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Mt Barker Mungrup Sprint Day 18/01 Preview & Selections
West Australian Racing
PerthTurfTalk
3,054 posts
Welcome back to the mounting yard, punters. We are back at Mount Barker this Sunday where the rail is out in the true position. The surface should be a standard Good 4, though with the breeze picking up, keep an eye on those finishing closer to the rail.
Before we dive into today’s selections, we need to address the elephant in the room. This meeting coincides with the anniversary of the legendary bucks party that still has the locals talking. We’re hearing rumors that Vini is back behind the wheel of the bus today, hopefully with more coordination than he had navigating the pub crawl. Word is Ans, Buzz, Dyls, Ross, and Phil are all on track today, looking for a repeat of their "huge performances" from that infamous bender. If today’s favorites perform half as well as the buck did in that tight pink dress during Fashions on the Field, we are in for a massive day of collecting.
Race 1: THE BOTTLE-O MAIDEN (1000m)
We start the day with a short-course sprint where Nistirith looks the clear standout. This filly is a "fifty percenter" in every sense, having placed in two of her three career starts. She has been knocking on the door at Bunbury, leading them up and only getting nailed late. From the wide gate, Holly Watson will likely burn across to find the rail. If she can lead this field, she won't be coming back. She looks far more reliable than the buck's ability to stay upright in a pink dress after three rounds of shots. Tomalie is the danger following a very sharp trial win at Albany.
Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - Nistirith ($2.35)
| Horse | Role | Comment |
| Nistirith | Selection | Placed in 66% of starts; natural leader dropping to country. |
| Tomalie | Danger | Trialed like a bomb; the main threat if the favorite wobbles. |
Betting Market (105%):
Nistirith ($2.20), Tomalie ($4.80), Chason Wins ($6.50), Unfortunate Lad ($9.00), Others ($15+)
Race 2: WILLAVIEW PARK STUD MAIDEN (1300m)
This is a tricky one, but Tidwell represents the best class angle here. Stepping out for the Steve Wolfe yard, he drops back from a 3YO 0MWLY at Pinjarra where he was far from disgraced. He showed enough in his trials to suggest this distance is his sweet spot. Troy Turner sticks with him, which is a vote of confidence. Hopefully, Vini has the bus parked and ready, because Tidwell will be looking to scoot home early. My Tea showed massive improvement last start at Albany and must be respected as the "Saver" bet here, having run on well from the back.
Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) - Tidwell ($3.60)
| Horse | Role | Comment |
| Tidwell | Selection | Significant class drop; maps to get a lovely trail. |
| My Tea | Danger | Caught the eye running home last start; hard to ignore. |
Betting Market (105%):
Tidwell ($3.40), My Tea ($5.00), Lash Out ($6.00), Cosmic Waltz ($10.00), Others ($20+)
Race 3: TABTOUCH BETTER YOUR BET HANDICAP (1850m)
Giaan O'Donnell is the key to this race. She takes a massive 4kg claim on Polyvanova, bringing her weight down to a featherweight 55.5kg. This mare has been a model of consistency at this track and distance, placing at her last two starts. She likes to sit on the speed, which is exactly where we want to be at Mount Barker. She’s more dependable than Phil was on the buck's night dance floor. Ah Kum is the obvious danger with the "Pike factor," but giving 2kg to a fit, on-speed Polyvanova might be too big a task.
Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - Polyvanova ($5.00)
| Horse | Role | Comment |
| Polyvanova | Selection | 4kg claim is massive; track specialist who will lead or sit second. |
| Ah Kum | Danger | Pike on and dropping in grade; the clear class rival. |
Betting Market (105%):
Ah Kum ($2.80), Polyvanova ($3.50), Lordgivemestrength ($5.50), Who Told Kayla ($8.00), Others ($15+)
Race 4: JOHN HETHERINGTON RAINE & HORNE HANDICAP (1850m)
Super Romani is the one they have to beat. He comes out of a much stronger Grade 60+ at Ascot and William Pike has been booked to navigate. He’s won at this distance range before and his class advantage over this country field is glaring. He’s the type of horse that stays focused, unlike Dyls and Ross after they hit the third pub on the bender. Deadly And Fast is the horse in form, having won a similar race here last start, but the weight turn-around favors the favorite.
Recommended Bet: Best Bet (3 Units) - Super Romani ($4.50)
| Horse | Role | Comment |
| Super Romani | Selection | Massive class drop from Metro; Pike on. |
| Deadly And Fast | Danger | Won well last start; loves the Barker air. |
Betting Market (105%):
Super Romani ($3.00), Brilliant Disguise ($4.00), Belle Journee ($6.00), Deadly And Fast ($10.00), Others ($15+)
Race 5: SHIRE OF PLANTAGENET HANDICAP (1100m)
Bannered looks like a potential star in the making for Darren McAuliffe. He won his maiden with authority and then backed it up with a gutsy second in Saturday grade at Pinjarra. He’s a tactical speedster who should find the front or the box seat from barrier 3. He looks a safer bet than the buck's dignity at the end of the bender. Insyde Success is the danger, coming off a trial win and having solid form at the track, but Bannered has the ratings edge here.
Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - Bannered ($2.50)
| Horse | Role | Comment |
| Bannered | Selection | Exceptional 0MWLY form; perfectly drawn to dictate. |
| Insyde Success | Danger | Good trials and a track winner; will be stalking the favorite. |
Betting Market (105%):
Bannered ($2.30), Insyde Success ($5.00), Nailed'em ($7.00), Lovin' On Me ($9.00), Others ($15+)
Comments
Race 6: HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY MIKE ODY HANDICAP (1000m)
Prince is a classic "fifty percenter," having finished in the top two in 50% of his career outings. He was huge last start when rattling home for second over this track and distance. Tash Faithfull knows him well and he should be at peak fitness now. He’s got more dash than Buzz heading for the last call. King Cartel is the class runner but has to lug a massive weight even after the 4kg claim. Prince is weighted to win.
Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) - Prince ($4.40)
Betting Market (105%):
King Cartel ($3.80), Prince ($4.00), Fantaxtic ($7.50), Dynamite Bay ($12.00), Others ($15+)
Race 7: CROFTS AUTOMOTIVES HANDICAP (1300m)
River Angel is the bet here. She is another "fifty percenter" who has been incredibly consistent in provincial grade. Getting William Pike on a horse that already place-rates this high is usually a recipe for a trip to the cashier's window. She’ll sit just behind the lead and wait for the gap. She’s got more poise than Phil trying to win Fashions on the Field in a borrowed pink dress. Imapagethree Girl has been consistent in Class 3 company and is the main danger.
Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - River Angel ($3.00)
Betting Market (105%):
River Angel ($2.80), Imapagethree Girl ($5.00), Bonny Rock ($6.50), Where's My Lunch ($8.00), Others ($15+)
Race 8: MUNGRUP MOUNT BARKER SPRINT (1300m)
The feature of the day, and it’s a cracking edition of the Sprint. Immortal Bliss is a high-quality animal with a 66% career placing rate. He was dynamic winning at Kalgoorlie and his last-start third at Ascot suggests he is ready to explode. With Pike in the saddle, he is the benchmark. He’s as flashy as the buck's pink dress but with much more speed. Timeless Gem is the saver; he’s also a 66% placer and is arguably the most improved horse in the state this season.
Recommended Bet: Best Bet (3 Units) - Immortal Bliss ($2.60)
Betting Market (105%):
Immortal Bliss ($2.50), Timeless Gem ($4.50), Charino ($6.50), Cold Shizzle ($15.00), Others ($20+)
Race 9: TABTOUCH TRY BET LOOP TODAY HANDICAP (1300m)
We close the day with Skytalker. He has been incredibly consistent in metro 0MWLY company, including a recent 3rd at Ascot. Dropping back to a Country 58+ is a massive configuration change in his favor. He’ll be on the speed and hard to get past. Let's hope he finishes the day better than the boys did on that bender. Ma Ma Belle is chasing a hat-trick and is the obvious threat, but Skytalker’s metro form is the superior angle here.
Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) - Skytalker ($4.00)
Betting Market (105%):
Ma Ma Belle ($3.20), Skytalker ($3.80), Zac Luvs To Fly ($6.00), Best Of The Gods ($10.00), Others ($15+)
Summary of Best Bets
Bushbookie likes this post.
It must be a shit feeling being the 3rd best jockey in the family
Another slaughter job in the sprint today
A winning treble today including the Mungrup Sprint $7.50 and two seconds to bolt the JC in at $4.
warrenrobinson likes this post.
Manchild likes this post.
The good thing is I will never lose another dollar on him again
warrenrobinson likes this post.
GLAMOUR likes this post.
They are a brilliant family and great for racing in WA.
Merely mentioned the fact that Brad did a carve up job in the sprint and won’t be getting my money again
Offthebit likes this post.