RACE 1 PHILMAC HANDICAP 1:20 PM (2019M)

You could make a case for each of the six acceptors in this middle-distance opener, but it’s crystal clear this is the race for REEF KEEPER. We felt he was a winning chance in Graduation 62+ grade at Ascot last Saturday and after being ridden more patiently than usual, the four-year-old hit the line hard to finish a closing third. Trainer Daniel O’Connor has placed REEF KEEPER perfectly here, coming back to the provincials after five consecutive metropolitan outings, and we feel as though he has a clear class edge on his opposition. Should just win. Trainer Martin Allan has done a remarkable job patching up former NSW galloper SOLAR SKY, with rock-solid form in four starts since returning from an injury-enforced layoff. Liked his effort in Rating 66+ company last Saturday and while SOLAR SKY does rise sharply in the weights, his formlines stack up well back in this class. We were keen on NEW AGE last start and while the run was a pass, she did appear to be a little dour, so the rise in distance here should suit. Progressive enough four-year-old and you can never discard Adam Durrant-trained stayers, while BLACKBEEL got all the favours when winning last start, but there’s no denying this fellow has his share of ability and we expect a competitive effort at his first outing beyond the mile.

Tips: 3-5-4-2
Suggested Bet: (3) REEF KEEPER to win.

3. REEF KEEPER
5. NEW AGE
4. BLACKBEEL
2. BALMONTGOMERY

*Amended after Final Scratchings.

RACE 2 VALMONT IRRIGATION MAIDEN 1:55 PM (1108M)

We have a bit of time for OKINA KURI and are happy to have him on top at his first appearance in 99 days. Raced really well in three winter Saturday outings at Belmont, with wide barriers making life difficult for him at that level, but the Vern Brockman-prepared youngster will be licking his lips at the thought of an inside gate here. OKINA KURI has raced exclusively in town against quality opposition and has more than held his own, so this does look a nice change of pace for him, and we’re fairly confident about his winning chances here. Spruik filly MACROY dominated the barrier trials prior to an okay debut performance when filling the minor placing as an easing $2.35 favourite. The fourth placegetter Significant Streak did come out and win well at Northam recently, so the form out of that race has stacked up. and MACROY will naturally benefit from the raceday experience. Is better than what she showed on debut. First-starter OUTLAW ONE couldn’t have done a lot more than he has in three trial appearances and he was fairly convincing when getting the better of ROGER THE DODGER at Belmont recently. Covers the ground nicely and has tactical speed, so we’re predicting a bold showing on debut, while fellow first-starter JESTER DINI improved sharply at his latest trial and is set to enjoy a soft run in transit from a low draw.

Tips: 1-4-3-2
Suggested Bet: (1) OKINA KURI win & place (1 x 3 units).

1. OKINA KURI
4. OUTLAW ONE
3. JESTER DINI
2. PRINCE O’LARA

*Amended after Final Scratchings.

RACE 3 NELSON IRRIGATION MAIDEN 2:30 PM (1690M)

The highly-promising BRUTUS MAXIMUS is second emergency in this weekend’s WA Guineas at Ascot and if he doesn’t get a run there, he really should be dominating this mile maiden. Now in the care of David Harrison, this hulking colt worked home well on debut, before catching everyone’s eye with a barnstorming effort against some of the best of his division in the Fairetha Stakes last Saturday week. Only Guineas favourite Money Maher ran home faster on that occasion and that black-type formline obviously stands out back in provincial maiden company here. BRUTUS MAXIMUS looks perfectly placed to break through and only bad luck stands in his way. TECHNICAL LIMIT was met with strong support at each of his three runs this campaign and has competed pretty well, going down only a long neck in a similar assignment to this last start. Some key gear changes helped him race more tractably on that occasion and TECHNICAL LIMIT should be peaking for this fourth-up assignment. SOUL EXPRESS caught the eye at Northam last start when climbing all over heels in the straight, and with clear galloping room he no doubt goes close to winning. Improved nicely on that occasion and we’d be surprised if he doesn’t finish in the first four, while MY KIWI DREAM got back and worked home first up at Ascot and appears likely to appreciate this longer journey. Old-fashioned stayer in the making and must be included in your exotic bets.

Tips: 6-2-7-8
Suggested Bet: (6) BRUTUS MAXIMUS to win.

6. BRUTUS MAXIMUS
2. TECHNICAL LIMIT
7. SOUL EXPRESS
8. MY KIWI DREAM

RACE 4 TORO AUSTRALIA MAIDEN 3:00 PM (1410M)

Quite a few chances in this all aged maiden, with about eight acceptors putting up their hands as top-four contenders, however, we feel as though this is the day for OUQBA JACK to salute. Met with reasonable support when taking on the well-regarded Red Army third up last start, but simply had no luck with the early leader (TIME STANDS STILL) falling back in his lap on the turn and dragging him right out of contention. OUQBA JACK did dust himself off and work home well enough, from a virtual standing start, and there’s no doubt he would’ve fought out the finish had he not being interfered with. High draw means he’ll be drifting back and running on, but OUQBA JACK can gallop and we’re backing him in to get the job done. BRISTOL ROAD will no doubt attract his share of admirers as he maps to enjoy a suitable on-pacer run in transit, out of trouble. Jason Whiting appears to have stuck with this fellow in preference to FULL DISCLOSURE and BRISTOL ROAD appears set to be afforded every opportunity. RAMRUEY has drifted back to worse than midfield and finished off well at his two starts for new trainer Anne King, and deserves an opportunity to stretch out to seven furlongs for the first time. Drawn to enjoy a soft run in transit and they may attempt to hold a more forward position in running from barrier one, so he has to rate among the better chances, while FAIR TEQUILA caught the eye second up at Northam and will more than likely be tracking OUQBA JACK in running.

Tips: 8-1-4-11
Suggested Bet: (8) OUQBA JACK win & place (1 x 3 units).

8. OUQBA JACK
1. BRISTOL ROAD
4. RAMRUEY
11. FAIR TEQUILA

RACE 5 VINIDEX MAIDEN 3:30 PM (1208M)

Really tricky first leg of the late Quaddie, but we were impressed with the first-up performance of LUNA ROSSA last start and have opted to go his way. In the care of second-season trainer Josh Krispyn, this former $220,000 yearling didn’t measure up for original trainer Neville Parnham and has found a new home in the south west. After being specked late in betting, LUNA ROSSA ran sharp sectionals to finish second at Northam and the 2-1/2 length margin to the third placegetter is always a good sign, and with a clean getaway should enjoy a sweet run in transit from barrier one. Not a heap of confidence, but LUNA ROSSA should give his supporters a run for their money. Three-year-old STAN BY ME impressed with a soft trial win at Belmont recently, maturing nicely after a three fair trial results as a juvenile. Hard not to like the way this fellow covered the ground, in reasonable time. and we’re expecting him to fire on debut. Another first starter to show up at the trials is the Marcus Forrest-prepared RINGER SOAK, who hails from one of WA’s great racing families that includes the likes of Rogan Josh, Marasco and Machine Gun Tom. RINGER SOAK, who will be Forrest’s first starter since April 2006, has stretched out nicely at the trials and went to the line with plenty in the tank at her most recent hit out last Friday. Worth keeping safe, while first upper MISSILE LAUNCH is a nice horse with his share of ability and must rate among the main winning chances.

Tips: 1-12-11-2
Suggested Bet: (1) LUNA ROSSA win & place (1 x 3 units).

1. LUNA ROSSA
12. STAN BY ME
11. RINGER SOAK
2. MISSILE LAUNCH

RACE 6 NETAFIM HANDICAP 4:00 PM (1208M)

Things get a bit easier for Quaddie players in this second leg with REGAL MOON a standout and easily the best of the day. The Peters Investments four-year-old was massive when resuming at Ascot, overcoming traffic issues at the top of the straight to charge late and run high-class three-year-old Salubrious to a short head over this journey. That fellow went on to run his heart out in the weight-for-age Lee Steere Stakes recently, and is a WA Guineas contender this weekend, so it’s fair to say the form stacks up. REGAL MOON appears to have a heap of class about her and, while she will be very short, she will be winning. FAIR NAKITA trialled well in the lead-up to her first-up appearance in the Regional Championships Heat, and she did a big job to finish as close as she did after punching the breeze in the three-wide line chasing a hot tempo. Should enjoy a more comfortable passage in transit here and we have her marginally ahead of stablemate FRIAR’S GIFT, who was really good first up in a strong Class 3 assignment last start. Expect him to make his presence felt, while AIRLIE SUN is capable of running a cheeky race fresh at big odds.

Tips: 7-3-5-1
Suggested Bet: (7) REGAL MOON to win.

7. REGAL MOON
3. FRIAR’S GIFT
5. AIRLIE SUN
1. SECRET ASSAULT

*Amended after Final Scratchings.

RACE 7 DAVEY WATER PRODUCTS HANDICAP 4:30 PM (1008M)

This race is a bit light on for chances and is really set up for likely favourite A GOOD PLAN to get the cash. Hard in the market ($2.50) when resuming at Northam recently and he probably should’ve gone close to winning after encountering interference at a crucial stage in the straight. A GOOD PLAN saluted on debut here over this trip back in April, and we can see William Pike putting this bloke in the slot from his good draw and getting every conceivable chance. A GOOD PLAN wins. VITAL ASSET comes out of the same Northam event as A GOOD PLAN and was pretty good late after drifting back to last in the eight-horse field. Races well at this track and VITAL ASSET is a competitor, so we’d be surprised if he didn’t finish in the first four. BELLA’S KEEPER ran well first up in a similar assignment to this last start, finishing third to the promising Ambiente after covering additional ground in running. Blinkers have been added to her gear and this mare is a must for your exotic bets, while we didn’t particularly like the recent trial of first-upper YOU NO WHAT I MEAN, however, he has some ability and a strong starting-price profile, so he certainly warrants consideration.

Tips: 1-3-7-2
Suggested Bet: (1) A GOOD PLAN to win.

1. A GOOD PLAN
3. VITAL ASSET
7. BELLA’S KEEPER
2. YOU NO WHAT I MEAN

RACE 8 NAANDANJAIN HANDICAP 5:05 PM (1410M)

Hardest race of the day to finish up and we’re suggesting Quaddie players go wide, with more than half the field capable of winning without surprising. With low confidence levels, we settled on MEDOM after hitting the line hard behind start filly Mikimoto second up at Ascot last month, before an encouraging mid-prep trial at Lark Hill on Monday. MEDOM appears to have returned to racing in his seven-year-old season in really good order with new trainer Ted Martinovich and we wouldn’t be surprised to see him fighting out the finish at a good price. We respect AWESOME AS and he looks well suited coming back in grade after under-performing over 1800 metres at Ascot last Saturday. Appeared to over-race on that occasion and as a result didn’t finish off, but he was sent out a $7 chance in Ratings 66+ company and that is a very strong starting price profile. AWESOME AS has carried weight well in the past and is the class runner of the race. We liked the effort of SIRIUS PROSPECT at Ascot last start, leading and finishing behind promising types Sovereign Trade and Prince Turbo. Hoping to see him spear across from his wide alley to take up the running again, and if he can get there without burning too much fuel, then he’ll be thereabouts late, while DISCO RIFFIC isn’t really a 1400-metre horse but her recent form is too good to ignore and she shouldn’t have to spend a penny in running from a low draw.

Tips: 8-1-9-4
Suggested Bet: (8) MEDOM each way.

8. MEDOM
1. AWESOME AS
9. SIRIUS PROSPECT
4. DISCO RIFFIC

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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of the Bunbury Turf Club.