Gumbys Gossip - Pinjarra 2nd May

Gary Wright | Country Racing | Wed 2 May, 2012

GUMBYS GOSSIP- Pinjarra Wednesday 2nd May

Provincial racing returns to Pinjarra this afternoon, and whilst most of the summer tracks have closed down for the season, Pinjarra is still going strong. Some tough maiden races early on to treat with great trepidation from a punting perspective, and a tough card all round in some respects, but highlighted by some good races later in the day, particularly the provincial championship heat which is race seven this afternoon.

Race 1- Join the "100 Club" Maiden- 1500metres

A middle distance maiden race to start the day but probably not too many winning chances even though we have a big field to contest. Best Of Minx has been quite impressive at his two starts this time in and gets his chance to break the ice today. The Pontiff hops on board as well which no doubt helps his winning prospects, and the poor barrier draw may not be so crucial at the 1500metre start as it is over other distances. Best Of Minx has run fourth at his two starts at this track, both times running on and a repeat of those efforts will see him going close this afternoon. The main danger appears to be Royal Edict, she has been running similar races being placed a couple of times this campaign, but is still a maiden after 21 starts which was the deciding factor in going for Best Of Minx. One that is first up today is Cannardly Go Wrong from the Justin Warwick stable, may pay to keep an eye on this filly this afternoon. Possibly Grand Beau could be best of the others, he has run some better races since being switched to more suitable provincial company over the last couple of months.

Numbers- 5-11-13-2
Suggested Bet- 5- Best Of Minx- Win

Race 2- MIG Security Maiden- 1200metres

Real Glow should be improved on her first up run here a fortnight ago and if overcoming a poor barrier draw may give Paul Harvey a good start to the day here. This Testa Rossa filly ran some nice trials before her first up race start so should be nice and fit for this assignment today. Its not an easy race though, so I wouldnt be investing heavily on her, but she does look to be a good chance in an open race. Pegatrick comes into this race well, back to a more favourable race, he ran placings at Bunbury in similar maiden races early in his last campaign before going to Ascot and finding the going a little tough. Is first up today but has a very favourable draw and did run second in a trial a couple of weeks ago, so looks right in this event. Torta Di Fangio also ran a couple of good races in this sort of company in her opening racing campaign before a poor run at Bunbury, she was sent for a spell after that, and she also won a trial last week in preparation for her return to the track, she looks to have bright prospects here as well. A couple from trials that look to have ability are Equine Eagle and Just Hoping, may pay to keep an eye on them today as they start for the first time in a race.

Numbers- 10-2-9-4
Suggested Bet- 10- Real Glow- Each Way

Race 3- Chaff City Maiden- 1200metres

Not an overly strong maiden race here and probably advisable to watch this race or invest very frugally. I will go for Blitz'em for the sake of making a selection. This Natural Blitz gelding has been most impressive in trials culminating in a victory on Apr 23 at Lark Hill, is reasonably drawn and comes in with 55kgs with claiming apprentice Aaron Rogers engaged. Another from trials that looks to have ability is Surfcat, she has drawn pole position today and has the services of Paul Harvey to boot, look for a good showing from this Bearcat Filly here. Of the horses with race experience Royal Rhapsody may go well first up after a spell, she is drawn beautifully in barrier four and did run into the placings in her first up run last campaign, then was held up badly for a run at her last start here on Dec 1. The best of the rest may be Royal Titan who is winless after 25 attempts, but always about the place, another with a nice cushy draw here that may be running on and into the placings at the end of the race.

Numbers- 6-13-3-1
Suggested Bet- No Bet

Race 4- Heytesbury Stud Maiden- 1000metres

The first of the 1000metre straight races for the day sees a couple of promising types engaged. Sass'N'Smile ran a slashing first up second behind Mystic Dust over this distance on Apr 9 and allowing for further improvement could be the one to beat today. He raced in a forward position that day and if doing so again and hopefully crossing from an awkward draw in barrier seven at this track and distance he can win this race, certainly a good pick up ride for in form jockey Peter Knuckey here. Another showing very promising form in trials is Did You Ever, was scratched from a similar race at the last Pinjarra meeting, but his trial form has been outstanding, culminating in a massive win at his last trial at Belmont on Apr 16, clearly looks to have above average ability, also drawn perfectly in an outside barrier for this race, maybe the difference to swing me towards Sass'N'Smile is the race experience, but expect them both to go very well this afternoon. La Annais was racing in pretty consistent form during her last campaign at Ascot and could make her presence felt first up in this, and one that may improve from the Lindsey Smith yard is Not So Sweet, third at Narrogin at her first race start, drawn the outside barrier and carrying only 53kgs, she may just run a good race at probable good odds in this.

Numbers- 1-4-8-11
Suggested Bet- 1- Sass'N'Smile- Win

Race 5- Alcoa Pinjarra Handicap- 1000metres

Another straight five furlong race and once again a few promising types engaged in this. Grape Crusher was withdrawn at the barriers last week in a 1000metre race but appears to have taken no harm from that and is lining up again today and will be my on top selection. He won brilliantly at his first race start over this track and distance back on Mar 1, always a good pointer in these 1000metre races at Pinjarra. His only other start in a stronger field at Ascot he pulled up a little distressed so might pay to forgive that effort and go on the first up victory. Also nicely drawn on the outside he will probably lead the charge down the straight and hopefully give punters a great sight for their money. El Costa Mar appears to be the main danger, she has been around the place of late running just behind good types such as Accelarometer and Kalahaar and should go well in this field today. She is having her first start at the track though, so may lack a little experience in the straight track racing. Caribbean Cruise has shown ability in his career, and pops up every now and again, his second to Painted at Ascot on Apr 4 was full of merit, and is down on class from his last run here behind Freetime on Apr 15, and best of the other may be Graceful Charli, another reasonably consistent performer in these types of races, she is a two time winner down the straight five furlongs here at Pinjarra.

Numbers- 4-7-1-5
Suggested Bet- 4- Grape Crusher- Each Way

Race 6- Regency Foods Handicap- 1600metres

Foo Foo The Snoo ran a much improved race here last week at his first start down here at Pinjarra and could well go on with it today. This beautifully bred Starcraft filly did start in some good races at Ascot in her previous campaign and is a city winner, and comes into this race looking nicely suited. Apprentice Jo Azzopardi should be able to get her into a good spot from a top draw in barrier three, and she only carries 54.5kgs with the claiming apprentice on board, she does look ready to run a good race today. Leoluck won his maiden here over the mile distance on Apr 9 and has shown a great deal of ability in his three starts to date, however isn't well drawn here and the step up in class is a little worry, but you would still expect him to run a forward race judged on his previous efforts. Miss Margene is improving with racing, she has won two of her last four starts and is becoming a nice racehorse for Michael Campbell, expect a good showing here as well this afternoon. Stolen is another who has been racing impressively of late and Sovilla Storm did win here on Apr 9, has since disappointed at Ascot but probably better to go on the win at this track the start before.

Numbers- 8-2-5-10
Suggested Bet- 8- Foo Foo The Snoo- Win

Race 7- Skyracing.TV-Provincial Championship Series Handicap- 1400metres

The best field of the day in this provincial championship heat. One that has been racing well at Ascot recently has been the Neville Parnham trained Moment Of Love, and he gets his chance to break through for a victory this afternoon. His last few races have been full of merit including three second placings followed by a last start fourth to Stompin on Apr 14, and he is beautifully drawn for regular jockey Brad Parnham in this race, so should take up a nice forward position. Red Mercedes does look to be a major player in this race as well, he has also got good Ascot form to recommend him, and will appreciate this race a lot more than his previous start behind Vermeer in good city company, he has drawn the pole and has a small weight claim with Ryan Hill engaged, certainly the main danger to Moment Of Love. Others with claims in a good race are Victobougg, racing in superb form here at Pinjarra of late, Dirty Flirty, a last start winner at the Pinjarra track, and possibly States Secret and Carlton Street, all good chances in this race.

Numbers- 10-5-13-3
Suggested Bet- 10- Moment Of Love- Win

Race 8- Racing @Pinjarra Park 17 May Handicap- 1200metres

A very open affair to close the programme today with many chances in another pretty good race. One horse that is holding form is Rivimac, he has finished runner up at his last two starts here and deserves a change of luck and today might be the day. Drawn really nicely at the tricky 1200metre start, he should be able to lob in a good spot for regular jockey Peter Hall and possibly break through for a victory this afternoon. Hay Street Hero has always shown ability and ran a pretty good race first up at Ascot when fifth to Painted on Apr 4, and has won second up previously. Melody Lady is another to come into calculations, she raced well in her last campaign and won a trial easily at Lark Hill last week in preparation for her return to the track. Classical Snow is one that may start at good each way odds and improve this afternoon. Its a tough race to finish the day, so probably go a little wide in quaddies here.

Numbers- 6-2-5-14
Suggested Bet 6- Rivimac- Each Way

Best Bet- Race 1 No 5 Best Of Minx
Race 6 No 8 Foo Foo The Snoo