Gumby's Gossip Northam 8th September

Gary Wright | Country Racing | Thu 8 September, 2011

GUMBYS GOSSIP- Northam Thursday 8th September

Back into the Avon Valley for eight events today, with a few promising gallopers starting in the maiden races, which makes for an interesting days racing, on what should be a firm track, on a perfect spring day.

Race 1- GH Mumm Maiden- 1000metres

Caldo can get punters off on the right foot in the opening event on the card today. This Trade Fair mare was impressive in a short first up campaign late last year, running minor placings at both starts. She won a trail recently in her preparation for a return to racing, and with a nice draw at the 1000metre start looms as the horse to beat in this. Deejar has the benefit of a first up run under his belt for trainer Jason Pateman and should be the main danger here, he is also nicely drawn in barrier 3, so look for a forward showing from this gelding. Cattlin Gold may be a nice each way chance for the novelities in this, he was round about in his last campaign, and Lunar Ice will appreciate coming back to Northam after his last start in a tougher race at Belmont Park on Aug 3.
Numbers- 6-2-3-1

Suggested Bet- 6- Caldo- Win

Race 2- Jacobs Creek Maiden- 1000metres

The promising State City mare Metallica makes her return to racing in this event, and should go home a winner. Her two runs in a first up campaign resulted in two 4th placings at Ascot in the summer behind the likes of Caves Road and Kim Classic, and that's certainly the form line to point towards a maiden victory here. She will come into barrier 9 if the emergencies are all scratched and with in form apprentice Michael Grantham on board looks one of the best bets of the day, although don't expect any fancy prices about her. Classical Snow looks the best of the rest on the back of a nice second to the blowout winner Smitheringale on Jul 24, which also followed some promising country form previously. De Troy Roy improved slightly last week when bowling along in front here, so will possibly try the same tactics, and Paris Edition may add value for novelty punters in this.
Numbers- 6-4-1-7

Suggested Bet- 6- Metallica- Win

Race 3- Chivas Regal Maiden- 1400metres

A much more open race here with a few winning chances but will stick with Vacillare to break her maiden status in this race. Her last two runs have resulted in placings at this track and this is her big chance to win a race. She will also come in to barrier 8 with the possible scratching of the emergencies so it isn't as bad as it looks in the form guides, with the barrier 12 next to her name. The main danger looks to be Hussation, who just doesn't seem to be able to break through for that elusive win, having had eight placings from his 10 starts so far, but no victory, he may be coming home at the end of this race, but will appreciate going over more distance later in this preparation no doubt. Love the Faith ran a promising fifth in an Ascot race during April at his only race start and has the benefit of three recent trials, so look for a forward showing in this, with Ms Dubawi a bit of value for the minor's also.

Numbers- 7-1-4-8

Suggested Bet- 7- Vacillare- Each Way

Race 4- Perrier Jouet Maiden- 1400metres

The Shane Edwards mare Straleta gets her chance to break her maiden status in this race, her last two runs have been very good with minor placings at Belmont, and this isn't an overly strong maiden race, so will tip her with a bit on confidence here. She should handle the step up to 1400metres and if she does that expect to see her saluting the judge in this. Rosalie Park has run some promising races in much stronger fields lately, and will relish the drop in class so could also be a strong prospect here. Mossenta should improve on his first up fourth in this state, he did run some good races in NSW before relocating to WA, and King Choisir may also be a major player here.

Numbers- 9-10-3-5

Suggested Bet- 9- Straleta- Win

Race 5- Brancott Maiden- 1600metres

Adira has improved markedly over the last month, and if she continues in that vein might get home first in this event for trainer Fenella Martin and jockey Troy Turner. Her last start second at this track last week was full of merit, as was a nice second previous start at Belmont Park, so will tip her to go one better here. The obvious danger will be Foxatori, who has also run some top races at his two starts this preparation in stronger company, so will be a strong chance for Ryan Hill in this event. They do look a good quinella for punters who like that form of betting. Master Robson, Soonest and Handel's Messiah may also run forward races but don't expect to see them challenging the big two players here.
Numbers- 7-2-4-1

Suggested Bet- 7- Adira and 2-Foxatori- Quinella

Race 6- Kahlua Handicap- 1100metres

The best event of the day, and will go with Fiery Fox to bring up a victory for Mt Barker trainer Alan McNamara in this race. The Stormy's Son gelding performed extremely well at his home track over last summer, and came to Northam last week and ran a nice race first up behind Break Sea, he should be improved on that run and ready to go one better here. I think Doctor Dash may be the hardest to beat having run in the money nine times from ten starts at this track, a superb Northam record. Riverside Drive is also very promising and has run some very good races at Ascot earlier in his career, look for a forward showing also in this race. Leica Jet the best of the rest in what is a good field.

Numbers- 3-2-4-5

Suggested Bet- 3- Fiery Fox- Win

Race 7- Malibu Handicap- 2200metres

A very even and very tough race to tip with any confidence here. Most of these starters have a very skinny start to win ratio which makes it difficult to work out who might be in front at the judge at the end of the 2200metres. I will go with Ajexia for the sake of a tip though, her last few starts have been full of merit and with the services of William Pike on board, might just be the best each way chance here. Master Sin has also run some good races in stronger company lately, but the 1 win from 46 starts doesn't see him as a strong straight out betting proposition. Long Tan Lady may be another with each way claims back at her favourite track, she has a superb record here, however is rising massively in distance, and there has to be a query with that. Paterein and Deportment all look chances here as well in an extremely hard race to line up.
Numbers- 11-2-5-6

Suggested Bet- No Bet, (go wide in the quaddie here)

Race 8- Absolut Handicap- 1300metres

Punters can probably get out here with Red Mercedes looking extremely hard to beat in this. This Key Business gelding has been impressive in his ten start race career running good races in town and also the major provincial tracks, has the inside draw and the claim for apprentice Ryan Hill to boot. He was only beaten a short neck two weeks ago at this track behind the useful Hay Street Hero so you should be able to bet with confidence here. Amberstroem may prove hardest to beat now he has had a couple of runs to bring him to full fitness, with Rakutan and Simmo's Iht at a good price for the quartet punters in the final race of the afternoon.
Numbers- 1-3-5-11

Suggested Bet- 1- Red Mercedes- Win

Best Bets- Race 2 No 7 Metallica
Race 8 No 1 Red Mercedes