Race 1 – 1:22PM LINMAC BEARING EQUIPMENT MAIDEN (2200 METRES)

Looks the race for BRUNY ISLAND to break through for an overdue maiden win. Has had three runs back from a lengthy absence and shouldn’t be troubled stepping up from 1800m, with this unlikely to be a true test of stamina. May find the front or stalk the leader, but should get the job done regardless. FUSION is the logical danger, coming off a 2000m Pinjarra placing with William Pije climbing on board. Maps soft and is certainly suited down on 54.5kg. CONTENTIONAL came forward nicely second up and can elevate even further, while long-time maiden KEBALAH can box on into fourth.

Tips: 2-7-3-1
Suggested: 2. BRUNY ISLAND win.

2. BRUNY ISLAND
7. FUSION
3. CONTENTIONAL
1. KEBALAH

Race 2 – 2:05PM MJB INDUSTRIES MAIDEN (1400 METRES)

Liked the Lark Hill 16/12 trial from SANS LE SOU and expecting her to go close on debut. Hails from a powerful stable and Jade McNaught would’ve had the pick of the three Durrant runners, so happy to follow her judgement also. Maps to enjoy a lovely on-pace run in transit and should get her chance. A race fit/in form KITGUM has to rate highly with Chris Parnham back from a short hiatus. Has strong Tycoon Storm form and will roll forward from a high draw. WINNIE’S WINE was doing her best work late first up and is a major player up in trip, and must respect Peters Inc debutante TREASURED CROWN.

Tips: 11-2-6-5
Suggested: 11. SANS LE SOU each way.

11. SANS LE SOU
2. KITGUM
6. WINNIE’S WINE
5. TREASURED CROWN

Race 3 – 2:40PM HERITAGE WATER TANKS MAIDEN (1000 METRES)

Tricky race and ended up sticking with the strength in the William Pike-ridden DEW WEST. Stretched out nicely in her Lark Hill 2/12 trial, but after a slow getaway didn’t have a lot of luck when resuming at Narrogin, enduring quite a tough run three-and-four wide. With positive tactics, Dew West can land outside leader and impact from there. Durrant-trained first-upper GREAT HEIST will have a heap of admirers. $6.50 in a hot race on debut, so that’s a nice SP profile, and trialled up well at Lark Hill 16/12. Go forward types SEA WAIF and PROJECTION both warrant consideration on debut.

Tips: 6-1-9-5
Suggested: 6. DEW WEST win.

6. DEW WEST
1. GREAT HEIST
9. SEA WAIF
4. PROJECTION

Race 4 – 3:10PM WEATHERSAFE WA MAIDEN (1000 METRES)

Pretty keen on NURHACI first up. Showed a bit last prep and was a $2.90 chance at his Belmont 31/07 debut, and it was hard not to notice how well he covered the ground in his Lark Hill 16/12 trial win. If he can hold a position from gate one, in what looks like being a faster-than-average tempo, he’s going to take some holding out late. Likely leader ROCK THE PLANET ran into a fast one last start, but did play up in the gates a miss a run recently. Still, if she’s on her best behaviour she’ll take some running down. Go-forward first-uppers BRUCE ALMIGHTY and INDIGO WILD are major players also.

Tips: 6-8-1-7
Suggested: 6. NURHACI win.

6. NURHACI
8. ROCK THE PLANET
1. BRUCE ALMIGHTY
7. INDIGO WILD

Race 5 – 3:40PM TROY GARD MEMORIAL HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

Can’t go past TIME TO SIZZLE. Ended up drifting alarmingly late ($1.50 to $2) when playing up behind the gates first up at Ascot 11/12, but punters need not have been concerned, as she glided her way to the lead and stormed clear to win by a significant 4.6L. This filly is obviously very fast and has a bright future, so while she’ll be super short, she should just win again. JENJA is a filly with some ability though and she’s a standout second pick. Has strong formlines and suited from gate one. ROUTE EIGHTY EIGHT should be close to peaking third up, while OLIVIA KNOWS is a top-four contender.

Tips: 9-2-3-8
Suggested: 9. TIME TO SIZZLE win.

9. TIME TO SIZZLE
2. JENJA
3. ROUTE EIGHTY EIGHT
8. OLIVIA KNOWS

Race 6 – 4:10PM KOOK A KRUMB HANDICAP (1675 METRES)

Sticking with NICE GO. Got the confidence-boosting win she was looking for fourth up at Pinjarra 19/12, enjoying plenty of advantages in the run and cashing in. Is on the comeback from a long absence, so she does appear capable of elevating further, and should enjoy another nice run in transit from gate one. AVA EXPRESS ran really well first up and really should’ve won or at least finished second. Comes forward again and Pike hopping on looks a positive also. FRIAR’S FANTASIA continues to hit the line hard, but gives away head starts, while JARMAN was strong late in a fast Pinjarra 19/12 race.

Tips: 6-3-1-2
Suggested: 6. NICE GO win.

6. NICE GO
3. AVA EXPRESS
1. FRIAR’S FANTASIA
2. JARMAN

Race 7 – 4:45PM BIS – BUNBURY INSULATION SERVICES HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

COCKY DODD rises sharply in grade, but confident he can measure up. Has always promised plenty and trainer Tim Crosby looked to have him back in the zone, after punching the breeze three-wide the entire and drawing clear late for an impressive first-up win. That result rated very highly on the day and if he can hit that mark again, he’s going to prove very hard to beat. BEAUTY KANAS won first up in this grade at Ascot 11/12 and appears very well placed again, especially from gate one. Can win again, while MISTY LAD and ROADRAGER come through the same race and are both considered major players.

Tips: 9-7-4-8
Suggested: 9. COCKY DODD win.

9. COCKY DODD
7. BEAUTY KANAS
4. MISTY LAD
8. ROADRAGER

Race 8 – 5:25PM JETLINE KERBING CONTRACTORS HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

TINTO BELLE looks a really nice horse in the making and expecting her to win again. Ran into potential superstar This’ll Testya first up, but followed up with a big-finishing win this track/distance, clocking the standout closing splits on the day. This mare has some strengths and the Watkins/Whiting combo is a good one, especially at Bunbury. LADIES OF LONDON can elevate third up after appearing a touch plain when $2.70 last time. Nice draw, shouldn’t be far away. Blinkers go on DANCE COCKEY, who is better placed in this grade, while DEANGLES and NORTON are both worth including in exotics.

Tips: 5-3-2-6
Suggested: 5. TINTO BELLE win.

5. TINTO BELLE
3. LADIES OF LONDON
2. DANCE COCKEY
6. DEANGLES
13. NORTON

**This edition of #TheLegUp by @thoroheadsWA originally published at 9:00am on Friday 27 December 2019