Expected weather: Shower or two developing 18 degrees Celsius
Expected track rating: Soft 5 - 6
Rail position: Out 3 metres
Race 1 1:23 TABtouch Maiden (1,400 metres) – Bet with TABtouch
1 SHREWD GAMBLE was trapped wide throughout after jumping from barrier ten last start and never threatened in the straight. Can improve here with a softer run from gate two.
2 ZIGGOORIO comes in off two solid 950m trials, the first (Aug 28) behind smart last start winner Denim Pack. Drawn well in barrier four and the three kilo claim helps.
3 BRISTOL ROAD beat all bar A Fair Lady a fortnight ago when at $41. Did get all the favours from the inside draw that day, and is drawn in eleven here, but should improve second-up.
4 SAVUNO has caught the eye in two runs back including a last start third to Golgotha at Pinjarra (Aug 24). Steps back from the 1500m to 1400m here but should strip fitter third-up.
5 BLOOMY’S SUN was off the track and did a lot of work in going forward early, when seventh to Kia Ora Star on debut. Fought on well but is drawn wide here again in nine, and will need luck in running.
6 OUTTATHAWAY looked to have struggled at the 1650m trip last time out, hence the drop back in distance. Blinkers go on.
7 BURNING MAGIC hasn’t been able to draw a gate in recent times. Has sat wide in two of her most recent runs and still found the line with plenty of gusto. From barrier six, expect a change of fortunes.
8 FAIRTORE failed to threaten when nine of eleven behind Kia Ora Star last start. Barrier 10 makes things tricky.
9 NO ORDINARY GIRL clicked into another gear despite being caught wide when fifth to Kia Ora Star over the 1200m. Looked like a horse wanting more ground, and draws the inside alley with William Pike aboard.
10 RED HOT FLIRT fought on bravely when third of nine at Northam (Sept 14). Will need to go to another level here though.
11 SUMMER LADY was under pressure a fair way out last start and ran home evenly. Hard to see her beating some of these but does has race fitness on her side, this being her fifth start this prep.
Selections – 9, 7, 4, 3
Race 2 2:03 Fifth Leg Plate (1,200 metres) – Bet with TABtouch
1 MONEY MAHER showed a tremendous turn of foot in two recent wins, scooting up the inside two starts back, before flying wide late last start. A repeat performance should see a third straight win here.
2 REYKJAVIK returned with a promising fifth behind My Demi (Sept 6), after settling back and making up ground over the final furlong. Drawn well in three and should be ultra-competitive here.
3 RESISTANCE followed Reykjavik in on debut as a 2yo and has produced two solid trials coming into this. Plenty to like, but may find a couple here a touch to zippy.
4 ARRUM BOY jumps back up to the 1200m after three runs at the 1000m. Just the week in between runs but did hit the line nicely behind Dynamite Dream last Saturday.
5 ROGANELLA was pushed along in winning a recent trial over 1000m. Showed plenty of talent as a 2yo but may need the run here.
6 MOSCHARD debuts here after two trial runs. The most recent was a win over the 950m at Lark Hill, and although strong, did look as if he’s got a bit to learn.
7 DEMONS ‘N’ DUST ran home well down the outside when second at Northam last time round. Has plenty of race experience with this being start 15, but expect she’ll find this too tough.
8 SHANIA STYLE showed there’s plenty to like when second behind Money Maher at Northam (Aug 31). Drawn to get a nice run here from barrier two and can figure in the multiples.
Selections: 1, 2, 3, 6
Race 3 2:43 Prive Fashion Platform – 7 October Handicap (1,000 metres) – Bet with TABtouch
1 FLOYD scratched
2 TENTERDEN is first-up with no public trial, but did salute first-up with no trial over the 1000m at Pinjarra back in January. Should be able to sit on speed without much effort from barrier three.
3 RHI’S ROCKET famously matched motors with Vega Magic and Scales Of Justice back January 2016 before missing 12 months shortly after that. Produced an effortless trial win over the 950m at Lark Hill, two weeks ago, but a win would surprise having missed so much racing in recent times.
4 GLIMMER GIRL resumes here. She won like a good thing when she beat Dainty Tess back in April and – disappointingly – was scratched the start following. Looked to have come back really well in a recent trial win. Barrier nine is the negative, but William Pike is the positive. Expecting a promising return.
5 FRINGED chasing a fifth straight win here is this eight-year-old. This is a step up in grade and he’s only ever had two competitive runs over the 1000m, during his 45 start career, but you can’t knock this bloke’s toughness and expect he’ll be as bold as always.
6 UNDISCLOSED sat wide no cover when well behind Floyd last start, so there were excuses. Certain to improve here second-up and draws a little better in six, but suspect a place chance is best.
7 BANGALORE dashed brilliantly when an all-the-way leader last start. This is certain to be a tougher test, but should be at his prime fourth-up now, draws better in seven, after jumping from 11 last start, and does drop 1.5kgs.
8 SLIK SAM hasn’t raced for two months following a sixth of eight at Belmont on July 1. Go back a fortnight before that and produced a game effort to run sixth over the 1000m. Out of a respected yard and gets the one alley, but keen to see this four-year-old come back before investing.
9 SOVEREIGN HALL liked the way this guy kicked in the home straight when swamped late last start. That said, will need to raise the bar if to be finishing in the placings here.
Selections – 4, 7, 2, 3
Race 4 3:20 Crown Towers Handicap (1,400 metres) – Bet with TABtouch
1 BIG CAROLINE backs up, having ran on really well in behind Young Gina last Saturday. Another tricky gate to contend with here in seven, but she’s extremely honest and expect her to be thereabouts come the winning post.
2 ANOTHER VISION probably expected a little more from her when fifth behind Young Gina last start, but the weight may have been a factor. She draws the rail here and with Fiona Bell going back on with the claim, drops from the 57kg to the 53kg. Certainly one to consider.
3 AMALIEMOO jumped well enough last start but was immediately shuffled back and it cost her any chance of winning, as they walked in front. The nine alley here makes things more difficult but at her best, she can figure.
4 IN THIS LIFE another who went back last start and never got into it, due to a crawling tempo. A barnstorming second two starts back caught the eye. Repeat that and she’s right in this.
5 JUST LIKE FIRE first-up over 1400m looks certain to be short of her best distance, but it’d be wise to remember she finished third when first-up over 1400m back in February, and then won over 1500m at her very next start. Can go close.
6 ACE’S WISH got all the favours when box seated on a slow tempo and saluted narrowly at Northam last time round. Barrier three here suggests she’ll get another cushy run, which means she’s likely to be right in the picture.
7 NASHVILLE CAT tailed off when ninth of ten behind Floyd last start over the 1000m. Ran home strongly over 1300m the start prior and with the blinkers off, Pike on again, and gate two the starting position, can turn things around.
8 ORANGE STRUDEL produced only an even run when fifth behind Bangalore. Jumps from the 1000m to the 1400m, and while should strip fitter, would be surprised if she can match it with some of these.
9 VEGA DIOR was impressed by the way this girl dug deep in the concluding stages of her win last start at Pinjarra. That was a maiden and this a Benchmark 62 but a smallish field here plays into her hands. Her trial win before that was a beauty as well. In fact her three trials this time in were all wins and on soft ground, so will have no problems should the rain come on Saturday.
Selections: 9, 5, 4, 6
Race 5 3:55 Amelia Park Lodge Handicap (1,400 metres) – Bet with TABtouch
1 TYCOON TARGET returned with a gritty win over Mrs Brown’s Boys over the 1400m a fortnight ago. Expect fitness wise he’ll have come on from that run and the five alley, and the claim definitely play in his favour.
2 YOUNG GINA his run two starts back suggested a win wasn’t far away and that came in brilliant fashion at Belmont last Saturday. Drawn awkwardly again here in eight, but showed last start he doesn’t mind splitting the gaps if giving them a start in the straight. May have improved again fourth-up here, which makes him a dangerous proposition.
3 PRIZE CATCH was caught wide despite jumping from barrier four last start and was never a winning chance. Jumps from gate nine here so will need some luck. Expect some of these will be too sharp for him in any case.
4 TAKE IT LIKE A MAN this bloke has been low flying of late and is going for three-on-the-trot here. Looked like he might not get Defiancy last time in, but really knuckled down and chased hard to get the bikkies. Tougher task again here and back to the 1400m from the 1650m, but expect he’ll be in the finish again.
5 IRON BOSS tracked Tycoon Target last start and whilst didn’t lose ground, didn’t make up any ground in the run to the post. Drawn well, but with Tycoon Target first-up that day, and Iron Boss having at his fourth run this preparation, will find it hard to turn that result around.
6 SUPPOSITION another inform galloper from the Gangemi yard. Just found one better last time around in what was still a fantastic effort from the back, off an average speed. Only query is the jump up to the 1400m. Has only had two previous runs at the distance and has failed both times.
7 TIME TO HUNT two wins from two starts for this 4yo gelding in his first prep and returned with an easy trial two weeks ago. What his ceiling is, it’s hard to say, but wound-up he could cause some problems here. Just not sure about the inside alley for a horse that has looked to appreciate galloping room so far in his short career.
8 ELECTION blinkers come off this eight-year-old who returned from a 2-month break and finished well behind Tycoon Target last start. Would need to lift significantly on that effort.
9 KIA ORA STAR nailed Scuffy on debut on what was a soft 5, and Scuffy has since come out and won. A young galloper with ability no doubt, and can definitely improve here over the extra furlong.
Selections: 2, 4, 1, 9
Race 6 4:30 Penfolds Handicap (1,600 metres) – Bet with TABtouch
1 PROPERANTES didn’t get any favours when tenth last time, behind Bollywood Blitz at Kalgoorlie. Prior to that dug deep to score in stronger company on a soft 6 over this track and distance. Can reproduce that and the claims helps. Barrier 10 is the worry.
2 RIPPER RIO produced an even effort when sixth in that same race at Kalgoorlie. Record reads six career wins, but not one has come at the mile. Gate three and the claim gives him a chance to change that.
3 OUTLAW PETE hasn’t set the world on fire in three runs this campaign, but that said has been taking on some handy ones. Was back on the rail last start and still managed to make some ground in the straight, despite the slow tempo and the leaders finishing one/two. Can strike fourth-up here.
4 OUR FINEST MOMENT steps up the mile after two runs at 1400m. Barrier nine makes things trickier, but the three kilo claim is a plus. Has looked the winner in each of his three runs this time in, and expect he will at some point here as well. One of the main chances.
5 UNIVERSAL LAW much like Outlaw Pete, just suffered terribly from the slow tempo set in that race by Chasing Chaos. Has just been okay in his last few starts, but is a winner this grade, track and distance.
6 COULEUR BIZARRE didn’t figure in the finish when returning over the 1200m a fortnight back. The mile here is likely to again be short of his best. Place chance.
7 CHASING CHAOS has been allowed cheap sectionals up front in each of his last three runs. Was nailed by Ragnar’s Saga in his previous two runs, which were at Belmont over the mile. There’s a chance he’ll get a mid-race breather from gate 2 again here, but at his ninth run this campaign, the query is whether there’s enough fuel in the tank to hold his rivals off.
8 SPECIAL DELIVERY might just be the horse to come across (from barrier seven) and apply some heat to Chasing Chaos. Couldn’t close on that galloper last start and looked to lose a little ground in the dying stages. Rock hard fit though.
9 COME ON BOARD hasn’t missed a place in his past five starts, albeit in weaker company. Expect he’ll be his usual brave self, but a place chance seems best.
10 PRENTICE was beaten a long way this grade, track and distance two starts back. Was okay finishing off last start in lesser grade, but wouldn’t expect he’ll trouble these.
Selections: 3, 4, 7, 1
Race 7 5:05 Heineken 3 Handicap (1,000 metres) – Bet with TABtouch
1 ZUCCHEROS has only won once in the last two years, but has certainly contested harder races than this. Barrier ten stings but trial was good and claim helps. Suspect the 1000m might be a bit sharp for him here, and that he’ll need the run, but has won first-up before in the past.
2 HAVANA everything that could go wrong did go wrong last start… was slow away from the gates, worked to make ground only to get shuffled back again, and then had nothing left in the straight. Is better than that, but will need to have come on significantly here second-up to figure in the finish.
3 MR MOTOWN not sure what to make of last start. They put the heat on Whispering Brook up front which should have allowed him to swoop late, but he didn’t come home as well as expected. Late splits were still quick. Steps back from the 1200m to the 1000m here, and lugs the extra 4.5kg, but has the turn of foot to figure in the finish.
4 THATELDO should improve following his first-up run when seventh to Gigante two weeks back. Is two wins and a place from four previous second-up runs but will need some luck from barrier eight.
5 AGACHAR CRUZ produced arguably his best run for some time when fourth behind Gigante in that same race as Thateldo. A win here wouldn’t completely surprise and Pike sticks, but would probably need to find another gear.
6 LOCKROY finished just ahead of Aga-char Cruz last start and is drawn to get the better run from barrier two here. Has been around the mark in seven of eight starts this campaign and expect that to continue. One of the main chances.
7 CHINETTI scored narrowly last time out at Northam. Back up in grade here but jumps from pole and drops 2.5kg in weight. Place claims best.
8 RECOILED another that finished in behind Gigante last start. Just didn’t seem to get going in the straight after drawing wide. Is drawn wide again here so will need to find something. Prefer others.
9 FORBIDDEN PLANET broke through for his first 1000m win last start at Northam. An on pace runner who’ll have a bit of work to do from barrier 11. This assignment might just be a bit beyond him.
10 I AM INCREDIBLE one of many that copped windburn from Floyd last start, this 4yo’s form has nothing but consistent this campaign. Drawn well in five, but this is arguably his toughest test for some time. Place chance.
11 POP HERO hasn’t tested Lockroy or Mr Motown in two previous runs, and can’t see him turning that around here.
Selections: 6, 3, 1, 5
Race 8 5:42 Champagne Handicap (1,300 metres) – Bet with TABtouch
1 SETTLER’S CREEK happy to put a line through his last run; he became unsettled after a barrier incident and ran accordingly. Has trialled since and can run a much improved race from barrier four, but might find some of these a bit too good.
2 DIABLERIE Bruce Watkins has got this 5yo in really good form at the moment. Has only run beyond the 1200m once for no result, but that was 1400m, and 1300m is the trip here. Has drawn the paint and shown is capable of sprinting hard up the rail, but don’t expect Fiona Bell will play for luck here. The one to beat.
3 POINT resumes after two trials. Gave his connections plenty of anxiety with a number of close finishes last campaign. Will get better over further no doubt, but a win fresh over the 1300m isn’t impossible. Has ability and is right in the game here.
4 STABLE SECRET has only produced three even runs this time in, including a fourth behind Diablerie last start. Would need to improve greatly to overcome that two length margin, but is fourth-up now and can produce a better performance.
5 FINAL SALUTE His three-year-old record speaks for itself and while he’s first-up here and sure to get better over further, his class factor will take him a long way. Trialled well over the 950m at Lark Hill on the 11th of September, and can’t wait to see how he returns from barrier six.
6 KAAPANDER had to do a lot of work from the outside gate and still stuck on strongly when second behind Diablerie last start. Draws outside that horse again here, and looks like he’ll face a similar task. Twice a winner at the distance however and should be thereabouts.
7 ATLANTA BLUE held up in the straight in two previous runs, and it cost him any chance of victory. This is a harder task but draws well again in gate three, and has only been unplaced three times in 15 starts. Expect a bold showing.
8 GREY ENIGMA has failed to fire a shot in four previous runs, which suggests he’ll find the going difficult here. Wide gate makes the task even tougher in start number 50.
9 LIBERTY RISE hasn’t been able to get going in two previous starts, and would shock if he’s in the finish.
10 MASSACHUSETTS finished off well when third, two starts back at Pinjarra, but then missed the kick at Belmont and played catch-up from then on. Has form around Atlanta Blue prior to that, but place chance looks best.
11 STEP RIGHT UP scratched.
Selections: 2, 5, 7, 3