Race 1 – 1:10PM CAPEL VALE WINERY MAIDEN (2000 METRES)

We’re off an racing at the Bunbury Turf Club and thinking OUR D’AMOUR can get us off to a flyer at the 2020/21 season opener. Has two BTC placings to her name already and has produced two solid Northam results this time in work, so expecting her to be close to peaking at this stage of her prep. Having her first run over 2000m but does map soft for Ryan Hill so should have plenty of fuel in the tank to be strong late. Most will be pretty keen on MISS MARANTA, who has decent form and race-fitness on her side. Does lack a knockout punch, but this is a thin race and she won’t get many better opportunities to break though. Expecting REDMILL and apprentice Victoria Cover to roll forward and take some catching, while RUN LIKE FIRE can box on late into fourth.

Tips: 8-7-1-2
Suggested: 8. OUR D’AMOUR win.

8. OUR D’AMOUR
7. MISS MARANTA
1. REDMILL
2. BRUNY ISLAND
*Numbers amended after scratchings

Race 2 – 1:50PM MGIB MAIDEN (1400 METRES)

Opting to stick with FEAR THE WIND. Threw him out as a winning chance on debut at Ascot 14/10 but he ran into significant traffic issues in the straight and should’ve finished several lengths closer to the winner. Will have benefitted from the race experience and the step up to 1400m suits, as does this small field also, so Peter Hall should be able to ride patiently and save him up for one run at them late. Have a lot of time for SHE’S GOD TO YOU and expecting the market to come strongly for this 3YO filly. Good effort in a strong race first up at Ascot 17/10, but the pads being replaced by concussion plates suggests the stable is still not quite on top of some niggling hoof issues. ISLAND CHARM hasn’t done a lot wrong in her two appearances and should get things to suit from this low draw, while JUSTHANDY will find this easier than what she faced last start and is more than capable of pushing for a top-four finish.

Tips: 1-5-6-4
Suggested: 1. FEAR THE WIND win.

1. FEAR THE WIND
5. SHE’S GOD TO YOU
6. ISLAND CHARM
4. JUSTHANDY

Race 3 – 2:25PM TABTOUCH – BETTER YOUR BET MAIDEN (1400 METRES)

This is quite a competitive maiden but it does look a good option for PEACE PRIZE. Finished on their heels behind a couple of handy types first up at Northam and then almost launched over the top of them at Ascot last start, falling a head short of victory. Lou Luciani should have him peaking at this stage of his campaign and with clear galloping room from gate one, Peace Prize should get it done. MIGHTINESS struggled to keep up as a $2.80 fave with apprentice Ramoly on last start, but got going late and if not for traffic issues, really should’ve finished a couple of lengths closer. Has a lot to learn, but backing in Team Williams to have him sharpened up for this assignment. THERSYOURTROUBLE ran into a small but select midweek line up last start and will find this more suitable, while there has to be big watches on nicely-bred debutantes DARK LASS and SOVIET SPY.

Tips: 2-6-8-10
Suggested: 2. PEACE PRIZE win.

2. PEACE PRIZE
6. MIGHTINESS
8. THERSYOURTROUBLE
10. DARK LASS
7. SOVIET SPY

Race 4 – 2:55PM FURPHY – REFRESHING ALE MAIDEN (1400 METRES)

Like a couple of the first-starters in this 1400m Maiden and opted to side with SICHERN. Has finished behind the likes of Lord Lonsdale and Trade Fair Express in his two competitive lead-up trials, and that form looks strong in this line up. Expected to land on top of the speed with Ryan Hill in the saddle and he should get every opportunity to salute from there. Have been tracking the well-related BARONOVA at trials and expecting her to make her presence felt on debut. Will only get better with time and as the distances get longer, but she’s a filly to keep an eye out for. MELWOOD COAST has done well in his first two outings and all the form around him stacks up, so he has to be considered a top-four chance again, while SON SON has been well-schooled at trials, hails from the right camp and gets in with only 53kg on debut.

Tips: 11-1-10-3
Suggested: 11. BARONOVA win.

11. BARONOVA
1. MELWOOD COAST
10. SON SON
3. LONEHAND LARRY
*Numbers amended after scratchings

Race 5 – 3:34PM AUSMIC PEST CONTROL MAIDEN (1000 METRES)

With even luck from a sticky draw, a fresh ZAC LUVS TO FLY should be going close. Put in two good Pinjarra efforts back in August, with the form around those placings stacking up well, and the early-season 3YOs have been posting some strong results in recent weeks. There is a bit of early speed engaged, but still anticipating positivity from Craig Staples and from an on-pace running position Zac Loves To Fly should fight this one out. Had been tracking ARRACITY at trials and felt she was very stiff on debut at Ascot 14/10. Tough steer for apprentice Victoria Cover, but kept out of trouble this 4YO mare can be launching into the finish late. BAYZEL has trialled well twice leading into this first-up assignment and has to be considered a major player, while the likes of STUMBLE and PAEROA LAD will push forward early and box on late.

Tips: 4-7-9-2
Suggested: 4. ZAC LUVS TO FLY win.

4. ZAC LUVS TO FLY
7. ARRACITY
9. BAYZEL
2. STUMBLE
1. PAEROA LAD

Race 6 – 4:15PM THOMPSON SURVEYING HANDICAP (2200 METRES)

Quite a few winning hopes in this 2200m handicap, but thinking it could be the day for RACY AVA. Has always promised a bit and been restricted to only 19 starts through injury, but has been able to get some continuity this campaign and is a bit stiff not to have won one of her six outings. Like the booking of Peter Hall after being handled by claiming apprentices recently and Racy Ava should give you a run for your money. Hard to fault the recent form of BURN ONE DOWN and you always have to respect Durrant-trained stayers in these type of events. Lands on top of the speed and will take some getting past. SECRET PEARL is another racing consistently and certainly has the miles in her legs, so her fitness will take her a long way, while happy to forgive XAN BIO after her inexplicable last-start disappointment.

Tips: 1-3-4-2
Suggested: 1. RACY AVA win.

1. RACY AVA
3. BURN ONE DOWN
4. SECRET PEARL
2. XAN BIO

Race 7 – 4:50PM CIVILCON CONSTRUCTION HANDICAP (1675 METRES)

At time of publication, BOLLINGER BOY is double-engaged at Ascot 31/10 but if Adam Durrant opts to heads in this direction, this in-form 6YO will take some beating. Won a very slowly run 2100m event over the Kalgoorlie round and loomed to win over 2200m at Ascot last start, but couldn’t quite underneath 60kg. Appears really well suited back to the mile dropping to 58.5kg and with Peter Hall on board, Bollinger Boy should be too strong for them late. LYLE’S CHOICE is building trust with two solid results this prep and just needs to slot in from the outside alley to make an impact in this. Promising staying type PETTICOAT JUNCTION has her quirks, but no surprise to see her run a race fresh in this grade, while local lightweight BLAISZEN CAZAH improved significantly second up at Northam and should get his chance again on top of the speed back on his home deck.

Tips: 2-5-6-8
Suggested: 2. BOLLINGER BOY win.

2. BOLLINGER BOY
5. LYLE’S CHOICE
6. PETTICOAT JUNCTION
8. BLAISZEN CAZAH

Race 8 – 5:30PM AMELIA PARK HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

Decent contest to end opening day at the Bunbury Turf Club and while it’ll take a good steer from apprentice Laqdar Ramoly, pretty confident AIRLIE QUEEN is the horse to beat. Liked her on debut and she duly saluted, and her effort in a strong form race at Ascot 14/10 was eye-catching. Blinkers on is a sign of intent from Team Williams and Airlie Queen appears to be a filly with some class about her. Forget HOME IN FIVE went around last start when held up for the majority of the Ascot straight. The bar plates are still on in front, but you must respect the Michael Lane stable on their home ground. First-upper JAKESTAR is going to win his share of races and expecting him to jump, run and take some catching, while MINI WINNIE and THE SINGING TIGER can both overcome high draws to work their way into the finish.

Tips: 11-3-5-6
Suggested: 11. AIRLIE QUEEN win.

11. AIRLIE QUEEN
3. HOME IN FIVE
5. JAKESTAR
6. MINI WINNIE
4. THE SINGING TIGER

**This edition of #TheLegUp by @thoroheadsWA originally published at 7:00am on Friday 30 October 2020