Expected weather: Mostly sunny 37°C
Expected track rating: GOOD4
Rail position: Inside
Race 1 - 1:14PM AMELIA PARK KARRAKATTA PLATE DAY - 1 APRIL HCP (1400 METRES) – FULL FIELD
5. KINGDOM AND EMPIRE got held up in traffic last start when third behind Just Like Fire. From barrier two, Jarrad Noske can sit pretty off the speed and attack in the straight after a soft run in transit. He meets Mass Effect worse at the weights but Mass Effect had every possible chance last time out. Blinkers on first time are sure to sharpen him up too.
3. MASS EFFECT was good last start in the same race as Kingdom And Empire. From barrier eight, Shaun McGruddy will go back and unleash the gelding late in the piece. Steve Wolfe's stable is just starting to catch fire…
6. STORM DANCER is on the quick one-week back up after an excellent run-on second behind More Aces. He was buffeted in the early part of the race but got clear to run on strongly on a day that was favourable to be on the speed. Out to 1400m looks to suit the son of Musket.
4. BOLD SUCCESS gets the noseroll on for raceday which may improve him after running on well last start behind Bounce Down. The form behind that galloper is questionable but you must always respect the cerise and white runners.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 5-3-6-4
SUGGESTED BET: 3. Mass Effect – WIN & 5. Kingdom And Empire – WIN
Race 2 - 1:54PM SCHWEPPES WATC DERBY DAY - 8 APRIL HANDICAP (1400 METRES) – FULL FIELD
2. GALAXY STAR quite simply will be the one to beat. She will have to run on from near last to win but we've seen how good she is after beating a similar grade of horse last start. This is slightly easier as she only has the girls to contend with. She will take catching.
7. DOLLY EM won only a moderate maiden two starts ago but came out and ran a super second in a class one last start behind the well-bred Secret Doubt. From barrier two and with only 53kg on her back, she can run a cheeky race at potential each-way odds.
4. FANCY FOX is a mare in wonderful form. The win two starts ago, in a class three at Pinjarra, was excellent and was backed up by a solid fourth in the Pearl Classic at Pinjarra against some of the best mares running around at this time of the year.
9. PRIME WITNESS was only two lengths behind Galaxy Star last time out and has to be considered as a place chance.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 2-7-4-9
SUGGESTED BET: 2/4,7,9 – EXACTA $10 for 333.33%
Race 3 - 2:35PM GET THE TABTOUCH HANDICAP (1800 METRES) – FULL FIELD
4. TYCOON TARGET seems to have found a consistent stream of form this preparation. He was heavily backed in the minutes leading up to last start and ran a slashing second accordingly. He beat home many of the same rivals he meets in this race.
8. HAKUNA MATATA’s only two wins have come from his last two outings. 2238m back down to 1800m is not ideal but he will be fit and the booking of Frenchman Matthieu Autier suggests that he will be near the front of the pack and be the one to catch. Watch for a grinding "catch me if you can" effort.
10. SONNEN’s two runs this preparation have been tough but full of merit. He had to do plenty of work in the run on both occasions but should be fit for this third up assignment. There will be no worries with him getting cover from barrier one and senior jockey Brad Parnham will add at least a length.
6. GALAXY BLAZE has been racing well at Geraldton. The former Bob Peters-owned galloper returns to town after winning impressively by five lengths. From the good barrier, he is one you have to respect.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4-8-10-6
SUGGESTED BET: 8. Hakuna Matata - PLACE
Race 4 - 3:10PM SUPREMACY STAKES (1000 METRES) – FULL FIELD
7. SEANNIE looks to have furnished into a very professional filly after winning her recent trial in slick time and chasing down Little Hercules. Those winning qualities will serve her well in this race after drawing barrier three and coming up against some other very smart juveniles. She should sit just off the speed and be too strong in the finish. The 3kg advantage on Keeper Keen is key.
1. KEEPER KEEN has shown that he is a class act. Like Seannie, he is by Sebring and looks the real deal after winning both of his only two starts in slick fashion. He came off the speed in his first win and sat on the pace in his second so he is clearly versatile and looks to be a live Karrakatta contender.
2. COLOURFUL CHARADE is still a maiden but did a mountain of last start in the Magic Millions 2YO Trophy at Pinjarra. After crossing to lead from barrier 13 on that occasion, he stuck on well in the worst part of the track to only go down by just over a length. With a couple of gear changes, expect the gelding to roll forward from the widest barrier and be the one to catch.
6. WACKED OUT is a son of So Secret having his first start for Neville Parnham. The colt is out of the wonderful producing family of Magnifisio and Barakey which are noted Group One Winterbottom Stakes winners. The trial on Monday 27 February, at Belmont, was run in a sizzling 59.73 and the colt deserves respect after drawing barrier three.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 7-1-2-6
SUGGESTED BET: 6. Wacked Out – EACH WAY & 7. Seannie - WIN
Race 5 - 3:50PM VALE SID RICHARDSON HANDICAP (1200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
3. RED PADDY hasn’t put a foot wrong this preparation. He is on the seven-day backup but this race looks ideal for the son of O'Reilly. He ran on well last start for second which was against the pattern and Aaron Mitchell will be riding hard to shake his apprentice claim.
10. SHADY GRAY comes out of the same race as Red Paddy. He has finally drawn gate which should see him get every possible chance with the minimum 54kg on his back. This is his big chance to show what he is truly capable of.
8. RIPPER RIO makes his debut for the Grant and Alana Williams stable in what will be his toughest test yet. The recent trial was soft when following the leader and winner on the rail. Jarrad Noske rides on raceday so you know he will be given every possible chance.
1. GIGANTE drops significantly in class after running three honest races in Listed class. Shelby Bowtell claims 3kg so expect the apprentice to take the gelding straight to the front from barrier nine and be the one to catch.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 3-10-8-1
SUGGESTED BET: 1. Gigante – EACH WAY
Race 6 - 4:25PM SCHWEPPES-ASCOT 1000 GUINEAS (1800 METRES) – FULL FIELD
5. VERY TEMPTING meets Precious Memories 1kg better at the weights after running an eye-catching fourth in the Listed Challenge Stakes. Shaun McGruddy keeps the ride which should be a positive for his confidence when riding the filly. They will get back and run on from barrier 10 but don't be surprised to see gallopers running on later in the day.
1. PRECIOUS MEMORIES knows how to find the line which was clear to see after her last start victory in the Challenge Stakes. That is the right form line and Jerry Noske is riding with great confidence and vigour at the moment. One of the obvious chances.
4. JUST LIKE FIRE won supremely well last start in a Wednesday three-year-old race. The fact that the race was run at such a slow tempo and she rounded them up from near last suggests that she will run a nice race but will be even better out to a WA Oaks trip. A big watch on this filly.
10. AMALFI LASS ran fourth in the same race as Just Like Fire last start but the effort was full of merit. She sat three-wide without cover and Chris Parnham tried to pinch the race before the turn by taking off on the daughter of War Chant but ultimately fell short. She should get a cushier run from barrier five and be able to finish off with the wicked dash we know she has.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 5-1-4-10
SUGGESTED BET: 5. Very Tempting – EACH WAY
Race 7 - 5:00PM ST PATRICK'S RACEDAY - 17 MARCH HANDICAP (1400 METRES) – FULL FIELD
4. ZEFIRO has come a long way in a short period of time. Keeping in mind he won a maiden on Boxing Day 2016, the son of Von Costa De Hero has since added two races to that initial success and has also run well, without luck, in Saturday grade. He returns to Saturday graduation class and should acquit himself well with plenty of speed expected in the race.
8. CARD KNIGHT’s two efforts this preparation were very good. He lacked luck last preparation and everything has gone his way this preparation so far without winning. He has drawn sticky in this event but runners should be able to make up ground which will help his cause.
5. TANJIER just needed to draw a barrier last start and he probably would have won. He is better treated from barrier nine in this race and gets 3kg off with apprentice Fiona Bell on. Watch for the six-year-old to be running on late.
13. DUSHA ZACHISTKI was allowed to flow three-wide last start so the chances are high that they may lead from the good draw. British Lee Newman takes the ride and seems to possess plenty of ability in the saddle which will aid the son of Moscow Ballet.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4-8-5-13
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Zefiro – EACH WAY & 8. Card Knight – EACH WAY
Race 8 - 5:35PM VALE BRANDAN THOMPSON HANDICAP (1600 METRES) – FULL FIELD
8. SASSO'S CIRCUS has drawn slightly sticky in barrier 14 but Shaun O'Donnell seems to get on well with the son of Due Sasso and knows that he has a short sharp dash which he can unleash in the straight. He looks to get a nice cart up into the race three-wide and should be there in the finish. The drop in class looks to suit.
4. PINZU comes into the race off a one-month freshen up. He is another which has drawn poorly but has the ability to finish off with a fast closing sectional. Jarrad Noske rides and there aren't riders many in better form than him.
2. MATERIAL MAN ran a nice race first up over 1400m but should only improve out to 1600m and beyond. Peter Hall jumps on so nothing is lost in the jockey ranks. The son of Vital Equine will improve over further but can run well here.
14. PROXY is first up with the noseroll on again. Alan Mathews prepares his stayers for long staying preparations but they usually sprint well fresh as a rule. Despite the gelding having never placed first up, still expect a late burst from back in the field, from the son of Authorized.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 8-4-2-14
SUGGESTED BET: 8. Sasso’s Circus – EACH WAY
HAVING A BET?
BEST BET: Race 2 – 2. Galaxy Star
BEST VALUE: Race 6 – 5. Very Tempting
Good Luck!
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