Hoops Tips for Bunbury Cup Day - 15th March

Greg Hooper | Country Racing | Thu 15 March, 2012

RACE 1 - LION MAIDEN 1100m

No. 2 TRAVINATOR -We kick off this massive 10 event card with a maiden that contains a few gallopers who I think have more than their fair share of ability. (2) TRAVINATOR has only been seen once at the races and he produced a massive effort to go down by a ½ length to the talented Scorn Saxon. On that occasion he was very green and ducked from the outside rail to the inside pad which cost him the race. He was tipped out for a spell immediately and was next seen in a recent trial which he won in a very impressive fashion. I think he'll burn over from his wide gate and if he can get one-off the fence without spending too much petrol I think he'll take care of these. (4) ACCELAROMETER makes his debut for the Ross & Clint Price team. He has impressed at the trials and I don't think it will take long for him to break through for a win. (1) WAR PROFILE has obvious claims on the strength of his two career runs, from barrier 3 he should be in the box seat. It certainly would be a fairy tale return for Ned Coldbeck after 12 months off the scene with a serious injury he received in a fall. I think these three will fight it out, next best (3) BAY CITY.
Numbers - 2, 4, 1, 3

Suggested Bet - Travinator win

RACE 2 - SKY RACING MAIDEN 1200m

No. 6 CYCLONIC HALO - Simon Miller brings a team of four down for the meeting and he could quite conceivably leave the track with four winners! His first runner is (6) CYCLONIC HALO who looks a special on the strength of his eye catching debut effort when he rattled late up the Pinjarra straight. The step up to 1200m is ideal and I expect Peter Knuckey to give him some time to settle from his wide alley and then he should peel to the outside in the straight, go crunch and win. (7) EMBANKMENT's debut in town was solid enough. He settled in a rearward position and made some late ground in a leader dominated race. William Pike retains the mount and he looks to have solid each way claims. The rest of these are pretty much battlers, I'll throw in (13) SHEEZTHEBUSINESS and (10) STELLAR ENTERPRISE into my numbers.
Numbers - 6, 7, 13, 10

Suggested Bet - Cyclonic Halo win

RACE 3 - JACOB'S CREEK SPARKLING MAIDEN 1400m

No. 3 MY CHARADER - This is a much tougher event as none of the runners come into the race with strong form. I'll go for (3) MY CHARADER who is three-year-old with some ability. His debut effort was an eye catcher and since then he hasn't had the best of luck. You can put a line through his last effort when he never got warm up the Pinjarra straight. The step up 1400m should suit and if he can make use of his good draw he should be in the finish. (4) HINZLEY was doing his best work late when he resumed from a spell. The step up to 1400m should suit and William Pike takes the mount. (10) OLD BLACK CAT can improve back to maiden company. Her trial leading up to her first up effort in city class was solid. (1) BE AR DEVIL is limited but has claims in this field.
Numbers - 3, 4, 10, 1

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 4 - JETSET BUNBURY MAIDEN 1400m

No. 6 SO AUSPICIOUS - I think the two main winning chances in this race are (6) SO AUSPICIOUS and (9) TWIKKEY. I'll go for (6) SO AUSPICIOUS who should lead and be very hard to beat. He made his debut over a mile, gave a good kick but was swamped late. The drop back to 1400m should suit and if he has come on fitness wise then he is the one to beat. (9) TWIKKEY found the line nicely last start after she settled at rear in a big field from her wide gate. From a better draw she sits closer and looks the main danger. (10) FLIRT AROUND trialled OK and from barrier 1 should box seat. (3) EYE OF THE BEETLE is limited but the blinkers go and William Pike sticks.
Numbers - 6, 9, 10, 3

Suggested Bet - So Auspicious win & Twikkey save

RACE 5 - VENTURA HOME GROUP MAIDEN 1675m

No. 5 CAPE FEAR - This does look a very tough race with a few of the main winning hopes having already had plenty of chances, we'll steer away from them! I'll go for (5) CAPE FEAR who finished strongly last start over a mile. He bumped into a galloper with some ability as well. He'll get back from his draw but be strong late. (14) MISS MEYET went disgracefully last start but she is better than that as her two previous runs suggested. (9) FRIARS SPIRIT can certainly a part on the strength of his last start effort and Glenn Smith takes the ride. (1) MON BISCUIT flashed home at his most recent outing but he has place claims only due to not saluting from 18 starts.
Numbers - 5, 14, 9, 1

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 6 - GWN7 HANDICAP 1100m

No. 11 TWILIGHT HOURS - This is actually a really good race with plenty of exposed form to work with. I was really impressed with the debut win of (11) TWILIGHT HOURS at Albany. From her outside gate she settled four and five wide with no cover, cruised into the race on the turn and powered clear for an emphatic 4 length win. The margin would have been much greater if the hand brake was lifted. William Pike goes on and if she can reproduce that performance she's the one to beat. There is plenty of depth to this race though. Paul Harvey jumps back aboard (3) PININCI they have teamed up once previously for emphatic win up the Pinjarra straight. He was solid last start in a race that was dominated by leaders. (2) MR KAMINSKI resumes from a spell for Simon Miller. He showed ability in his first preparation and his recent barrier trial was terrific. (4) BALLROOM BLITZ returned with an elevated heart rate last start. His debut win at Narrogin was impressive, he should improve sharply.
Numbers - 11, 3, 2, 4

Suggested Bet - Twilight Hours each way if odds permit

RACE 7 - WILLIAM BARRET AND SONS VASE 1400m

No. 8 PLATINUM ROCKER - The last of the Simon Miller runners for the day and she does look hard to beat. She was heavily commissioned on debut at this venue and duly saluted in an impressive fashion. She then didn't get the best of luck last time out when she was held up early which left her a bit flat footed. There should be good speed in the race which should suit and she looks the one to beat. (4) SNIFF OF VICTORY resumes from let up and if she found the form she displayed when winning back in December and January she will be hard to hold out. They were both top class wins. She did finish last in a recent trial but she was asked for little and the blinkers were not on. (6) CHOP IT OUT broke through for a deserved victory last start, from barrier 3 he should get a charmed run. (5) TELLEM YA DREAMIN' led and never gave his rivals a look in last start. He'll give them something to catch again.
Numbers - 8, 4, 6, 5

Suggested Bet - Platinum Rocker win

RACE 8 - SOUTH WEST APPRENTICES' CUP 1675m

No. 8 DIMITRIUS - These Apprentice's Cup races are always intriguing affairs but they are normally won by the more experienced apprentices. For that reason I'll go (8) DIMITRIUS who will get the services of the state's best, Kyra Yuill. This five-year-old has been in career best form this preparation consistently running well in Saturday company so the drop back to this level should suit. From barrier 2 he should get a sweet run and he gets his chance for an overdue win. (6) OTTUMWA broke his local duck with a solid win at his last start. Joseph Azzopardi takes the ride and he has solid each way claims. (3) SILK FORCE drops back to the 1675m after a couple of efforts over a staying trip. (9) TIME TO FRONT backs up from last Sunday, it was a tough effort and despite the fact he drops in distance he has claims.
Numbers - 8, 6, 3, 9

Suggested Bet - Dimitrius each way

RACE 9 - $110,000 LISTED XXXX GOLD BUNBURY CUP 2200m

No. 7 ROSIE ROCKET - Ten of the twelve runners for the XXXX Gold Bunbury Cup had their last race in the AHA Cup and from what we saw there (7) ROSIE ROCKET will take some beating again. The blinkers went on for the first time this preparation and she was a completely different horse, showing that very good turn of foot we came accustomed to when she won both the Starstruck and La Trice Classics. There should be good speed in the race with New Spice, Big Ted and Smart Twister all capable of taking a prominent position. I expect Shaun Meeres to use her tactical speed and tuck her in just behind the likely top three in running. From there she will be hard to beat. (5) PEG'S PRIDE ran a game second in the AHA Cup and from her good draw she should get a sweet run. There is no reason why she won't be in the finish again. (3) BATTLE EMBLEM was doing his best work late in that race, he's a consistent type who is always chance in these country cups. I'm sticking with the same trifecta from the AHA Cup! Next best (2) GUYNO who I think will improve sharply on his first up effort.
Numbers - 7, 5, 3, 2

Suggested Bet - Multiples anchoring top three picks upfront

RACE 10 - gannons.com.au HANDICAP 1675m

No. 5 CIRCLE OF STARS - A tricky race to finish the day. I'll give (5) CIRCLE OF STARS another chance. He was enormous three starts back when he tracked wide throughout and was beaten a length. He then never got into the race after settling at the rear from his wide gate and then he missed the kick got too far back and was working home solidly. If he jumps well and makes use of his good alley he should be in the finish. (7) ENDLESS SACRIFICE resumes from a let up, she's a mare with some ability and is suited at this level. (1) BLAZING RHYTHM needed every inch of the 2019m last start to salute so the drop back to 1675m is a concern but he should be strong late. (6) DR AVA is hard to catch but has some claims.
Numbers - 5, 7, 1, 6

Suggested Bet - Circle Of Stars each way