Race 1 – 1:17PM TABTOUCH – BETTER YOUR BET MAIDEN (1100 METRES)

A bit of speed engaged in this and thinking STELLA DOOR can get the better of likely leader JAKESTAR. Have tracked Stella Door closely over the journey, having promised plenty, and while he has been costly to follow he should be ready to hit his straps into the second half of his 3YO season. Like the booking of Paul Harvey and Stella Door will take some beating first up. Jakestar was nailed late on Bunbury Stakes Day and he’s going to give them something to catch again. MY BLUEBOY should land in the one-one and make his presence felt, while GIBRALTAR DANCER is next best.

Tips: 6-1-5-2
Suggested: 6. JAKESTAR win.

6. JAKESTAR
1. MY BLUEBOY
5. GIBRALTAR DANCER
2. REDWOOD RANSOM

*Numbers amended after Final Scratchings

Race 2 – 1:57PM FURPHY – REFRESHING ALE MAIDEN (1100 METRES)

BOSNIPP will be super short on debut, but should just win. Has always looked sharp at trials and showed she was ready to head to the races with a dominant Lark Hill 24/02 950m heat win. The form out of that trial has been very strong and with a clean getaway, Bosnipp should find the front and be too good for these. First-upper SOUTHSTAR with Pike on board will have some admirers and she worked to the line well in her Lark Hill 9/03 trial. SILENT ACT will strip fitter after her first-up effort and looks a genuine top-three chance, while DOMINEER has shown enough at trials to consider on debut.

Tips: 7-6-9-4
Suggested: 7. SOUTHSTAR win.

7. SOUTHSTAR
6. SILENT ACT
9. DOMINEER
4. GRANRANDELL

*Numbers amended after Final Scratchings

Race 3 – 2:30PM ARIA LODGE AGISTMENT FARM MAIDEN (1675 METRES)

This wide-open maiden is well-and-truly up for grabs and no surprise to see LUNE DE LA TERRE give this a shake. Worked hard outside leader on top of a strong tempo on debut at Pinjarra 12/03 and while he faed late, he was certainly entitled to. That hit-out should give him a nice platform for the mile second up and a more comfortable run in transit, he goes close. THE ROAN RANGER was heavily supported last start, but was always in trouble after bombing the start. He can rebound. CAPE REIGN can come forward second up with Pike on, while possible leader ZU MANTUA may try and pinch it.

Tips: 8-2-6-1
Suggested: 8. LUNE DE LA TERRE each way.

8. LUNE DE LA TERRE
2. THE ROAN RANGER
6. CAPE REIGN
1. ZU MANTUA

Race 4 – 3:10PM BVA METAL FABRICATIONS MAIDEN (1400 METRES)

Unusual to see a 2YO lining up in a 1400m All Aged Maiden, but this actually looks a decent option for EM TEE AYE. Was returning from a freshen at Bunbury 4/03 and relished being ridden quieter, running home strongly in what’s turned out to be a good form reference. Should get a lovely run from and expecting him to be strong late. Forget RUM RAKER went around last start when three wide/no cover the entire. Maps to get a much better run in transit and he’s a major player. PERFECT HARMONY hasn’t done a lot wrong recently and is in the mix, while PEGGIE’S JOY is suited from gate one.

Tips: 12-2-8-9
Suggested: 12. EM TEE AYE win.

12. EM TEE AYE
2. RUM RAKER
8. PERFECT HARMONY
9. PEGGIE’S JOY

Race 5 – 3:50PM MICHAEL LANE RACING HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

Keen on promising type EURASIA. Appears quite well placed by trainer Steve Wolfe, landing in this Class 3 after taking on some of the better 3YOs in training recently, including boom youngster Talladega. Anticipating positive tactics from Paul Harvey and no surprise to see Eurasia win by leading or racing outside leader. ZACKARIAH BEAU was a good result last start and thoroughly deserved that win. Maps rearwards, but still expecting to see him running home with strength again late. HENTY GAL isn’t quite at her best, but must respect stable, while expecting RACY AVA to run a race first up.

Tips: 3-2-4-6
Suggested: 3. EURASIA win.

3. EURASIA
2. ZACKARIAH BEAU
4. HENTY GAL
6. RACY AVA
7. TOGETHER WE DREAM

Race 6 – 4:20PM SKYRACING.TV PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES HEAT (1200 METRES)

Found this a really difficult one to assess and it looms as a particularly good betting race. Thinking it looks a reasonable set up for ROCKY PATH though and she really should give this a nudge. Has some outstanding formlines and her first-up run was full of merit, so with even luck she will impact. FA’LION MASCHINE is much better placed back in this grade and she’ll be swooping hard late. ICE TRADE was really good behind Tawny Pete last start, this is the suitable race for ROSEBUSH having been racing in metro Saturday grade recently, while class runner SLICED BREAD is a big watch first up.

Tips: 10-2-6-11
Suggested: 10. ROCKY PATH each way.

10. ROCKY PATH
2. FA’LION MASCHINE
6. ICE TRADE
11. ROSEBUSH
1. SLICED BREAD

Race 7 – 4:55PM THE BULL AND BUSH TAVERN CUP (2200 METRES)

MACKENZIE BROOKE looks the one to beat. Felt she would win the Bunbury Cup, but was scratched with a hoof abscess, so there has to be a slight query following that setback, but her Albany Cup win was really strong and she should get a sweet run in transit from gate one with Pike in the saddle. Trust the stable and if right, Mackenzie Brooke looks the one. SPIRITUAL WARRIOR will have derived plenty of benefit from his Bunbury Cup hit-out. Major player. Can’t fault the recent efforts of SUPERIOR SMILE, who looks the likely leader, while HE’S A PARKER was back on track last start.

Tips: 6-1-10-2
Suggested: 6. MACKENZIE BROOKE win.

6. MACKENZIE BROOKE
1. SPIRITUAL WARRIOR
10. SUPERIOR SMILE
2. HE’S A PARKER

Race 8 – 5:35PM CAPEL TAVERN HANDICAP (2200 METRES)

Tricky old race to finish the day and with low confidence opted to roll with CELTIC DIVA. Is a very hard horse to catch and has let us down on more than one occasion, but hasn’t encountered a race as thin as this recently, and kept out of trouble by Pat Carbery, should be able to give her supporters a run for their money. BLITZ GLORY was well backed when leading throughout to win comfortably at Geraldton 5/03. Can get them stretching their necks again. TAKE ME HOME HONEY is race-hardened and in consistent form, while Stelmach-trained pair BLAISZEN CAZAH and WILD GALAH are in contention also.

Tips: 7-1-10-3
Suggested: 7. CELTIC DIVA win.

7. CELTIC DIVA
1. BLITZ GLORY
10. BLAISZEN CAZAH
3. WILD GALAH

*Numbers amended after Final Scratchings

**This edition of #TheLegUp by @thoroheadsWA originally published at 7:00am on Friday 20 March 2020