Hoops tips for Wednesday 11th April

Greg Hooper | Metropolitan Racing | Wed 11 April, 2012

RACE 1 -WESTSPEED NURSERY HANDICAP 1100m

No. 2 MODO MIO - A very tricky two-year-old event to start the day with eight first starters engaged. Off the trials you would think that (2) MODO MIO will be hard to beat and that is the way I'll be going. He led and ran his ragged in his most recent trial win. The blinkers go on for his debut and he should give them something to catch. (12) TRIBAL CAT started favourite on debut but after meeting some interference he could only manage third. If William Pike can get him over from his wide draw he should hard to beat. (11) SWEET MALOO was OK on debut in Saturday company and with the race experience under her belt she should be competitive. (6) BONNY BABY was a solid trial winner and should be around the mark.
Numbers - 2, 12, 11, 6

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 2 - CAREERS IN RACING HANDICAP 2200m

No. 1 MON BISCUIT - This is a very average mid week staying event and (1) MON BISCUIT looks a massive chance to make it a winning hat trick. His last couple of wins have been dominant and if he repeats his last two performances he'll cover these. Finding the danger actually looks tough! (8) NOTWITHSTANDING had little luck at his last when he was trapped wide throughout. Prior to that effort he was going OK and he looks well in with the claim for Joseph Azzopardi. Next best (4) MORTGAGE and (5) EBONY BLUES.
Numbers - 1, 8, 4, 5

Suggested Bet - Mon Biscuit win

RACE 3 - racingjobs.com.au HANDICAP 1800m

No. 8 FRIARS SPIRIT - This is another average race. (8) FRIARS SPIRIT is shooting for back to back wins and he should be hard to beat. He looks a fairly one paced horse and he was well ridden at his recent outing when he settled outside the leader and went for home early. There doesn't look a great deal of speed in this event and he should settle right over the speed and be hard to catch. (1) CHINESE BURN turned her form around at her last start when she settled back and finished powerfully over the 1400m at Pinjarra. If she repeats that performance she's a chance again. (7) STOLEN is another last start winner who is in the mix. She settled off the speed last start and won well. (4) FIERY NIGHTS is a very hard gelding to catch but his last start was solid and if he finds his best form he some chance.
Numbers - 8, 1, 7, 4

Suggested Bet - Friars Spirit each way

RACE 4 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1400m

No. 8 HALDEMAN - This clearly a better standard of race and there does appear to be a bit of form to work with. (8) HALDEMAN should be primed for this assignment after having two runs back from a spell, both over 1000m. He was very good first up and last week just got too far back in a race dominated by the leaders. Paul Harvey sticks and I think he should be hard to beat. (1) LET'S LIGHTEN UP comes into the race with very good claims. He didn't beat much at Pinjarra but it was dominant display. From barrier 3 he should land a perfect spot just behind the speed. (2) DIVINE HERO is still a maiden but he should pinch one of these types of races soon. (5) GAPE CRUSHER led and won on debut. He didn't beat much but if he finds the front again he has to be some chance.
Numbers - 8, 1, 2, 5

Suggested Bet- None recommended

RACE 5 - perthracing.com.au HANDICAP 1200m

No. 3 FULL STEAM AHEAD - A good competitive start to the quaddie with a few different form lines clashing. (3) FULL STEAM AHEAD has built up an impressive record in his short career to date including a very good win at his most recent outing in a similar class of event. If he gets some luck from his draw he will be hard to beat. (4) TEXAN started an odds on favourite at his last start but he was under pressure a long way from home and battled into third. If he finds the form he showed two starts back when running a good second to Rose he is certainly a big chance. (2) ELYSSA GRACE resumed from a long break with a solid effort in Saturday mares' company. A repeat effort sees her in the mix. (7) THE WIDDER got a long way and found a little bit of trouble when resuming from a spell. If he gets to the middle of the track and is on song he could blow these away.
Numbers - 3, 4, 2, 7

Suggested Bet - Full Steam Ahead each way if odds available

RACE 6 - TACK ON TRACK - NATIONAL APPRENTICES' CHALLENGE 1500m

No. 10 SOLDIER'S SALUTE - These Apprentices races are never easy affairs and this appears to be no exception. A lot of it will come down to luck in running. I think (10) SOLDIER'S SALUTE is the best horse in the race and I'll go for him. His win at Albany two starts back was dominant and last time out he just got too far back in a race that was hard to make ground. With normal racing luck I think he'll be hard to hold out. (1) OUR LARRIKIN'S last couple of efforts in Saturday class have been solid and he looks suited in this class of event. (2) ARCTIC OCEAN has drawn terribly and will therefore probably get a long way back. However, her form is strong enough to be considered a major player. (6) NOVARESE has had little luck in two runs back from a spell. If he finds clear galloping room he should be thundering home.
Numbers - 10, 1, 2, 6

Suggested Bet - Soldier's Salute each way

RACE 7 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1200m

No. 5 CAT FIVE - A good quality three-year-old event with plenty of winning chances. I really liked the win of (5) CAT FIVE at Pinjarra. He went forward, settled outside the leader and came clear for a dominant win. The horse he beat, Galaxy Prince, was subsequently very unlucky in Saturday company so I think the form will hold up. (8) BUSTABILL showed a bit in his first preparation and he has had two trials to tune him up for his return. I think he'll be more than competitive. (2) PURE HEAVEN resumes from a spell with the benefit of a solid trial effort. She can either lead of box seat and if she finds her best for she should be in the mix. (4) ANSHAN was a very good first up winner at Bunbury when he overcame difficulties and still scored. If he gets over from his wide gate he's a winning chance.
Numbers 5, 3, 2, 4

Suggested Bet - Cat Five each way

RACE 8 - playeronline.com.au HANDICAP 1200m

No. 3 GHOST TRADER - We finish the day with a fairly weak provincial standard race. I'll go for (3) GHOST TRADER who was impressive debut winner at Bunbury when he settled just behind the speed and came clear for a soft win. If he gets over from his draw he's a big chance to stay undefeated. (9) FLYING FORAY was scratched from a race at Pinjarra to be saved for this and he looks to have big winning claims. He will take a spot right over the speed and give a strong kick home. (4) GREY JABIRU was simply no chance at his most recent outing where he settled off the speed in a race that was impossible to make ground. If they can make ground on the day then he should be hard to hold out. (5) MISS LEGACY had every chance at Albany at her last start but was reeled in late. She looks a top four chance again.
Numbers - 3, 9, 4, 5

Suggested Bet - None recommended