GUMBYS GOSSIP - Kalgoorlie 14th September

Gary Wright | Country Racing | Tue 13 September, 2011

GUMBYS GOSSIP- Kalgoorlie- 14th September

Today see's one of the highlights of the country racing scene in this state with the running of the Hannan's Handicap, the blue riband sprint event of the annual Goldfields carnival, and it highlights a terrific eight event card of good class country racing. It may be a tough to find a lot of winners simply as a quite a few of the horses racing are making their debuts at Kalgoorlie, but they certainly add depth to the fields this afternoon.

Race 1- Bundaberg Rum Maiden-1600metres

We should get off on the right foot here with Southern Drawl, this Hec McLaren trained gelding has been most impressive at his last three starts running thirds all at Belmont Park, the last time to the promising Pattie Me Lass in a Saturday class race on August 27. That form is certainly good enough to get home first here for Peter Knuckey, and for most favourite punters to have an early collect. Daneclicked may be the main danger having also run some good races recently, and the 1600m will suit him down to the ground. Carippa may add some value to the novelties here, the first ride back for Kyra Yuill after her recent holiday, and Foryouandme looks the best of the rest in a good event to open the programme.
Numbers- 8-1-9-2

Suggested Bet- 8- Southern Drawl- Win

Race 2- Statewide Oil Maiden-1200metres

This race is a tough as it gets to try and dissect, a lot of contenders have run some promising races lately at different tracks, even interstate so it will be a guessing game here but will opt for the former Eastern Stater Extreme Silence at what may be good each way odds. He ran a very nice first up third here in July and even though he hasn't been spotted since, ran some nice races at Victorian provincial tracks prior to coming over to the West, starting as favourite in a couple of those. Will have to find some luck to overcome the wide barrier though, but will just have him on top from Crash Hot, also running nice races recently at Pinjarra and Northam, and with the services of William Pike in the saddle. Aylesford looms as a major player also on the back of some consistent form but is still a maiden after 14 starts, but still may be next best, with Northern Gateway another one that may represent some value here, all in all a very tough race though.
Numbers- 4-10-1-6

Suggested Bet- 4-Extreme Silence- Each Way (if you really want to have a bet)

Race 3- Qantas Handicap-1400metres

A good provincial class race here with some reasonably seasoned performers contesting this. Probably not a lot of major chances and will go with November Red to bring up a victory here. This Concrete Crusher gelding has held his form very well for a while now at Belmont Park and looks suited here from barrier two and at the 1400metres. Revy Jay looms as a major player also, having had two recent starts at this track to acclimatise himself for this race, and it looms as Knuckey v Pike to see who gets the major slice of the prizemoney here. Two Strong Hearts is a seasoned Kalgoorlie specialist also, but just not quite sure how his form up at this track stacks up against the other two, and the same could be said for Not So Vain, who has raced well here over the winter months, and could also fill a minor placing.

Numbers- 8-1-4-7

Suggested Bet- 8- November Red- Win

Race 4- Barminco Golden Whip- 1200metres

In what is another of the tougher races on the day I will go for Gigstar to make it 2 from 2 in this state here. This son of Testa Rossa was impressive in winning at its first start on the goldfields for trainer Peter Fernie on Sept 4th, and may go on with it in this event. Not well drawn for jockey Kevin Bohorun in barrier 10, but then again its major challengers are also drawn out wide, and possibly the 2kgs claim may give him the slightest advantage to get home first again. Zedream has been a model of consistency up here all winter and may be the main danger, with Private City on the back of a maiden win here on Aug21, possibly next best. The Unforgiven should also be in your novelties in this race, another consistent performer up here all through the Kalgoorlie season.

Numbers- 6-9-2-7

Suggested Bet- 6- Gigstar- Each Way

Race 5- Devil's Lair Fifth Leg Handicap- 1100metres

One of the better races on this big card of country racing here. Once again its hard to line up the city form with the Kalgoorlie form, but will opt for Recode to get home in this for William Pike on the back of some very impressive city form over the past two months. A last start fifth to the promising Rafferty on 3rd Sept followed two victories during August, and the major obstacle may be the wide barrier at the 1100metres here. Danterina looms as the obvious danger on the back of her four in a row at this track which boosted an already impressive strike rate up here, she also has the advantage of a nice barrier to boot. Soviet Banker looks to also be a major player having held form nicely since his last win at Belmont Park on 13 Aug, with Running Mist the best of the rest.
Numbers- 4-2-11-10

Suggested Bet- 4- Recode- Win

Race 6- EBM Insurance Handicap- 1100metres

Another one of those races where we try and line up Kalgoorlie form with city or country form here. Ankh has found a new lease of life lately at this track with 2 wins and a second from her last 3 starts, and will go with her to continue on that impressive streak in this race. The wide draw may be of some worry to punters, but if she can overcome that hurdle, should be a good winning chance in this race. Wonder Weed appears here for the first time in his career, and should also be a good chance on the back of some impressive form in the city for trainer Bob McPherson, he has the 3kg claim for apprentice Joe Azzopardi and the inside draw to boot also. Pure Attraction has raced consistently lately and will be about the place when the whips are cracking, with Public Perception also a strong chance in this race.
Numbers- 4-3-11-14

Suggested Bet- 4- Ankh- Each Way

Race 7- Goldfields Mining Expo Hannan's Handicap- 1400metres

The big sprint race of the season on the Goldfields promises to be an extremely competitive affair with some good class city horses making the trip up to try and plunder some of the $130,000 prizemoney on offer for this time honoured event. The field is probably a little down on the class of recent editions of the Hannan's but will still be a tremendous spectacle, and finding a winner may be a little elusive, but will punt for Ringmeister to bring home the bacon for the Lindsey Smith stable. He was a very impressive winner first up at Belmont two weeks ago when leading all the way, boasts a good second up record, has the in form Daniel Staeck on board and will no doubt settle in front or a nice forward position from barrier five. Last year's winner King Kool Kat looks to be the main danger here, the 60kgs over a gruelling 1400metres must be the big question though, he stuck on well after doing all the work in his last race behind Mega Steel in the Farnley, but how well he can carry this burden today is unknown. He will certainly have earned his stripes in Goldfields racing history if he can repeat last years victory. Trainer Steve Wolfe holds a few aces in the pack in this race with Our Ol' Fella and Wolfe Dreams both making the trip up here, they have each been racing impressively throughout the Belmont winter season and look to be good chances. Who is to say the Reverend can't do it again after his terrific Boulder Cup win on Sunday, and if we forgive Brave Knight for one average effort in the same race, then he must also come into calculations.
Numbers- 8-1-7-13

Suggested Bet- 8- Ringmeister- Each Way

Race 8- GWN7/Oliver Foundation Handicap- 1400metres

A couple of promising gallopers may fight out the final event of the day here. Black Tycoon and Mr Tomkins both commenced their racing careers at a relatively late age but both have shown something in the few starts they have had so far. I will tip Black Tycoon to win this simply because of a better draw and with the services of William Pike, he just may be able to get home a winner again. Mr Tomkins should still play a part in the race if he can overcome a wide draw and can build on his impressive record so far. All Messed Up has also been in good form lately showing very consistent form on the goldfields, and finally broke through on 21st August to break her maiden status, and Havana City should also go well on the strength of her Northam win on 18th August. Amberstroem could also come into calculations in a very open race to end the big day of racing.
Numbers- 5-6-11-1

Suggested Bet- 5- Black Tycoon- Each Way

Best Bets- Race 1 No 8 Southern Drawl
Race 5 No 4 Recode