GUMBYS GOSSIP- Northam Thursday 1st September

Gary Wright | Country Racing | Wed 31 August, 2011

Another eight event card at Northam today, however we are back up to twelve runners per race which makes it a little more difficult to tip winners, but also gives us a little more value if we can do so.

Race 1- Lloyds Earthmoving Maiden- 1000metres

The Flying Pegasus filly Hydroflight can start the day in the right vein for punters and bring up her maiden victory in this race. In her last campaign she ran a nice second at Ascot in January to the promising Foo Foo The Snoo, and first up in this preparation she ran ninth in a very strong field at Belmont from a wide barrier. She did win a trial on 8th August defeating subsequent Ascot winner Demimonde also. With Pike on board she should be able to overcome another wide draw and salute the judge here. The Pillager could prove to be the main danger, this colt is first up but has shown promise in his only two race starts in much stronger company, with Eye Of The Beetle and Silbar the best of the rest in a good maiden race to open proceedings.
Numbers- 9-1-5-8

Suggested Bet- 9- Hydroflight- Win

Race 2- Acacia Maiden- 1100metres

A fairly open race here, but will go with Venetian Queen who has her foot on the till after some nice runs in her five start race career. She ran third first up to Return To Rio at the transferred meeting on Aug 15, which followed some promising runs in her last preparation. Again the barrier draw is the main worry here, she will come into barrier twelve if the emergencies come out, and hopefully Troy Turner can overcome that hurdle and get her to the line first. Magic Nirvana comes out of the same race on Aug 15, running fourth at his first race start and looms as a big player in this race, as does the ever consistent Bendit, and possibly Kim Ashlee a good each way bet at nice odds.
Numbers- 4-2-1-11

Suggested Bet- 4- Venetian Queen- Each Way

Race 3- Eucalyptus Maiden- 1300metres

The Brett Pope/ Troy Turner combination is another major player in this race with the consistent Sequalo System one of the winning chances. This 5 year old mare has run two minor placings at her last two starts both at this track and gets her chance to win a race in this event today. However, it's another open maiden race with numerous chances also including Verdello Blue, a last start second also at this track, nicely weighted with the claim for apprentice Aaron Rogers, Rock Bar who ran a good race here last week first up behind Pure Attraction, and possibly one at juicy each way odds in Shadow Hussler, who ran some good races last campaign and has had the blinkers removed for this assignment.
Numbers- 8-2-3-6

Suggested Bet- 8- Sequalo System- Each Way

Race 4- New Forest WA Maiden- 1300metres

Once again a very open maiden with quite a few chances, but will opt for Viva La Bam Bam at good each way odds here. His four starts so far have included two promising runs at this track, is nicely drawn for jockey Jason Whiting, and should be ready to run a bold race at his third start in this campaign. Come Flirt With Me looks the big danger with some good city form at his previous preparation to his name, but is yet to impress first up which might just be the deciding factor here. Wild West Willy will look to bounce back from his disappointing effort when a short priced favourite last start, and Tomochichi has some recent consistent Kalgoorlie form to his credit also, all in all a tough race to tip with any great confidence.

Numbers- 6-2-4-1

Suggested Bet- 6- Viva La Bam Bam- Each Way

Race 5- WA Sandalwood Plantation Maiden- 1600metres

Yet another race with many winning chances here, but will tentatively go for Vacillaire on the back of her last two starts at this track, where she has run minor placings and only beaten by very small margins, she will hopefully appreciate the rise to the 1600 metres and should be at nice each way odds in this race. Adira has also run some good races at her last two starts including a nice second at her last start, and could help what already looks a good day for Tory Turner in the saddle, with Star Villain, Kim Ability and Soonest also looking to be major chances in this very open event.
Numbers- 10-11-4-6

Suggested Bet- 10- Vacillaire- Each Way

Race 6- WA Farm Trees Handicap- 1600metres

I think we can tip Pure Edition with some confidence in this race. This State City mare is coming off a win over the Belmont 1650m at her last start, following some very good efforts in the autumn, and has the claim for Hayley Deiner bringing her in well on weights. The outside barrier shouldn't be too much of a problem with the long run to the first turn, so will go with her to beat the last start winner Athena's Me Mum in this race. Athena's Me Mum bought up her first win from ten starts at the transferred meeting at Belmont on Aug 15 over the 1700metre journey, so certainly looms as the major danger here. Doubtable won a maiden quite convincingly two weeks ago at Northam and is worth consideration also, with Dash Of Brains also one to consider for novelties here.

Numbers- 3-6-4-1

Suggested Bet- 3- Pure Edition- Win

Race 7- Greening Australia Handicap- 1400metres

Foxy Belle put the writing on the wall with a good second up performance at Belmont when second and only beaten a nose to Couture Chik two weeks ago, and certainly gets her chance to go one better here. She has done most of her racing at the city tracks but it wont be a problem coming up to Northam where she boasts a 1 for 1 record. Long Tan Lady ran an improved race last start and if holding that form will be a danger here with Melbourne bound William Pike on board, her record at this track is extremely good also, being placed at all five starts here. Panaster Boy won here on June 30 before a reasonable effort at Belmont last start, with Acheatin Smile and Rubitorove the best of the rest in this event. Rubitrove has only one win from 21 attempts so would tread warily backing him anything but on an each way basis here.

Numbers- 3-6-7-9

Suggested Bet- 3- Foxy Belle- Win

Race 8- Drop 5 Save Lives Handicap- 1000metres

A scamper to end the day in the Avon Valley and on the back of its breakthrough maiden win last start I will stick with Pure Attraction here. That win followed two minor placings so she is holding her form well at the moment, has the claim for Ryan Hill and if overcoming an awkward draw might go on with it here. Oruanui Eruption could be a danger here, he has been racing reasonably well in stronger fields than this lately and also has a 4kg claim for Natasha Faithfull in its favour. Daka Express may be the next best if it can regain the form of a year ago, and the same can be said for De Troy Roy who ran some promising races last season, but has struggled since, maybe a trip up the scarp to take on the easier fields than its been up against at Belmont may see some improvement in him.
Numbers- 3-5-1-7

Suggested Bet- 3- Pure Attraction- Win

Best Bets- Race 1 No 9 Hydroflight
Race 6 No 3 Pure Edition