Gumby's Gossip - Bunbury 20th October

Gary Wright | Country Racing | Thu 20 October, 2011

GUMBYS GOSSIP- Bunbury 20th October

A big welcome back to Bunbury today, one of our best provincial tracks, and a big summer of racing ahead no doubt, leading up to the annual round in March, which will be another huge event on the country racing calendar in this state. Today we do see a lot of horses racing first up, and a lot of horses having their first race start at the track so it makes for an interesting day of trying to piece all the form together before deciding on how we will invest our money.

Race 1- Western Allpest Services Maiden- 1016 metres

The first event of the new season see's a couple of good types going around in Encore No More and Pure Adrenalin. Will go for the Adam Durrant trained Encore No More on the back of some very good runs in his first campaign at the track during the Autumn months. He showed he was primed for a return to racing with a Lark Hill trial win on October 3rd, beating Shanghai Noon that day, which is also a starter in this race. Beautifully drawn in barrier two, and in form jock Peter Knuckey on board, he looks a nice bet to start the day. Pure Adrenalin will be the danger here, he should be at his peak at his third run back from a spell, is also nicely drawn, so should run very well in this. Paul's Joy showed some promise when last in work and can run a forward race here if Kyra Yuill can overcome her wide barrier draw at the tough 1000metre start, and keep an eye on Midnight Whispers, trained here by Peter Giadresco, who has also been trialling well for her debut at the track.
Numbers- 2-1-7-9

Suggested Bet- 2- Encore No More- Win

Race 2- Tiles Plus Maiden- 1016metres

This race could well go the way of Louisiana Lady, who ran some good races when last in work, 3 seconds from 5 starts in fact. This Hurricane Sky mare warmed up for her return with a trial win last week here, and is drawn beautifully, and with Jason Whiting on board may very well break her maiden status in this race for Bunbury trainer Peter Giadresco. Dangers to that scenario may come from Amarna, also locally trained, who ran some promising races during the last Bunbury season, also well drawn, and also trialled well here last week. It looms as a tough decision to split these two horses, but will opt for Louisiana Lady, maybe the 2kg weight advantage may just tip the scales in favour of her. Sicilian Storm looks a promising type from the David Harrison yard and may be one to keep an eye out for down the track, but still a good novelty chance today, and Heldorado the best of the rest here, following a much improved first up run at Northam on 1st October.

Numbers- 8-1-5-2

Suggested Bet- 8- Louisiana Lady- Win

Race 3- Hotham Personnel Maiden- 1200metres

A big field to contest this race so tread warily if having an investment here. Will go for Ellavamoment on the back of some good Belmont form over the winter season in his three starts, including a good second to Stacks On in June. Not drawn really well in barrier 12, but he will come in slightly with the probable scratching of the emergencies. Again we have to look at recent trial form as a lot of these are coming of a break or racing first up, and he ran a nice second at his latest trial at Lark Hill on 10th October, which hopefully translates to a forward showing in this race. Plenty of chances in this open affair though and Hot Metal could be a probable danger if he can overcome a horror barrier draw also. He ran a very nice first up second in a Northam maiden and could go on with it with a bit of luck here. First Flight may also come into calculations for local trainer Graham Yuill, he did run in a strong race at Belmont at his only start last campaign, and a couple of others from trials may be True Gold and Hidden Dreams, which should be at very nice odds.

Numbers- 1-4-2-9

Suggested Bet- 1- Ellavamoment- Each Way

Race 4- Harvey Norman Bunbury Maiden-1420metres

Sonazee stands out here in what certainly isn't a strong field. Forgive his last start when racing in a crack field at Belmont behind Ron's Call and go on his second to Big Josh at Northam previous to that and he will prove hard to beat here. Nicely drawn in barrier six he may just bring up another winner for new arrival Marco Chui. Emaho may prove hard to topple after showing some improved form at the back end of his last campaign, and did trail well at Lark Hill last week in preparation for a return to the track. Another improver may be President Elect, who had his first up run in the state at Northam earlier this month, then also trialled here a few days ago and ran a nice race. One that may be coming home well is Grandstand, the Warwick Bradshaw trained gelding ran some nice races over slightly longer at the end of his last campaign, and may go well fresh at good each way odds.

Numbers- 8-1-2-4

Suggested Bet- 4- Grandstand (just a couple each way at good odds)

Race 5- City and Regional Fuels Maiden- 1420metres

Friarday certainly looks a huge chance in this race, and might continue a good day for the Giadresco stable here. His last start second to Counter Offer at Northam last week was full of merit, that following on from some nice runs at his local track earlier in the year as well. He is drawn well and rates as the testing material in this event. Dianella has also run some good races in her short four start career, would probably pay to forget her last start behind Lisetta at Belmont in too good a company, and back to a Bunbury Maiden looks far more suited here and with the inside barrier to boot, will be a major player in this race. Pay Dirt also comes into calculations here, he has been improving slowly with every start, and has started favourite at a couple of those starts, so punters must think a fair bit of him. Mr Freckle is an interesting first up performer here, he has been schooled at trials a fair bit and may be ready to put his best foot forward at his race debut.

Numbers- 1-2-9-10

Suggested Bet- 1- Friarday- Win

Race 6- Rocktober Handicap- 1705metres

There isn't a great deal of form exposed in this race to say the least, but I do think we can back Mayan Sky with some confidence here. His form in much stronger company at Belmont has been acceptable, in fact he has started favourite a couple of times recently, and with a nice barrier, and a claim for apprentice Ryan Hill, he won't get a better chance than today to post a win. Sky Diva may prove to be the main danger, you don't often throw out a horse with 4 bagels next to its name, but again is so far down in class from her last few runs, she must be chance in this. System Six has run two reasonable races lately at Northam and Toodyay respectively and will no doubt have admirers here, and for quartet punters maybe Testa Altezza may be around the minor money. It is a difficult race as most of these distance handicaps are but Mayan Sky does seem to be a cut above the rest here.

 Numbers- 1-5-6-4
Suggested Bet- 1- Mayan Sky- Win

Race 7- Radiowest Handicap- 1420metres

The best race of the day here, but very difficult as a punting proposition with many chances. If forced into an outright selection then maybe Amberstroem could be the way to go. This Elvstroem gelding won a race up at Kalgoorlie over the round a few weeks ago and followed that with an unplaced run at Belmont on 28th September when he pulled himself into the ground, so probably best to forget that run. His previous runs in this preparation were quite good and with a nice draw here can certainly play a major part. Jazz N Shiraz could be a danger here, she ran some very nice races last time in racing, including a Pinjarra win in June. The big improver might be Mr Nicoffski, who seems to be a Bunbury specialist, his form here last season was most encouraging, and he also drops 3kgs with the claim for apprentice Hayley Diener, although she will have to overcome a wider draw than most of the other fancies in this race. Dante's Princess can also improve on her average numerical form at Belmont lately, by coming down the highway and starting in a more suitable race here at Bunbury.
Numbers- 6-10-1-3

Suggested Bet- 6- Amberstroem- Each Way

Race 8- Ausmic Pest Control Handicap- 1200metres

Not an easy race to finish the day, with a capacity field in prospect, making it even more difficult to pinpoint the winner. However Precious Snippets has been impressive at her first four starts, finishing no further back than fourth in some bigger fields as well, so maybe as an each way proposition we can go with her with some sort of confidence. She showed she was forward in this new preparation with a trial win at Lark Hill two weeks ago with race jockey William Pike on board that day. It could finish off a great day for local trainer Peter Giadresco if things go to plan for that stable. Caldo has also shown some promising form in her five start career, she raced off the track last start in a stronger Belmont event behind Lisetta, and is much more suited and much better drawn here. Possibly Flirtsta may be one at good each way odds here if he can recapture the form from his last campaign over the Autumn months, is nicely drawn and carries only 54kgs. If looking for the quartet in this final race then Metro Master and Rio Ruby could well come into your calculations for that minor end of the prize.
Numbers- 12-13-8-2

Suggested Bet- 12- Precious Snippets- Win

Best Bets- Race 5 No 1 Friarday
Race 6 No 1 Mayan Sky