Gumbys Gossip Northam 19th July

Gary Wright | Thu 19 July, 2012

GUMBYS GOSSIP- Northam 19th July

Nine events in the Avon Valley today, there are certainly a few very difficult races for punters, but maybe a couple of good each way chances that could line the pockets if they are lucky enough to land a couple of winners. It does look a day to go reasonably wide in quaddies, with quite a few chances in each leg.

Race 1- Maxman Maiden- 1100metres
Not a lot of chances in this opening race you wouldnt think. Stock Trader won a trial well in preparation for his racing debut today, by nearly two lengths at Belmont on Jul 9, he looks ready to run a forward race here this afternoon. His main opposition looks like coming from Strike Two, who raced quite well in his previous campaign, with the highlight a second at Ascot on a Saturday meeting back on Feb 4. After that it looks like Who's To Blame may be the best of the rest, she has run a couple of handy races in her last campaign, and possibly Double Jester may improve on her first up effort here on Jul 5.
Numbers- 6-1-7-10
Suggested Bet- 6- Stock Trader- Win

Race 2- Rose Maiden- 1100metres
A couple of promising youngsters engaged in the two year old maiden race here with Grand Crusade the on top selection. At his first start in a race he raced wide throughout and still finished a meritorious second to Star Of The Orient, he has since had a short let up and resumes today from an ideal barrier, after trialling pretty well last week and looks to be one of the major chances here. Another that has shown promise is Moreish for the Sharon Miller stable, she ran a nice race when third to Wombies Legacy at her only start, looms as the main danger this afternoon. Chanteria has been finishing just behind the placegetters in midweek company of late and must also be respected in this race, and Death Knock although drawn wide could be about the place also, based on a second here two weeks ago.

Numbers- 1-7-5-6
Suggested Bet- 1- Grand Crusade- Win

Race 3- Thelma Winch Memorial Maiden- 1100metres
This is quite a difficult maiden race with most of the main chances drawn quite wide so might be best to tread warily here. Will go for Makin A Racquet to break through this afternoon but without much confidence. His last run here was quite good when just going down to La Annais and with Paul Harvey retaining the mount should go close here. Lequest was also a good run last start at Northam two weeks ago when also running second, she does have to contend with the outside barrier this afternoon though. Not An Act has run a couple of reasonable races and might start to improve now, and a newcomer in Dusock has some form at trials and may be worth watching at his first race start.

Numbers- 2-5-6-3
Suggested Bet- No Bet

Race 4- Charles Winch Memorial Maiden- 1100metres
Another tough race upcoming here with a couple of horses engaged that really are overdue to win a maiden race, but have proven costly in the past. One of those is Really Sleek who has been placed five times from six starts, he is drawn the outside barrier this afternoon, but maybe the engagement of the recently returned William Pike can help overcome that obstacle. One that is drawn better is In His Hands, he should improve on his first up run when fifth here on Jun 21 so should play a part in the finish today. Just De Lovely has also had a few chances but must be respected with a good gate as well in this race, and another that looks to have some ability is Emerald Star from the Parnham stable, one to look at for novelty bets in this event.

Numbers- 1-3-7-8
Suggested Bet- 1- Really Sleek- Each Way

Race 5- Heather Coulter Memorial Maiden- 1000metres
Again its not easy to pinpoint a winner in this race, as such I will go for Venetian Queen at what should be good each way odds. She returns to racing today but does have a good first up record and will come in a few barriers with the scratchings that will occur in this race. She has performed pretty consistently in maiden races of late and really is long overdue for a win. Heldorado may also go pretty well at his first start for a while and should be hard to beat today, and Gingerman, Sequalo System and Toro Express are others who would also come into calculations in this race.

Numbers- 6-2-3-7
Suggested Bet- 6- Venetian Queen- Each Way

Race 6- Roger Smith Memorial Maiden- 1600metres
Dare I say it, another very difficult race for the distance maiden of the day as they invariably are. This is probably one to stay out of unless you are taking quaddies, if so then Black Steel would be one to put in your selections. He ran a good race last start when third to Miss Delish here two weeks ago and may go on with it now. The Trout is another who has run some good races of late and should break through for a victory shortly. Others like Master Robson and Star Beau have been about the place lately, but they do find it difficult to win a race, certainly could be around the place in this race though. One at odds might be Roy's Honour, he did come home well last start over 1200metres at Pinjarra on Jun28 and looks like he will appreciate the extra distance this afternoon.

Numbers- 6-4-3-1-8
Suggested Bet- No Bet, numbers above for first quaddie leg

Race 7- Cafe Bugatti Handicap- 1100metres
Ghost Trader has been racing quite well of late and gets his chance to record a second victory here. He did start punters elect last start when finishing a close fourth to Mr Magic here two weeks ago and should be further improved by that run. He does have a nice cushy draw today to get the run of the race and must go very close. Dimmagio must also be considered, has been performing very consistently of late in somewhat stronger company, and is one win from one start on the Northam circuit. Lovetherain is another going well up here for local trainer Cliff Smith, and he has Pike engaged this afternoon, and one at good odds may be Internationalist who is one of those horses that bobs up into the placings every now and again.

Numbers- 3-6-8-7
Suggested Bet- 3- Ghost Trader- Win

Race 8- Tim Mosel Handicap- 1300metres
There are probably only a few main chances in this race, but will go for value here with Panaster Boy who has held his form superbly of late for Albany trainer Paul Hunter. He was beaten a length last start by the promising galloper Galiletto, and only a nose by Master Tenby the start before that, today might be the day he gets to the line first, and he should be at good each way odds. Hollister looks the obvious danger, his last two starts have been excellent at this track and he should be approaching his peak at his third start from a spell today. Silbar was disappointing last start, he did figure prominently in the stewards report that day, so may go a little better back here at Northam where he has a good record. Rock Bar is the other chance here, ever consistent horse always about the place, always good to put him into trifectas and quartets.

Numbers- 4-2-1-5
Suggested Bet- 4- Panaster Boy- Each Way

Race 9- The Round Corner Table Handicap- 1600metres
A good race to finish off the programme today. Galiletto does look a very promising galloper in the making, he made a terrific return to the track with a victory here at the last Northam meeting and could very well go on with things in this campaign. The rise in distance to 1600metres appears to suit him as well. One Cool Queen has been very costly to punters throughout her career, however she is down in class on her last few runs and just might give you a better sight for your investments today. Namisuki won at Belmont two starts ago, and got into trouble at his last unplaced effort so is another that may improve here. Hongkong Star is another who surprised last start at Belmont when winning, and No Expectations continues to run consistent races and will no doubt do so again today.

Numbers- 5-6-4-10
Suggested Bet- 5- Galiletto- Each Way

Best Bets- Race 5 No 6 Venetian Queen- Each Way
Race 8 No 4 Panaster Boy- Each Way