Race 1 – 1:14PM TABTOUCH – BETTER YOUR BET MAIDEN (1420 METRES)

Really taken with the debut performance from BLOCK OF LAND and he stands out as the horse to beat. Looked promising at trials, and inexperience and a very-slow tempo cost him victory at Ascot, launching late with the fastest final 200m of the day. Big and raw, but looks suited up in trip and should break through. TOLLMAN has gone close at both outings to date and the form around him reads well. He’s the logical danger. SHIVERS OF JOY ran some big races last prep, so no surprise to see him running on into the finish, while likely leader FLOAT OUR BOAT will give them something to chase on debut.

Tips: 4-3-2-8
Suggested: 4. BLOCK OF LAND win.

4. BLOCK OF LAND
3. TOLLMAN
2. SHIVERS OF JOY
8. FLOAT OUR BOAT

Race 2 – 1:49PM FURPHY – REFRESHING ALE MAIDEN (1016 METRES)

Going to give STELLA DOOR another chance. Strolled to a big Belmont 14/10 trial victory, before stopping late when rolled as a $1.30 fave first up, but expecting a superior effort back slightly in trip with Pike on. Doesn’t have to lead, so if he can stalk the anticipated genuine tempo, he should be much stronger to the line. SWEETASSA is a full sister to the brilliant Madassa and has shown similar speed in two 400m trial wins. Expected to fire on debut. LONDON MISS ran into a smart one on debut and maps to advantage, while really liked the latest trial win from first-starter SAFE TO MAKEUP.

Tips: 1-10-5-9
Suggested: 1. STELLA DOOR win.

1. STELLA DOOR
10. SWEETASSA
5. LONDON MISS
9. SAFE TO MAKEUP

Race 3 – 2:24PM PERKINS MAIDEN (2038 METRES)

Looks the right race for BAFFLING. Just missed two back and was strong late when getting out of her ground in a leader-dominated maiden on Northam Cup Day. Has the two mile runs under her belt rising to the 2038m and with a typically patient Pike ride, should finish over the top of them. MALAKHI was a mid-race mover over the mile last start and boxed on well for second, with a big gap to third. Appears likely to relish stepping up to this trip. WALK A MILE is only third up, but looks a real staying type and the low draw suits, while both DREAMY ALICE and SPECIAL IMAGE are in the mix also.

Tips: 6-2-10-7
Suggested: 6. BAFFLING win.

6. BAFFLING
2. MALAKHI
10. WALK A MILE
7. DREAMY ALICE

Race 4 – 3:00PM CHAFF CITY MAIDEN (1216 METRES)

The race fit/in form PEARL DANCER should give this a shake. Narrowly defeated by some handy types in two runs this prep, leading and getting collared late on both occasions, but should be at peak fitness now. Maps to lead, or at least land outside leader, and goes close from there. Have to respect Peters Investments first-upper SIGNIFICANT HERO, who wasn’t overly taxed in his lead-up trial. The cutaway rail enhances his winning chances from barrier one also. Expecting to see a much sharper JOYRIZE, whose best form stacks up, while KITGUM had no luck when three wide/no cover at Ascot last time.

Tips: 4-5-2-7
Suggested: 4. PEARL DANCER win.

4. PEARL DANCER
5. SIGNIFICANT HERO
2. KITGUM
7. BIZZI TOO

*Numbers amended after Final Scratchings

Race 5 – 3:40PM JCW ELECTRICAL MAIDEN (1216 METRES)

Kept coming back to LEVITATE. Absolute moral beaten on debut when a slow start and particularly wide run left him vulnerable late, and Rewrite The Stars has made the formline read well since. Has another high draw to contend with, but a positive Chris Parnham ride should see Levitate land on speed and prove too strong. Have some time for first-upper TINTO BELLE and she should go close after a nice lead-up trial win. BRAVE CONTENDER will also have plenty of admirers fresh, KNOT KNOWN had little luck and caught the eye late last time, while first-starter GRANMAGGIE has shown plenty at trials.

Tips: 6-10-3-2
Suggested: 6. LEVITATE win.

6. LEVITATE
10. TINTO BELLE
3. BRAVE CONTENDER
2. KNOT KNOWN
12. GRANMAGGIE

Race 6 – 4:15PM LJ HOOKER BUNBURY COLLIE HANDICAP (1216 METRES)

Siding with FA’LION MASCHINE. Took her racing to another level last prep and her first-up Ascot result in much stronger company suggests she’s taken another step forward into her 5YO season. Has a strong Bunbury profile, should get a suitable run from the draw and goes close with even luck. NGAWI has her share of ability and was a bit stiff not to salute first up. Will be well found by the market and is a good ride for 3kg claimer Bonnie Palise. YOU AM I was huge after a messy start first up, TOGETHER WE DREAM can elevate back at Bunbury, while AFLICA’S GIRL is a must for your exotics.

Tips: 2-1-5-4
Suggested: 2. FA’LION MASCHINE win.

2. FA’LION MASCHINE
1. NGAWI
5. YOU AM I
4. TOGETHER WE DREAM
10. AFLICA’S GIRL

Race 7 – 4:50PM AMELIA PARK HANDICAP (1705 METRES)

A rapidly-improving FUHRER will take some beating. Rolled along in front at Northam two back and boxed on well, before elevating significantly to comfortably take down the well-regarded odds-on fave Born To Try this track/distance last time. With more patient tactics anticipated for Vengeance of War, Fuhrer should find the front again and control the race from there. MELTEME has to be a major player, but does keep finding ways to get beat. This looks set up for her nicely though. DO A PATAKY has come class and should be peaking third up, while COOL FROST maps well and is looking for this trip.

Tips: 6-5-8-4
Suggested: 6. FUHRER win.

6. FUHRER
5. DO A PATAKY
8. COOL FROST
4. VENGEANCE OF WAR

*Numbers amended after Final Scratchings

Race 8 – 5:30PM BUNBURY PLUMBING SERVICES HANDICAP (1705 METRES)

Has had plenty of chances and is one of the unluckier horses going around, but this does look the right set up for KIA ORA STAR to return to the winner’s circle. Good thing beat in a similar event to this two back, when traffic issues proved costly, and was brave in defeat last time when three/four wide no cover the entire. From gate one with Chris Parnham back on board, this is his race. PRINCE TURBO was back to his best with a strong win last start. No surprise to see STAFFORD’S LAD figure, as he really runs for Pike, while DEMI GO ROUND and NOT AGAIN KEN have to be considered also.

Tips: 3-5-8-11
Suggested: 3. KIA ORA STAR win.

3. KIA ORA STAR
5. PRINCE TURBO
8. STAFFORD’S LAD
11. DEMI GO ROUND
10. NOT AGAIN KEN

**This edition of #TheLegUp by @thoroheadsWA originally published at 9:00am on Tuesday 12 November 2019