Expected weather: Partly cloudy 32°C
Expected track rating: GOOD4
Rail position: 15m with cutaway to 12m in the straight
Race 1 - 1:17PM GET THE TABTOUCH MAIDEN (1500 METRES) – FULL FIELD
11. NICE GO is the standout filly of the field. Last preparation, the daughter of Vital Equine ran behind the black type-performed Final Salute and Humanity before going on to compete in the Group Three WA Champion Fillies Stakes. She was ok first up but the 1200m was too short and the step up to 1600m last start, when second up, came too quickly but she still ran on nicely. Third up over the 1500m looks ideal and the blinkers on for the first time is a big flashing light.
6. MEN OF MUKINBUDIN is starting his second preparation after having two runs in February and March of 2016. The recent 1000m, at Pinjarra, trial suggests that the son of Musket has returned sharper than when he left, running second behind Gangster Of Love in the time of 60.57.
8. CLEVER DICK should not still be a maiden after eight starts. He has placed four times out of his last five starts and the unplaced effort was two starts ago when fourth and beaten by under a length. He has a great chance in this having drawn barrier two and it’s a good sign that Peter Kunckey stays aboard.
3. TRADE SEARCH was good last start in a muddling run race behind La Mouline and Clever Dick. He is likely to be near the front of the field which is always advantageous in these maiden class races.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 11-6-8-3
SUGGESTED BET: 11. Nice Go - WIN
Race 2 - 1:52PM TABTOUCH RACE REPLAYS HANDICAP (1100 METRES) – FULL FIELD
4. EXPRESSELLA was disappointing to the eye last start, on debut, but runners weren’t making up much ground on that day. Going on the trial prior to that effort, she looked to possess good ability. Expect improvement here in a weaker two-year-old race.
1. MEDIA BARON’s only race start, behind Keeper Keen, on Saturday 12 November, was good without much luck. He got held up and only got clear late before running on well into sixth. Vast improvement is expected in what is a weaker race.
8. ROCKING ROSE has had only the one race start when last, beaten 22 lengths, behind Achernar Star in the first two-year-old race of the season. She was under the whip after going 100m in that run. She has since trialled twice and in good time. Expect an improved showing.
5. RETOSONA is another juvenile with race experience. She was just ok last start behind Summer's Dream but looked as though she would have taken plenty of improvement out of the run. Brad Parnham can be close from barrier three which may be useful with the expected firm track.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4-1-8-5
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Expressella - EACH WAY
Race 3 - 2:32PM ST PATRICK'S RACEDAY - FRIDAY 17 MARCH HANDICAP (1100 METRES) – FULL FIELD
1. REYKJAVIK did plenty wrong in the run last start when he wanted to get his head up and over-race. Before that, his debut performance behind Fire Ant was very good when running on to be beaten by under a length. Jockey Shaun O'Donnell will have options from barrier three but it's likely that they will want to be positive from the favourable draw.
9. RESISTANCE is a filly by Rogano having her first start. The recent trials have been faultless and run in good time. She looks smart and is the only first starter in the field so that may bring some value about her.
2. SUMMER'S DREAM is one of two winners in the race. She did it tough last start when forced to sit outside of the leader before kicking on strongly to hold off Golden Trigger. Clint Johnston-Porter's claim down to 55.5kg helps as does the inside draw.
4. ZING BANG WOP comes out of the same race as Summer's Dream. Was excellent in sticking on when forced to sit three-wide without cover. She should have improved from that run and may go forward from barrier nine.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 1-9-2-4
SUGGESTED BET: 1. Reykjavik - WIN
Race 4 - 3:10PM HEINEKEN 3 HANDICAP (1200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
6. SECRET DOUBT returned to the races in fine style last start when winning after sitting three-wide without cover. Being a Neville Parnham-trained runner, she would have come on well after the tough run. She is very well-bred and connections would have their eye on black type this preparation which means that she should go well here.
8. QUILISTA showed that she is a very speedy three-year-old last start, at Bunbury, when winning by over five lengths. She jumped from barrier 11 of 12 that day and sat outside of the leader which proved that she was far superior. This is only a minor step up in class and she is well in at the weights. William Pike aboard and the good draw also adds credence to her chances.
2. REMEMBER BERLIN returns for the in-form Simon Miller stable after trialling nicely at Pinjarra recently. He usually runs well fresh and is likely to be near the top of the speed. A big chance with 1.5kg claimer Aaron Mitchell on board.
3. SUPPOSITION proved last start, when second up, that he is not just a fresh horse after being beaten by only a length over 1100m. The concern is that he steps out to 1200m but he should get a soft run from the good draw and be able to finish off well as his last start closing sectionals suggest.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 6-8-2-3
SUGGESTED BET: 6. Secret Doubt – EACH WAY
Race 5 - 3:45PM AMELIA PARK BEEF HANDICAP (1000 METRES) – FULL FIELD
3. RUBY CAN RUN has a good fresh record and a good recent trial under her belt to suggest that she will run well first up. Barrier 11 is not much of a concern as there looks to be plenty of speed from the likes of Secret Assault, American Star, Festive Excess and Castle Retreat to allow her to get home strongly.
4. MR AFRICAN has drawn well here in barrier six and that will give jockey Ryan Hill the option to roll forward and sit off the speed or drop right out to settle in the second half of the field. Either way, coming off a six-week freshen up, he should be ready to run well.
5. AMERICAN STAR only has to carry 55.5kg with thanks to Aaron Mitchell's claim. He is likely to roll forward on the son of All American, from barrier four, just like Sarah Bonner did last start on the gelding when going down by half a length.
11. RIPPER RED races really well fresh and is one at each-way odds that should be respected. 52.5kg on the gelding's back should allow him to run on nicely into the race.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 3-4-5-11
SUGGESTED BET: 3. Ruby Can Run – WIN & 4. Mr African – WIN
Race 6 - 4:20PM PERTH RACING YOUNG MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP (1800 METRES) – FULL FIELD
2. DELANTERO is a son of Cox Plate-winning three-year-old Savabeel and is owned by Bob and Sandra Peters. After winning last start impressively, at Gerladton, over 1900m, it is safe to assume, that with a win here, he will be heading towards the Group Two Schweppes-WATC Derby. He looks to have all of the necessary attributes to mix it with the top line of three-year-olds. Watch for a cold and patient ride from William Pike to allow the gelding to finish off powerfully, just like he did at Geraldton.
1. GRAND CADEAU is a son of English Derby winner Pour Moi and out is out of a Zabeel mare so this gelding is looking for as much ground as possible. Despite pulling in the run, he ground out a solid win last start over 1705m at, Bunbury, and he will only get better over further. This race may still prove to be too short but he looks to have a bit of x-factor and is another to watch for heading towards the WATC Derby.
7. LATAKIA FRIARS is another last start winner. The daughter of Blackfriars put the writing on the wall at the beginning of her preparation when winning a trial, over 1000m, impressively. She drops from 2038m to 1800m but looks to have good chasing ability and some class which will take her a long way.
10. JOYOUS AFFAIR was disappointing to the eye last start when well beaten in Saturday graduation grade. The step up in class may have come too quickly after only winning a maiden at Albany the start before. She also may have resented being bumped early in the race at Ascot. Forgive last start and you may get generous odds for her here.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 2-1-7-10
SUGGESTED BET: 2. Delantero - WIN
Race 7 - 5:00PM EVENTSATASCOT.COM.AU HANDICAP (1400 METRES) – FULL FIELD
5. PARADING’s first up run in the Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy was very good but he was then disappointing last start when crowded early and tangled up in traffic. Out to 1400m and with a few tinkering gear changes should suit the gelding. Also back down in class is an obvious advantage.
8. BARRY'S RABBIT ran on stoutly last start in a race where not too many runners made up ground. He has been in good form and is threatening to win a race. A cold ride from barrier 14 should see him run into the money for Bunbury trainer Bruce Watkins.
9. MOSSTIARA was a huge forgive run last start when stepping up in class to Saturday three-year-old grade. She was caught wide on that occasion and faded badly to be well beaten. She has drawn wide again but apprentice Aaron Mitchell has won on her previously so will know to try and get cover three-wide with her. Respect the class- dropper.
3. SIRIUS PROSPECT is another which you can forgive for running poorly last start. He missed the start, at Pinjarra, by a length and then didn't fully settle before being pushed out very deep on turning and made no impact on straightening. The run two starts ago was excellent when running second behind the very smart Touch Of Silver. On that occasion, he beat home subsequent Listed Schweppes-Ascot 1000 Guineas winner Awaken. Jumping from barrier two, he is worth a bet.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 5-8-9-3
SUGGESTED BET: 3. Sirius Prospect – EACH WAY
Race 8 - 5:40PM CROWN TOWERS HANDICAP (1600 METRES) – FULL FIELD
13. IN DA HOOD is a mare by Street Boss and will only get better over further as suggested by her first up run when beaten by only one length over 1300m. Out to 1600m second up suits and Pike should be able to go back and run on with the four-year-old. One to stick with this preparation.
8. SEBRING SPY gets the blinkers on for the first time and Jarrad Noske hops on. Two very advantageous changes which should see him run out the mile strongly.
11. CELTIC WIZARD comes into the race off a one-month freshen up after he was very good when running on for fourth. Drawn in barrier three, the gelding can settle handier than he has been and be able to finish off under Lee Newman.
14. WANTED DESIRE may start at a touch of overs so watch this space. The filly bumped into two handy Peters-owned runners when first and second up but was not disgraced on either occasion. Last start she closed off nicely, despite the form guide saying she was ninth of 13. Expect a forward run from the good draw.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 13-8-11-14
SUGGESTED BET: 8. Sebring Spy – EACH WAY
HAVING A BET?
BEST BET: Race 6 – 2. Delantero
BEST VALUE: Race 4 – 6. Secret Doubt
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