Gumby's Gossip - Northam 21st July

Gary Wright | Country Racing | Thu 21 July, 2011

Race 1 - Tim Mosel Maiden 1100metres

Moonlight Miss ran 3rd at her first start at Northam on July 7, and looms as a good winning chance in the opener. She will no doubt be improved on that first up run, and could break through here. The main danger appears to be Queen of Quincy, who ran second in the same race two weeks ago, but meets Moonlight Miss 3kgs worse at the weights from that race. Shezapro may go well first up from the inside barrier, coming off a third in a recent Belmont trial, and Elsa’s Girl may also be one to keep an eye on with good trial form.

Numbers- 2-1-3-7
Suggested Bet- 2 Moonlight Miss- Win

Race 2 - Thelma Winch Maiden 1100metres

You Say so comes to Northam on the back of three useful Belmont runs and can open his account in this race for Stan Bates who has had some training success lately. Nicely drawn in barrier 4 I’ll go for him to get the money in this race. Prager appears the main danger having also ran two good Belmont races recently. Carson City could fill the minor placing and keep a watch on Blomkvist, a former Melburnian who trialled well for Steve Wolfe at Lark Hill on 11th July.

Numbers- 1-2-6-4
Suggested Bet- 1 You Say So- Win

Race 3 - Charles Winch Memorial Maiden- 1100metres

Getting a bit tougher here with the bigger field, but suggest Hi Kilmore each way after some recent consistent form and a good barrier draw over the 1100 metre journey. Excelorada and Doubtable loom as dangers in a very open race, but Excelorada will have to be good to overcome what will probably become barrier 14 if all the emergencies come out of the race. A watch on No 11 Bontiara also, beautifully bred filly by Viscount who may go well in this event.

Numbers- 1-2-3-11
Suggested Bet- 1 High Kilmore Each Way

Race 4 - Heather Coulter Memorial Maiden- 1000metres

Pumphouse Pete gets its chance to break through here for his first win in nine starts with the claim for apprentice Alex Lawrence bringing his weight down to 54.5kgs. Not So Pretty looms as the main danger on the back of a good first up fourth here on July 7th as favourite, with Stormout a good each way chance with some consistent from from  its last few starts. Keep an eye on Charm Park, who has trialled well in preparation for her return to racing with two seconds in Lark Hills trials recently.

Numbers- 1-9-2-14
Suggested Bet- 1 Pumphouse Pete- Win

Race 5 - Roger Smith Memorial Maiden- 1600metres

Lightning Sky will be mighty hard to beat in this race, she is down classes on her last run in the Belmont Oaks and should bring up her maiden win in this event. Her form prior to the Belmont Oaks run was very good with two seconds and am going with her in this race with confidence. Ajexia , Pupa Tupuna and Total Reset may chase her home.

Numbers- 9-8-13-1
Suggested Bet- 9 Lightning Sky- Win

Race 6 - Cafe Bugatti Handicap- 1600metres

Will go with Talent Show here on the back of its impressive Belmont form, the fact its having its first start at Northam and the wide barrier the queries, but with the long run to the first turn, Pike should still be able to get her into a good position. The obvious danger is Gallipoli Prince, who also has good Belmont form but may just lack quite the class of Talent Show. A bit of a raffle after that but maybe the veteran Interange might fill the minor placing and Mad Mongoose may give you a sight at long odds after his last start second at this track.

Numbers- 5-6-11-2
Suggested Bet- 5 Talent Show, 6 Gallipoli Prince- Quinella

Race 7 - The Round Corner Table Handicap- 1300metres

A very tough race for punters here, if you are behind coming into this event, you may be in a bit of trouble. Forced into a selection I will go for Bearchat on an each way basis. She was a last start Northam maiden winner, is drawn ideally in barrier two, and is out of the in form Bates yard. Lots of dangers in a very open race, Back Already loves the track but drawn extremely wide, Fricassee and the last start Northam winner Love The Rain are amongst them.

Numbers- 11-1-3-4
Suggested Bet- No Bet

Race 8 - Krasy Handicap- 1100metres

Quite a good race to finish off the day in the Avon Valley, will go with Maccavainey to continue its recent good form here and get home for Jeff Noske, to give him his first winner since resuming riding duties. South Boulder Boy looms as the main danger with Finally China possibly running into the minor placing. An interesting runner is Cold Handel, who after some great early career form at Belmont has gone off the boil recently, be interesting to see if the drop in class and look at a new track improves this fillys performance.

Numbers- 4-6-2-1
Suggested Bet- 4 Maccavainey Each Way

BEST BETS - Race 1 Moonlight Miss- No 2
Race 5 Lightning Sky-  No 9