Expected weather: Sunny 37°C
Expected track rating: GOOD4
Race 1 - 12:46PM GET THE TABTOUCH PLATE (1100 METRES) - FULL FIELD
4. DEBELLATIO is a beautifully bred colt by Smart Missile, which won the Group Two Todman Stakes as a two-year-old and was the only horse to beat champion juvenile Sepoy as a two-year-old. He is also out of a New Zealand Group Two-winning mare, so he is bred to be a winner. Despite this being his first start, he has shown raw ability which is sure to be harnessed by legendary trainer Fred Kersley. He missed the start noticeably, in his first trial, by three lengths and then jumped slightly better in his second trial but, on both occasions, he gobbled up his rivals with ease.
1. ACHERNAR STAR is another talented juvenile which is also well related. He is a half-brother to Group Two WA Guineas winner Man Booker and Atacama Sky which is a city winner as a two and three-year-old. Back in October, in the first juvenile race of the season, the son of Gingerbread Man put paid to his rivals after sitting three-wide for the entire trip. His recent trial was sharp and in good time. Punters’ binoculars are sure to be directed at this beautiful chestnut.
2. COLOURFUL CHARADE was a $170,000 purchase at the 2016 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale. He ran a nice race for third on debut when leading at Ascot on Saturday 12 November. He had a 400m and a 1000m trial leading into this so he should be fit enough to run a good race.
7. YENDOR was passed in at the 2016 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale for $8,000. She's by Dick Turpin and is a full sister to Ciao Miss Turpin which won a maiden in November 2016. The recent trial was excellent when sitting wide and just getting nabbed by Iz That Right which has since come out and run well.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4 – 1 – 2 – 7
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Debellatio - WIN
Race 2 - 1:26PM PENFOLDS PLATE (1000 METRES) - FULL FIELD
6. UNDISCLOSED could not have been more impressive last time out up the straight 1000m course at Pinjarra. She won by nearly six lengths but the most impressive aspect of that performance was the time she ran - 57.52 - which was six-tenths of a second faster than when GEE BOSS won up the Pinjarra straight on Saturday 7 January. Also worth noting that UNDISCLOSED was carrying 2kg more than GEE BOSS. She is a very handy type and looks hard to toss.
3. SPEEDING COMET was beaten by GEE BOSS last start but looks to get an ideal run from barrier three here. He should settle behind the likely leaders (DAINTY TESS and GEE BOSS) and be able to challenge in the finish. He is a three-year-old now and ready to show his best.
1. DAINTY TESS was lifted over the line last start by William Pike over 1100m. Back to 1000m looks ideal and the 3kg claimer, Sarah Bonner, jumps back on. She'll go straight to the front and give an honest performance.
2. GEE BOSS is really nice type of gelding. He burst on to the scene by leading all of the way on debut, at Belmont, in September 2016. He beat Sweet Ora on that occasion and beat DAINTY TESS and SPEEDING COMET last time out at Pinjarra. A serious winning hope.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 6 – 3 – 1 – 2
SUGGESTED BET: 6. Undisclosed - WIN
Race 3 - 2:06PM PERTH RACING FACEBOOK MAIDEN (1400 METRES) - FULL FIELD
12. MIDDLE EARTH was unlucky last start when on debut. The favourite, BLUE HOUDINI, and second favourite, FAULTY, both tired back on to his face and hampered him in the finish. The one-week backup and extra distance will suit the son of Blackfriars.
9. CAYMAN BOUND found the line nicely last start at Albany and Jarrad Noske elects this galloper over TRADE SEARCH, which he rode last start. It could be a big day for trainer Michael Lane.
3. WARBO N'GRATO was good last start when first up. He is a son of Perth Cup winner Black Tom so out to 1400m will suit. Expect him to be running on strongly.
5. BLUE TRACER comes out of the same race as WARBO N'GRATO and found the line well. Another which will be at good each-way odds and will improve out to 1400m. Looks to get the box seat run from barrier four.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 12 – 9 – 3 – 5
SUGGESTED BET: 12. Middle Earth – EACH WAY
Race 4 - 2:44PM AUSTRALIA DAY CUP (1600 METRES) - FULL FIELD
2. PINZU won impressively last start with thanks to a plum ride from Clint Johnston-Porter. He stays on and the son of Pins should be finishing off strongly once again despite meeting SASSO’S CIRCUS worse at the weights.
8. SASSO'S CIRCUS ran second last start behind PINZU but meets him 2kg better at the weights for a 1.25 length defeat. He has drawn well and should get a dream run in the race.
6. GRANLARADO ran third behind PINZU and SASSO'S CIRCUS last start. He's drawn well again and can sneak home for another placing here. He has every chance to show his best in this.
10. MAKATIES KEEPER is stepping up in class sharply after winning a class five race at Bunbury last start. She won impressively on that occasion and drops from 56.5kg to 51kg in this race. She's in great form will get the run of the race from barrier one. A great place bet.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 2 – 8 – 6 – 10
SUGGESTED BET: 2. Pinzu – WIN & 8. Sasso’s Circus – WIN
Race 5 - 3:20PM SCENIC BLAST STAKES (1200 METRES) - FULL FIELD
2. DURENDAL’s first two runs in Western Australia have been outstanding. First up, the 1000m was too short in the Summer Scorcher, when second, and found the line well. Second up he was desperately unlucky when dragged back to near last behind tiring runners, with top weight, but still managed to get around heels and rocket home for a luckless second. 1200m here suits and barrier eight should see him out of trouble.
7. KING'S TROOP gets the lovely draw of barrier four. He is also having his third start in WA after running two nice races first and second up in the Summer Scorcher and Miss Andretti. He'll settle in the first half of the field and be in the finish with any luck.
3. VOLKOFF won the Miss Andretti Stakes over 1100m in good fashion. She has that devastating late turn of speed which has seen her win plenty of races over 1000m and 1100m but is yet to win over 1200m. That is the concern but she will be finishing off down the outside.
1. DIVINE CALLING is a class galloper having his first start in WA after starting his career with Gai Waterhouse where he won the Group Two Stutt Stakes (1600m) as a three-year-old (beating subsequent Cox Plate winner Shamus Award) before running second in the Group One Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in 2013. He was then sold to Hong Kong and ran second in a Listed race behind Beauty Only which has since won the Group One Hong Kong Mile, a prestigious race held on the Hong Kong Jockey Club's biggest day of racing. He now finds himself in WA and has trialled well for new trainer Fred Kersley. He is class and has to be respected.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 2 – 7 – 3 – 1
SUGGESTED BET: 2. Durendal – WIN & 7. King’s Troop – PLACE
Race 6 - 3:55PM CHINESE NEW YEAR RACEDAY NEXT SATURDAY HANDICAP (2200 METRES) - FULL FIELD
2. MACAVITY is a real grinding type but would not have lost any admirers after his effort last week on day which suited runners closer to the speed. He was 2000m back to 1800m on that occasion which did not seem ideal. Back out to 2200m will suit.
3. QUITE REGAL is another which went back in distance from 2200m to 2000m last start. He had excuses when fierce in the run and couldn’t finish off. Back out to 2200m with the winkers off should suit and help him to relax. There is ability there, he just needs to put it together. Today may be the day.
5. JETOOMY was unlucky last start when back and caught wide. He still finished off strongly to the line for fourth but, with any amount of cover, should have won. The wide draw 13 should see jockey Lucy Warwick go back and run on down the outside. The son of Reset should be contesting the finish.
15. PERSISTENCE TIME is a three-year-old which won impressively over 2000m last start at Pinjarra. It was only a maiden but he looks to have plenty of upside after running well first up in the Listed Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic. Don't be surprised to see him run well here against the older horses again.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 2 – 3 – 5 – 15
SUGGESTED BET: 3. Quite Regal – EACH WAY
Race 7 - 4:35PM PERTH RACING TWITTER HANDICAP (1400 METRES) - FULL FIELD
4. MAJINIKA’s recent trial suggests that the gelding has returned well after a good Belmont campaign in the winter of 2016. He beat Divine Calling in that trial and looks to have improved this time in. Two trials leading into this race means that he will be fit and ready to go first up over 1400m.
9. ATLANTA BLUE ran well last start although it was only a lowly class one at Bunbury. There was a lot to like about how he hit the line with 59.5kg on his back. Out to 1400m and 55kg will suit here.
12. CELEBRITY DREAM was disappointing last start when beaten as favourite at Pinjarra. She had every possible chance on that occasion but just may have been screaming out for 1400m which she gets here.
10. CHECKERS ran well first up when well-backed in a class one at Ascot. The drop in weight and senior rider on will make a big difference.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4 – 9 – 12 – 10
SUGGESTED BET: 9. Atlanta Blue – EACH WAY
Race 8 - 5:15PM AMELIA PARK HANDICAP (1400 METRES) - FULL FIELD
4. CANDLELIGHT STAR is on the quick six-day backup but had no luck when trying to get runs on the fence in the $100,000 Mungrup Stud Sprint at Mount Barker. Drawn wide in barrier 12 is perfect for this gelding. He is tough and, most importantly, fast.
8. ROSMARTINI returns after winning the Listed Belmont Oaks and Listed Belmont Classic in dazzling all of the way fashion, back in the winter of 2016. The recent trial was sound but she is unlikely to lead with all of the speed expected from the outside barriers. Let's hope she jumps with them after she missed the kick first up last preparation. A classy filly which looks to have returned well.
6. RED PUBLISHER is consistent and rarely runs a bad race. Even last week when eighth of ten, he worked to the line well considering he was dropping from 1400m to 1000m. Back out to 1400m off a one-week backup suits and looks like a deliberate plan from astute Lancelin trainer Ash Maley.
9. SETTLERS CREEK made it five seconds in a row last week. He is consistent but always seems to find circumstances which don’t suit. Let's hope he gets a bit of luck because he deserves to win one of these 72+ races.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4 – 8 – 6 – 9
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Candlelight Star – EACH WAY
HAVING A BET?
BEST BET: Race 4 – 2. Pinzu
BEST VALUE: Race 3 – 12. Middle Earth
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