Race 1 - 12:34pm The Tabtouch Masters 25 Nov-2 Dec-9 Dec Handicap (2100 Metres)
THE WINNER
Easing favourite Gatting was snagged back to last by Matthieu Autier after being trapped three-wide a week ago in the Listed Aquanita Stakes (2000m) and finishing fourth. The son of Hard Spun had the last crack at his competitors in the straight and went past them although being pushed all of the way by Rosewood Hill.
THE GOOD
Rosewood Hill was also on the seven-day back-up after running a nice fourth last week behind Jetoomy. She made the running into the straight and carted Gatting into the race perfectly but still toughed it out to the line after previously showing simple brilliance. The daughter of Rothesay is an impressive staying mare with a very bright future.
THE BAD
All gallopers ran to market expectation but if Shinta Mani didn’t have to work three-wide around the first bend, she could have finished closer than 3.75 lengths away.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Gatting – 33.64
Race 2 - 1:14pm Get The Tabtouch Plate (1200 Metres)
THE WINNER
Mizlecki was given a perfect ride by William Pike as he sat the filly off the speed from the good inside draw. The daughter of Lope De Vega had to knuckle down in the straight to get past the tough Cognac and Salubrious but she did just that with thanks to the William Pike windmill and won nicely.
THE GOOD
Salubrious and Cognac both had to use up petrol from the wider draws to lead but they both kicked on very impressively in the straight to lose by only 0.75 and 1.25 lengths respectively. Keeping in mind they both had to carry 59.5kg, they are worth following into their three-year-old seasons.
THE BAD
First starter Ritualistic was caught three-wide after trialling well recently. He looks a nice son of Rogano and will win plenty of races when he comes back from a break.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Mizlecki – 34.43
Race 3 - 1:54pm D'orsogna Handicap (1300 Metres)
THE WINNER
Profit Street was the beneficiary of and even tempo set in front by Baraki Beats and worked home nicely along the inside, in the straight, to hold out Helms Gate. Randy Tan’s 2kg claim was all important as was the addition of winkers.
THE GOOD
Helms Gate sat off the leader, Baraki Beats, in the run and was stout to the line before just getting grabbed by Profit Street in the shadows of the post. Baraki Beats missed the start again by about a half-length but did well to hold on to third after making the pace.
THE BAD
Candlelight Star was heavily backed before the race and loomed in the straight but failed to go on with it in the straight. $7 into $4.60 was a heck of a betting move for a gelding which doesn’t seem to appreciate the one-week back-up. A betting plunge also went on for Baraki Beats and that also went amiss.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Profit Street – 33.66
Race 4 - 2:33pm Old Mate's Sports Bar & Eatery Handicap (1200 Metres)
THE WINNER
A Knight Of Pro was a handy winner at $15 after enjoying a slipstream run behind tearaway leader More Aces. The son of Proart showed great tenacity to and brilliance to win by 1.75 lengths underneath Jason Brown.
THE GOOD
More Aces clearly needs to be ridden for hard genuine speed and then come back underneath his rider in the middle stages before kicking away on the bend. He tore away to lead before kicking on in the straight to hold on to second.
THE BAD
High Conviction was a beaten favourite but did have to do the bullocking work in the running line, without cover. Enchanted Dream settled third last in running and launched her run in the straight but couldn’t make up any late ground. The stewards’ report suggested that the filly mis-strode at the 100m mark and failed to respond to Jarrad Noske’s riding.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Prize Catch – 33.80
Race 5 - 3:10pm The Gate Bar & Bistro Leading Rider 2016/17 Hcp (1200 Metres)
THE WINNER
Atlanta Blue settled third last before being asked to pick up the bridle when rounding the turn and found accordingly in the stretch to go straight past the field in impressive fashion.
THE GOOD
Massachusetts rocketed home from the back of the field to run a very nice second. The daughter of Stratum is not far away from another win.
THE BAD
Bold Success was a beaten favourite, once again, for the fourth time at his past five starts. The son of Echoes Of Heaven is turning into a nightmare runner for punters.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Bold Success – 34.75
Race 6 - 3:45pm Inglis Bloodstock Leading Trainer 2016/17 Hcp (1650 Metres)
THE WINNER
By Decree has been blessed with good barriers in recent times and put another inside draw to good use when following the rail to grind out a nice win while holding off the fast-finishing Gomer Wipple. By Decree gave Frenchman Matthieu Autier a double on the program.
THE GOOD
Gomer Wipple ran on strongly and tried his heart out to get past By Decree but just couldn’t get to the winner. He lost no admirers and is one to follow. Nelson’s Flight stuck on gamely but couldn’t hold off the late charge from Gomer Wipple and By Decree. Hay Magic and Bergantina are worth following next start over 2000m.
THE BAD
After a terrific effort last start behind Elections for second, Indi Pacific did not back that performance up and failed to run on in the straight.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Gomer Wipple – 34.58
Race 7 - 4:20pm Beaufine Stakes (1000 Metres)
THE WINNER
It’s It jumped well, led and just managed to just hold off favourite First Among Equals to win by a nose. The son of Knowledge gave Randy Tan his first black type success in the saddle. It was a tough win over the gelding’s favourite distance and at his favourite track.
THE GOOD
Considering he had to carry the grandstand of 61kg, First Among Equals was brave to the line for second after looking to be gone at the 300m mark. He fought bravely to the line and was only beaten by a nose. 2014 Karrakatta Plate winner Hobart Jones returned to the track well when hitting the line strongly for sixth after more than 18 months off the racing scene.
THE BAD
Dendee finished last and simply found the 1000m too short as she usually runs very well fresh.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Pretentious Chant – 33.38
Race 8 - 4:57pm WA Bookmakers Assoc. Leading Apprentice 2016/17 (1400 metres)
THE WINNER
Friaresque was excellent on the seven-day back-up and put away the benchmark 66+ field with ease. Vaughn Sigley is in some serious form with 25 of his past 50 runners (including Friaresque) have finished in the placings. 12 of those 25 are winners.
THE GOOD
Presentatie took a nasty tumble four starts ago but seems to have regained her confidence after running a nice second at $17. Royal Missile continues to tease punters but she should be winning soon after another nice run-on effort for third.
THE BAD
There was a lengthy stewards’ enquiry after a few horses played bumper cars in the straight. Plenty of hard luck stories to be told after this one.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Royal Missile – 35.01
PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY
Randy Tan claimed a double after guiding home Profit Street and It’s It. Matthieu Autier also snagged a double on Darren McAuliffe-trained runners Gatting and By Decree.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Autier gave By Decree all of the urgings she required in the straight to hold off Gomer Wipple. The strong (and sometimes ugly) riding from the Frenchman proved to be what was required to lift the daughter of Universal Ruler to win after a string of admirable performances without success.
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