Gumbys Gossip - Bunbury 23rd Feb

Gary Wright | Gumbys Gossip | Thu 23 February, 2012

GUMBYS GOSSIP- Bunbury- 23rd February

Another marathon card of country racing this afternoon, its becoming the norm lately with another late finish to boot. A pretty good card of racing, certainly at the back end of the afternoon, the first seven races are all maiden races, so will pay to tread warily in those, the last race of the day is the highlight today, bringing together a very good field of gallopers.

Race 1- Red FM Maiden- 1100metres

An extremely tough two year old race to open the programme this afternoon, and it is probably best to just leave this race alone. Only four of the nine starters have raced previously, and there isn't a lot of form amongst those. Some reasonable trial form from the unraced horses but not enough to tip with any sort of confidence here. For the sake of having a tip in the race will go with the Sharon Miller trained Moreish as he did win his only trial by over a length over 950metres at Lark Hill last Monday, however he will need to show a turn of foot to get across from the outside barrier today. Who's To Blame has had a race start when fourth of five runners to Buhn Lert at Ascot on Feb 8 and that may stand him in good stead here. Thunder Express has trialled fairly for the strong Parnham stable and Lady Carrie also ran an improved trial at Ascot on Feb 6, with Wombies Legacy another prospect having had the experience of the one race start. However a very tough race to dissect and will be best not to invest any of the hard earned in this opening event.

Numbers- 9-5-3-8
Suggested Bet- No Bet.

Race 2- South West Media Maiden- 1200metres
This is a good race with a couple of very promising gallopers engaged. First Flight was very impressive last preparation when running against much stronger company and will make him the on top selection based on those efforts. This Flying Pegasus gelding raced in such quality races as the WA Guineas and Aquanita Stakes at his last two starts, finishing only 2 ½ lengths behind King Saul in the Guineas, so certainly has form to recommend him this afternoon. He is beautifully drawn in barrier two and provided he is forward in his preparation looks to be a good bet here. Baby Glam has also shown promise in her first seven starts, having been placed three times in a row at Pinjarra, before a last start sixth at Ascot behind Amusement Park, she has also drawn a nice gate and will pay to be respected in this race today. Chop It Out came home strongly last week at this track when narrowly beaten by The Cavalieri and may be further improved today, and Miss Meyet looks to have ability and will pay to follow on her first up effort in the Amusement Park race at Ascot at her last start, that following a trial win at Belmont on Jan 23.
Numbers- 1-9-2-11

Suggested Bet- 1- First Flight- Win

Race 3- Myles Service Stations Maiden- 1200metres

Lets Lighten Up has been placed at his first two race starts and gets every chance to break through for his first victory today in this race. He will appreciate the 1.5kg claim for Ryan Hill and should race in a forward position judged on his two prior starts from a nice draw at the 1200metre start. Allowing for further improvement today he should go very close in this race. The interesting runner is Galaxy Prince from the strong Grant Williams stable, the Bob Peters owned horse is first up and trail form isn't really anything to write home about, but you just expect him to run well at his first race start today, so he must be respected in this. Amelia's Moment was only beaten a long neck by The Grey Don at her last outing and is getting closer to a win, however the wide barrier hasn't done her any favours here. One from the trials at each way odds may be Poco, a winner here on Feb 10 in preparation for her first race start today.
Numbers- 1-3-8-12

Suggested Bet- 1- Let's Lighten Up- Win

Race 4- Bunbury Herald Maiden- 1200metres

I did tip Endorsed at last weeks Bunbury meeting and it must be said she put in a disappointing effort that day, getting a long way back and not really finishing the race off. However there were a couple of mentions in the stewards report that afternoon and I will forgive her that bad run, and tip her to win again, based on her previous form which included close up efforts behind horses of the calibre of Watermans Bay, Private Business and Izjalu. She is again drawn a little awkwardly today but hopefully can overcome that obstacle and come home well here, and give punters a great sight for their investment. The danger does appear to be Pure Adrenalin, first up here today but has been placed when resuming, and did run some good races last campaign for the Parnham stable, she has also drawn a poor barrier here unfortunately, but on her previous form will still be a major player in this event. Gaps In Me Knees has only had one race start and did run a good third at Northam back in early spring, and Thurston Lane has been around the place for the Parnham stable at his first three starts and looks to have ability.
Numbers- 6-1-7-5

Suggested Bet- 6- Endorsed- Each Way

Race 5- Redwave Media Maiden- 1200metres

Be Ar Devil has run some good races at his first six race starts and looks to have good prospects in this event. His first start back from a spell he was beaten into second by Flying Foray at Narrogin, but his previous starts in his last campaign he finished just behind the placegetters on provincial tracks. He has also been placed second up in his last campaign, so expect a forward showing in this race, and he will be the on top selection here. Greymates is an interesting runner in this, he was placed at Eagle Farm last September before relocating to WA, and did trial well when second behind subsequent winner Town Champion on Jan 30, so will pay to keep a close watch on him this afternoon. Crown Of Arc also has pretty good maiden form running just behind the placegetters at her last two starts, so will be a good novelty hope in this race. One at good odds may be La Fairet, who did perform quite well at Kalgoorlie when last in work, another that will add value to any novelty bets in this race.

Numbers- 1-2-11-9

Suggested Bet- 1- Be Ar Devil- Each Way

Race 6- South West Magazine Maiden- 1200metres

Another tough maiden race here which makes it hard to declare anything with confidence but will go for Flicks Legacy to break through this afternoon. This Right Wing mare has been performing consistently without winning of late, having been placed at her last two starts at this track, last week behind the promising Platinum Rocker, which was no disgrace. She has a lovely draw in barrier three in a big field and regular jockey Paul King on board once again, all pointers to a very good showing here. Oruanui Eruption has been performing quite well at Narrogin of late and can run into the placings in this, he will appreciate the 3kg claim for Aaron Rogers bringing him down to 55kgs, so we will tip him for second. Fair Fight is first up today but did show some promise when campaigning in the winter months, also nicely drawn this afternoon, and to complete the novelties we will throw in Twilight Hours, an impressive trial winner down at Albany on Jan 25, she may be good value at her first race start today.
Numbers- 7-1-10-14

Suggested Bet- 7- Flicks Legacy- Each Way

Race 7- Dillo's Brekky Show Maiden- 1705metres

A distance maiden race here and despite the wide barrier Tellem Ya Dreamin gets his chance to bring up a maiden victory in this. This Pins gelding has been quite impressive in his three runs in this state and will no doubt appreciate the extra distance of this race today. His last two starts have been full of merit finishing behind Strawberry Beau and Lethal Jones and this does look a suitable race for him. Star Beau finds it extremely hard to win, still a maiden after 21 starts, but does run into the placings on a regular basis, and should do so again today, his last two efforts here at the Bunbury track have been quite good, he would be a must for novelty punters here. Richie has also run a couple of good races of late, the rise in distance may be a query but he still looms as an each way proposition today, and the unusually named Cathy Currantcake (quite like the name actually) may bowl along in front and give punters a good sight for their money at nice each way odds for claiming apprentice Renee Forrest.

Numbers- 2-1-4-9

Suggested Bet- 2- Tellem Ya Dreamin- Win

Race 8- South Western Times Handicap- 2038metres

A pretty good distance race this afternoon, with quite a few chances, and a few form lines to try and line up with city and country form exposed here. Will stick with Sheer Logic on the strength of his all the way win here last week, that following a good third behind Jazz'N'Shiraz also at this track on Feb 3, you would think that he will again get to the front here and stay out of any trouble, so will go with him to follow up last weeks victory with another one. Exclusive Glow does look to have bright prospects here also, has certainly held his form very well over the last few starts, and comes in with 56.5kgs with the 3kg claim for regular rider Mitchell Pateman this afternoon, so he will be the second selection. All Guns Blazing broke through at his last start at Narrogin and may go on with it today, he improved immeasurably last start, and Super Hawk has Ascot form to recommend him, and although he tends to be a one paced type, will probably be grinding home at the end of this race.
Numbers- 5-1-4-2

Suggested Bet- 5- Sheer Logic- Each Way

Race 9- Spirit 621 Southwest Handicap- 1420metres

Backhouse Street came to Ascot a couple of weeks ago on the back of some terrific form at Bunbury, he did race wide throughout in that race so possibly the ninth next to his name isn't as bad as it looks. He wasn't beaten that far by Moment Of Love that afternoon, so back to his home track here looks to be a good bet this afternoon. He has drawn beautifully for Shaun McGruddy who should be able to get him into good position to run home powerfully here, as he did in those two starts previous at Bunbury. Proud Prince may be the danger today, he won well here at Bunbury on Feb 3 and followed that with a reasonable sixth behind Amarna last week. He is back quite a bit in distance today so do take that into account when assessing this race. Zoetomtaya is another who has been racing over further, she does come back to a more suitable distance here where she has won two from four ( over the 1400m) and looks to be another with a chance in this. Central Park is generally ultra consistent and will pay to put into quartets, as will Rivimac, another horse that has been around the place most times he has stepped out onto the track.
Numbers- 2-5-6-1

Suggested Bet- 2- Backhouse Street- Win

Race 10- West Australian Regional Newspapers Handicap- 1200metres

The final event of another long days country racing, and probably the best event of the afternoon to finish off here, although very difficult to pick the winner so certainly go wide in any quaddies for this last leg. Will tip the ever consistent Army Miss here, she has been up for a long time but has been around the place every time she steps onto the track and does have a nice draw in a big field over the 1200m. She will only carry 57kgs with the claim for apprentice Joseph Azzopardi, she hasn't run with a weight like that for a few starts, having lumped big weights at her last three outings, so on that basis she does look a good each way chance in a very open race. Ginsberg is an interesting runner in this, has only ever ventured down to Bunbury the once in his career, and he has been running in strong city company at his last few starts so must be respected today. Fire Side is another who may improve this afternoon, she won a couple of races in her last campaign and was a pretty good run first up here behind the promising Diatorio on Feb 3. Cougar Time is another who comes in with each way claims on the strength of a terrific first up third at Ascot on Feb 8, with Vermeer and States Secret also chances in a very open affair to finish the day.

Numbers- 2-3-13-9

Suggested Bet- 2- Army Miss- Each Way

Best Bet- Race 2 No 1 First Flight
Race 7 No 2 Tellem Ya Dreamin
Race 9 No 2 Backhouse Street