Gumby's Gossip - Northam 5th August

Gary Wright | Country Racing | Thu 4 August, 2011

Racing returns to Northam today with an eight event programme, once again featuring large fields, and a rain affected track but on paper anyway there appears to be a few good winning chances in some of the races.

Race 1- www.northamraceclub.com Maiden

Some promising and well bred three year olds in the first race today, in a tough race will go for Certain Cat at good each way odds to get the money here, a well bred mare from the Shane Edwards yard, who trialled well for her return to racing on 18th July, and is drawn well at the tough 1100 metre start. Sequalo System was consistent when last in work and appears a danger, as does Flying Foray if she can overcome the wide draw, and Classical Snow may also go well in this race on the back of her last start second at this track.
Numbers- 11-5-12-7

Suggested Bet- 11 Certain Cat- Each Way

Race 2- Gannons Maiden- 1300 metres

Blomkvist was very impressive in his first up run in the state running second to the highly promising You Say So at this track two weeks ago, so will tip him with a bit of confidence here. The main danger does appear to be Ave the Snip who is also knocking on the till, and they look to be ahead of the rest in this event. Ready For Sure, Endorsed and Elsa's Girl will all be novelty hopes.
Numbers- 2-1-3-10

Suggested Bet- 2-Blomkvist- 1 Ave The Snip- Quinella

Race 3- XXXX Gold Maiden- 1300 metres

Beloved gets its chance to break its maiden status here after two seconds from two starts in the West, it looks the testing material on the strength of those two good runs. Notaclue has been trialling exceptionally well for its racing debut, and is drawn well in this race. Kimono Bay has been a model of consistency in its four starts to date, and maybe Adalfe could be a place smoky in this. All in all, this is a good maiden race.
Numbers- 12-10-11-5

Suggested Bet- 12- Beloved- Win

Race 4- Northam Toyota Maiden- 1300 metres

Princess Finale will go well in this race, having been a model of consistency since returning to racing, has run two close seconds at its two starts at the Northam track, and is drawn the pole here, so will go for her to get the money from Hi Kilmore, also ultra consistent, but is finding it hard to break through for its maiden victory, he may appreciate the extra distance here though. Doubtable and Winalago also look good chances in another nice maiden race.

Numbers- 12-1-5-11

Suggested Bet- 12- Princess Finale- Win

Race 5- Jacobs Creek Maiden- 1600 metres

A big maiden field over 1600 metres can ring alarm bells as a punting proposition, but will tip Crispiano with some confidence if it can overcome a wide draw, and not pull as hard as it did at his last start when a beaten favourite at Pinjarra. The 1600 metres does seem right up his alley and he appears a good bet here. Dangers would seem to be Big Hope, Turfstar and maybe Amreeka, who ran a much better race at Belmont last time out for the Kersley stable.
Numbers- 7-5-2-11

Suggested Bet- 7 Crispiano- Win

Race 6- www.visitnorthamwa.com.au Handicap

A fairly tough race as most of these distance races can be, but Deportment looks hard to beat here, she is well down in class on her last start eighth in the Belmont Oaks, and as long as she gets the rise in distance of this event, should prove hard to beat. Mac's Mint comes out of the same race and will prove a danger here, however he is a twelve start maiden, with Joehouserock, and possibly Mad Mongoose a good each way chance.
Numbers- 5-2-3-7

Suggested Bet- 5- Deportment- Win

Race 7- Radio West 864AM Handicap

Bearchat ran a good race two weeks ago at Northam, just being run down on the line by Auric, so will go with that form and select the mare to go one better in this race, in what is a pretty open event. Mr Vadim appears the main danger based on its latest form, which is quite impressive, apart from an understandable unplaced run in the Dayana Quality, both Bearchat and Mr Vadim have good track records and are well drawn, so it looks to be between those two here. Get The Net should be best of the rest and maybe one at good prices for the noveltys might be Rakutan.
Numbers- 5-1-2-7

Suggested Bet- 5-Bearchat- 1 Mr Vadim- Quinella

Race 8- www.avonvalleywa.com.au Handicap

The best race of the day to finish todays programme with several useful sorts engaged here. Ima Citinpretty appers to have a lot going for it on the strength of its last start midweek win at Belmont, and has the 3kg claim for apprentice Renee Forrest, so will go with the 4 year old mare to score a victory here. Maccavainey was a last start maiden winner at this track on the back of some good form and could prove to be the danger, with Outlier and the interesting runner Rich Ken around the place. Rich Ken is having his first start at Northam in a long career, and does add some extra interest to this final event.
Numbers- 2-12-1-4

Suggested Bet- 2- Ima Citinpretty - Win

BEST BETS- Race 3- No 12 Beloved
Race 5- No 7 Crispiano