Gumbys Gossip 10th Feb

Gary Wright | Gumbys Gossip | Thu 9 February, 2012

GUMBYS GOSSIP- Narrogin- 10th February

Another Friday afternoon twilight programme today, this time at Narrogin, a big nine race card with smaller fields which hopefully helps punters find a few winners throughout the day. There are a few good races later in the day which should provide plenty of opportunity for an investment and hopefully a little more punting money for the weekend ahead.

Race 1- Narrogin Hyundai Maiden- 1100metres

A few chances in a pretty open race to start proceedings here, with some of these having reasonable form at the major provincial tracks to bring into this race. Will go with Rio Express to break through today on the back of a couple of nice fourths at his last two starts in Pinjarra, he should come into a nice gate with the probable scratching of the emergencies and looks primed to run a good race here at his third race start. Satellite City is always a danger in these type of maiden races but is yet to break his duck after fifteen starts and may have to wait a little longer after today, he certainly is ultra consistent though and a definite for novelty punters here. Chez Joey has had two starts at the Narrogin track for two thirds and will also be a major player here. Possibly Big City Lights may also be around the place, hasn't started for over eighteen months but did trial at Albany last week, winning that trial in preparation for his return to racing after such a long absence.

Numbers- 3-1-8-7
Suggested Bet- 3- Rio Express- Each Way

Race 2- Fairway Carriers Maiden- 1100 metres

The Park Dancer made a very nice racing debut at Pinjarra when running second to Empress of Ireland beaten only a neck on Jan 29 and may go one better today in this weaker field, he does look suited if he can run up to that form. Nicely drawn in barrier three he should give punters a good run for their money in this field. Sequalo System is another who finds it hard to win but runs very consistent races, having been placed in five of his nine starts, and he should run a forward race again here. Oranui Eruption did run fourth at this track on Australia Day behind Ballroom Blitz and he should also be around the place today. A place maddie might be Pop Astar who hasn't showed a lot as yet, but is from the strong Parnham stable, and wouldn't be surprised to see him improve this afternoon in the smaller and weaker field here.
Numbers- 2-6-1-9

Suggested Bet- 2- The Park Dancer- Win

Race 3- Sheep Dip WA Maiden- 1190metres

Another maiden race here with a few horses also having reasonable form to bring into this contest. Will opt for Venetian Queen to break his maiden status at his tenth race start today, he brings some very consistent form into the race with six placings from nine race starts at various country tracks, has a nice draw at the 1190m start and looks ready to win in this race this afternoon. The main danger looks to be Flying Foray who also ran a nice race last start at Pinjarra when second to Musical Dane on Jan 29, she will be improved by her three race starts and should run a very good race here today. Makin'A Racquet did run third at his last start here at the Narrogin track, as did Wallet Raider and they look to be the best of the remainder in this. One that may be worth a look at good odds would be Saint Oliver, but as the third emergency is probably not going to get a start today.
Numbers- 7-9-5-2

Suggested Bet- 7 Venetian Queen- Win

Race 4- Kebab Shack Narrogin Maiden- 1700 metres

Power Plus has had nineteen starts without breaking through for his maiden win, but it really is hard to tip anything to beat him today, but I would tread warily if having an investment in this race. However on his last few starts including two placings at this track it appears to be the time for Power Plus this afternoon. If successful he will bring up a welcome winner for jockey Din Rahman, who claims 4kgs here bringing the weight down to only 54kgs. The distance of this race wont pose any problems either as he has been racing over the same journeys at his last few starts. Estrini may also run a good race today, he disappointed last start at Bunbury but there were excuses according to the stewards report that day, and on his previous efforts must come into calculations here. One that may improve with the rise in distance today is the Trevor Andrews trained All Guns Blazing, and next best looks to be Invading, who was spelled after his last start back in July at Belmont Park, but had run some pretty good races previous to that.

Numbers- 1-5-6-3
Suggested Bet- 1- Power Plus- Win

Race 5- McKenzie Agencies and Stock Supplies Handicap- 1700metres

One of the better races on the card here with a few runners coming in with good winning chances. I will take the form line from the race at this track on Jan 26 when Ebony Blues and Mc Are finished placed behind Princess Vivien in a race over the same 1700metre distance. Both come into the races on similar weight terms, but will stick with Ebony Blues here who has drawn reasonably well in barrier eight compared to McAre who has the outside alley and may have to use up some petrol to get across to a forward position from there. Another promising apprentice jockey here in Katarina Aho will be hoping to boot home a winner and may just do so. Ebony Blues does have a good record at the Narrogin track in her favour as well. McAre does look to be the main opponent today, boasts good consistent form over these distances and a win doesn't appear to be too far away. Seths Blessed is an ex Kiwi horse that ran a much improved race last start when second at Bunbury so on that form looms as some sort of prospect today, as does Fourwhitesocks, a last start maiden winner at this track and distance at the Australia Day meeting on Jan 26.
Numbers- 6-2-1-4
Suggested Bet- 6- Ebony Blues- Win

Race 6- Cuballing Roadhouse Handicap- 1100metres

Speedy Bohemian broke a non-winning streak of close to five years when he surprised everyone by leading all the way at Mt Barker two starts ago, and then went on with it last start when narrowly beaten by the promising Diatorio last Friday at Bunbury. On a repeat of those runs this Speed Week nine year old will give this an almighty shake today. He seems to do his best when racing at the front of the field, and also has jockey Jeffrey Berry board, who has ridden him at those last two starts, so one would imagine he will be bustled up early to try and lead this field today. Hard to go against him on those last two efforts so Speedy Bohemian is the on top selection today. Argent Bijou boasts an impeccable record at this track, with ten placings from eleven starts down here, so is a must include in novelties for punters again today. She will appreciate the 3kg claim for Hayley Diener and comes into the race with strong prospects. Doctor Dash has raced in stronger company at her previous few starts and just loves the 1100metre distance and also comes into this with claims. They do appear to be the main chances in quite a good race, with possibly City Arcade the best of the rest here.
Numbers- 5-1-4-7

Suggested Bet- 5- Speedy Bohemian- Win

Race 7- Greenline Handicap- 1190metres

This is a pretty difficult race so quaddie punters may like to go wide in selections for this race. Double Swirl showed some good form over the winter months and does have some good first up form to recommend it today. Aaron Rogers claims 2kgs here and is in sensational form after booting home four winners at Esperance last weekend, so all indications are you will get a good sight for your money with Double Swirl. Viking Lad may be the next best in an open affair on the back of some good efforts lately, running just behind the placegetters at his last few outings, but must overcome a poor draw in this. Impulsive Fighter is undergoing an unusual preparation in coming back from 1690m to 1190m in a week but has shown ability before , he ran some good races at Ascot prior to Christmas so deserves some respect here. Ryley's Star is having his first start since relocating from NSW and may pay to throw in your novelties at what might be good odds for the Vivienne Ferrier/Glenn Smith trainer/jockey combination.

Numbers- 1-5-4-3
Suggested Bet- 1- Double Swirl- Each Way

Race 8- Highbury Tavern Handicap- 1190metres

Another fairly open race here with quite a few good winning chances, however will stick with the Neville Parnham trained Cygnet Bay to improve this afternoon. He did break through three starts ago at Bunbury for his maiden victory and has found nothing but trouble since then, his last start he over raced and was caught wide throughout so if we go on his Bunbury win he comes into the race with strong prospects today. He has a nice cushy draw in barrier two at the 1190metre start and with Steve Parnham on board looms as a nice each way prospect in this race. Captivating Spirit can show some spirit in this at her first start back from a spell, she ran a few good races at Belmont Park last winter in her last preparation, and had been placed twice when racing first up previously. Ballroom Blitz won his maiden at his first race start here at Narrogin on Jan 26 and looks to have ability, so you must give him a chance of a repeat performance in this. Another with reasonable form coming into this is Daka Express and may be one to throw into the minor novelties today.

Numbers- 3-6-1-4
Suggested Bet- 3- Cygnet Bay- Each Way

Race 9- Chicken Treat Narrogin Handicap- 1190metres

Sky Balloon has been in very impressive form lately and looks to be one of the bets of the afternoon here, although possibly not at any fancy prices. He has won three of his last five starts and providing he can get into a good position from a tricky barrier and handle his first start on the Narrogin circuit should win this race. He has been beating much stronger company of late than he will meet today. The main danger looks to be Xaardani who boasts a very good record at this track, running first and second at his last two starts, which were both at Narrogin. Locally trained Surtifier is a multiple winner here also, and must be respected on that form, with Silver Blaze coming up from Albany after a last start win at the Great Southern track on Jan 25 another with claims in a good race to finish the long day of racing.

Numbers- 4-5-7-1
Suggested Bet- 4- Sky Balloon- Win

 

Best Bet- Race 2 No 2 The Park Dancer
Race 9 No 4 Sky Balloon