Gumby's Gossip Belmont 15th Aug (Northam Meeting)

Gary Wright | Metropolitan Racing | Mon 15 August, 2011

We are back at Belmont today for the eight events still to be run from last Thursdays Northam programme, all in all its a pretty good country class racing card, with a few promising gallopers going around in some of the maiden races.

Race 1- Westspeed 3yo Maiden-1000 metres

A nice open race to commence proceedings here, but will opt for El Costa Mar on the strength of some good runs at Belmont Park and a preferable barrier draw over her main rivals. Ken's Business could be the main danger here, having also run some useful races in town, with possibly Bay City, a good trialler in preparation for its debut and Pins Of Darkness next best as it will score a run in this race with a scratching.
Numbers- 7-1-4-15

 

Suggested Bet- 7 El Costa Mar- Each Way

Race 2- ozbet.com.au Maiden- 1000 metres

Manic Nirvana has been impressive in trials, and the nicely bred Snitzel horse trained by Trevor Andrews should go close in this race. He is also nicely drawn in barrier two for his first up race assignment and looks a nice each way bet here. Return To Rio has similar good trial form but will find it hard from a very wide barrier, but will still have him in the minor money, along with the consistent Venetian Queen, with Bitter Emu and Kissinger the best of the rest in this.
Numbers- 5-6-8-10

Suggested Bet- 5 Manic Nirvana- Each Way

Race 3- playeronline.com.au Maiden- 1400 metres

I'm No Eagle gets its last chance here having been a beaten favourite at his last three starts, just the fact its race hardened, nicely drawn and has the services of Paul Harvey on board, convinces me not to hop off just yet, so will declare it the main chance here ahead of Ma Mariah, ultra consistent in her first three race starts, with Wild West Willy next best. A real roughie might be Kim Ability, who showed some improvement in a trial at Belmont the other day, you just expect most of those "Kim" horses to be good chances in most races they contest.
Numbers- 1-14-4-7

Suggested Bet- 1- I'm No Eagle- Win

Race 4- perthracing.com.au Maiden- 1400 metres

A very open maiden race here, but will stick with the Trevor Andrews stable again and tip Hollister, who ran a nice second last start in a Pinjarra maiden event on 28th July, but we really are only guessing in this one. Star Villain comes into the race with a similar form line, second in another maiden race at the same meeting, with Key Position and System Six the other main fancies.
Numbers- 4-5-1-10

Suggested Bet- No Bet

Race 5- racingjobs.com.au Maiden- 1700 metres

Girlcan has been working up to its first victory with solid performances at her first two starts in this campaign, and with the 4kg allowance for young Natasha Faithfull can break her maiden status in this race. She will appreciate the 1700 metres and is ready to win a race. Star Beau raced well when last in work and may prove to be the danger but the difference in weight may prove to big a hurdle to overcome. The best of the rest appear to be Just A Rocket and Unquestionable.
Numbers- 6-2-1-4

Suggested Bet- 6- Girlcan- Win

Race 6- Perth Racing now on facebook Handicap- 1000 metres

A pretty tough race with a few chances but I do like Gingervate in this, although I wouldn't want to be taking the short prices possibly on offer for this Stratum mare. She raced well before a spell, and then ran a nice first up 5th at Belmont on 20th July and seems to be on the improve. Key Hedge appears the main danger with nice form at his last two starts at Northam and Belmont respectively, with possibly the old boy Bluff Point also a chance in this, he has generally been racing in better races than this one. King Eclarim also worth a mention for the minor end of the prize here in what is a tough race.
Numbers- 9-4-3-5

Suggested Bet- 9- Gingervate- Win

Race 7- Call TAB to bet 132 369 Handicap- 1300 metres

The Rubiton mare Rubitawny has impressed at trials and on the back of that, and the fact most of the other runners will be giving her a good lot of weight, will go for her to debut with a victory in this race, although we really are guessing that she is forward enough in preparation and racing nous to do so. War Gun has been racing in better company its last few starts and may go well in this race. Sacred Script for third and Pumphouse Pete at a good price for the novelties to add value here.
Numbers- 11-2-1-6

Suggested Bet- 11- Rubitawny- Each Way

Race 8- perthracing.com.au Handicap- 1700 metres

Probably a good bet to get out on here is Malaika, who was beaten only a nose at Belmont last start, which augers well for its prospects here, she is nicely drawn and has the services of Troy Turner in saddle, and simply ticks a lot of the boxes in this race. She showed good form in her last campaign, and at her third start back looks the goods here. Don't dismiss Auric, who has been racing well lately, but question mark is him stepping up in distance for this race. Fricassee and Kilat look best of the rest in a nice event to end the days racing.
Numbers- 4-5-8-9

Suggested Bet- 4 Malaika- Win

Best Bets- Race 3 No 1 I'm No Eagle
Race 10 No 4 Malaika