the finish again. EARTHSTORM (8) crates interest out to the mile for the first time on the quick turn around. REDBACK FLYER (4) looks to have untapped potential and is worth including.

RACE 8 - DRAKAINA (11) disappointed last start when favourite following an impressive start to the campaign. The soft going may have been to blame there and improvement is anticipated as she gets back onto a firm deck today. Should be close to the speed and can bounce back to winning form. POND MASTER (7) comes through the Raconteur Stakes where he was close to the speed and faded late. He remains at 1400m today but gets Chris Parnham in the saddle. Expecting him to be ridden a touch quieter and that may see him right in the finish. WUBIN GOLD (4) dead-heated with Objectify (Race 6) last start and that form may have been franked by now. She's out in trip which suits her style and if she gets the breaks on straightening, she'll go close again. STYLISH LORD (10) is hard to knock on recent efforts and is worth including off a freshen. SPEED DREAM (2) just missed behind a smart one last time out and can play a leading role once again.