Expected weather: Sunny 19°C
Expected track rating: Good 4
Rail position: 15 metres; cutaway in the straight
Race 1 - 12:06pm Get The TABtouch Maiden (1000 Metres) – Full Field
OVERVIEW: Speed in the race looks to come from Cool Culture, Miss Swindle and Sovereignty Lady, despite the latter taking a sit in her recent trial. The two Jim Taylor-trained runners and one Simon Miller-prepared galloper should set a medium to fast tempo. Watch for those off the speed running on late.
1. THE ANAESTHETIST was scratched at the barriers last start at Northam on 22 June after lashing out at the barrier and injuring his off hind hock. The first up run at Pinjarra, up the straight 1000m, was sound when second behind Miss Planet on 8 June. He should get a hassle-free run and finish off well.
4. BRIDGY BARDOT had no luck last start at Northam on 22 June over 1000m after being trapped wide and riding the speed. To her credit, she stuck on well to finish only 1.5 lengths off Lady Latte. The effort before that at Belmont was excellent behind Imperial Venus when second on 31 May. She holds serious claims from barrier five.
5. MISS SWINDLE looks to be one of the leaders on paper after taking up the running last start behind La Bionda at Northam on 22 June over 1100m when a beaten favourite. Back down to 1000m should suit the daughter of Murtajill. Aaron Mitchell takes over riding duties.
2. WEST FIFTY FOURTH is a first starter by O’Reilly and from an excellent female family which has produced AJC Derby winner Headturner and Caulfield Guineas winner Anacheeva. He hit the line well late in his recent 1000m trial at Belmont on 12 June. With the soft draw of barrier three, expect a nice run but improvement will follow over 1200 to 1400m.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 1-4-5-2
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Bridgy Bardot – Place
Race 2 - 12:40pm Ascend Sales Trophies Handicap (1200 Metres) – Full Field
OVERVIEW: A lot of unknowns in this juvenile affair. Only two runners (Cool Intrigue and Upward Others) of the 11 starters have race experience and only Cool Intrigue has won. Speed map is tricky but Cool Intrigue will definitely go forward from gate two and expect Simon Miller’s Ocean Jewel to be prominent just inside of her in barrier one. Disco Jo led in his recent trial and he could also push forward from the tricky gate of eight.
9. OCEAN JEWEL is the spruik horse of the day. Impeccably bred, the filly is by Cox Plate winner Ocean Park and carries a female pedigree page dripping with black type. She was purchased for $80,000 as a yearling and appears to be worth every cent after trialling effortlessly well. Expect her to jump, run and win.
1. COOL INTRIGUE has the race experience on her side which should see her run well. The Frost Giant filly’s first two runs this preparation have been lacklustre but did have excuses last start over 1400m at Belmont on 21 June when trapped three-wide on the speed before fading late. The only winner of the field should be hard fit and can hold on to a place.
5. MASQUERADE makes her debut in the cerise and white of Bob and Sandra Peters. The gelding by Time Thief is a three-quarter brother to Roma Cup winner Battle Hero which was recently offloaded at the Perth Magic Millions Winter Sale to new connections. Masquerade’s recent trial at Lark Hill over 950m on 19 June was sound when finding the line nicely under Glenn Smith. William Pike takes over for raceday.
6. OUQBA TED is another first start and has drawn awkwardly. By Ouqba and out of Blackfriars mare Exquisite Fashion, the gelding smashed the line from well back in his recent trial at Belmont over 1000m on 12 June behind Portalian. He should be finding the line well again.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 9-1-5-6
SUGGESTED BET: 1. Cool Intrigue - Place
Race 3 - 1:17pm J.J. Richards & Sons Handicap (1200 Metres) – Full Field
OVERVIEW: Another two-year-old race which sees a field full of 12 maidens trying to break through for a win. Bob and Sandra Peters race first starters Americain filly American Joy and Artie Schiller filly Special Image, both of which were purchased at the same ready to race sale last year. With four first starters in the race, the speed map is once again a bit tricky but expect Paul Jordan runner Time On My Side to go forward and lead. Al Capitano with the blinkers on on debut will be prominent. And if Portalian jumps cleanly, he can be up there outside of Time On My Side. Speed appears to be moderate to solid.
9. PEARL TRADE was the eye-catcher last start at Belmont on 17 June when running on from the second half of the field behind Cognac over 1000m. Out to 1200m is the key for the filly. She looks to have some class and a bit more than the rest of the raced brigade lining up here.
7. LUCKY ESCAPE is a first starter from the Trevor Andrews yard so have to respect. He was a $100,000 yearling purchase and is by gun young sire Star Witness and out of WATC Matchmaker Classic (now Sheila Gwynne Classic) winner Danecay. His recent trial was just okay over 1000m at Belmont on 12 June. He positioned up well and just looked as though out to 1200m will suit. The high-priced yearling purchase opened up at big odds with TABtouch.
6. AL CAPITANO is now a gelding despite being listed as a colt in form guides. The son of Al Maher was a $77,500 purchase as a yearling and is out of a terrific American female family. His recent trial over 1000m was superb as he took a narrow gap in the straight like a very promising horse at Belmont on 12 June. He is still raw but will improve with racing. Blinkers were not on in the trial but are applied for raceday.
5. PORTALIAN had to be bustled out of the gates on debut behind Cognac over 1000m at Belmont on 17 June. Being ridden early got the gelding unsettled and over-racing. He couldn’t get clear in the straight but didn’t have much left to give. Forgive that effort and expect him to take up a much more prominent position in running.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 9-7-6-5
SUGGESTED BET: 7. Lucky Escape - Place
Race 4 - 1:51pm Country Interstate International Membership Hcp (1000 Metres) – Full Field
OVERVIEW: Intrigue surrounds former Victorian Prix D’Excellence which is now with Justin Warwick and trialled ordinarily on leading into this race. Double Edged is the only last start winner of the field. If the recent trial of Magnus filly Prix D’Excellence is anything to go by, she will be leading with Double Edged from the two inside draws. Pace may come out wide from rank outsider Mercurial Spur and Mark Bairstow’s Illusion Of Light. Tempo should be genuine.
3. SOVEREIGN HALL returns first up after a spell and a really nice trial over 950m at Lark Hill on 19 June. The way he hit the line in the trial suggests that he has put that terrible recent preparation behind him. Expect a good run first up.
4. SUPPOSITION does his best work fresh as suggested by his first up record of nine starts for three wins and four placings. His most recent run on 8 March over 1200m at Ascot and was behind some handy ones in Quilista and Remember Berlin. Form reads well.
5. BLACK GRAPE has been freshened up since running on 31 May over 1200m at Belmont behind Ace’s Wish. This looks to be a plan of attack with apprentice Fred W Kersley on from barrier three. Watch for him to be flashing late with the expected genuine tempo.
1. DOUBLE EDGED will lead or be right up there from the inside draw, especially considering the race is over 1000m. He should give a kick and hold on to a top four spot.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 3-4-5-1
SUGGESTED BET: 3. Sovereign Hall – Win & 4. Supposition – WIN
Race 5 - 2:34pm Corporate Membership Handicap (1000 Metres) – Full Field
OVERVIEW: All eyes will be on Chin Strap which has promised plenty in his short career but has not delivered. Leaders appear to be Miss Planet and Halldora. Chin Strap can kick up and hold a spot. Bounce Down con roll forward also. Expect an early charge but an anchor drop when rounding the turn.
5. CHIN STRAP trialled nicely on 12 June at Belmont over 1000m leading into the race. He draws well and has the ability proven by him contesting the Listed Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic and Listed Challenge Stakes. This should get the son of Helmet up and running.
2. I AM INCREDIBLE was a forgive run last start behind Belter at Belmont over 1000m on 17 June. He got over-racing and was caught wide which didn’t allow him to finish off. The start before that on 3 June over 1000m at Belmont behind Scalpel was excellent after over-racing and hitting the line well for second. The drop in class and inside draw suits.
1. HALLDORA comes out of the same race as I Am Incredible and had no luck when trying to find clear running in the straight. She hit the line well for third but arguably should have finished closer. Expect apprentice Fred W Kersley to roll forward from barrier seven and give a good sight. The Vaughn Sigley stable is in tremendous form.
3. BOUNCE DOWN is a tough filly which races well with a run under her belt. She also comes out of the same race as Halldora and I Am Incredible. The daughter of Reward For Effort poked up along the inside and found the line well. Improvement is expected.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 5-2-1-3
SUGGESTED BET: 2. I Am Incredible – Win & 5. Chin Strap – Win
Race 6 - 3:10pm Young Membership Handicap (1400 Metres) – Full Field
OVERVIEW: Blazing Business and All Too Much come to the races with the addition of blinkers and both of them should be close to the speed. Greystat may also follow them across with The Director, Four Letter Werd and Eyes Wide Open sitting just off them from inside draws. Expect a moderate speed and jockeys of inside runners inhaling heavily until the cutaway in the straight.
4. THE DIRECTOR is fifth up into the race and has had an excellent preparation thus far considering he was off the racing scene for nearly 10 months. 4kg-claiming apprentice Maddison Brown rides from barrier one and should get the saloon passage through along the cutaway. He looks hard to beat.
5. EYES WIDE OPEN was beaten by 9.75 lengths last start behind Gomer Wipple at Belmont over 1400m on 21 June but was desperately unlucky when trying to obtain a run in the straight. Expect better luck in running for the mare and a much improved performance.
1. FOUR LETTER WERD was caught wide last start when second up in the Northam Traders’ Sprint over 1300m at Northam on 5 June. Being by High Chaparral, out to 1600m and being third up will be ideal.
2. ALL TOO MUCH gets the blinkers on for raceday and should improve significantly. Expect to see the gelding stride to the lead or outside of the leader and be hard to catch.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4-5-1-2
SUGGESTED BET: 2. All Too Much – Place
Race 7 - 3:45pm Club Membership Handicap (2100 Metres) – Full Field
OVERVIEW: A wide open class one staying race is the seventh of the day. Miss Rumour Mill, He’s Dunna Runna and Halushi are the gallopers which will roll forward and set the speed. Those three gallopers should go along at an even tempo but don’t be surprised if they slow up down the back straight.
10. HALUSHI has run second at two of his last three starts, which have all been over 2200m. The son of Hala Bek settled down to fight out last start with Western Star on 14 June at Belmont. Although running second, they put three lengths on the rest of the field.
17. SAXOPHONIST is the first emergency and may not gain a start but, if he does, he is a live chance. He will definitely be fit after three good efforts over 2200m and should be able to get out and rolling from the 600m mark. He should go close if he gets a start.
3. HE'S DUNNA RUNNA is second up over the staying trip but that has proved to be no hindrance as the gelding is a genuine stayer with dour staying bloodlines. Dan Staeck can sit handy with the gelding from barrier seven and hopefully run into the money.
5. ROCK GISELLE is a superbly bred daughter of Fastnet Rock and is out of Group One-winning mare Dizelle. Formerly with Lee and Anthony Freedman in Victoria, the filly showed good promise when winning a moderate maiden at Sandown over 1500m on 15 March before going on to being outclassed in the Listed Laelia Stakes (1600m) and Group Three SA Fillies Classic (2500m), both at Morphettville in Adelaide. This is a big class drop but she hasn’t been to the races for over a month. Class will be the telling factor.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 10-17-3-5
SUGGESTED BET: 17. Saxophonist – Place
Race 8 - 4:15pm Gold Membership Handicap (2100 Metres) – Full Field
OVERVIEW: Another even staying race but this time for the three-year-olds. The speed should be set by Dusty Storm from barrier 10. Thunder Boom has found herself on the speed in recent times but is better suited with a sit. And Summit Trail should also be prominent in running. There looks to be speed in the early part when finding positions in running but the anchor may well get dropped down the back straight like the race prior.
2. JACKPOT PRINCE won impressively back on 31 May over 2200m at Belmont when streaking away to win by three lengths. He showed a turn of speed which only good horses possess. The month between runs is a slight query but trust the noted staying trainers.
10. PERFECT DREAM is by Commands and is out black type-winning mare Storm Alert which makes her a half-sister to Pinjarra Cup winner Dark Alert. Barrier one, William Pike on board and the polish of Grant and Alana Williams looks to hold this mare in good stead after a nice maiden win at Pinjarra on 15 June over 1600m. She will improve with racing but don’t be taking short odds.
11. QUEEN BEY didn’t let down last start as many punters would have expected when fourth at Pinjarra on 8 June behind Prince Turbo over 1600m. She had excuses though, as she had to be steadied to find a spot on the running line. She was desperately unlucky the start before when chopped out for a run behind No Say In It at Belmont over 1600m on 27 May. Out to 2200m will suit the daughter of Blackfriars.
4. PERSIAN PRINCESS drops in class and rises in distance which should suit the daughter of Stryker. She has been hitting the line nicely in recent times but just seemed to be looking for something slightly easier. The Alan Mathews-trained filly finds that here.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 2-10-11-4
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Persian Princess – Place
Race 9 - 4:45pm Vili's Handicap (1300 Metres) – Full Field
OVERVIEW: Detango looks the standout of the field and has drawn superbly well in barrier four. The race looks to lack a natural leader so speed may be lacking. Checkers has sat handy in running before and could lead from barrier two. Hold Your Tongue led all of the way last start when winning at Leinster but tempo looks to be lacking.
6. DETANGO is a mare on the up. She won impressively last start at Belmont over 1200m on 14 June. She was caught wide and was bumped by The Dankster in the straight but proved to be far superior. She will take a power of beating from the good draw.
3. ANVIL GREEN was unlucky last start at Belmont on 3 June over 1200m when travelling well at the tail of the field before having to steady off heels at the 600m mark. Jason Whiting then took inside runs before finishing off behind a wall of horses. He’s not one you can back with confidence but he has shown good form in recent times.
5. QUALITY FAIR was well-backed from $61 into $21 two starts ago on 20 May at Belmont before running a brave fourth behind the in-form Meteoroid over 1200m. Three lengths off Meteoroid is form that has to be respected.
7. CHECKERS looks to be the likely leader and should get a picnic out in front. His recent efforts have been superb behind the likes of Gomer Wipple and Celtic Wizard. He has also won two of his past five races. Expect a positive ride and a forward showing.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 6-3-5-7
SUGGESTED BET: 6. Detango – Win
HAVING A BET?
BEST BET: Race 9 – 6. Detango
BEST VALUE: Race 4 – 5. Black Grape
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