Gumbys Gossip Northam 24th May

Gary Wright | Country Racing | Thu 24 May, 2012

GUMBYS GOSSIP- Northam- 24th May

Country racing returns to Northam this afternoon with an eight event programme, a few nice types engaged throughout the day without any stand out races, but punters should be able to land a few decent priced winners if they are good enough, with no real short priced favourites on the card. It should be a picture perfect late autumn day, so track conditions should be spot on for some good racing.

Race 1- Patrick Enright Memorial Handicap- 1000metres

A two year old maiden to commence the days racing and we have very little race form exposed here apart from Jetcetera who ran a good second to the promising Rebelson at the last Northam meeting. I am going to tip one from trials here though in Jolly Moss, from the very strong David Harrison yard, he won a Belmont trial very impressively on May 14 and has a better draw than Jetcetera this afternoon. He has the services of in form hoop Shaun McGruddy also and this horse does look to be a promising type. Jetcetera is the obvious danger on the strength of that run here two weeks ago, he is trained locally by Cliff Smith and will no doubt improve on that run, where it was mentioned in the stewards report he raced very greenly in that race, but the barrier draw near the outside of the field at the 1000metre start does put me off a little. Others with chances look to be Hickory Stick, who chased home Jolly Moss in his Belmont Park trial, she has also drawn nicely for her race debut for the Parnham stable, and maybe Hoonich could be a roughie for a place here, he has been improving slightly in his trials in preparation for his race debut this afternoon.
Numbers- 5-1-8-4
Suggested Bet- 5- Jolly Moss- Each Way

Race 2- Rog 40 Years in Oz Maiden- 1100metres

An open affair in this maiden race as most of these types of races are. I will go for Not So Sweet on a small each way basis today based mainly on her first two runs in this campaign when placed at Narrogin and Pinjarra, she was slightly disappointing last start when a fading ninth to Wonorg at Pinjarra, but that was over the 1400metre journey. The switch back to 1100metres today you would think would suit her, the barrier is perfect and she will only carry 54kgs with the claim for apprentice Joseph Azzopardi, who is fresh from riding a winner at Belmont last Saturday, so this Dash For Cash filly will be the on top selection here. Quite a few with chances in this race though, one of which no doubt is Silver Sass, a good first up second at this track on Apr 29 to The Pillager, only beaten a head that day so must come into calculations here, the wide barrier draw is the only reason he isn't the number one selection in this race. Thurston Lane ran a reasonable race on May 10 at Northam when we tipped him to break through that day, and if you backed him on that occasion it may pay to follow up this afternoon, an overdue win may soon be in the offing for this gelding, trainer David Harrison has retained the services of Paul Harvey once again today, so he will be an each way chance in this race, with Flying Lord also some chance, raced in much stronger company during his last racing campaign and has been trialling well during the month of May as he prepares to return to the track.
Numbers- 8-9-2-1
Suggested Bet- 8- Not So Sweet- Each Way

Race 3- Thomas Eeles Memorial Maiden- 1300metres

A maximum field to contest the third race on todays programme, but we can probably narrow it down to a few here, there really are a lot of underperforming maidens engaged in this race. Great Success made an auspicious debut here at Northam two weeks ago when coming home very nicely to finish second behind Blue Sasso, he was quite badly blocked for a run that day and given the race experience gained on that occasion, and the extra 200metres this afternoon can be classed as a very good chance in this field. Paul Harvey retains the ride which is another factor in his factor in his favour in this race, and he should come in a few barriers with the likely scratching of the emergencies also. Kaitaia ran a nice race first up behind Tiffany Yellow here two weeks ago, is beautifully drawn for Campbell McCallum today and must be considered the main danger to the likely favourite Great Success, another that should be improved from his first up outing. Times Are Changing ran a much improved race at his last start when third to Jest On Time two weeks ago and also has a nice draw in this big field, and another to consider would be Simply No Doubt, who has run some nice races on the Pinjarra track of late, this isn't an overly strong field and if she can overcome a wide draw may be around the place today.
Numbers- 3-4-2-9
Suggested Bet- 3- Great Success- Win

Race 4- Hon Max Trenorden MLC Maiden- 1600metres

We can probably reprint last weeks edition of this column and paste the analysis of the first race into this space as once again as Swing just looks the winner on paper, she has been extremely expensive to follow over her seven start career starting the punters elect most times, but always seems to find some way of not quite finishing off the job. Last week she layed inwards quite badly and it no doubt cost her that race as she only went down by a short half head. Surely the increase in distance to the 1600metres must do the trick and today must be the day to finally see this beautifully bred Bel Esprit filly break the duck. Another that was disappointing last start was Ruby's Joy, although she did race wide over the 1400metres and as a result didn't really come on in the straight, today she should get a whirl perfect run from barrier two and be the main danger to Swing. One that may be at good odds first up in the state is Hongkong Star for trainer Alan Mathews, he has previously raced in NZ and has run four placings over middle distances, he has got some first up form and may go well here today. Carippa is running some consistent races of late and may be the best of the rest.

Numbers- 7-10-2-9
Suggested Bet- 7- Swing- Win

Race 5- Presidents Trophy Maiden- 1600metres

Princely Sage was narrowly beaten by Saxon Knight here a fortnight ago when solidly backed into favourite that day, and it does appear he will go one better this afternoon and be one of the best winning chances in this race. This well bred State City gelding was having only his second race start on that occasion, and that form has been franked with Saxon Knight coming to the City and running second last week. He did box on very well in that Northam race two weeks ago and should continue a good afternoon for Paul Harvey here and win his maiden. One out of the same race a fortnight ago is Bon Bon Bonny, she looks ready to improve now at her sixth race start, has slowly been running better and better races and is one that looks like she will appreciate racing over middle distances, she raced greenly at her last start and may have actually finished a little closer than she did that day if not for that. Secret Times is another that has been slowly improving with racing, culminating in a last start close up third to Endless Sacrifice at the last Northam meeting and possibly Friar's Tip could be another one to improve a little more this afternoon at his third race start. Some good promising middle distance horses engaged in this race today.
Numbers- 1-10-3-6
Suggested Bet- 1- Princely Sage- Win

Race 6- WG Wooltorton Memorial Handicap- 1600metres

Another race over the mile distance here and I can see three good winning chances in this. Friarday will be the on top selection once again, he has proven a little expensive for punters after winning at his first two starts last campaign, but his first up start here two weeks ago was full of merit. He powered home from the turn in that race and did get impeded in the final stages of that race, the rise to the 1600metres this afternoon looks ideal for him, and he really does get his chance to grab another victory in this race this afternoon. Rivimac has become a perennial placegetter of late and may have to settle for the minor end of the prize again today, he is racing in wonderful form but has lost the services of regular hoop Peter Hall today, he has elected to stay on Friarday, so that may also be a pointer for the punting fraternity here. The other main chance is Amberstroem, another horse that always races consistently, this distance may just test this afternoon but we will just have to wait and see how he handles the mile. Light The Skies and Mardella Flyer may be ones for the quartet punters in this race, they look the best of the rest.

Numbers- 5-4-3-1
Suggested Bet- 5-Friarday- Win

Race 7- Kevin Hammond Handicap- 1400metres

A tough class one race here, plenty of starts between these runners for not many victories, however one that does race well at the Northam venue is Verdello Blue, he has been in the money at six of twelve starts around this circuit and does look to have as good a chance as anything today, in fact he has been in the money here at his last four outings, and does look to be the best winning chance in this. Drawn nicely for Craig Staples, he will be the on top selection in this race. Classic Knowledge did win up here on Apr 29 to finally break his maiden status, but then went to Belmont and ran down the track behind Love You Like That a couple of weeks later. However back in more suitable company today and with the 3kg claim for Ned Coldbeck he comes into this race with strong credentials. Daly Hennessy continued her improved form here two weeks ago when second to Petticoat Lane, so assuming she keeps up those sorts of efforts, she can play a part in the finish here. Another that may be in line for quartet or wide quaddie punters is Rock Bar, he raced wide all the way at his last start in much stronger company here back on Apr 29 and may improve today.

Numbers- 2-1-7-3
Suggested Bet- 2- Verdello Blue- Each Way

Race 8- Robbie O'Driscoll Memorial Handicap- 1100metres

There seem to be two really good chances in the last race of the day, Silbar and Pegatrick, and its very difficult to spilt either of them as the selection here. Silbar did run a terrific race at Belmont first up from a spell when fourth to Pure Adrenalin on May 9 and did win his maiden second up last winter, so he should go well today. Perfectly drawn in barrier four for Shaun Meeres he surely will give you a good sight for your money here. Pegatrick had been threatening to break his maiden status which he eventually did last start in a close finish with The Trout at Pinjarra, and he may go on with in today, but I will lean slightly towards Silbar, although it is a tough choice. Another with claims must be Distinctive Dane, she ran her normal honest race at this track on May 10 when resuming, and is always about the place in these type of races. Kabam Boy has a pretty good record here at Northam and did win at Belmont last winter, is first up from a lengthy spell today but is probably the next best in this final event of the afternoon.

Numbers- 4-3-2-1
Suggested Bet 4- Silbar- Win

Best Bets -

Race 3, No 3 Great Success

Race 4, No 7 Swing