Hoops Tips for Wednesday 7th Feb

Greg Hooper | Metropolitan Racing | Wed 8 February, 2012

RACE 1 -WESTSPEED PLATE 1000m

No. 1 ANGRY SQUATTER. This does look a very weak two-year-old event to kick off the day and from what we have seen (1) ANGRY SQUATTER should be able to break through for his maiden win. Provided he jumps well he should either lead or sit outside the leader and from there be a little too good. (2) BUHN LERT'S couple of starts have been satisfactory and with William Pike taking the mount he should be competitive. None of the first starters really impressed in their trials. However, I'll include (6) WHO'S TO BLAME in my numbers as she was doing her best work late in her trial performance and (5) SIMPLY TOXIC who led and although ridden out battled on fairly.
Numbers - 1, 2, 6, 5

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 2 - perthracing.com.au HANDICAP 2200m

No. 2 VEXILLUM. This is a very ordinary staying event with little form to work with. I'll go for (2) VEXILLUM but I'm suspecting that with Paul Harvey jumping aboard this will be going around at gross unders. Still, he looks the one to beat on the strength of his last start second to Jazz ‘N' Shiraz who won again last week. Depending on what they do with Bobby Benzine he either leads or sits second, either scenario should suit. (3) TE QUIERO is a 19 start maiden so it's almost possible to back him however it wouldn't surprise to see him break his duck in this event. (1) NEIGE has won 3 from 55 so similar to Te Quiero I wouldn't want to back him but he does have claims. (8) MORTGAGE whacked on OK last week but he is a 26 start maiden!
Numbers - 2, 3, 1, 8

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 3 - WESTSPEED INCENTIVE SCHEME HANDICAP 1200m

No. 6 ANOTHER LYRICAL. The next couple of three-year-old events look be a good competitive events with some depth. I'm going for (6) ANOTHER LYRICAL on the strength of his terrific debut effort when he split Just Wicked and Lord Balthazar. That looks a top form line for this event. From his good draw he should get a nice trail just behind the speed and be hard to beat. (9) BALBONI has had a freshen up since his first up second at Pinjarra. From barrier 1 he will get all the favours and should finish off strongly over 1200m. (7) ROCK ‘N' RIFF is limited but will get his chance in this event. I've got bit of time for (5) CARNIOLAN but this does looks a tough assignment for him from his draw. (4) AMICI NERO will be looking for further than the 1200m but he should be winding up late.
Numbers - 6, 9, 7, 5

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 4 - WESTSPEED HANDICAP 1200m

No. 14 RANTORINI. Like the colts and geldings edition this does look to be a very good race with a number of chances. I'm going wide with my top pick and speculating on the first starter trained by Phil Humann, (14) RANTORINI. In her only trial effort she settled at the tail but came with a big finishing burst to gobble up the leaders late. She'll need some luck from her wide gate but I expect her to finish strongly. (5) EMPRESS OF IRELAND trialled very nicely so it was no surprise to see her get the money on debut. With only 53kg on her back she'll take some beating again. (12) EMIRATES LASS is still a maiden but she is a filly with plenty of ability. She can win this without surprising. (4) TALK AND TEASE will appreciate the drop back to her own age group and from barrier 1 she's guaranteed to get the perfect trip. (6) FLAMING MAGIC returns from a break with William Pike aboard. She should get the lovely run from her good draw. (13) MISS MEYET trialled nicely and if there is any money for her it should be respected and that also goes for the Simon Miller debutante, (8) AMUSEMENT PARK.
Numbers - 14, 5, 12, 4

Suggested Bet - Rantorini each way

RACE 5 - tabozbet.com.au HANDICAP 1820m

No. 9 SCRAPINDIPITY. I found this a very tough start to the quaddie. Without any confidence I'll go for (9) SCRAPINDIPITY who has come back to racing in top form this preparation and he was a deserved winner last start beating a subsequent Saturday winner. I'd prefer to see him over further ground than the 1820m but there should be a solid tempo and hopefully he can get over them late. (2) AVEC MON AMI had the gun run last week but she got the job done. The 1820m is a question mark but she'll every opportunity to run it out from her good draw. (1) EXCLUSIVE GLOW will sit handy and kick home strongly. He has undeniable winning claims. (5) KINCORA finds it hard to win but is a serial placegetter and has top four claims once again.
Numbers - 9, 2, 1, 5

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 6 - MAGIC MILLIONS HANDICAP 1000m

No. 4 BREAK SEA. This is a really good quality midweek sprint with plenty of chances. (4) BREAK SEA really impressed last preparation. He started on five occasions for two wins and two placings and importantly he was a big first up winner. His recent barrier trial was lovely viewing and from barrier 1 he should get the gun run in transit and I think he'll take some beating. (2) ROUGE DIOR showed plenty of ability last preparation winning some races in a really good fashion. She was asked for absolutely nothing in a recent trial and I think she will be the one storming late. (5) EARL OF VASSE goes really well off these type of freshen ups and despite his wide draw I think he has solid each way claims. (9) SHAWAIM ran well in the $50k feature at Bunbury at his most recent outing and was only really gobbled up late in the proceedings by one the form gallopers in the state at the present. Back to 1000m should suit as well. The blowout chance is (11) KELIA who looked all at sea first up at Pinjarra. His barrier trial leading up to that event was good and I expect sharp improvement from the grey.
Numbers 4, 2, 5, 9

Suggested Bet - Break Sea each way

RACE 7 - PERTH ICE WORKS HANDICAP 1400m

No. 6 STRAWBERRY BEAU. I'm happy to back in (6) STRAWBERTY BEAU to make it consecutive wins. He was taken to Pinjarra for an ‘easy kill' but he had to work a bit harder than most expected, still he got the job done. I think he is a progressive horse coming through the grades and he should take some beating. The draw is a bit of a concern as I think he is a horse that appreciates room to move. Hopefully The Fish can keep him out of trouble. The best value runner in this race I think could be (12) PHARINFRONT. This mare showed enough last preparation and I didn't mind her final half a furlong when she resumed from a spell at Bunbury. (2) BACKHOUSE STREET looks a galloper with some promise. He flooded home first up over 1200m suggesting the 1400m will suit. (5) MAJOR BLIGH is racing well and should get the pie run from the inside gate, he looks a solid top four player.
Numbers - 6, 12, 2, 5

Suggested Bet - Strawberry Beau win and something small Pharinfront

RACE 8 - playeronline.com.au HANDICAP 1200m

No. 6 GO JORJ. Tricky finish to the day. I think the best horse in the race is (6) GO JORJ and I'll select him on trust. He's obviously had a few issues as he started just the once last preparation and was immediately turned out for a spell. If he could find the form he displayed in his three-year-old days he would take some beating. (11) SECRET RULER is always some chance in these races but due to his record you'd be a brave punter to be taking anything less than each way odds about this animal. (5) RED MERCEDES was a very dominant winner at Bunbury at his most start and with William Pike going he should give a major of himself. (13) COUGAR TOWN was a brilliant recent trial winner at Bunbury but I suspect she might go around at shortish quote for it. I would like to see her win a race before I get involved with her.
Numbers - 6, 11, 5, 13

Suggested Bet - None recommended