Hoops tips for Kalgoorlie April 25

Greg Hooper | Country Racing | Tue 24 April, 2012

RACE 1 -LIQUOR CITY MAIDEN 1400m

No. 1 MARADIEGO - I think we can kick off the day by backing a winner. (1) MARADIEGO has impressed at both his two starts on the goldfields, settling off the speed and flooding into second on both occasions. If he is within striking distance when the field corner he should be breaking his duck. (7) EL SERATA has been solid at both her two runs at the track and she looks the obvious danger. However her record of 17 starts without a win is very concerning. The rest of these have done little and for the sake of numbers only I'll throw in (2) AFRICAN CAT and (6) GREEN EGGS AND HAM.
Numbers - 1, 7, 2, 6
Suggested Bet - Maradiego win

RACE 2 - SOMERVILLE CABINETS MAIDEN 1100m

No. 5 STAR TRADER - I'm happy to forgive (5) STAR TRADER for his first up defeat where he led at a frenetic speed and tired late. His barrier trial win leading up to his return was exceptional and I suspect if he is ridden off the speed you'll see a much improved performance from him. (3) NOVA PARK has run solid races at both his Kalgoorlie starts. He's very close to a win. (2) STELLAR CHOICE ran well at his first start in W.A. and from his good gate he should get all the favours in running.(7) LA FAIRET comes out of the same race as my top three picks and she was doing her best work late in that event.
Numbers - 5, 3, 2, 7
Suggested Bet - Star Trader each way

RACE 3 - HARDY SPICER HANDICAP 1100m

No. 5 KASZANKA - This is probably the toughest race of the day and it could easily throw up a boilover type of result. I'll go for some value and put (5) KASZANKA on top. She settled at the rear first up and made solid ground and then last start she didn't get any room in the straight and basically went to the line under a hold. In an open race if she comes up at around double figures she might be worth a small investment. (4) FIRE SIDE is mare gifted with a short, sharp turn of foot but and for that reason the timing of her runs need to be made with perfection. She snuck through small openings at her most recent outing and looked set for a win only peak very late and lose by a lip. It's always heart in the mouth stuff with this mare but she'll be hard to beat on talent alone. (7) HIATUS led and controlled proceedings last start. This is tougher but if he found the front he's a chance again. (2) MISS EL GUERROUJ resumes from a spell and she has always shown some ability previously.
Numbers - 5, 4, 7, 2
Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 4 - CBC HOCKEY CLUB HANDICAP 1400m

No. 1 BLACK TYCOON - I'm happy to play here and get aboard the top weight (1) BLACK TYCOON. He's a galloper who has plenty of ability but has obviously had issues throughout his career, hence he has only started on six occasions. His first up effort over 1100m was excellent as he settled a mile off them and was flooding home when the race was over. The step up to 1400m looks ideal and if he is anywhere near them at the 200m he should be posting his second career win. (2) BELL'S VICTORY finally cashed out for his connections (and punters who had stuck fat over the journey!) at his most recent outing when he settled just behind the speed and was travelling like a winner a long way from home. This race has much more depth but he looms with solid each way claims. (3) RHYTHM MAN got posted three wide without cover for the journey last start and he did a good job to pick himself up off the canvass at the top of the straight and battle into third. He's a good top four chance again. (9) SNUFF GRUFFLES is always a chance in these events but she invariably goes around at under the odds.
Numbers - 1, 2, 3, 9
Suggested Bet- Black Tycoon win

RACE 5 - KALGOORLIE MASTERS FOOTBALL CLUB HANDICAP 1400m

No. 5 VAINTRAIN - A very even race with most coming into it with some claims. I'm going for a little bit of value and selecting (5) VAINTRAIN. He hasn't had the best of luck in either of his two runs this preparation and I like the way he was finishing off his race at the death at his most recent outing. Misty Bazeley jumps back aboard and I think he's a decent each way gamble in an open race. (2) WOOKAH settled at the rear on the fence at his local debut and then just ran up backside after backside in the straight. I think he is the big improver. (6) CIRCULAR QUAY was trapped four wide the trip last start and did a good job to only be beaten 3 and ½ lengths. He's got each way claims. (8) FORYOUANDME was a nice winner first up in weaker company but should be around the mark again.
Numbers - 5, 2, 6, 8
Suggested Bet - Vaintrain each way

RACE 6 - RSL/LEGACY SPRINT 1300m

No. 10 BROTHER PATRICK - The feature race of the day and it has certainly pulled together a good competitive line-up. I was really taken with the first up win of (10) BROTHER PATRICK where he settled well back in running, peeled to the outside at the top of the straight and then finished like a train to give his rivals a galloping lesson. This field contains more depth but this galloper looks to have plenty of ability and if can he reproduce the first up display whatever beats him will win. (9) ARACHNID was a very good first up winner, he settled midfield and had his his rivals covered a long way from home. If he gets some luck from the draw he'll be in the finish again. (8) AIN'T NO SAINT is a good Kalgoorlie horse and he hasn't had much luck at his two runs on his home circuit this preparation. (4) REVY JAY found some form at his most recent outing in town and then was tuned up for this assignment with a very soft trial effort at Bunbury. From barrier 1 he should box seat and his last win was at this track on Cup Day last year getting the same run.
Numbers - 10, 9, 8, 4
Suggested Bet - Brother Patrick each way

RACE 7 - DIRECT POWER SERVICES HANDICAP 1200m

No. 7 TOSS ‘N' SPIN - This galloper has been an extremely hard horse to catch previously but I'm willing to give him another chance for his new trainer, Aaron Bazely. His recent barrier trial win was as soft you will see so hopefully he's found a new lease of life on the goldfields and can get the job done first up. The senior rider goes onto (5) EGYTIAN LOVER which should improve his chances. He bombed the start last time and settled a mile back on the fence. If he can jump better and position up closer he'll be in the finish. (9) HEARTS AFLUTTER is a last start winner but he was given all the favours in running after Campbell McCallum was able to land the one-by-one. Tougher from his wider draw but he's always a chance. (14) THE SLEEPING GIANT was mowing turf late at her last start and with only 52kg on her back she do the same again.
Numbers - 7, 5, 9, 14

Suggested Bet - Toss 'N' Spin each way