Race 1 – 12:32PM HIT’S JESSE & JUELZ MAIDEN (1410 METRES)

Only a small field but this is a good contest to kick off Bunbury’s annual Melbourne Cup Day celebration, and ended up landing on NATIVE CHIMES. Very stiff to run into subsequent Belgravia Stakes placegetter Special Choice first up and had genuine excuses when getting rolled as an odds-on fave in a fast race last time. You’d imagine she’ll get every opportunity on this occasion, looks ready for the 1410m at this stage of her prep, and should get the job done. Expecting RED HOT TIP to make his presence felt on debut after showing up at trials. Hit the line with strength to win his Lark Hill 21/10 heat and appears to have his share of ability. Will be well supported. As will Peters Investments runner SPECIAL BEAU, who has gone close at both outings so far. Suited up in trip and will naturally improve with race experience, while CASA ROSADA caught the eye first up and should’ve gone close to winning last time, when held up noticeably in traffic late.

Tips: 3-2-1-5
Suggested: 3. NATIVE CHIMES win.

3. NATIVE CHIMES
2. RED HOT TIP
1. SPECIAL BEAU
5. CASA ROSADA

Race 2 – 1:13PM CIVILCON CONSTRUCTION MAIDEN (1410 METRES)

Happy to stick with CHOKSLAM. Was keen on her on debut and again at Ascot last time, when bungling the start and being arguably a good thing beat. Was $3.90 to $3.40 on that occasion, so the money came and was pretty much on the mark, and hopefully she can begin better and land one spot closer in transit rising to the 1410m. With even luck, should break through. First-upper ALIMENTARIA went oh so close to recording a maiden win on several occasions last prep, and looked in good order with a smart Lark Hill 21/10 trial win. Expected to sprint well fresh. CARLTON CASTLE is coming off a solid debut effort, when missing a place in a bunched finish. Gives the impression he’ll lap up this longer trip and with natural improvement can give this a shake, while PROCEEDS OF CRIME should’ve finished much closer at Northam last time and the blinkers have been added to extract a length or two.

Tips: 4-3-2-6
Suggested: 4. CHOKSLAM win.

4. CHOKSLAM
3. ALIMENTARIA
2. CARLTON CASTLE
6. PROCEEDS OF CRIME

Race 3 – 1:50PM HIT’S HUGHESY AND KATE MAIDEN (1008 METRES)

Anticipating a big performance from BLONDE WARRIOR on debut. Did plenty of work leading in the two-wide line in her Lark Hill 21/10 trial and although wanting to find the rail in the straight, she showed good strength to win in pretty slick time. Her starts haven’t been brilliant at trials, but if Chloe Azzopardi can get her to begin evenly, she will muster to find the rail in front, and with only 53kg on her back, will be mighty hard to catch. Fellow first-starter CUBALLING has shown plenty at trials and will also be doing his best to find the front. More than likely lands outside leader in transit, but his impressive trial form suggests he can still impact from there. First-upper PROTECTED ACTION ran some good races during his initial prep and was readied for this with an even Lark Hill 21/10 trial. Maps to advantage and has to be considered, while LONDON MISS has been very well educated at trials and looks to have an engine also. She’s expected to acquit herself well on debut also.

Tips: 7-4-2-8
Suggested: 7. BLONDE WARRIOR win.

7. BLONDE WARRIOR
4. CUBALLING
2. PROTECTED ACTION
8. LONDON MISS

Race 4 – 2:35PM AMELIA PARK MAIDEN (1008 METRES)

Although there’s a few runners making claims, it’s very hard to look past RED WARRIOR, who was brave in defeat in what’s proven to be an excellent form reference first up this track/distance. Zoomed across to lead from barrier 12 on that occasion and dug in late to make subsequent Ascot winner Boomtastic earn the win. From this low draw, should jump to the lead, and if ridden to advantage should be too fast. First-upper WE’VE GOT DREAMS showed plenty during her initial racing prep, finishing close-up against reasonable opposition on both occasions. Lead-up Lark Hill 21/10 trial effort was good and if Red Warrior doesn’t turn up, this is the runner that will cash in. DUNE MESSIAH has looked very green, but very smart, in his recent trial wins and has to be considered a major player on debut. High draw may prove problematic though, while VENORI ran a cheeky race this track/distance last prep and no surprise to see him finish top four first up from a low draw.

Tips: 6-7-2-1
Suggested: 6. RED WARRIOR win.

6. RED WARRIOR
7. WE’VE GOT DREAMS
2. DUNE MESSIAH
1. VENORI

Race 5 – 3:12PM TABTOUCH – BETTER YOUR BET MAIDEN (1690 METRES)

Going again with DREAMY ALICE. Liked her at healthy each-way odds last time out and after getting stranded three wide/no cover the entire boxed on bravely to miss out in a three-way photo finish. Has struggled for luck all prep, but from a nice draw in this eight-horse field, she really should be afforded every opportunity to break through. Quite liked the debut effort from NIGHT SESSION when coming from the rear with some decent closing splits. Extra trip shouldn’t be an issue and with some cover in transit, should finish off well. MALAKHI is on the quick back up after exceeding market expectations with an encouraging effort on Thursday. Mile suits and has to be considered, while ESCALATING has appeared a bit one-paced in two runs this prep and no surprise to see him elevate rising in distance.

Tips: 4-8-3-6
Suggested: 4. DREAMY ALICE win.

4. DREAMY ALICE
8. NIGHT SESSION
3. MALAKHI
6. ESCALATING

Race 6 – 3:47PM HIT’S CARRIE & TOMMY HANDICAP (2019 METRES)

Found this to be a tricky middle-distance affair and without a heap of confidence, locked in GALIBA. Was pretty solid in a fast race at Northam three starts ago, had no luck when wide throughout two back and pulled herself into the ground in a very-slowly run 1800m affair at Ascot last time. Will appreciate being back up in trip and with a nice smother in transit from the low draw, could make things interesting late. UNDER THE ARCHERS is a long-time maiden but continues to race consistently and is edging her way closer to that elusive maiden win. GOLDEN BONNEY led and was collared late at Northam last time, but this will be her first outing in 20 days, which is not ideal, while THE BLACK WATCH is being stretched out beyond 1800m for the first time, but is race fit and holding just about career-best form.

Tips: 5-3-4-7
Suggested: 5. GALIBA each way.

5. GALIBA
3. UNDER THE ARCHERS
4. GOLDEN BONNEY
7. THE BLACK WATCH

Race 7 – 4:25PM THOMPSON SURVEYING HANDICAP (1108 METRES)

Nothing really jumps off the page in this one, but if SMART TYCOON can tap into some of his best form, he’ll take some beating. Was having his first start in 56 days at Northam 17/10 and after working into the breeze early, ran out of fuel late. Expecting that hit out to bring him forward nicely for this assignment and his best results have come at this track. DRAGONFLIES was also coming off a freshen last start and peaked on his run late, in what was a reasonable rating race for that grade. This certainly isn’t as strong and he has to be considered a major player. GUNFLINT didn’t fire a shot when resuming at Ascot, but anticipating a more competitive performance in this, while SWEET HELEN hasn’t been too far away at Geraldton this prep and should be peaking third up.

Tips: 3-2-1-8
Suggested: 3. SMART TYCOON each way.

3. SMART TYCOON
2. DRAGONFLIES
1. GUNFLINT
8. SWEET HELEN

Race 8 – 5:00PM FURPHY – REFRESHING ALE HANDICAP (1410 METRES)

Good, competitive handicap to wrap up ‘Cup Day’ and happy to be siding with APPARITION. Raced through a WA Derby prep during the autumn and met with good support when resuming at Ascot 23/10, but was forced to race three wide/no cover throughout and did a good job to box on as well as he did. Elevated significantly to win second up last time in work and with a senior rider on from a low draw, anticipating another second-up spike in this. Peters Investments runner MORNING SONG will have plenty of admirers first up from a break. Stretched out stylishly to win a Lark Hill 21/10 trial and expected to to fire fresh. GILLESPIE has been brave in defeat at his past two, but is one of those horses we’re always making excuses for. On paper he probably should win, but would like to see him do it, while KING LOUIE is flying this prep, so lookout for him swooping late, and don’t be surprised to see sharp improvement from PRINCE TURBO.

Tips: 4-7-3-1
Suggested: 4. APPARITION each way.

4. APPARITION
7. MORNING SONG
3. GILLESPIE
1. KING LOUIE
6. PRINCE TURBO

**This edition of #TheLegUp by @thoroheadsWA originally published at 9:00am on Monday 4 November 2019