Expected Weather: Partly Cloudy and 23 degrees
Expected Track Rating: Good 4
Rail position: 11m position
Race 1: 12.54pm – Murlpirrmarra Connection Maiden (1200m) - Bet with TABtouch
1 BUFF MAN has been trapped wide without cover in his two runs this campaign, but fought on gallantly to finish second in both. Unfortunately he draws outside stall here, so may suffer the same fate, but has certainly got a bit of tenacity about him so can figure in the finish.
2 PERCY KIWA resumes off the back of one 1000m trial at Belmont on the 2nd of October. His two starts as a 3yo were just fair, and has a tricky draw here so will likely find the going tough.
3 VIAMMO forgive run at Bunbury - used a stack of petrol to ‘posi’ up outside the leader from a wide gate and felt the effects of that in the straight. Run prior to that was good in behind Gifted Warrior, but did come home 2L adrift of Buff Man, despite an easier run in transit. Place claims.
4 ZON ZOL has been outclassed in both runs back from a spell. The winkers going on should sharpen him up a bit, but not enough to finish in the money.
5 CITY STAR didn’t love the debut run at Northam but didn’t hate it. Got back, came wide and finished off okay. Looked quite green and expect start number two will be another nice step in this boy’s education.
6 BRUTUS MAXIMUS debuts here. A son of Hallowell Belle who was placed in a Blue Diamond, a Flight Stakes and even won a Gilgai. This boy produced an eye-catching trial behind talented youngster Necklet nine days ago. Was 3L off that horse, but it was the way he lengthened up the straight that really appealed. Drawn wide here, expect will get back, but also expect will be charging home late.
7 SIMPLE AS THAT another debutant, this fella coming in off two recent trials. Has looked smart in both but would prefer to see him go around competitively before placing the shillings on the table.
8 COME ON OVER copped a decent hip-and-shoulder from Colourful Charade at the furlong, when 6L off Stageman at Belmont. Second-up now expect he’ll be better for that run, but the wide gate makes things tricky.
9 SALLY’S REALM impressive debut when 3L off Rockon Tommy. Clocked the quickest last 600m of the race and ran it 0.13 quicker than the winner. Feel she might settle a touch closer from the three alley here and the way the stable is going at the moment, she has to be one of the chances.
10 MAKE MINE CHAMPERS is a debutante who has trialled twice, running in behind Simple As That in the more recent of the two. Don’t think connections will be popping the corks here but still think she can acquit herself well.
11 MIGHTY QUICK finished alongside Come On Over, when behind Stageman on debut. She drew wide that day and went back, but draws the paint here and should settle closer. But still think she’ll find a few these a bit too good.
12 PLATINUM STAR second of the Parnham runners and another debutant here. Has had the one trial coming in and was ridden along over the 1000m at Belmont. Good luck to all involved, but I’m happy to watch her go around here.
Selections: 9-6-1-3
Race 2: 1.34pm - Swick Mining Services Maiden (1200m) - Bet with TABtouch
1 HILLBERT has had a real red-hot dip in two runs since returning from a spell. Was given a nice ride by Peter Hall last start when snuck up the rail, peeled and then finished a long neck off Distant Trilogy. Has drawn well and the Pearce Boys are flying at the moment, so is in the mix for sure.
2. FREO debut run was a ripper when ran Arcadia Prince to a 1.5L at York. Freo’s last 600m was in 33.08, equal to the winner, and we know what that horse did on Saturday. Outside gate will bring out the best in Lee Newman but if this fella brings anything close to his last run, he’ll be right in the finish.
3 BOI TORQUE generally involves punting, or footy or brands of beer. I’ll get to the other two shortly, but as for the punt, well, Boi Torque is a 4yo who debuts for Martin Allan. Comes in off the two trials but draws a tricky gate.
4 UNIVERSAL MAE had to go back from a wide gate last start at Northam, and boxed on well down the outside to finish fifth, 2.5L off Red Hot Flirt. Should strip fitter third-up and from a much better draw is an each-way chance.
5 PATIENCE PHILLIPS just wanted to go too quick when led at Northam a fortnight ago. That said, she still dug deep to finish third, a length away from the winner. Draws the rail so should bounce and sit on speed again, but think a few here will probably get the better of her.
6 IN LOVE WITH PARIS at career start number one, and comes into off three trials. On those gallops she can make her presence felt. The 10 alley makes things tougher though.
7 VISION UP a 5yo mare having her first look around on race-day. Two trials precede this debut, the most recent of which she finished in behind Boi Torque. Happy just to observe.
8 MISS VOLEUR returned with a cut in her mouth when 8th at Geraldton so that may have been an excuse. Finding it hard to see her test some of the better one’s here in any case.
9 LOVE ALWAYS resumes after two trials, the first seeing her finish a length off In Love With Paris. Placed at Ascot as an 80-1 shot back in May, but all other results have been average or below. Prefer others.
10 AMBER GLOW debuts following three trials, the latest of which was a very promising gallop over the 950m at Lark Hill. Fair family this girl comes from - half-brother Cohort was a Listed winner back in 2008, and she’s also related to Churchill Dancer who was a G2 winner at Flemington. She’ll probably enjoy further than the 1200m on offer here, but on breeding alone she has to be considered.
11 I NEEDA CARDY debuts following three trials here. Drawn nicely does I Needa Cardy, but I Needa watch her go round before I consider investing.
12 POLITE PASS another that kicks off her career here. She’s trialled three times coming into this, and six times all up. Good luck to those involved, but I’m going to politely pass on her and go with four others instead.
Selections: 2-10-1-4
Race 3: 2.14pm – Wireline Services Group Handicap (1200m) - Bet with TABtouch
1 REBELLIONAIRE returns following a trial that he won by seven-lengths, at Lark Hill nine days ago. Showed his smarts in three runs through August and September. Lee Newman rides for the first time competitively, but did ride that recent trial. He does carry the 60kg, but the four alley is a plus, as is the fact that he’s got loads of talent. Right in this.
2 DANES MAREE was 2L off Rebellionaire in their only clash to date back in August. That said she jumped from a wide gate and was trapped deep the whole way. Returned from a two-month break in fine style when charged down the outside to score at Northam. Great to see Mollie Clark back after that fall in April. Her claim sees Danes Maree carry 4.5kg less than top-weight. Should be a good contest.
3 SOUNDCHECK plenty of positives when beaten a neck by Velago first-up at York. Should improve off that run. Will need a touch of luck from the draw but is a real goer this boy and can slot into the placings given the right run.
4 THE NICCONIAN just found one better in Captain Stirling when second-up at Northam a fortnight back. Ran Ocean Jewel to within three lengths the start prior. Feel there’s a win somewhere in this bloke’s preparation, just can’t see it happening here.
5 COOL DYNAMITE couldn’t match motors with The Nicconian or Captain Stirling on debut last start. Was quite green at times so with that experience can improve here. Draw helps but place chance is best.
6 FANCY STREET debuts here off the back of one 1000m trial at Belmont. Hard to make much of that gallop, as it is with most trials, but she’s drawn well so can kickstart things on a positive note.
7 FIRE ANT has been thrown in the deep in both runs this campaign, finishing well off Dynamite Dream first-up, and Showcase second-up. Hardly swims into the shallows with some good ones contesting this, and for that reason, she’s not in the numbers.
8 SHANIA STYLE eighth of eight but only beaten two-lengths by Arrum Boy last start in what was a pretty game effort. Kicked her prep off with a good run behind Money Maher prior to that as well. At decent odds, she can fill a placing here for mine.
9 ZING BANG WOP keen to find out what Zing Bang Wop actually means. Think I read it in a Batman comic when I was a kid. Scored in a blanket finish at York on October 5. Strips fitter third-up now but tricky draw sees a place chance best.
Selections: 2-1-3-8
Race 4: 2.54pm – Lycopodium Limited Handicap (1400m) - Bet with TABtouch
1 DUCK FEET resumes off a trial when 7L off Rebellionaire. Broke his maiden at his final run of last prep at Pinjarra. First-up here. Prefer to watch than wager.
2 SOVEREIGN TRADE broke his maiden in stylish fashion at Belmont. Is a big loping chestnut who appreciates galloping room, but has run well from an inside draw, up the rail, in the past, so pole position here is not necessarily a bad thing. Fitter now third-up and can step up to this challenge and be competitive.
3 ST BEL a frustrating last month for connections. Put in a bad one with no explanation two starts back, and then was scratched on the way to the gates last start. His effort behind Multiverse prior to all that puts him within range, but it’s just hard to know what’s going to happen today.
4 CAPRICORN DANCER made really good ground late first-up at Northam behind Woodman’s Keep, particularly as first two out were first two home. Clock backed her up, as she ran 33.18 the last 600m, 0.30 better than anything else. Will appreciate the step up to 1400m and can have an impact here given the right tempo.
5 ANOTHER STORY was brought back down to earth behind Danes Maree, after breaking her maiden the start before. 1100m up to 1400m for the first time. Looking at others in this.
6 MONSOON looked a bit rusty when 4L off Pelican Pick first-up. Was given the all-clear by the vets post-race though. Comes from a well-respected stable, but have to say I prefer the stablemate here.
7 SOPHIA’S SECRET I think the secrets out, she’s a girl with a really bright future, as evidenced by a win of quality first-up at Belmont. Has drawn the outside alley, but Chris Parnham has been flying since he had that spa bath with Gareth Hall, and she looks to have come on physically since that last run. Bang into the numbers.
8 ROCKER CHICK went back to the tail at Geraldton as is customary, but as can happen, found a wall of horses in front of her in the straight. Still, hit the line well when found clear running and clocked the fast last 600 by more than half a second. Not sure that’s the right form for this though.
9 LIKE A BUTTERFLY well-named this girl is being out of Prime Knockout. Did a lot wrong on debut at Northam but still proved too good. Wears the Richmond colours, so could be a good sign, and while she may float like a butterfly and sting like a bee later in her campaign, I think she’ll hit the canvas well before a few of her rivals do here.
10 SPECIAL ALERT has been luckless in two career starts to date, and yet still finished within a half-length of the winner on both occasions. He’s not the biggest kid in the schoolyard but he’s dogged alright; he got caught in a pocket and bumped around last start at York and still pinned the ears back and went back for more. Barrier three, Pike on board, one of the fancies.
Selections: 10-7-4-2
Race 5: 3.30pm – DP & LK Patten Handicap (1400m) - Bet with TABtouch
1 NEW TIME only five more runs and this grand old campaigner will raise the bat at triple figures… aka go around in his 100th race start. Has won or been placed in his past four runs this campaign and is chasing win number 10 over the 1400m. Was an all-the-way winner last start, always gives a sight, and expect he’ll do so again here.
2 PHANTOM CHOICE back to town after two successful runs at Kalgoorlie in September. Kate Witten jumps on for the first time with this boy another needing weight relief. Was 3L fourth behind New Time four starts back and beat home Forty Four Red three runs back, so there’s a link to a few these. Each-way claims.
3 FORTY FOUR RED was made to work from a wide gate, before eventually settling outside the leader, and then still proved too good at Northam. Drawn better here in five and is now rock-hard fit at run number five this campaign. Can make it back-to-back wins.
4 ON TREND was given every chance from the inside gate at Bunbury but was no match for Action in a 5L defeat. Midfield finishes have been a common theme so far this prep and that looks like continuing here.
5 A BIT SKETCHY stablemate of New Time. Comes into this off the back of two last-to-first victories at Kalgoorlie. Back to 1400m after three runs at the mile but expect will sit midfield, rather than at the tail, from barrier three. Can figure in the money.
6 DUSHA ZACHISTKI 20L off Star Value last start, and as returned with no abnormalities, the only way to assess that run is negatively. Hasn’t really made his presence felt in four runs this time. Find it hard pronouncing his name, find it harder to see him getting the chocolates here.
7 KLEVA KEZZA gave a good performance behind Cash On Call at Belmont. Cash On Call ran superbly at Ascot on Saturday, so that’s a positive. Another is that Kezza has drawn well and is fitter now third-up. Has each-way claims.
8 BACHELORS PROSPECT resumes off a 1000m trial win at Belmont. Only missed a place once in 5 first-up runs. Thinking place is his best hope here.
9 CASINO GLEAM couldn’t knock the effort when was touched off by Sky Atlas at Geraldton. Peaks here and should get the gun run from barrier two, but this is different assignment altogether and would be surprised if he finished in the money.
10 OMINOUS WARNING 4L off Celebrity Dream at Geraldton. Has only placed once in seven runs this campaign. Expect that figure will still be the same by the end of this.
Selections: 3-7-1-5
Race 6: 4.05pm – SMS Rental Handicap (2200m) - Bet with TABtouch
1 CARALABEK generally tardy away but has reared in the gates in his last two starts and cost himself any chance of victory. Blinkers go on so hopefully that switches him on here. And Fred Kersley Jnr is back aboard. Last time they partnered up, they won over this trip at Northam.
2 TRAP FOR FOOLS just nabbed in the shadows of the post by First Affair at Bunbury. 1650m back up to 2200m but has the miles in the legs so expect will stay no worries. Tayla Stone knows this horse well now having ridden him the past three starts and her claim helps. Big chance.
3 BUSTER’S SHADOW bounced back with a good win at Belmont over 2000m. Never run at Ascot so will be interesting to see how he handles the change, but if brings his best, can make it two wins on the trot.
4 MASTER MAGICIAN really game effort when a length off Entrechat last start. Has to deal with outside barrier here and the speed looks just modest, so might have to work forward early. But form suggests can pull a rabbit out of the hat here.
5 THUNDERCLAP NEWMAN disappointing run at Belmont behind Buster’s Shadow after a promising effort the start prior. Depends on your point of view I guess; if judging on last run, you can’t have him, if looking further back then you probably can.
6 FREEDOM BY CHOICE sat three wide no cover at Bunbury and only finished a half-length behind Trap For Fools. Two runs at the mile and up to the 2200m now. Has drawn next door to Trap For Fools so Troy Turner can track that runner if he likes. One of the main chances.
7 ABSOLUTE MAGIC has improved with each run this campaign and that was rewarded with a nice victory at Northam a fortnight ago. William Pike jumps into the saddle for the first time and on that last run... can be around the mark.
8 DUDEMANBRO finished off well down the outside when 1.5L off Don’t Speed at Kalgoorlie. This is just start number 5, and is his first go at anything beyond 1800m, so happy to watch, but think he can acquit himself well.
9 I’M A LOVE MAN someone in this ownership group is a fan of Otis Redding, or otherwise just considers themselves a bit of a casanova. This fella found Absolute Magic too good at Northam. A win here is not impossible but I’m going with others.
10 MUSICAL ART couldn’t get anywhere near Buster’s Shadow at Belmont. This is no easier, and while the two young guns team up (Clint and Brock), I’m looking at others in this race.
Selections: 2-6-3-4
Race 7: 4.40pm – GTT Ventures Trophy Handicap (1200m) - Bet with TABtouch
1 DISCO RIFFIC was the best of the rest behind Perfect Jewel at York. Drawn well in barrier two and 3kg claim assists but a place chance appears best.
2 TOMOHAWK back in grade after finding Young Gina and those in the 62+ too sharp. Wasn’t disgraced though and should be fitter for that effort fourth-up now. Can run a placing from the inside alley.
3 DELANEY resumes off the one 950m trial at Lark Hill nine days ago. She showed plenty in her 3yo year which included a good win at Bunbury and a second to Floyd in April. First-up record reads a first and a second from two starts, and she can certainly add to that here.
4 MOUQUET another that resumes off the sole trial. Will get better over further and first-up record is empty so not going with her here.
5 OUTSTRETCH not suited by the slow tempo when 5L off Woodman’s Keep at Northam. There’s more speed here but can’t see him stretching many of these.
6 CROWDER comes into this fresh off one trial. First-up numbers are near blank and stats read better over 1400m than 12. Prefer others.
7 ORANGE STRUDEL good effort last start when split Dynamite Dream and Oliver’s Travels. Both of those horses ran well at Ascot on Saturday with the latter winning and former running a place. Orange Strudel should be peaking now at her fourth run this campaign and from a good draw can make her presence felt.
8 MEDOM led for the first time in his life, when first-up at Belmont. Faded to finish 5L off Father Knick, but as a 100-1 shot I expected him to pack his bags a lot sooner than what he did. Drawn wide here but I’d be tempted to do the same again. That said, not keen.
9 DISCO SMILE was an even performance when three lengths behind Dynamite Dream. Don’t expect she’ll spring a surprise win here, but should have come on from that third-up and can sneak into a place.
10 MIKIMOTO outstanding debut win at Belmont by this half-sister to Cosmic Storm. From barrier five here, with Pike aboard, I fully expect her to replicate that effort and make it two wins from two career starts.
11 MYAKE MAK resumes after nearly five months off. Form last prep was nothing to scream about and think she’ll be outgunned here.
Selections: 10-7-1-9
Race 8: 5.17pm – Lithium Australia Handicap (1600m) - Bet with TABtouch
1 PLANETS ALIGN 5L off Star Value doesn’t read great, but for a first-up effort it was a pass mark at the very least. Saluted at only other second-up run and while can’t see history repeating itself here, think this son of Blackfriars certainly has a place chance.
2 CELTIC WIZARD 4L off Taxadermy last time around. Has been competitive in all four runs this campaign, my problem is, is that he hasn’t looked like a ‘winner’ in any of them. The 3kg claim again helps, but I think an ‘each-way chance’ is the best advice I can give.
3 JUST ELATED up to the mile, but back in grade for this 7yo. Needed the blow when well off Cash On Call last start. Should improve and drawn to do so but suspect a place is as good as he’ll go.
4 COOL KNIGHT two runs back from a spell have been fair. Second of those when 5L off New Time maybe a bit better than fair. Back in class here, and has Pike on board in the last event of the day, so naturally he’s a winning hope.
5 MR ALBY a surprise maiden winner at $16 dollars at Belmont last start. What made it even better was that sat wide no cover and still found plenty in the run to the wire. Sticky gate in nine, but could make or break the quaddie for some. In the mix.
6 SOLAR SKY former James Cummings galloper having his fourth run in Perth, and second run for Martin Allan. Didn’t mind the first-up run at Northam. Sticks to the mile and draws middle of the field. One to consider for first four players.
7 STARKLE went right back from a wide draw but hit the line strongly when 2L off Forty Four Red at Northam. Last 600m was the quickest of the race. Ridden quietly has been his thing in recent times, but I don’t see a huge amount of speed here so from barrier five would like to see him midfield at worst. The step up to the mile from the 1400m suits and I think if all goes right, he can salute here.
8 CALIBRA 2100m was a bridge too far behind Entrechat at Belmont. Back to a more favoured trip here and drawn well in gate two. Can bounce back.
9 LONE SAILOR has been all-at-sea in the gates at two previous runs and missed the start by five and two lengths respectively. Hasn’t really fired a shot so far this campaign regardless and can’t see that changing here.
10 MY NAUGHTY BLONDE has improved in three runs so far this preparation, the most recent of those a 1.5L defeat to Crystal Valley. Stats aren’t great beyond 1400m, but on last performance she deserves a crack at the mile. Expect a bold showing again.
11 ROJO CALOR set the speed for the first time ever last start and it didn’t pay off, when 2L behind He’s A Parker. Expect she’ll go back from barrier 12 here and come with a better run, but one that won’t be good enough to beat a handful of these.
12 BAGGY EYES well off the pace in two runs back from a spell, and will be in this event as well.
13 SWIFTLY came with best performance this campaign when second to Nashville Cat at Northam. Not the worst here, but not in my numbers either.
Selections: 7-10-8-2