Hoops Tips 18th January

Greg Hooper | Metropolitan Racing | Wed 18 January, 2012

RACE 1 -WESTSPEED PLATE 1000m

No. 2 ANGRY SQUATTER. This is a very interesting start to the day as we have a two-year-old event that on paper contains some depth. I'm going for (2) ANGRY SQUATTER who makes his debut for the David Harrison camp and will be ridden by Paul Harvey. He could not have been more impressive in his 950m trial win at Lark Hill, leading from go to whoa and running time! The blinkers go on and he has drawn to jump straight into a position in the firing line. He looks a talented type and I think he'll take some beating on debut. (9) MAGIC HALO has only had the solitary trial over 400m but it certainly was a blistering display. She cleared out and won by close to 7 lengths hard held. It's very hard to take much from these shorter distance trials but her win was one of the most impressive I have seen. (1) MIAMI HORROR resumes from a spell. He's regally bred and his debut effort behind a couple of smart ones where he led and held third was more than solid. He should be in it for a long way. (5) RUE DE MARENGO has run well in both her starts to date, if she can get over from her wide alley and not spend too many early petrol tickets she must be some chance. I also thought that (10) SUNNIVA trialled well, but you can't have them all.
Numbers - 2, 9, 1, 5

Suggested Bet - Angry Squatter win

RACE 2 - PERTH ICE WORKS HANDICAP 1000m

No. 9 JUST WICKED. There looks to be very good speed in this event with at least four of the runners all capable of leading. For that reason going to speculate with the first starter from Adam Durrant's camp, (9) JUST WICKED. She out of the former very good mare, Dedicated Miss, and her recent trial win when coming from off the speed was lovely viewing. The Durrant/Knuckey combination are flying at the moment hopefully they can keep it going. (1) LORD BALTHAZAR has the form on the board to be very hard to beat in this event. His asked for very little in a recent trial. (7) IN THE MOOD bombed the start at his most recent outing, that cost him any chance. He's a much better horse when out in front, provided he jumps well he will give a big sight. (3) ALVARES dropped back to the 920m at Narrogin and got the job done down there. He has each way claims. (5) CALIFORNIA DUDE will either lead or box seat, both scenarios should suit and with natural improvement he has winning claims.
Numbers - 9, 1, 7, 3

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 3 - perthice.com HANDICAP 1400m

No.2 QUADROPLEX. Not the easiest race three-year-old event as there are plenty of form lines are clashing. Going for the maiden (2) QUADROPLEX who is a three-year-old with ability. There was plenty of money for him first up at Bunbury off the back of a super trial win but he finished down the track after getting skittled in the straight. I think he is better suited over 1400m and if he can jump nicely from barrier 2 and hold a spot he should be in the finish. (5) ROCK OF HONOUR improved sharply at his recent outing when he was revved up early, found the front and gave a good kick home. If he controls the tempo he'll give them something to rundown. From barrier 1 (8) BLACK MAGIC MISS should box seat, she has to have genuine winning claims from that position. (9) DARK ROCK is the class dropper in the event. She ran evenly over 1000m on resumption the question mark is whether she will get the seven furlongs.
Numbers - 2, 5, 8, 9

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 4 - tabozbet.com.au HANDICAP 1600m

No. 3 MAC IT IS. Sticking with (3) Mac It Is despite the fact he's had a few chances of late and he rises substantially in weight. I just think his form lines are strong for a race of this nature and as long as he can get some type of cart into the race on the turn I think he'll be finishing strongly again. (6) AMARNA is flying this preparation and deserves his crack at city class. He'll probably have to go back from his wide gate but should be another who is strong late. (5) LIKE A VAIN has undeniable claims. He looks suited as he should find the top and control but it's hard to get involved in a horse whose last win was June 2009. (7) LOVABRUCHILL should be the big improver. She drew the outside gate in a big field last start, settled last and battled home solidly. From barrier 3 she should take a spot right over the speed and can play a part. (9) AHOY CALYPSO also has solid winning claims, she can race handy to the speed and give a kick.
Numbers - None recommended

RACE 5 - GET SCORCHED HANDICAP 1400m

No. 3 VILLAGIO. The start of the quaddie and it looks a very ordinary race with the winner looking well concealed. (3) VILLAGIO is probably the best horse in the race and he always seems to bob up and win or go close each preparation and this race does look ideal for him. His first couple of efforts back from a spell were sound and he then was blocked the entire straight behind Big Attitude. Back to midweek company and drawn perfectly, if he is going to win one it should be this. (4) WHALAH is ready now. He always takes a few runs to get to peak condition but once he finds form he usually holds it. As we know he's a horse that rarely wins so it would be advisable to back him with places in mind. (8) KILAT was luckless first up finding plenty of trouble and working home soundly when in the clear. With the right run he's a genuine winning chance in this grade. (2) KINCORA went to bad to be true at his most recent outing. If he found the form he displayed behind Ladysea he'd go close. There are definitely other winning chances in this race, it looks a tough start to the quaddie.
Numbers - 3, 4, 8, 2

Suggested bet - None recommended

RACE 6 - PERTH SCORCHERS HANDICAP 1400m

No. 5 SNIFF OF VICTORY. There is plenty more form to work with in this fillies and mares event. I've been really impressed how (5) SNIFF OF VICTORY has returned to racing this preparation. After being luckless first up she has since gone BANG-BANG posting two emphatic wins. Glenn Smith retains the mount and I think she will take a stack of beating in her city class debut. (3) SAEZURI should be just about ready at her third run back from a spell. She has closed off nicely in her two efforts this preparation. She should get a nice run from the gate and the 3kg claim will help. (8) AVEC MON AMI looks very honest mare who probably lacks that knockout blow. She'll need some luck from the draw but she looks to have solid top four claims. (1) CHARMOSS returned to some form last start with a fast finishing second to Distinctive Dane. Despite the draw she has each way claims.
Numbers 5, 3, 8, 1

Suggested Bet - Sniff of Victory each way

RACE 7 - perthracing.com.au HANDICAP 1200m

No. 4 DIATORIO. Good quality midweek fillies and mares race with a number of genuine winning chances. I think the best galloper in the race is (4) DIATORIO and despite her wide barrier draw I'll put her on top. She's has been completely luckless in both her two runs this preparation and she should have probably beaten Miss Dandy on Boxing Day at Pinjarra. That form line looks outstanding now. If she gets some luck from the draw she should be the one. (7) CALDO has been very good at her last couple. She worked triple time two runs back and her last start she led, ran along, kicked clear early and had enough in the tank to hold them at bay. If she finds the front she will give a big sight. It took (8) DISTINCTIVE DANE sixteen starts to crack that maiden win but she has gone on with it since winning again recently. She's limited but she will make her own luck from a forward spot. (5) RED BELLY BLACK was well supported in her WA debut up the Pinjarra straight and she ran well. From barrier 1 she should box seat and has winning claims.
Numbers 4, 7, 8, 5

Suggested Bet - Diatorio win and Caldo save

RACE 8 - playeronline.com.au HANDICAP 1200m

No. 12 STRAWBERRY BEAU. There looks to be plenty of exposed top end speed in this event and hopefully it will set it up for a closer. I've got a decent opinion of (12) STRAWBERRY BEAU and I think if he can stay out in the open in the straight he could just blow these away. He was there to win first up in Saturday company but his condition may have just given out over the final furlong. From barrier 3 he can be given a soft run and hopefully held up for one late burst. (11) SECRET RULER finally cracked it for his maiden win at his run this preparation. Although it was only a small margin, there was a big space to third. His best chance is to probably work over from his gate and settle right on top of the speed. I think (10) MUNDULLA is a talented type who will definitely play a part in the finish. He was there to win first up but was just unable to get the job done. From his wide gate he should settle back and be rattling late. (8) AYTOZED resumes from a spell without a trial but he should get a sweet run from barrier 1 and be around the finish. (5) POLY OLLIE has been going very well in the Great Southern and deserves another shot at city class. (4) HEAD FOR HEIGHTS goes up substantially in weight but drops substantially. (16) SUNDOWN CLOWN was working home solidly in his local debut and he should appreciate the 1200m. A really good competitive finish to the day.
Numbers - 12, 11, 10, 5

Suggested Bet - Strawberry Beau each way