Race 1 – 1:19PM FURPHY MAIDEN (2019 METRES)

Have been tracking BRITISH BESSY closely in recent starts and simply have to follow up after being a good thing beaten over a mile here on New Year’s Day. Is a get back/run on type, so does need a fair bit of luck, but she deserves to get the rub of the green after encountering traffic issues fairly regularly this campaign. If new rider Randy Tan can get her to settle and flow into the race with an uninterrupted run, then British Bessy should be very hard to hold out late. UNDER THE ARCHERS has enjoyed a consistent campaign, but just can’t seem to break through for that elusive maiden win. Will have plenty of admirers in this race though, considering the lack of depth and the suitable run in transit she’s likely to enjoy from the low barrier draw. BILL’S O’REILLY finished alongside British Bessy and Under The Arches last start and has the services of in-form apprentice Jade McNaught, who was able to get fellow long-time maiden stablemate Tortina over the line at York last week, while the William Pike-ridden GENZEBE was only plain when an easing $6.50 chance on debut, but simply have to always respect the Durrant-trained stayers.

Tips: 10-8-9-12
Suggested: 10. BRITISH BESSY win.

10. BRITISH BESSY
8. UNDER THE ARCHERS
9. BILL’S O’REILLY
12. GENZEBE

Race 2 – 1:54PM CAPEL VALE WINERY MAIDEN (1108 METRES)

Plenty of promising types engaged in this Three Year Old Maiden, with over half the field capable of winning without surprising. Have a bit of time for first-upper EBONY MAGI and expecting him to give this a shake after a smart Lark Hill 31/12 trial win, when covering additional ground and cruising to the line with plenty of fuel in the tank. Did stretch the capable Kakadu at his Belmont debut last August and the Vaughn Sigley-trained youngster appears to have come on nicely since then, so with a reasonable run in transit from the high draw, Ebony Magi goes close. MINIKA was backed from $3.40 to $2.50 favourite on debut and it was a hard watch for her supporters, when getting jammed up behind the leaders in a slowly run race and encountering significant traffic issues in the straight. Anticipating more positive tactics from Shaun McGruddy on this occasion, and the full sister and stablemate to the brilliant Misty Metal is certainly worth following up. KENYLUCK looked home first up in a similar assignment to this on New Year’s Day, before being collared in the last couple of strides. Expected to enjoy a similar soft run from the low draw and really should get his chance, while JEDAFFAIR failed as a $1.85 favourite at Pinjarra first up, but that can happen down the Straight 1000 and no surprise to see her bounce back hard following an inside running rail on this circle circuit.

Tips: 2-9-1-5
Suggested: 2. EBONY MAGI each way.

2. EBONY MAGI
9. MINIKA
1. KENYLUCK
5. JEDAFFAIR

Race 3 – 2:27PM CHAFF CITY MAIDEN (1410 METRES)

Expecting the market to come strong for Peters Investments three-year-old CREATIVE HERO, but have been closely monitoring the progress of PEARLS FROM HEAVEN and wouldn’t be surprised to see her stretch the likely short-priced favourite. The Colin Webster-trained filly was well hidden in trials and met with good support on debut, working home strongly late and running the fourth-fastest final 200-metre split of the day. Will no doubt drift back worse than midfield again from the high draw, but the rise in distance should suit and with clear running late, we’re expecting Pearls From Heaven to make things very interesting. Creative Hero is the obvious horse to beat after being backed from $3 to $2.60 at his Boxing Day debut and finishing a fighting second behind Great Charade. Kicked back strong late on that occasion and the 2.5 length margin back to third highlights the merit of the performance. AY TEE EMM is expected to roll forward and settle on speed in a race that lacks pace on paper, and he did box on well at Pinjarra last time. Has to be included in everything, while SURE CONVICTION should’ve won at Albany 6/01 and maps to enjoy a reasonable run from the low draw.

Tips: 12-7-6-10
Suggested: 12. PEARLS FROM HEAVEN each way.

12. PEARLS FROM HEAVEN
7. CREATIVE HERO
6. AY TEE EMM
10. SURE CONVICTION

Race 4 – 3:04PM AMELIA PARK MAIDEN (1208 METRES)

Was keen on MANHATTAN MONEY on debut and going to follow up taking on the older horses rising in distance. The Pearce Bros are killing it at present and this filly couldn’t have been more impressive in her Lark Hill 17/12 trial win, however, things didn’t really go according to plan on debut when being forced to sustain a long forward move and racing greenly throughout. Both Locomotive and Adornment have come out of that event and performed well since, so the form out of that New Year’s Day maiden reads well, and expecting Manhattan Money to elevate second up with the race experience under her belt. HAPPY SANDAY is one of the more interesting runners on the day, having his first start for new trainer Justin Warwick. Has always shown potential and stretched out impressively in his Bunbury 4/01 trial win, so this fellow looks set to make an impact fresh. TO RISE AGAIN looked to have his share of ability as a juvenile and wasn’t fully tested in his Belmont 24/12 trial, with Troy Turner hardly moving a muscle. Anticipating a big run from him first up, while natural on-pacer ARTIC BLUE has competed well at both outings so far and the blinkers have been added to extract an additional length or two.

Tips: 13-1-6-5
Suggested: 13. MANHATTAN MONEY win.

13. MANHATTAN MONEY
1. HAPPY SANDAY
6. TO RISE AGAIN
5. ARTIC BLUE

Race 5 – 3:40PM JCW ELECTRICAL HANDICAP (1208 METRES)

This looks a good option for PARADISE SQUARE. Is coming back a grade with strong Ascot form to his name, placing third behind subsequent winners Neurological and Beat The Devil two back, before finishing off strong after enduring a tough/wide run from barrier 13 last time. Has the gate speed to make the most of his inside alley here and if the runs appear late, Paradise Square should take full advantage. GLIMMER GIRL appreciated sliding back to a similar assignment here on New Year’s Day, making the most of a sweet run in transit to hold out the fast-finishing Snow Blossom. Maps to enjoy another soft passage in transit and trainer Martin Allan continues to do a good job with his team. MEDIA BARON is the best horse in the race and it wouldn’t surprise to see this fellow blow his rivals away first up from a lengthy absence. One of WA’s more talented three-year-olds last season, Media Baron trialled nicely at Lark Hill 31/12, but does like to be ridden patiently and the junior rider on board is a query, while LORD LUDLOW is coming off back-to-back Ascot placings and should give himself every chance up on top of the speed.

Tips: 7-8-2-4
Suggested: 7. PARADISE SQUARE each way.

7. PARADISE SQUARE
8. GLIMMER GIRL
2. MEDIA BARON
4. LORD LUDLOW

Race 6 – 4:10PM TABTOUCH – BETTER YOUR BET HANDICAP (2019 METRES)

Promising filly STAIRWAYTOTHEMOON will be short, but she really should be saluting. Stepped up sharply in distance third up and performed admirably as a $2.40 favourite, with the winner Collaborate and third-placed Stafford’s Lad both franking the formline since. Adam Durrant has opted for the blinkers and William Pike should be able to put her where he wants beginning from a nice low draw. Has the 2219-metre run under her belt and Stairwaytothemoon looks a standout. HE’S A PARKER is working his way towards peak form for new trainer Hec McLaren and was strong on the line third up at York 9/01. On his best form, he can stretch the favourite. HOODLUM THUNDER almost pinched it when ridden aggressively over the mile here on New Year’s Day, with Sliced Bread going on to win at Ascot four days later. Expecting Jarrad Noske to roll forward again and have them stretching their necks from the 800-metre mark, while PERSISTENCE TIME ran really well as a $151 chance in a strong ATA Stakes at Ascot 29/12 and looks much better placed back in this grade. Races well this track/distance also.

Tips: 5-1-2-7
Suggested: 5. STAIRWAYTOTHEMOON win.

5. STAIRWAYTOTHEMOON
1. HE’S A PARKER
2. HOODLUM THUNDER
7. PERSISTENCE TIME

Race 7 – 4:40PM RANGEVIEW STUD AT MAGIC MILLIONS HANDICAP (1410 METRES)

Pretty keen on the chances of well-regarded three-year-old REGAL POWER at his first outing since a fast-finishing third in the listed Lee Steere Classic at Ascot 8/12, when clocking the fastest final 400 and 200-metre splits of the day. The full brother to 2018 WA Derby winner Action will no doubt be heading down the autumn classics path and this looks like a nice starting point, and with a clean getaway from a reasonable draw, Regal Power should be close enough to run over the top of his rivals late. DAWN ARMADA is unbeaten at Bunbury and her run against some quality opposition in town last month was better than it reads, as she was only a nose away from third and did encounter interference in running. Looks well placed back in this grade and she’s a major player. KING OF JUDAH is a horse with more than his share of ability and can elevate significantly after an even first-up Pinjarra last month. The 38 days between runs and junior rider on are both queries, but his level of raw talent means he has to be respected, especially from the low draw, while MYCROFT is back from a let up and has some particular strong formlines from his previous spring campaign. Look out for him drifting back and running home well late.

Tips: 6-3-4-2
Suggested: 6. REGAL POWER win.

6. REGAL POWER
3. DAWN ARMADA
4. KING OF JUDAH
2. MYCROFT

Race 8 – 5:15PM SW CEILINGS HANDICAP (1108 METRES)

Have some time for CRYPTIC LOVE and anticipating sharp improvement third up from the wayward three-year-old filly. Was solid first up at Ascot 21/11 and was returning from a six-week freshen down the Straight 1000 at Pinjarra 2/01, with the effort a touch better than it reads on paper. Still doing plenty wrong, so David Harrison has taken the blinkers off and we get the impression she will appreciate following an inside rail around the Bunbury circle circuit. If she’s on her best behaviour, Crytic Love might just be too slick for these. The consistent AKVAVIT is the obvious horse to beat after a good first-up display on New Year’s Day. Expected to come on nicely here, but William Pike will need a few things to fall into place early beginning from an awkward mid draw. Likely leader COCKY DODD should appreciate coming back in distance after two seven-furlongs assignments and did well over this track/distance on debut. Expected to be nice and fresh coming off a 48-day break, while COLOURFUL CHARADE can gallop and did compete well in the same Straight 1000 race as our on-top selection at Pinjarra first up from a long layoff.

Tips: 9-6-2-1
Suggested: 9. CRYPTIC LOVE win.

9. CRYPTIC LOVE
6. COCKY DODD
2. COLOURFUL CHARADE
1. MURRAY THE BULLDOG

*Originally published at 9:00am on Tuesday 15 January 2019