Race 1 – 1:12PM CHAFF CITY MAIDEN HANDICAP (1705 METRES)

ATLANTIC RULER should be giving this a shake. No luck at Ascot two back and worked home well enough where the winner scored by 3.6L last start, so should appreciated coming back to this level. Maps nicely and gets her chance. WHO’S A PRETTY GAL has been really competitive recently and is race-hardened over the mile. Has to to be a major player. MARCASITE landed on-speed and boxed on well last start, while first-starter ZINGANO has only plain trial form, but has a reasonable pedigree and must respect the Lindsey Smith stable.

Tips: 6-2-7-5
Suggested: 6. ATLANTIC RULER win.

6. ATLANTIC RULER
2. WHO’S A PRETTY GAL
7. MARCASITE
5. ZINGANO

Race 2 – 1:47PM TABTOUCH – BETTER YOUR BET MAIDEN HANDICAP (1116 METRES)

One of the better contests on the card and ended up with MODERN TIMES on top. Breezed outside leader and faded second up at Pinjarra last Thursday, but does look suited coming back slightly in distance and the blinkers going on could be exactly what this fellow needs. Looks the one. Have quite liked the last two trial performances from first-starter RAGTIME BAND and he can begin well enough to make the most of gate one. Will be interesting to see how the cutaway plays on the day also, while MY BLUEBOY and THE NATUROPATH are obvious genuine contenders also.

Tips: 2-4-1-7
Suggested: 2. MODERN TIMES win.

2. MODERN TIMES
4. RAGTIME BAND
1. MY BLUEBOY
7. THE NATUROPATH

Race 3 – 2:22PM AMELIA PARK MAIDEN HANDICAP (1116 METRES)

Happy to be on board with AGENT JAY. Ran some solid raced behind some decent opposition during his summer campaign and he looks suited taking on this line up. Should land in a lovely stalking position from this low draw, and with Shaun McGruddy and S.J. Miller both in good form, Agent Jay ticks quite a few boxes. PALAVER will find this assignment a touch easier than last start and may also appreciate being ridden with cover after punching the breeze on that occasion. Placed to advantage. SIZZLING AFFAIR wasn’t far away first up, while likely leader FORWARD THINKER may take some catching on debut.

Tips: 1-3-6-2
Suggested: 1. AGENT JAY win.

1. AGENT JAY
3. PALAVER
6. SIZZLING AFFAIR
2. FORWARD THINKER

Race 4 – 2:57PM FURPHY – REFRESHING ALE HANDICAP (1016 METRES)

MISS MERIT stands out. Was huge in defeat at Ascot two back and was a bit stiff not to get the job done last start also, when a tearaway leader and getting bogged down in the inferior part of the track late. With a more economical ride out in front, Miss Merit should be able to hold these at bay. VIC import AMASTRYKER looks a genuine threat though having been an $11 chance in Rtg 70+ company at Albany last start. Drops significantly in grade, maps sweetly and the blinkers go on also. DE PLACE has shown enough at trials to warrant consideration on debut, while MADRID CENTRO was really good last start.

Tips: 2-1-3-5
Suggested: 2. MISS MERIT win.

2. MISS MERIT
1. AMASTRYKER
3. DE PLACE
5. MADRID CENTRO

Race 5 – 3:37PM PERKINS BUILDERS HANDICAP (1116 METRES)

Wide-open first leg of the quaddie and with low confidence opted for STIRLING ESTATE. This campaigner ran well in a similar assignment to this last start and with positive tactics from the high draw, may even be able to find the rail in front. Well placed at this level and should take some beating. ANGELIQUE’S FAME is coming off a big 1208m win with 59.5kg last time. Must rate highly again. The bar plates go on CRISTAL DANE, but if she’s right she’ll go close, while both SOULSANA and FOXY ROYALE are both worth including in your exotics.

Tips: 6-3-8-5
Suggested: 6. STIRLING ESTATE each way.

6. STIRLING ESTATE
3. ANGELIQUE’S FAME
8. CRISTAL DANE
5. SOULSANA
2. FOXY ROYALE

Race 6 – 4:12PM JCW ELECTRICAL HANDICAP (1216 METRES)

RAGING ROCKET looks ready to win. The Great Southern visitor caught the eye at Albany two back and ran really well when $41 at Ascot 10/04, finishing a competitive fourth. Maps to enjoy a lovely run with Jade McNaught in the saddle and this looks a good option for him. DANEFIN has a good record at this track, including a solid last-start second over 1410m. Should be thereabouts again. MASSA MAC is capable of challenging for a top-four finish, while likely leader DOLLY EM can give this a nudge if the track is advantaging the on-speed brigade.

Tips: 7-2-5-6
Suggested: 7. RAGING ROCKET win.

7. RAGING ROCKET
2. DANEFIN
5. MASSA MAC
6. DOLLY EM

Race 7 – 4:45PM SKY RACING.TV PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP HEAT (1216 METRES)

Plenty of hopes in this Provincial Championship Series Heat and going a touch wide with ON RED ALERT on top. Feld this fellow’s Bunbury 6/04 trial was full of merit and he was a bit stiff not to score first up at Pinjarra last week. Drops to 56.5kg, should be able to hold a mid/back running position and the cutaway in play enhances his chances also. REWRITE THE STARS is always well found by the market and this will be no exception. Low draw and weight are positives, but has been troubled by niggling feet issues all prep. Class runners PEPPIJACK and ICE TRADE have top-four claims also.

Tips: 9-3-6-7
Suggested: 9. ON RED ALERT each way.

9. ON RED ALERT
3. PEPPIJACK
6. ICE TRADE
7. GIFTED WARRIOR

*Numbers amended after scratchings

Race 8 – 5:15PM BUNBURY PLUMBING SERVICES HANDICAP (2038 METRES)

Honest type SAN CRISPINO looks well placed coming down in grade and gets a terrific opportunity to return to winning form. Rarely far away at the finish of her races and while she has been mainly sticking to the 1400m-1600m range, she does have a 2000m victory to her name. Maps soft from this low draw, loves racing at Bunbury and should prove hard to counter. I’M A LOVE MAN was well-commissioned and just missed in a similar event last start. Should roll forward and try to out-stay his rivals. Last-start winners CAPTAIN JACK and ADMIRAL PROMO make appeal, as does 3YO filly POMME.

Tips: 4-13-10-9
Suggested: 4. SAN CRISPINO win.

4. SAN CRISPINO
13. I’M A LOVE MAN
10. CAPTAIN JACK
9. ADMIRAL PROMO
3. POMME

**This edition of #TheLegUp by @thoroheadsWA originally published at 7:00am on Wednesday 22 April 2020