Gumby's Gossip Northam 15th September

Gary Wright | Country Racing | Thu 15 September, 2011

GUMBYS GOSSIP- Northam- 15th September

Back into the Avon Valley today for a nine event card, we are back to full fields as well this week, which should add value for your punting dollar, and a later finish time of 5.25pm, which is a nice indicator that the days are getting longer and the big summer races are just around the corner.

Race 1- Wake up with Mic Maiden- 1000 metres

Quite an open race to commence proceedings here but will go with Twilight Obsession as the on top selection, he has been working up to a win with good runs at Belmont at his first two starts back from a spell, and now looks to be ready to salute the judge. He has a nice draw at the tricky 1000metre start to boot, and looks a nice each way chance to start the day. Spirit of Sandra looks the main danger on the back of some nice runs at Belmont recently, but possibly the wide barrier sways me towards Twilight Obsession to beat her home. Keep your eyes open for Cool Corona also, showing very juicy odds in the form guides at the moment, but after a poor first up campaign, did win a trial in preparation for her return to racing on Aug 29th at Belmont, and is from the strong Lindsey Smith yard. Lunar Ice, Tsunami Warning and Gingerman may all come into your novelty chances in an open race.
Numbers- 5-13-8-14

Suggested Bet- 5- Twilight Obsession- Each Way

Race 2- Rural Focus with Vin Dawes Maiden- 1000metres

A race of fewer chances here, but still not easy to pinpoint the winner with any confidence. Will opt for Metro Master though, after its last couple of starts and the nice inside draw. This David Harrison trained gelding ran a very nice fourth here two weeks ago to Dance Studio and should improve on that run. Musical Dane appears the main danger after five minor placings from eleven lifetime starts, she has found it difficult to find the line first though, but will give you a good sight for your money. Bitter Emu and possibly Stacked Deck may give you some value if you are looking for something at double figure odds, both may run forward races here.
Numbers- 1-9-4-11

Suggested Bet- 1- Metro Master- Win

Race 3- Wheatbelt Focus with Geire Kami Maiden- 1400metres

The Social Network looks the bet of the day here, but you probably won't be seeing any fancy prices for this Starcraft filly from the Lindsey Smith stable. Her form is far superior to the rest of this field with two seconds and a fourth at Belmont Park from her three career starts to date, the last two after going out the punters elect. Cherry Cha Cha may chase her home and form the quinella on the back of two promising fourth's at her two starts to date. Pay Dirt may run into the minor placing, he is probably ready to improve on his last couple of starts and the 1400 metres probably suits him, with Koi Mak a real maddie for quartet punters.

Numbers- 10-7-4-2

Suggested Bet- 10- The Social Network- Win

Race 4- The Dan and Ken Show Maiden- 1400metres

A race of probably four chances here, and will opt for Sugar Stroller to break his maiden status in this. This horse has seen a few different racetracks in his twelve start career, but his last run here on Sep 1st was full of merit when running second to Come Flirt with Me. Drawn well in barrier four,and a 2kg claim for top apprentice Michael Grantham sways me to tip him to break though here, over another promising horse in Hussation, who with eight minor placings from eleven starts also has his foot on the till, he did find trouble at his first up run here last week and should be improved today. Its almost a bracket selection so maybe look at the odds and go for the better value here. Verdello Blue has also been consistent over the winter season and should run into the minor's, with Longevity the other chance in this race.

Numbers- 8-3-9-5

Suggested Bet- 8- Sugar Stroller-3 Hussation- Quinella

Race 5- The Locker Room Maiden- 1400metres

Vacillare has been tipped on top in this column the last two weeks, and ended up being withdrawn, so presuming all is well with the horse I will tip her to win again in this race. Her last two starts at this track have been full of merit and pointers towards an early victory. She is drawn perfectly to get a great run here and Willie White must be excited at his prospects of booting home a winner today. The main opposition should come from Rock Bar, racing third up from a spell today, and he hasn't been far away at all at his two runs this preparation at this track. Fine Prince looks to have a bit of ability for trainer Steven Ryan, and with Paul Harvey on board, must come into calculations if the Pontiff can overcome an awful draw on the outside of the whole herd here. Point of Return and Adalfe probably the next best for the wide quartet punters.
Numbers- 15-7-12-6

Suggested Bet- 15- Vacillare- Win

Race 6- No Repeat Workdays with Potts Maiden- 1600metres

Wild West Willy looks to be the testing material in this event and could give the Shane Edwards yard a winner today. He is third up also, having run as favourite at his first start back at Belmont, before slightly disappointing on Aug 15, but then bounced back into form here on Sep 1st, when third to Come Flirt with Me in a 1300metre maiden race. He is probably looking for a little further and looms as a good winning proposition this afternoon. Another of the Lindsey Smith debutants in Endless Sacrifice might be one to keep an eye on here, only produced once in trials so a bit of an unknown factor, Flippen Fantastic has run some good races lately, but is yet to break through in his 17 starts to date, but could run into the minor money once again, with Wheels of Fire a chance here also for the wide quaddie players.
Numbers- 7-9-1-6

Suggested Bet- 7- Wild West Willy- Win

Race 7- Radio West Broadcasters Handicap- 1600metres

Westriver Kevydonn looks the likely prospect here. This Danetime gelding has been in wonderfully consistent form of late and gets his chance to notch another victory here. He raced in much tougher company last start at Belmont when a good fifth to Maschino in Saturday company, and back up to Northam today looks very well suited at what might be each way odds. Michael Grantham brings the weight down to a nice 56kgs, and he should get a great run from a nice inside draw, all pointers towards a very forward showing in this race. Acheatin' Smile was very impressive running home well a fortnight ago over 1400metres, and it seems won't be worried at all by the rise to the mile. Don Sebastian has run some nice races recently, and looks to be in this also, with Doubtable and Kim Ability the best of the rest in a good race.
Numbers- 1-8-2-3

Suggested Bet- 1- Westriver Kevydonn- Each Way

Race 8- Weekend Wake up with Dan Leach Handicap- 1300metres

Hi Kilmore has been in very impressive form of late, and seems to be holding that form well and looks a good betting proposition in this event. After breaking through for his maiden victory here on 5th Aug, this Stephen Rowe trained gelding has run a close second to Cassidy Cowboy at Belmont, followed by a respectable sixth in Maschino's race at Belmont on Aug 27. He could complete a good day for Michael Grantham and bring up his second career victory here. Victobougg must also be respected, he went out a Pinjarra maiden winner at his last start before a spell, and looks a promising type, with last start winner Prince Kodiak and War Gun the best of the others, forgive War Gun one bad effort last start when he got lost way back in the field.
Numbers- 1-4-2-5

Suggested Bet- 1- Hi Kilmore- Each Way

Race 9- 864 Handicap- 1100metres

Desire Path should get punters away on the right note here by taking out the last event of the day. She is first up but did win at her first start from a nine month spell when last in work, following that up with a Belmont victory over the promising Private O'Dea a couple of weeks later. Her last start was a fourth to Sweet Serenity at Belmont on May 28th, form which reads good enough for me to tip her with confidence here. Bellaben may sprint well fresh, she was racing in top class fillies company when last in work, and the only downside to her prospects may be the short 1100metre trip. They appear to be ahead of the rest of the pack in this last event, with the topweight Wannabe A Rockstar and the last start surprise Belmont midweek winner Smitheringale the best of the rest, this is a good race to finish the day's proceedings in the Avon Valley.
Numbers- 5-7-1-11

Suggested Bet- 5- Desire Path- Win

Best Bets- Race 3 No 10 The Social Network
Race 9 No 5 Desire Path