Race 1 – 1:22PM MOSHI MOSHI MARKETING MAIDEN (1108 METRES)

Didn’t mind the debut performance of MEGAZONE and we’re thinking he can elevate second up. Was forced to do plenty of heavy lifting at Northam 17/10, working forward three-and-four wide after jumping from barrier 12, and he showed courage to only go down a long neck on the line. Likely to enjoy a smoother run in transit from the low draw, perhaps stalking the leading pair, and should get his chance from there. The visors are off EMERALD ROSE after she over-raced noticeably last start, giving Joe Azzopardi a torrid time. Was pocketed on the turn and never really found clear galloping room late on that occasion also, but while it was a forgive run, she is testing the patience of her supporters. EUPHONIOUS appreciated the good going on her home deck first up, looking home before being rolled late by promising type The Pen. Will be better for the hit out, while first starter COCKY DODD did a reasonable job when leading throughout to win a Lark Hill 22/10 trial with a bit in reserve.

Tips: 7-8-4-1
Suggested: 7. EMERALD ROSE win.

7. EMERALD ROSE
8. EUPHONIOUS
4. COCKY DODD
1. REDWOOD RANSOM

*Numbers amended after scratchings.

Race 2 – 1:57PM THE BULL AND BUSH TAVERN HANDICAP (1690 METRES)

Pretty keen on STAFFORD’S LAD here. Showed promise during his initial racing campaign, competing well against the likes of Red Army and Fair Sonari in maiden company, and he has caught the eye when running on late at both Bunbury 1200-metre outings this time in work. Drifted a long way back from barrier 10 last start but was doing his best work late, clocking a race-fastest 11.58 seconds for his final 200-metre split and giving the impression he’s ready to produce a peak performance. The distance is a slight query, but with no natural leader engaged, this is unlikely to be a true test of 1690 metres and Stafford’s Lad should be too good late. TRIPLE EXPRESS was the strongest late in a similar assignment to this here last Sunday week, maintaining a searching run to get within a length of the in-form Lennon’s Song. Obviously, her poor winning record is a consideration, but she only has to hold that form to give this a shake. CASLAVSKA pulled up lame when finishing well down the track as a $3.50 chance in this grade last start. Previous Northam 7/10 win was solid enough and her starting-price profile must be respected, while GLEN ALBYN doesn’t win but tries hard and has to be included in your exotics.

Tips: 3-7-4-5
Suggested: 3. STAFFORD’S LAD win.

3. STAFFORD’S LAD
7. TRIPLE EXPRESS
4. CASLAVSKA
5. GLEN ALBYN

Race 3 – 2:37PM RANGEVIEW STUD MAIDEN (1208 METRES)

This looks a good first-up option for REGAL COUNSEL. Well placed by the Trevor Andrews stable, this three-year-old colt matched motors will some very smart types as a juvenile and was doing his best work late in a Lark Hill 22/10 trial, hitting the line with plenty in the tank. Can be a slow starter, however, with a clean getaway from the nice draw he really should land in a suitable running position and have the superior closing speed to win. STAN BY ME continues to race well and should’ve finished closer third up at York 11/10 when held up and losing momentum at a vital stage. Should roll forward from a mid draw and box on well late. FIND THE GAP did anything but when resuming in a strong Ascot 24/10 maiden, however, he did work home well after getting clear when the race was all over. Maps to advantage and the blinkers going back on is a sign of intent, while HEAVENLY DUST caught the eye in her Lark Hill 15/10 trial when making up a stack of late ground after getting back and plotting a wide path on the turn.

Tips: 6-1-2-10
Suggested: 6. REGAL COUNSEL win.

6. REGAL COUNSEL
1. STAN BY ME
2. FIND THE GAP
10. HEAVENLY DUST

Race 4 – 3:15PM FURPHY – REFRESHING ALE MAIDEN (1208 METRES)

Good contest this with a host of chances on paper and we’re anticipating a strong debut performance from HIGHEST REGARD. Covered additional ground when finishing behind subsequent York winner Gates Of Babylon in a Lark Hill 25/09 trial, before holding the rail in front and stretching out well late for a comfortable Lark Hill 15/10 trial win. Darren Mcauliffe’s Impressive Racing stables has been in good form over the last month and from an inside draw, this three-year-old should go close. GREAT CHARADE is an obvious major player and should be peaking at his third run in. The blinkers come off stepping up to 1200 metres for the first time and this looks a suitable assignment for him, having competed against stronger opposition previously. Liked the debut effort of FRED DAG last Sunday week, drifting back in the field and running on well late, with his closing sectionals stacking up. Capable of landing closer to the lead from his low draw here, while first-upper BOMBARDMENT possess some particularly strong formlines and has been sharpened up for this with two lead-up trials.

Tips: 10-6-8-1
Suggested: 10. HIGHEST REGARD each way.

10. HIGHEST REGARD
6. GREAT CHARADE
8. FRED DAG
1. BOMBARDMENT

Race 5 – 3:50PM HIT FM MELBOURNE CUP DAY FASHIONS ON THE FIELD (1690 METRES)

Plenty of hopes in this mile maiden, but this does look the right race for MODERN NEWS to break through. A Natasha Stakes runner up in the autumn, this mare was massive in defeat here last Sunday week, storming home from 14th at the 400-metre mark to be beaten only a long head on the line, clocking a race-fastest 11.58 seconds for the final 200-metre split. That was some effort and from a low draw here, the daughter of Savabeel should enjoy a soft run in transit and prove very difficult to counter late. $625,000 yearling purchase FASHION ICON was backed from $3.10 to $2.60 favouritism at her York 11/10 debut and while the result looks a little plain on paper, the run was actually full of merit. with her closing sectionals stacking up well on the day. Should appreciate rising to the mile second up and she should conserve plenty of fuel in running from an inside alley. ORABREEZE lunged and just missed last Sunday week, doing a good job after covering additional ground in the three-wide line throughout. The David Harrison stable are flying and champion hoop Paul Harvey is starting to get his eye in also, while the blinkers go on BARBIE WILL DO who’s expected to drift back from an awkward draw and be doing her best work late.

Tips: 6-12-2-9
Suggested: 6. MODERN NEWS win.

6. MODERN NEWS
12. FASHION ICON
2. ORABREEZE
9. BARBIE WILL DO

Race 6 – 4:25PM TABTOUCH – BETTER YOUR BET HANDICAP (1008 METRES)

Confident BEAT THE BELL is the horse to beat first up. After showing up at trials back in May, we followed her closely during her initial racing campaign, which included a booming third placing behind star filly Fabergino at Belmont 2/06. Has displayed an ability to carve out brilliant closing sectionals and if she can be close enough in running from an awkward draw, then she should run over the top late. Have an opinion of ADAMUS and he lost no admirers last Sunday week when racing four-wide without cover throughout. Coming back to the 1008 metres is a slight query, but he still has to be respected. TOGETHER WE DREAM was afforded an easy time of things out in front on opening day, before cutting loose and clearing out for a dominant maiden win. That was impressive and she looks the likely leader again, while BRIAR WOOD is a barrier rogue but certainly has her share of ability.

Tips: 5-4-6-7
Suggested: 5. BEAT THE BELL win.

5. BEAT THE BELL
4. ADAMUS
6. TOGETHER WE DREAM
7. BRIAR WOOD

Race 7 – 5:00PM AMELIA PARK WINES HANDICAP (1410 METRES)

Simply couldn’t go past DECEPTION GAME. Will be sent out at very short odds against this opposition, however, only back luck stands in the way of him notching up a fourth straight win. The Adam Durrant-trained three-year-old knocked off handy types Lady Sass and Velago, prior to digging deep and overhauling the tough Awesome As over this Track/Distance last Sunday week. Has been so strong on the line at each of his three victories and with clear galloping room it’s hard seeing any of these being able to match him late. ELIZA’S DREAM appears to be the only runner capable of causing the upset. Has his share of ability and was doing his best work late first up in a high-rating Graduation Handicap here on opening day. Races well on his home track and has shown an ability to carry similar weight in the past. BARRY’S RABBIT has competed well at his two runs back from a break and does have a handy record over this Track/Distance. Comes through a strong form race and Glenn Smith going on is a positive, while first-upper MARCHIGIANO showed enough when last in work to be respected and will be better with the Lark Hill 15/10 trial hit out under his belt.

Tips: 2-1-3-4
Suggested: 2. DECEPTION GAME win.

2. DECEPTION GAME
1. ELIZA’S DREAM
3. BARRY’S RABBIT
4. MARCHIGIANO

Race 8 – 5:37PM MELBOURNE CUP DAY AT BUNBURY HANDICAP (1108 METRES)

Last year’s Bunbury Turf Club horse of the year SNOW BLOSSOM put the writing on the wall last start and looks set to give this a nudge. Didn’t come up on wet tracks during a winter prep, but she looked right back on track first up here on opening day, carving out strong closing sectional times that compared well with the gifted Royal Command. Coming back to the 1108 metres is a query and she will be giving her main rivals a head-start, but if she gets an opportunity to hit top gear then she’s going to make things interesting. BON VOYAGE is a bit of a riddle, but you have to respect the cerise and white. Failed inexplicably as an odds-on favourite first up, but looked sharp when winning a mid-prep trial at Lark Hill 22/10 and will have plenty of admirers. Gifted local mare PATAPUS looks suited from a low draw with only 56.5kg in this grade and she has to rate among the major players, while first-upper PUCK SHAPESHIFTER is unbeaten over this Track/Distance and trialled nicely behind the smart Pearls And Prawns at Lark Hill 22/10.

Tips: 5-8-7-1
Suggested: 5. SNOW BLOSSOM win.

5. SNOW BLOSSOM
8. BON VOYAGE
7. PATAPUS
1. PUCK SHAPESHIFTER