Expected weather: Sunny 27°C
Expected track rating: GOOD4
Rail position: 9m
Race 1 - 12:23PM DEVIL'S LAIR PLATE (1000 METRES) – FULL FIELD
2. VITAL BLAST draws a good gate and 1kg comes off with thanks to Aaron Mitchell’s claim. He had no luck last start when caught wide behind Vexilloid. The time out of that race is comparable with the Group Three Gimcrack Stakes. Will go close here.
6. COME ON OVER stepped well and led all of the way in a recent trial. First starters are always unknown but the $42,000 yearling purchase looks to have plenty of dash.
7. FABERGINO sizzled in a recent trial under Jarrad Noske. Noske stays on the grey filly which is a sign that she goes pretty well. Let’s hope she can bring that trial form to raceday.
1. RESISTANCE won nicely last start in a Saturday two-year-old race after giving an honest account of herself in the Group Three Gimcrack Stakes. Last start form has proven that the runners behind her weren’t as good as first though. Big tick staying at 1000m though.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 2-6-7-1
SUGGESTED BET: 2. Vital Blast – WIN
Race 2 - 1:03PM LAVAZZA HANDICAP (1600 METRES) – FULL FIELD
1. NORTH RIDGE’s last three runs have been very good. The drop in class with the claimer on looks to suit and, with the speed expected from Corporate Larrikin, he can finish off strongly with one big run. His late sectionals are the key to him winning the race.
6. TERROR FORCE blundered on turning last start which nearly unsaddled William Pike. He did the same thing in a near identical spot on the Ascot track four starts ago before coming out and winning. The son of Al Maher will get the right run from the good draw and this is another which will enjoy the speed.
2. DEZZIES DREAM was very keen last start in the Old Comrade and didn’t settle at all under Pike. The plan was to be positive but she was revved up and Pike was forced to take up the running. She could be the one chasing Corporate Larrikin in the run and could hold on to a place finish.
3. DJANGO drops back to BM78+ grade which suits the son of Trade Fair. He won last time in this grade, which was on Christmas Eve, and that was also over 1600m.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 1-6-2-3
SUGGESTED BET: 1. North Ridge – WIN & 6. Terror Force – WIN
Race 3 - 1:43PM KIRIN MEGUMI HANDICAP (1200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
6. DETANGO won nicely last start at Pinjarra and beat a handy one in Lorentinio. Back to 1200m is no issue and she looks to get a lovely midfield run with a hot speed expected.
2. QUILISTA is the class of the field but the three-year-old filly has to carry top weight of 59kg. She will bowl along out in front but if she gets too keen, like last start in the Raconteur, she could be vulnerable late.
5. LE PATRON has had a little freshen up and looks to be well placed here. The 2kg claim from Randy Tan helps and the expected speed, from Quilista and Distant Memory, will play into her hands.
3. FANCY FOX has put in two enormous performances against the better fillies and mares in the Marjorie Charleson and Sheila Gwynne. An equal effort would see her go close to winning.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 6-2-5-3
SUGGESTED BET: 6. Detango – WIN
Race 4 - 2:19PM SEACORP HANDICAP (1000 METRES) – FULL FIELD
6. CAIPIRINHA returns! The fast Nicconi filly trialled well leading into the race, clocking 60.01 over 1000m at Belmont. She has black type races in Adelaide on her radar so she should be winning this stepping stone easily. There are concerns about her first up record and record over 1000m though. Still, she should be romping this in.
4. SHADY GRAY finds a 1000m race where there looks to be good tempo and that will play into his hands nicely. Watch for him to be swooping home late.
5. SWEET ORA wasn’t meant to lead last start but they didn’t go as hard as Clint Johnston-Porter expected so he held the inside and was found wanting late. With cover, she can run a much improved race.
9. THE RIVER was strangled in the recent trial behind Caipirinha but found the line exceptionally well in the three-horse heat. He is now getting treated much better at the weights after being such a dominant two-year-old.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 6-4-5-9
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Shady Gray – EACH WAY
Race 5 - 2:54PM TABTOUCH HANDICAP (1200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
5. KARLAKEE MISS gets in very well at the weights and only has to carry 52.5kg with thanks to Clint Johnston-Porter’s claim. The filly is likely to settle just off Swift Platinum and The Celt which should see her get the run of the race. After being scratched in the mounting yard two starts ago, a lot will depend on how she presents pre-race. She looks one of the better bets on the card.
8. MY GRACE looks to get a nice run midfield and meets Next Generation much better at the weights compared to two starts ago. She’s no topliner but you always have to respect the cerise and white.
1. NEXT GENERATION is looking for three in a row after beating a couple of handy three-year-old fields. Aaron Mitchell’s 1.5kg claim is a more than welcome factor for the son of Magnus which will mean he only has to carry 57kg instead of the handicapper’s recommendation of 58.5kg.
3. SWIFT PLATINUM was just nabbed last start by Young Gina,on Good Friday, but was still very game in the lead. He looks to get to the front and should be there for a long way of the race.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 5-8-1-3
SUGGESTED BET: 5. Karlakee Miss - WIN
Race 6 - 3:30PM GRANT THORNTON HANDICAP (1200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
1. TRAVELLIN' finds himself in a very winnable race. The effort last start behind Just Act Natural was enough to suggest that he should be winning this.
9. ZACAPA opened up at $91 with TABtouch but the trial, at the start of the preparation, suggested that there was a nice run ahead of the lightly-raced six-year-old. He will sneak up along the rail and could run a cheeky race.
11. AIRLIE SUN gets the services of William Pike after he rode the gelding last start at Bunbury. The Main Instigator form lines are good enough for him to feature.
12. PIRATE'S FORTUNE comes into the race first up and should lead with Travellin’. Tongue tie comes off and expect him to go fast out in front.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 1-9-11-12
SUGGESTED BET: 9. Zacapa - PLACE
Race 7 - 4:10PM AMELIA PARK LAMB HANDICAP (1400 METRES) – FULL FIELD
4. RED PUBLISHER didn’t help himself last week after racing keenly in the early stages of the race when narrowly missing eventual winner Variation. This race looks ideal but he just can’t seem to draw a barrier. Shaun McGruddy will ride him cold again and will enjoy the speed set by Military Ruler, Majinika, Key To Fame and Senso. Big chance.
6. RIPPER RIO didn’t handle the seven-day back-up last start when beaten by the eventual Narrogin Cup winner Pushin’ Shapes. 21 days between runs suits.
5. DANEFIN is an underrated galloper and with any other trainer would probably open up at shorter odds. He will be getting home strongly on top of the strong speed.
2. MILITARY RULER goes well fresh and the recent trial was sound. French hoop Matthieu Autier will give him every possible chance on top of the speed.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4-6-5-2
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Red Publisher – WIN
Race 8 - 4:50PM SUBIACO FOOTBALL CLUB HANDICAP (2200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
8. AT THE READY has beaten the older horses over a staying trip before. The only query is how much the Derby preparation has taken out of him leading into this. Still a leading hope.
3. CAPPO D'ORO flew home late last start and suggested that he would be hard to beat at his next outing. He gets every possible chance from the good draw.
7. ROSEWOOD HILL has been ultra-consistent this preparation and looks to get another nice midfield run in transit. She will run on without fail.
14. MIDNIGHT BANQUET has been running very well without winning. His last two starts were superb when leading and he has the right barrier to get to the front comfortably again. A definite top four chance.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 8-3-7-14
SUGGESTED BET: 7. Rosewood Hill – PLACE
HAVING A BET?
BEST BET: Race 5 – 5. Karlakee Miss
BEST VALUE: Race 6 – 9. Zacapa
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