Gumbys Gossip Bunbury 22nd December

Gary Wright | Country Racing | Thu 22 December, 2011

GUMBYS GOSSIP- Bunbury- 22nd December

A Thursday twilight card today at Bunbury, with the chance for the punters to pocket a little Christmas money. A few good chances throughout the day may just provide the punters with some valuable cash at a time of the year when its probably most needed. Some promising horses going around this afternoon making it a good days racing to finish the pre-Christmas racing calendar at Bunbury.

Race 1- The Grand Banksia Maiden- 1200metres

Bromance has been about the place at his two starts back this campaign and really gets his chance to win a race here today. His last start was beaten only a long head by Silvercity Girl on Dec 1st, after racing on the pace, and with a nice draw in barrier six in this race, should be right there when the whips are cracking at the end of the event. The big danger appears to be Toro Express, he ran a very good race last time out behind the promising Just A Noble here a fortnight ago, and is also nicely drawn, and both these horses do look to be the main two players in this opening event. A couple of horse having their first starts could be worth keeping an eye on at good each way prices, Let's Buy Iht ran a very impressive trial here last week when winning by over two lengths, and has drawn nicely in pole position for her race debut, and Titan Knight is another commencing his racing career here today, hasn't done heaps in trials, but the Simon Miller stable is flying at the moment, and he may just run a nice race in this. Money Czar appears the other horse for novelty punters, but does has to overcome the outside barrier today, certainly some place chance though.
Numbers- 3-2-10-5

Suggested Bet- 3- Bromance- Win

Race 2- The Grand Tranquillity Maiden- 1420metres

Another horse about the place at her first three career starts is Madam Jewel, and she just may get home today with the extra 200metres in distance on her last two starts possibly in her favour. She was slightly disappointing at Pinjarra last start when only really boxing on for fourth behind Rio Spark, but with a nice inside draw today, and retaining the services of William Pike I will give her another chance. The stablemate Nova Park is racing in similar form, grinding away just behind the placegetters at his last two starts, and may also appreciate the extra ground here today and sneak into the placings. Bridgewaters ran a nice race last start here at Bunbury and should go on with it, and must also be a winning chance today, he is nicely drawn for jockey Shaun Meeres in this, and Flying Metal may also be good each way value in an open race, if you forgive his last start aberration at Mt Barker when he raced a long way back in the field, he is back in familiar surroundings today and look for a better showing here.
Numbers- 8-2-3-1

Suggested Bet- 8- Madam Jewel- Win

Race 3- The Grand Wellington Triple Maiden- 1420metres

Glacial Energy comes into this race well on the back of a good first up second to Just A Noble here two weeks ago when he had to cross from a poor barrier that day, no such problems here drawn beautifully in gate two, and if he races nice and forward as he has done previous will prove very hard to hold out today. Jockey Jarrad Noske retains the ride as he has done throughout this campaign and I expect to see this Chris Gangemi trained gelding salute today. Turf Power ran a couple of nice races during the winter months at his first race campaign, and may run well fresh for trainer Stephen Miller. Next best may be Royal Titan on the back of a long neck second to Flirty Beau here on Dec 4th, nicely drawn and has the 3kgs claiming apprentice Alex Hearn on board for this, with Poppies For Spring one at each way odds for the novelty punters.
Numbers- 4-6-2-13

Suggested Bet- 4- Glacial Energy- Win

Race 4- The Grand Empire Maiden- 1420metres

Another horse here that may have proven a little costly to punters recently is Secret Cermony, he has yet to break through in six starts but has been about the place, and started favourite on a couple of occasions also. She did race wide throughout at her last start and was only beaten half a length by Statements that day, and today could just be the day she breaks the ice. She hopefully gets a better run in transit today, and with top hoop William Pike on board, the Peters syndicate may just get a winner here. Another major player here will be Sad Eyes, who has also been about the place in recent runs, and looks like today will be no exception from the nice barrier. Daniel Staeck hops on board this Zedrich filly today, so look for a forward showing. Gia ran an improved race last start here behind the promising Wicked Game and may go on with it now, and one at nice each way odds may be Light N'Easy, who ran a good first up fourth at Mt Barker, but did race in a lot stronger company in her first racing campaign earlier in the year.
Numbers- 8-2-9-10

Suggested Bet- 8- Secret Ceremony- Win

Race 5- The Brookton Handicap-1705metres

Only a small field to contest this race, but most starters do look to have chances here. I will go with Voluminous on the back of a easy last start victory at Pinjarra on Dec 11, when he raced away to win by nearly two lengths, with the same impost of 58kgs that he will be carrying today. As long as he handles the extra 100metres of this race this afternoon, he does look to be the main chance here. Amarna is one that seems to have been crying out for the extra ground, coming home really well at his last few starts over shorter distances, and looks to be a big danger to Voluminous today. Doodelicious ran a good race last start also, when third to Lovre here and does drop nicely in weight for this race, so must come into calculations, with Ottumwa also not without a chance in what looks a very open affair for such a small field. Angelic Heart is another well up in distance on her last few efforts, but if she can handle that may be some chance at good odds, in a race where they will be at a premium.
Numbers- 1-3-5-4

Suggested Bet- 1- Voluminous- Win

Race 6- The Grand Woodvale Handicap- 2038metres

A nice open distance race here with some form exposed. Grandstand finally broke through at his tenth race start a fortnight ago here at Bunbury, and will tip him to go on with it today on an each way basis. He did have a few chances to notch a victory before that win but does seem to hold his form and the 2038metre journey suits this horse down to the ground. Kyra Yuill hops on board as it seems Jason Whiting has preferred to take the ride on Arete, and both are good chances here today. Arete raced in much stronger company at Ascot behind Lord Hatras at his last start, and must be a good chance back to Bunbury in a weaker event this afternoon, he has drawn poorly in barrier thirteen but if crossing and putting himself into a prominent position will be right in this race. Others for the quaddie and multiples may be Stealth Cat who has run some reasonable races lately, and one at really good odds may be Ironwoman, who stepped up to this distance last start and ran a much improved race here on Nov 30, she is by Juene so just might give you a real good sight for your money in this event today.
Numbers- 1-2-7-12

Suggested Bet- 1- Grandstand- Each Way

Race 7- Scott Park Homes Handicap- 1420metres

Fotescue Flyer looks one of the better best of the day here. He has had a let up since his last start at Ascot, when he played up at the barriers that day, and with a superb record when racing fresh must go close today. He is ideally drawn in barrier two for his return to the track, and also has an impressive strike rate at the 1400metres distance. The only query may be the 58.5kgs he will have to carry even after the 1.5kg claim for apprentice Ryan Hill is taken off, however his main opponent here in Oscar Wildly is in a similar predicament. I will tip the old bloke Oscar to fill the minor placing today, he is racing so well at the moment as a 9 year old, and going a lot better than some of the veterans in the Australian cricket team at present, he just failed to run down Ringmeister at his last start at Ascot on Nov 26, and also has a claiming apprentice Joseph Azzopardi on board to get his weight down to 58kgs here. Best of the rest may be Unforgiving Minute, who has raced very well down here of late, however has drawn the widest alley today, and is racing in a stronger field also, with Mirrannon a bit of an each way chance, coming off racing wide in the stronger Country Championship final at Ascot at her last start.

Numbers- 3-2-8-9

Suggested Bet- 3- Fortescue Flyer- Win

Race 8- The Grand Ascot Handicap-1420metres

A pretty good event to end the days racing here with a couple of promising types in Just A Noble and Louisiana Lady engaged. Will tip Just A Noble on the strength of a striking first up win here a fortnight ago when he mowed down Glacial Energy over the 1200metres, it appears on that effort that the 1420metres will suit him down to the ground and Ryan Hill can end what may be a good day for him, by piloting this up and coming Viscount gelding home in this. Louisiana Lady has also been impressive in her nine start career, earning a cheque in five of those starts, and she has come back better in this campaign with some terrific runs all at her home track down here, she is drawn perfectly to provide stiff opposition to the topweight today. The best of the rest may be Zoetomtaya, which certainly hasn't reproduced the form of earlier in her career of late, but a noticeable rider change has Kyra Yuill back on board today, who rode her in her last campaign when she raced much better, so maybe an improved showing is on the cards today, and Romillus continues to race consistently down here for local trainer Greg Carige, so you would expect him to be about the place once again.

Numbers- 1-5-8-6

Suggested Bet- 1- Just a Noble- Win

Best Bet- Race 1 No 3 Bromance
Each Way- Race 7 No 3 Fortescue Flyer

A Merry Chistmas and all the best for the New Year to everyone.