Having her first start in Western Australia, LA MOULINE won after being asked to sit outside of a muddling speed from barrier 13. She found cover in the last half of the race and managed to work her way into the clear but, simply, she got the job done and the Group Three-placed filly will improve.
CLEVER DICK ran another brutally honest race for second and has his hoof on the till.
The race was run at an inconsistent speed so forgive runners such as JACK IRISH, MR ALBY and TRADE SEARCH.
Race 2 - 1:57PM GET THE TABTOUCH HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
The very talented two-year-old colt DEBELLATIO won nicely after springing the gates and sitting just off the speed. Rider Daniel Staeck moved out three-wide on turning, due to the lack of speed set by the frontrunners, and put the race beyond doubt. As impressive and green as he was, he is likely to be an even better three-year-old over 1600m. Everything he does now is a bonus.
THE GOOD
KISS BANG LOVE sat three-wide with cover and finished off strongly after doing a bit wrong down the straight. Plenty of improvement will come for the Russell Stewart-trained daughter of Demerit.
THE BAD
Last start winner at $81, ROCK OR BUST, missed the kick badly and was never in contention after that misdemeanour.
FASTEST LAST 600M
DEBELLATIO – 34.88
Race 3 - 2:37PM PEACOCK BROS HANDICAP (2200 METRES)
THE WINNER
In what was a slowly run staying race, BATTLE TORQUE got a lovely run in transit before the leaders fell into his lap thus halting his momentum. He managed to get out in time and follow the eventual runner-up into the straight. He got the win, but only narrowly. As they say, they don’t pay on margins.
THE GOOD
BLUSTERY went down by the barest of margins despite being game all of the way to the line. However, she was given another great ride from Brad Parnham and will run well again in whatever she starts in next.
THE BAD
Very rarely does Bob Peters get rid of a horse and it improves. PARIS DREAM is a prime example. She may well be off to the breeding barn now.
FASTEST LAST 600M
BATTLE TORQUE – 36.64
Race 4 - 3:17PM BAKING ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA WA HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
THE WINNER
JUST LIKE FIRE proved her WA Oaks credentials by winning like the very good filly that she is. The daughter of Sakhee’s Secret was near last and three-wide with cover before swallowing up a handy field of three-year-olds. The race was not run genuinely but she still managed to knuckle down and show a good turn of foot. #OaksBound
THE GOOD
KINGDOM AND EMPIRE hit the line well for third and looked as though he would relish getting over further. He’s another classics type which may be targeted at the WATC Derby.
THE BAD
AMALFI LASS was left three-wide without cover and CHRIS PARNHAM tried to pinch it on the turn. She was still tough to the line and should take good improvement out of the second-up run.
FASTEST LAST 600M
JUST LIKE FIRE – 35.07
Race 5 - 3:55PM BUDGET CAR & TRUCK RENTAL HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
Back to 1400m was perfect for ZEFIRO. Jason Whiting settled the gelding in the perfect spot, fifth and one off the fence, before pouncing on Dusha Zachistki in the shadows of the post. He wanted to lay in half way up the straight but Whiting knows the four-year-old well enough now to get him on the straight and narrow.
THE GOOD
At big prices, both SCORELINE and TOTAL ECLIPSE ran big races from back in the field to run fourth and fifth respectively.
THE BAD
CHILL THE CHAMPERS followed the eventual winner in the run but did not give a yelp in the straight. Disappointing for a filly which beat the talented Gangbuster on debut as a two-year-old.
FASTEST LAST 600M
HEAVY SET & GEORGE ‘N’ ERNIE – 35.25
Race 6 - 4:30PM HAHN SUPERDRY HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
WATIJADOO sat second in the run and kicked on well in the straight to get past Red Glow and hold off all-comers. It was a big effort for the four-year-old to win his second consecutive race after previously carrying maiden status for 20 starts before.
THE GOOD
RED GLOW stuck on strongly, for a minor placing, along the inside which was not the place to be.
THE BAD
If CHECKERS got clear earlier, on straightening, he may have been able to challenge his stablemate. He is in great form at the moment.
FASTEST LAST 600M
OUTSPOKEN DUKE – 35.84
Race 7 - 5:05PM LITTLE CREATURES HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
Despite sitting three-wide and on-speed, the regally bred SECRET DOUBT has returned to the track in fine style, toughing out a good win. Brad Parnham went for home on turning and held off the late challenge of Dolly Em.
THE GOOD
DOLLY EM flew home to run a nice second after winning her maiden at her previous start. KNUCKLE DOWN and ROYAL ARCHIE caught the eye when running on also.
THE BAD
TOMOHAWK found trouble in the run but is much better than what he showed here.
FASTEST LAST 600M
DOLLY EM – 35.96
Race 8 - 5:40PM AMELIA PARK LAMB HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
THE WINNER
INVINCIBLE MODE gave British hoop Lee Newman his first race win in Western Australia. It took a jockey from the other side of the world to get this horse over the line in first. Well done to Martin Allan and his team.
THE GOOD
VANDEMONIAN was back along the inside, behind the leader, and ran on strongly for second despite being on the inferior part of the track. AMERICAN STAR did plenty of work in the run but stuck on well for third. SUPPOSITION and DANCE MINDY DANCE both flashed home late to run nice races.
THE BAD
After running well last start in Saturday grade, FESTIVE EXCESS failed to kick on after leading for the majority of the race. He weekend to finish seventh.
FASTEST LAST 600M
INVINCIBLE MODE – 35.06