Gumbys Gossip - Bunbury 10th November

Gary Wright | Country Racing | Thu 10 November, 2011

GUMBYS GOSSIP- Bunbury- 10th November

A huge ten event card today at Bunbury with some large fields, and early start time prior to Midday, but some very good country fields later in the day which should make for interesting racing, the card highlighted by Races 7 and 10 which both boast terrific fields.

Race 1- Amelia Park Maiden- 1000metres

An interesting race to open proceedings, as we have a few horses who have started numerous times and are yet to break the ice against a couple that have trialled really well for their racing debuts, so it makes it a tough decision for punters on which way to go here. I will tip Paw's N'Claws, a really well named gelding if you look at the breeding (Bearcat-Lady Ex) who has won two trials recently to make a winning debut here, but you really do have to take on trust. He is nicely drawn in barrier three and may get a nice run in the race. Dangers are a plenty in an open affair with Bromance possibly the main danger, he started in much stronger company in his last preparation, and has also trialled well recently, and is also well drawn here. Other major players should be Satellite City and Domerin who have certainly had chances to win in the past, but are still maidens and possibly another one from the trials in Peggie's Dream, but she will have to overcome the hurdle of the outside barrier in this race.
Numbers- 6-7-3-2

Suggested Bet- 6- Paw's N'Claws- Each Way

Race 2- GWN7 Maiden- 1200metres

Possibly a little easier here to pinpoint a winner, with Mannar Mia looking the goods to open his account after two promising seconds up at Northam recently. He is nicely drawn in a big field near the inside and hopefully can take advantage of that and breakthrough in this event. The big danger appears to be Five Inch Heels (another very well named horse) who has also impressed recently but will need some luck from a poor draw on the outside of the whole field here, so that does tip the scales in Mannar Mia's favour I would think. Black Magic Miss trialled well at Belmont winning nicely back on October 24th and this nicely bred filly may also give you a good sight for your money. Galaxon and Five Fields also may provide nice value for the novelties in this race.

Numbers- 1-7-9-4

Suggested Bet- 1- Mannar Mia- Win

Race 3- Smokefree WA Maiden- 1200metres

Queen of Quincy made an auspicious debut at Northam during the winter months with a slashing first up second to Murphy's Red Boy, and then started one of the fancies at Belmont a couple of weeks after that before injuring herself, so we have to forget that run, and go on her first up run. On that performance she looks to be mighty hard to beat here in her return to racing and can give the Lindsey Smith stable a welcome winner in this. I like the draw in barrier eight and obviously like the jockey in William Pike, all pointers to a very strong performance here. This is a nice maiden race with Bustabill a first up third in his first start in a race after starting favourite an obvious danger, along with Encore No More, who has been slightly disappointing at his first two starts this campaign, but did show some promising form through the autumn when last in work, and the Bruce Watkins trained Bayfield also set to play a part here on the back of a recent trial win over Bromance at this track.

Numbers- 11-2-3-4

Suggested Bet- 11- Queen Of Quincy- Win

Race 4- Mt Franklin Maiden- 1410metres

I think De Spare can break his maiden status here, he has been knocking on the door in his four starts to date and really gets his chance in what is not an overly strong field. Regular jockey Chloe Chatfield takes the mount and he is another one nicely drawn in this and looks to be the winner of this event. Dangers may be Scarpered who showed some promise in her previous campaign, but has to overcome a horror draw here, Ambers Cove who has also run some promising races throughout her spring campaign for trainer Robyn Lockwood, and Rock City who was also about the place in his first campaign back in the Autumn. Beltway may also be running on late in this, but may just find the distance a little short.

Numbers- 2-11-12-6

Suggested Bet-2- De Spare- Win

Race 5- Bunbury Auto Group Maiden- 1410metres

This is a pretty tough maiden race with the prospect of an upset so tread warily in this race. I will tip Kranji Dude if forced into a selection, but don't expect the $13 quoted in the Tabform, if you get that price it may be worth investing a few each way, as this Bearcat gelding will probably improve on his first up effort at Pinjarra a few weeks ago. He has some second-up form to his name and has a nice draw at the 1410m start. I wouldn't be backing him at anything a lot shorter though, as its an almost impossible race to dissect. Royal Edict ran a nice race at Northam first up from a spell when fourth to Chinese Burn and may go well for Jarrad Noske, Dianella has shown a little promise, and did miss the start at his last outing so maybe an excuse there, and possibly Master Robson can also play a part here on the back of his three fourth placings in similar races at Northam lately.

Numbers- 1-11-14-4

Suggested Bet- No Bet

Race 6- Lion Maiden- 1410metres

Another big maiden field here and the winner may also be well concealed. Voluminous has run some good races in his five start career and if able to overcome the outside barrier may be able to get home in this race. Patrick Carbery may have a few decisions to make when the gates open, but with some luck in running this Akhenation gelding can be the one to beat. Foxatori is still yet to salute after thirteen starts and may run into another minor placing here, he is nicely drawn and comes in to the race with 56kgs after the claim for apprentice Ryan Hill, and does look to be the main danger. Errand Boy is also drawn a little wide but has been just behind the placegetters at Northam recently and should give you a good sight, as will Sonazee, who will appreciate this race far more than his last start at Belmont in a crack field, when he raced wide throughout, better to go on his start previous when runner up to Big Josh in an Northam Maiden on 25th Sept.

Numbers- 3-1-5-9
Suggested Bet- 3- Voluminous- Win

Race 7- APH Contractors Handicap- 1410metres

This is certainly one of the better events of a big card at Bunbury, and once again we have a big field engaged here. In a tough race I will stick with Amberstroem who has been about the place at his last two starts in similar company. He will appreciate the 2kg claim for Michael Grantham, which seems to bring him in well compared to the rest of his opposition here. He will have to overcome a wide draw, but most of his opposition are in the same boat in this event also, so will go with this Elvstroem gelding to bring up a win for in form trainer Stephen Miller. Plenty of other chances in a good race though, including last start winner What Do You Know, who won well at this track at the Melbourne Cup meeting here last week. Dangerously has also impressed lately with a Pinjarra victory and a third to Ysmael at Ascot so must be respected, if he can overcome the outside draw in a good field, and also Xaarablaze can give you a good sight for your money on the strength of a last start Northam win as can Le Sacre on his last start second here last week at this track. All in all a good race.

Numbers- 2-10-5-9
Suggested Bet- 2-Amberstroem- Each Way

Race 8- Legends Bar and Bistro Handicap- 1690metres

Friarday looks one of the better bets of the day here for local trainer Peter Giadresco. He has run some very nice races in his five start career so far and is set to go on with it in this race. He looks like he will relish the step up to 1600metres and should be extremely hard to beat in what isn't an overly strong field here. Sky Diva ran an improved race last start coming back to more suitable class and so should go well in a similar type of event here, with Ambers Kingdom and last start Northam winner Matron Geojack also in calculations. However on exposed form Friarday looks to be extremely hard to beat here and may even be a quaddie anchor for punters.
Numbers- 1-8-3-2

Suggested Bet- 1 Friarday- Win

Race 9- South West Autumn Racing Carnival Handicap- 2019metres

Another capacity field here and once again a fairly open affair. Will go for the topweight Dark Humor to get the money in this. She has run some nice races recently at Ascot that auger well for her chances of saluting the judge in this event. Whilst she is topweight with 58kgs the 3kgs claim for Hayley Diener will also work well in her favour, and she should get a nice run in the race from a favourable draw. She is now race hardened after four starts in this campaign and will prove hard to beat in this race as long as she can handle the step up to the 2019metres. Pure Rust is another with a similar form line, and ran in the same race as Dark Humor last start behind Jackson Rocks at Ascot on 26th October, so with that in mind should also run a good race here. One at nice each way odds could be Mr Freckle, who improved last start here when third in a big field over 1690 metres, and at his third start in a race to be running over this distance indicates he won't be worried by that factor at all. Ragnarok was disappointing last week at Northam but may pay to forgive that run if you have been following him previous to that aberration.
Numbers- 1-3-7-4

Suggested Bet- 7- Mr Freckle- Each Way

Race 10- Country Challenge Qualifying Heat- 1200metres

This is another good race to end a long day of racing with numerous good chances in this Country Challenge heat. I will stick with Elle Choisit on an each way basis here on the strength of some inspired form at her last few starts including a win over Friday's Girl at Belmont and placings behind the smart Littoria and Ten Aces, form that is probably good enough to win this race. The 3kgs claim for apprentice Aaron Rogers will be most appreciated here bringing the weight down to a more respectable 58.5kgs. Army Miss may prove to be the biggest obstacle here, she herself is a last start Ascot victor for regular apprentice rider Alex Hearn, who also claims 3kgs on her in this race. Mirrannon makes her return today, she is a winner of the Country Championship at Belmont over the winter and has plenty of ability including a good first up record, and you might get good each way odds for her today. Metro Master and Levi's Boy are both last start winners and add depth to this field also in a terrific event to finish the day at Bunbury.
Numbers- 2-5-9-8

Suggested Bet- 2- Elle Choisit- Each Way

Best Bets- Race 3 No 11 Queen Of Quincy
Race 4 No 2 De Spare
Race 8 No 1 Friarday