Dirt Season - Port Hedland Preview & Selections

Race 1: BJ KEYS MEMORIAL MAIDEN (1200m)

TAKE THE FIELD is the clear standout here. He showed significant Metro-level ability when finishing second in a Belmont maiden last August. If he can translate that level of performance to the dirt in his debut for trainer Brett Pope, he should be too sharp for this field. He has drawn barrier 2, so the key will be jumping cleanly to hold a handy position. MY TEA is the danger, having placed in three consecutive races last preparation at provincial tracks like Albany and Mount Barker.

• Selection: Take The Field ($2.85 – TABtouch)

• Danger: My Tea ($6.00 – TABtouch)

• Recommended Bet: High Confidence (2 Units) – TAKE THE FIELD

Race 1 Market (105%)

Race 2: KENNARDS HIRE HANDICAP (1200m)

BORDER CONTROL is a true course specialist. Last preparation, he went on a tear, winning five consecutive races at Port Hedland and seeing his rating jump from 66 to 85. Even with a heavy weight impost, he is a "horse for courses" and expected to find his best form back on this surface. HIT THE JACKPOT is the x-factor; he carries the minimum weight (55kg) and has the early speed to lead them for a long way.

• Selection: Border Control ($3.75 – TABtouch)

• Danger: Hit The Jackpot ($15.00 – TABtouch)

• Recommended Bet: Bet (1 Unit) – BORDER CONTROL

Race 2 Market (105%)

Race 3: TAMS PORT HEDLAND HANDICAP (1300m)

DYNAMIC ONE looks incredibly well-placed here. He is a five-time winner who has been competing in high-grade BM80+ races in Wagga Wagga. This represents a massive class drop into a Country 56+ handicap. If he handles the step up in distance on the dirt, his superior ratings should see him prove far too strong late. TOBIAN is ultra-consistent and comes off back-to-back placings at Narrogin.

• Selection: Dynamic One ($2.40 – TABtouch)

• Danger: Tobian ($5.50 – TABtouch)

• Recommended Bet: Best Bet (3 Units) – DYNAMIC ONE

Race 3 Market (105%)

Race 4: WESTEX CONTRACTING HANDICAP (1300m)

OSCAR WINNER is in peak form following a dominant 2.1L victory at Rockingham. He maps perfectly to sit on-speed and Kyra Yuill staying in the saddle is a strong lead. TOUSLED CROWN is a major danger; she is dropping back from 1600m to a more suitable 1300m and has the tactical speed required for a dirt debut. Watch for KERMELIA, who has placed in 56% of her career starts.

• Selection: Oscar Winner ($3.75 – TABtouch)

• Danger: Tousled Crown ($4.00 – TABtouch)

• Recommended Bet: Medium Confidence (1.5 Units) – OSCAR WINNER

• Bomb: KERMELIA ($18.00 – TABtouch) – A consistent placer who rarely runs a bad race.

Race 4 Market (105%)

Race 5: SCOPE BUSINESS IMAGING HANDICAP (1200m)

QUICK COOKIE is a tough campaigner who rarely shies away from a scrap. Her recent efforts in Class 3 grade at Bunbury and Belmont suggest she is the class runner in this Class 1 event. CALATHINITE is the obvious danger; he won on debut at Albany and trainer Brett Pope has engaged a 4kg claimer for what looks like a jump-and-run mission.

• Selection: Quick Cookie ($3.25 – TABtouch)

• Danger: Calathinite ($4.75 – TABtouch)

• Recommended Bet: Bet (1 Unit) – QUICK COOKIE

Race 5 Market (105%)