Race 1 – 1:35PM TABTOUCH – BETTER YOUR BET MAIDEN (1400 METRES)

Going to go again with GOODBYEFEDS. Has been a little costly to followers at his last two, but he was undone by a slow tempo last start and hit the line quite hard late. Thinking Jason Whiting will push forward and attempt to lead from the outside alley and if he can find the front with the rail back to true, he’ll take some catching. ZIP YOUR LIPS caught the eye when resuming at Ascot, getting held up on heels for most of the straight. Likely to drift back and swoop late. RUNBABE was doing her best work late last start and looks ready for the 1400m now, while ALLEZ ALLEZ had excuses on debut.

Tips: 1-2-6-4
Suggested: 1. GOODBYEFEDS win.

1. GOODBYEFEDS
2. ZIP YOUR LIPS
6. RUNBABE
4. ALLEZ ALLEZ

Race 2 – 2:10PM FURPHY – REFRESHING ALE MAIDEN (1400 METRES)

TYCOON STORM looks the obvious, however, it wouldn’t surprise to see MIRTH ‘N’ MUSIC upset the likely favourite. Mirth ‘N’ Music had little luck at Narrogin two back and attacked the line with strength over 1216m last start, suggesting the 1400m will be right up his alley. Maps closer from this draw and will give this a shake. Tycoon Storm displayed impressive closing speed on debut, with her late sections among the fastest of the day. Will be short, but does appear to be a smart filly in the making. KITGUM has been brave without luck recently, while EMBASSY SQUARE can elevate second up.

Tips: 4-7-2-3
Suggested: 4. MIRTH ‘N’ MUSIC win.

4. MIRTH ‘N’ MUSIC
7. TYCOON STORM
2. KITGUM
3. EMBASSY SQUARE

Race 3 – 2:45PM AMELIA PARK MAIDEN (1100 METRES)

Really decent maiden this and expecting it to prove a valuable form reference moving forward. Kept coming back to TINTO BELLE after an excellent first-up result behind boom sprinter This’ll Testya this track/distance, running on powerfully late. Settles midfield or a touch worse from this draw, but she has the right platform now and is capable of overhauling the leaders late. Encouraging debut effort from MOORUMBINE and he certainly maps to advantage here. Major player. First-upper PICK YOUR BATTLES has raw talent, but pads on is a query, while IT’S TIFF’S warrants consideration also.

Tips: 6-3-1-7
Suggested: 6. TINTO BELLE win.

6. TINTO BELLE
3. MOORUMBINE
1. PICK YOUR BATTLES
7. IT’S TIFF’S

Race 4 – 3:30PM WHALE WATCH WESTERN AUSTRALIA HANDICAP (2200 METRES)

Solid staying contest this and DOC FRIAR has been locked in on top. Got under the guard a little fourth up last time, with a ground-saving Pike ride lifting her over the line at her first middle-distance outing of the prep. Suited with only 55kg in this grade and shouldn’t waste any fuel from the low draw. STAFFORD’S LAD is race fit and in good form now, and does have a strong Bunbury 2200m profile. He’ll go close. Eastern-states import OMBUDSMAN is trending in a very positive direction and will get every chance up on top of the speed, while FIRST BLACK is holding peak form and drops 2.5kg.

Tips: 8-2-3-4
Suggested: 8. DOC FRIAR win.

8. DOC FRIAR
2. STAFFORD’S LAD
3. FIRST BLACK
4. MACKENZIE BROOKE

*Numbers amended after Final Scratchings

Race 5 – 4:10PM BUNBURY PLUMBING SERVICES HANDICAP (1675 METRES)

Looks like being a good day for the Bruce Watkins stable and one of his several winning chances on the card is promising 4YO MR KUNAFA. Strong winner at Ascot two back and simply got too far back in a slowly run similar event to this last start. Maps much closer from this draw and he should relish the anticipated genuine tempo. TOO FAT TOO SLOW got the confidence-boosting win he was looking for last Sunday and maps to advantage again. Tough and honest, and is the main danger. Hard to fault what VISION AND PRAYER has been doing recently, while IONYX looks the likely improver third up.

Tips: 1-2-3-4
Suggested: 1. MR KUNAFA win.

1. MR KUNAFA
2. TOO FAT TOO SLOW
3. VISION AND PRAYER
4. IONYX

Race 6 – 4:45PM JCW ELECTRICAL HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

ICE TRADE looks one of the better plays of the day. Enjoyed a lovely run in transit last start, but was still strong enough to cash in late, getting over the top of the well-regarded Obstination in what was a soft win on the line. Should get every chance from this low draw and has to be the one to beat. JADAVI jumped out of the ground late to share her maiden win with Censure this track/distance last time. Can be closer in transit from this alley and has to be included. GEOGRAPHE BAY and SCENIC JOURNEY are both more than capable of winning, but will be drifting back and running on.

Tips: 4-5-1-6
Suggested: 4. ICE TRADE win.

4. ICE TRADE
5. JADAVI
1. GEOGRAPHE BAY
6. SCENIC JOURNEY

Race 7 – 5:20PM BREMER BAY RESORT HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

LADIES OF LONDON and RIVER BEAU stand out as the two heavy hitters, and happy to be siding with Lindsey Smith’s Ladies Of London. One of the runs of the day when resuming over 1000m here three weeks back and the form out of that race stacks up. Maps closer to the speed from this low draw and is expecting to come forward significantly second up. River Beau was a bit stiff not to salute last start when losing momentum at a vital stage and missing out in a photo. Maps to advantage also. BANJO MAN is flying this prep and has to be considered, while COCKY DODD has the talent to impact first up.

Tips: 4-1-7-3
Suggested: 4. LADIES OF LONDON win.

4. LADIES OF LONDON
1. RIVER BEAU
7. BANJO MAN
3. COCKY DODD

**This edition of #TheLegUp by @thoroheadsWA originally published at 9:00am on Friday 13 December 2019