RACE 1 FLEX CONTRACTING HANDICAP 1:30 PM (1000M)

A bit of a low key start to the program, but we’re pretty keen on the winning chances of PRINCESS ZELDA. While she’ll obviously be at a short quote, she deserves to be considering her strong How To Fly and Lady Le Jean formlines, as well as her fighting victory over Tycoon Legend last start, with that galloper well fancied to win at Ascot this weekend. PRINCESS ZELDA is likely to be within striking distance on the turn and her closing speed should see her run right over the top. DEEP COVER was heavily backed ($5 to $3.40) at Ascot last start, but was in trouble as soon as he didn’t lead and disappointed the market. This is certainly not as strong as that line up and he looks set to enjoy a nice run on top of the speed from his low draw, so we’re expecting him to bounce back. Albany visitor SCANDAL LASS scored a well deserved win at Mt Barker last month and looks set to land in the one-one slot in running. Does run right through the line and she’ll no doubt attract some support, while the speedy IDIOSYNCRASY slides in with only 52.5kg, and might give some cheek if he’s able to hold up and lead from gate one.

Tips: 2-1-5-6
Suggested: 2. PRINCESS ZELDA win.

2. PRINCESS ZELDA
1. DEEP COVER
5. SCANDAL LASS
6. IDIOSYNCRASY

RACE 2 SH8RE MAIDEN 2:10 PM (1100M)

Found this race challenging with quite a few runners throwing their hats in the ring, but we didn’t mind the first-up effort of KREUZER and he’s drawn to enjoy the right run in transit for top jock Jarrad Noske. Was supported in betting ($8.50 to $6.50) last start and while he was no match for the impressive winner, his closing Daily Sectionals weren’t that inferior, with his 11.58-second final 200 metre time suggesting he was very strong through the line. This looks a good option for KREUZER and he’s a solid each-way play in an open maiden. RED MOON almost caused an upset when leading and being collared right on the line as a $61 chance at Ascot last start. Relished the positive tactics on that occasion and a similar aggressive ride from Joe Azzopardi should see this fellow fighting out the finish. TRIPELETTO was most disappointing as a $2.70 favourite on debut, with the occasion appearing to get the better of him, and Michael Lane has ripped the blinkers off, and added ear muffs and a lugging bit, to try and get him to chill out a bit. Trial form and that strong starting price suggests he can gallop and we’re expecting sharp improvement from him second up, while ARGOON is honest enough and should enjoy the right run in transit from his low draw.

Tips: 1-3-9-8
Suggested: 1. RED MOON win.

1. RED MOON
3. TRIPELETTO
9. CLASSY MARCY
8. FLYING TRIX

* Numbers amended after Final Scratchings

RACE 3 MY TRUCK WASH EXPRESS MAIDEN 2:50 PM (1200M)

Interesting three-year-old maiden this one and we’ve been tracking DEMTIMES for a while now, and he appears to get his chance. Really liked his January 15 trial, before chasing hard behind the very sharp How To Fly first up at Ascot when not really that suited under the sit-and-sprint conditions. That pipe-opener should bring him forward for this assignment and this isn’t as strong as what he faced last start, while Ryan Hill should be able to park up somewhere in the first four/five from his inside draw. Has a bit of class about him DEMTIMES. COOL SERENITY suffered from cardiac arrhythmia at Pinjarra last start, but her follow-up January 29 trial suggests she’s taken no harm from that traumatic experience, chiming in stylishly to account for Frosty Beverage, who raced well at Ascot on Wednesday. First-up run behind Masquerade and Double The Pro stacks up, and this filly must rate among the main winning chances. We liked MUMSTHEONE first up an she ran well after firming in betting, leading and getting collared late. Blinkers going on is a bonus and this fellow can race on speed and go close, while we liked the way WESTERN MAGIC stretched out in her February 5 trial win and wouldn’t be surprised to see her work home well first up.

Tips: 3-8-2-9
Suggested: 3. DEMTIMES win (1) & place (3).

3. DEMTIMES
8. COOL SERENITY
2. MUMSTHEONE
9. WESTERN MAGIC

RACE 4 INFINITE ENERGY HANDICAP 3:25 PM (1675M)

We have a strong opinion of NELSON’S FLIGHT and while he’s been all over the shop this prep, his effort at Pinjarra last Saturday suggests he’s on his way back to form. Not sure what’s been going on with him this summer after showing a heap of potential when last in work, but he did everything right when racing on-speed last start and was only 1.5 lengths away from the third placegetter on that occasion. NELSON’S FLIGHT is likely to roll to the front without too much pressure and if he’s anywhere near right he should prove too hard to catch. AWESOME AS competed very well in last Saturday’s Pearl Classic and will no doubt enjoy racing back at her at favourite track. Shaun McGruddy has a good record on her and she’s going to attract a lot of support. PRYING TOM comes back to the mile after racing three-wide without cover throughout over the 2000m at Pinjarra last Saturday. That effort was reasonable under the circumstances and he’s likely to enjoy a much softer run in transit here, while OUR MATE AL comes through the same race as NELSON’S FLIGHT and did win a similar assignment to this here back on December 29.

Tips: 5-4-3-6
Suggested: 5. NELSON’S FLIGHT win.

5. NELSON’S FLIGHT
4. AWESOME AS
3. PRYING TOM
6. OUR MATE AL

RACE 5 COLLIE CRANE HIRE MAIDEN 3:55 PM (1675M)

BLACK ATTACK has been rather costly for her supporters recently, but we’re going to saddle up again and lock her in on top. The Vaughn Sigley-trained filly was truck-loaded into $1.85 when beaten by Brother Paddy two back and was a $3.90 chance in an Ascot Class 1 last start, but couldn’t get into the race after going back to last from barrier 11. That last run was actually quite solid under the circumstances and with even luck in running back in maiden company, BLACK ATTACK should be winning. PERCENTAGE PLAY looks a chance on the back of a competitive effort at Ascot last start, and if Kate Fitzgerald can get him away cleanly they should be able to lead or at least land somewhere in the first three/four. 18-start maiden VITAL BOOM can’t seem to get it done down in the Great Southern, but his consistent form suggests he has to be included in the numbers. Going to get a nice smother from his low draw and he’s a must for your exotics, while we’re expecting POKEMON PETE to roll forward after performing only fairly with a patient ride last start. He can improve into the top four.

Tips: 13-8-1-7
Suggested: 13. BLACK ATTACK win (1) & place (3).

13. BLACK ATTACK
8. PERCENTAGE PLAY
1. VITAL BOOM
7. POKEMON PETE

RACE 7 BARRY ALLEN ELECTRICAL SERVICES HANDICAP 5:05 PM (1400M)

This is the best race of the day for ours. Always had an opinion of GRADUAL INCLINE and reckon he’s going to be mighty hard to beat here. Showed plenty during his three-year-old season and he returned to winning form fourth up at Esperance last start, racing outside leader on top of the hottest tempo of the day and boxing on very well in the straight. That was a really strong win under the circumstances and we’re expecting him to take some beating again. FLOWER OF SCOTLAND has more than her share of ability and the Paige Kenney stable has worked their way back into good form recently. This mare charged through the line in a very competitive Ascot assignment last start and from a high draw here, she should be getting back and running on well again. The ever-consistent SIXPENCE SPENT must be included in the discussion and has the services of red-hot apprentice Brodie Kirby. Loves racing on his home deck and this fellow is a lock for your exotics, while ITS NOT TRADING raced on speed and bolted in at Albany last start, and that performance was simply too strong to ignore.

Tips: 2-3-1-5
Suggested: 2. GRADUAL INCLINE win (1) & place (3).

2. GRADUAL INCLINE
3. FLOWER OF SCOTLAND
1. SIXPENCE SPENT
5. ITS NOT TRADING

RACE 8 EASTMAN & CO HANDICAP 5:40 PM (1200M)

It’s great having ‘The Pontiff’ Paul Harvey back in the saddle and his confidence is building with every ride, and we’re thinking he can cause a mini-upset in the last with ON THE TURPS. The David Harrison-trained four-year-old was strong through the line down the Straight 1000 first up at Pinjarra and was really good after covering additional ground in running, against some smart opposition, at Ascot last start. High draw isn’t ideal, but he has shown an ability to roll forward in the past, so they may opt to follow likely leader/favourite FRATERNIZE across. Regardless, ON THE TURPS looks set to peak third up and we’re keen on him each way. FRATERNIZE is clearly the horse to beat, and he justified his $2.05 quote when winning and leading over this Track/Distance last start. Looked right back on top of his game after an indifferent second-up effort and this fellow looks set to take some beating again. DIA DE LA RAZA raced outside leader chasing the fastest early tempo of the day at Ascot last start and copped a squeeze in the straight, so the run was actually full of merit. No surprise to see him improve back in this company, while FAIR NAKITA has a top record on her home track and her form reads well after chasing home the flying Snow Blossom last start.

Tips: 6-1-2-5
Suggested: 6. ON THE TURPS win (1) & place (3).

6. ON THE TURPS
1. FRATERNIZE
2. DIA DE LA RAZA
5. FAIR NAKITA