Race 1 – 1:25PM CIVILCON CONSTRUCTION MAIDEN (1200 METRES)

OLD MICK looks a nice horse in the making and thinking he can knock off the likely hot fave SPECIAL BEAU. Old Mick showed up at trials and was good on debut, leading till being swamped late by a smart one in Special Choice. Expected to hold up in front again and should elevate with race experience. Special Beau was fairly green at his Northam debut, but really got going when balancing up over the final 200m. Will be very hard to hold out. Didn’t mind the run of EXCLUSIVE ZULU in a fast 1000m race last time, while CARLTON CASTLE has shown enough at trials to warrant consideration on debut.

Tips: 8-6-3-5
Suggested: 8. OLD MICK win.

8. OLD MICK
6. SPECIAL BEAU
3. CARLTON CASTLE
5. PEARL DANCER

*Numbers amended after Final Scratchings.

Race 2 – 1:55PM WESTERN MEAT PACKERS MAIDEN (1200 METRES)

NATIVE CHIMES will be all the rage, but really liked the Lark Hill 7/10 trial win from CHOKSLAM and she capable of saluting on debut. Choklam is closely related to and hails from the same stable as former top sprinter Volkoff, and appears to have inherited some of her speed also. From a nice draw, she’ll be coiled up in transit and let down with strength late. Native Chimes was huge first up this track/distance and a bit stiff to run into Special Choice. Stands out as the horse to beat. First-upper SOLARIZE impressed with his recent trial win, while INSTANT HIT can improve sharply second up.

Tips: 5-8-1-9
Suggested: 5. CHOKSLAM win.

5. CHOKSLAM
8. NATIVE CHIMES
1. SOLARIZE
9. INSTANT HIT

Race 3 – 2:30PM QUBE PORTS & BULK STEVEDORING MAIDEN (1400 METRES)

This looks the right race for CASA ROSADA. Showed plenty of potential as a juvenile and returned to racing with an impressive effort, coming from 11th at the 400m with some of the best closing splits of the day. Looks suited from a low draw rising in trip, and with even luck should be winning. Thought the LEICA JAGUAR run was better than it looked last start and his previous Northam effort reads well. Can improve into the finish. ALL THE JULZ was swamped late in a busy finish last time and should be thereabouts again, while lookout for backmarker MR FAHRENHEIT swooping late with blinkers on.

Tips: 9-2-8-4
Suggested: 9. CASA ROSADA win.

9. CASA ROSADA
2. LEICA JAGUAR
8. ALL THE JULZ
4. MR FAHRENHEIT

Race 4 – 3:10PM MAINSPRAY MAIDEN (1400 METRES)

SUPERSTORM will be super short, but should just win. The highly-regarded Peters Investments 3YO suffered a shock defeat on debut at Belmont 31/08, but did plenty wrong and will derive significant benefit from the race experience. This is a thin maiden and Superstorm only needs clear running to take care of these. Didn’t mind the debut effort from PETTICOAT JUNCTION when finishing off well, and should hold a more prominent running position with blinkers on from this low draw. First-upper RAPID EYE MOVEMENT has shown a bit and maps to advantage, while MR KUNAFA has caught the eye at trials.

Tips: 6-12-4-7
Suggested: 6. SUPERSTORM win.

6. SUPERSTORM
12. PETTICOAT JUNCTION
4. MR KUNAFA
7. AMAZING LOVE

*Numbers amended after Final Scratchings.

Race 5 – 3:45PM SOUTH WEST ISUZU HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

Plenty of speed engaged in this short-course dash and on paper there should be fireworks early, with EXCISE FREE appearing most suited from the map. Does rise to 60kg, but has been really quite good in better races than this at her past two outings, and back on her home track should take some beating. First-upper MY LAINA is unbeaten at the Bunbury 1000m and wasn’t knocked around in her lead-up trial. Raced well in town last prep and she’s expected to fire fresh. MISSING PRO has her share of ability and last prep’s Samizdat from stands out, while eastern-states import ROADRAGER is a big watch.

Tips: 1-4-3-2
Suggested: 1. EXCISE FREE win.

1. EXCISE FREE
4. MY LAINA
3. MISSING PRO
2. ROADRAGER

Race 6 – 4:20PM QUBE BULK TRANSPORT HANDICAP (1675 METRES)

Can make a case for most of these and with low confidence landed on LOCOMOTIVE. Wasn’t alone in being steamrolled by Cockney Crew two back and boxed on bravely after racing three wide/no cover last time. Maps leader’s back, so should get every chance from there. KIA ORA STAR has raced really well this prep, but just can’t seem to crack it for a win. Placed to advantage coming back in grade though and looks hard to beat. Anticipating sharp improvement from CHAPASCO after a sub-standard Kalgoorlie effort last time, while all the form around likely leader TAMPERING FALLS stacks up strong.

Tips: 2-1-3-4
Suggested: 2. LOCOMOTIVE win.

2. LOCOMOTIVE
1. KIA ORA STAR
3. CHAPASCO
4. TAMPERING FALLS

Race 7 – 4:55PM BOQ BUNBURY HANDICAP (2000 METRES)

Rare to see horses win first up over 2000m in these parts, but THROWDOWN is an old-fashioned stayer and is going to give this a shake at his first start in 165 days. Has been readied for this assignment with two Lark Hill 1450m trials, and did win on debut over 1920m at York 11/11/18, so he certainly has the capabilities. TWENTYTHREE RED tries hard and looks ready for a peak performance third up. Boxed on well in a fast race at Northam last time. ASTRONOMITE is suited from gate one back in grade, PROXY is a big weight-dropper, while NOT AGAIN KEN can bob up without surprising.

Tips: 5-2-1-12
Suggested: 5. THROWDOWN each way.

5. THROWDOWN
2. TWENTYTHREE RED
1. ASTRONOMITE
12. PROXY
4. NOT AGAIN KEN

Race 8 – 5:30PM TREVOR AND SUE ROSE HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

Gate one may prove problematic, but with even luck, DEVOTED STAR should be too sharp for these first up. A half-sister to gun sprinter Enticing Star, this 4YO has shown significant potential over the journey and looked in good order when closing hard late to win her Belmont 1/10 trial. Was a Bunbury winner on debut and appears primed to fire fresh. Have a bit of time for first-upper HE’S A GUNSLINGER and if the fave encounters traffic issues, this is the horse that can cash in. Recent trial win was sharp. SANABREANNA, FOO TROUBLE and GUNFLINT are all capable of challenging first up also.

Tips: 6-5-10-2
Suggested: 6. DEVOTED STAR win.

6. DEVOTED STAR
5. HE’S A GUNSLINGER
10. SANABREANNA
2. FOO TROUBLE

**This edition of #TheLegUp by @thoroheadsWA originally published at 9:00am on Friday 18 October 2019