Race 1 – 1:09PM TABTOUCH – BETTER YOUR BET HANDICAP (1208 METRES)

Small but competitive line up to kick off proceedings and narrowly leaning towards GUESTEEN on top. Really taken with her tough debut win and she followed up with a rock-solid Ascot effort last Saturday, running into a very smart one in Indian Pacific. Rise to 1208m suits, maps to advantage and should go close on the quick back up. Hard not to have noticed the way THE ITALIAN JOB hit the line on debut behind the well-regarded Weaponson. Nice type and will have admirers. MONEY MATTERS is ready to win, but 1400m back to 1208m is a slight query, and MODERN TIMES is next best with Pike on board.

Tips: 4-1-3-6
Suggested: 5. GUESTEEN win.

4. THE ITALIAN JOB
1. MONEY MATTERS
3. MODERN TIMES
6. SMILE FOR ME

*Numbers amended after Final Scratchings

Race 2 – 1:44PM FURPHY – REFRESHING ALE MAIDEN (1208 METRES)

WAR ANTHEM gets his chance. Resumed from a spell last start and did some work on top of the speed, before boxing on behind Guesteen and Sweet Strawberry, with that form holding up. Hails from the in-form Watkins yard and the senior stable rider is back on board, so with even luck he’ll give this a shake. Expecting to see PATY’S FORCAST run a big race first up. Did a few things wrong when well fancied last prep, but has a motor and should be more mature this time around. SEA WAIF met with support on debut and didn’t have a lot of luck, while first-starter OHBEEH has shown plenty at trials.

Tips: 1-6-10-5
Suggested: 1. WAR ANTHEM win.

1. WAR ANTHEM
6. PATY’S FORCAST
10. SEA WAIF
5. OHBEEH

Race 3 – 2:19PM AMELIA PARK MAIDEN (1208 METRES)

Very interesting maiden. Eventually landed on debutante TIFF HAS SPOKEN, having been taken with his two Lark Hill trial wins. Appeared to have plenty in the tank when stretching out stylishly in his most recent 950m heat and with a reasonable run in transit, he’s going to be hard to hold out. AGENT JAY comes through a fast Pinjarra 26/12 race and that should bring him forward nicely second up. Rates highly. RESORTMAN looks a really strong on-pacer and his recent trial wins make him a major player on debut, while first-uppers TRADE FAIR EXPRESS and PUCKAPUNYAL warrant consideration also.

Tips: 5-4-1-10
Suggested: 5. TIFF HAS SPOKEN each way.

5. TIFF HAS SPOKEN
4. RESORTMAN
1. TRADE FAIR EXPRESS
10. PUCKAPUNYAL

*Numbers amended after Final Scratchings

Race 4 – 2:54PM CITY & REGIONAL FUELS MAIDEN (2019 METRES)

This looks the right race for SMOKING BARREL to break through. Hit the line hard when out of his grade two back and was arguably a good thing beat at Pinjarra last time. Looks ready to have a crack at a middle distance and few are riding better than Steven Parnham at present. Was keen on ELLEVISTA first up, and after being a little rusty early she was doing some reasonable work late. Looks an old-fashioned stayer, so the rise to 2019m second up isn’t an issue. Pike goes on ROYAL CHOISIR, who looks better placed back in a maiden, while LIGHT IN THE BLACK caught the eye late last time.

Tips: 6-8-11-10
Suggested: 6. SMOKING BARREL win.

6. SMOKING BARREL
8. ELLEVISTA
11. ROYAL CHOISIR
10. LIGHT IN THE BLACK

Race 5 – 3:34PM RANGEVIEW STUD MAIDEN (1410 METRES)

If GINGER MACK can begin cleanly and find the rail in front, he could take some catching. Boxed on well when resuming and was brave in defeat at Pinjarra last time, when facing the breeze three-wide throughout. Kristy Bennett and Jayne Busslinger has enjoyed some recent success together, and a race-fit Ginger Mack should relish the rise to 1400m. First-upper YAMATAI will attract plenty of support. Was a $4.20 chance on debut and wasn’t knocked around in her recent Lark Hill trial. Maps sweetly also. Keep an eye out for WINNIE’S WINE and BARRY’S CHOIX running on with strength late.

Tips: 2-11-7-5
Suggested: 2. GINGER MACK each way.

2. GINGER MACK
11. YAMATAI
7. WINNIE’S WINE
5. BARRY’S CHOIX

Race 6 – 4:15PM CHAFF CITY HANDICAP (1410 METRES)

A couple of Galah’s stand out as the major players, and if COCKY DODD is right, he really should be taking care of business. Reminded everyone of his talents with an impressive first-up win, but is coming off a minor setback after being scratched when well-fancied at the Bunbury 29/12 meeting. Simply have to trust the stable to have him ready to produce his best. Anticipating a competitive first-up effort from COCKATIEL. Has a bit of class about her and wasn’t overly exerted in her recent trial. No surprise to see HALAKAL run a big race, and with a patient ride ROCKAFELLA can run on well late.

Tips: 3-1-5-6
Suggested: 3. COCKY DODD win.

3. COCKY DODD
1. COCKATIEL
5. HALAKAL
6. ROCKAFELLA

Race 7 – 4:52PM CIVILCON HANDICAP (1690 METRES)

Set up nicely for DO A PATAKY. Has been costly to follow this campaign, but she put the writing on the wall over 1800m at Ascot last start, and looks really suited against this opposition. Has a strong track/distance profile and should get every chance from the low draw. MELROS BEACH appeared a touch disappointing at Pinjarra last time, but she hasn’t really done a lot wrong all prep. JADAVI has some good formlines and has to be considered at her first run over the mile, VOLKSWAGON FRANK wasn’t a bad effort in a stronger race first up, and TORTINA can bob up this track/distance.

Tips: 3-10-6-7
Suggested: 3. DO A PATAKY win.

3. DO A PATAKY
10. MELROS BEACH
6. JADAVI
7. VOLKSWAGON FRANK
12. TORTINA

Race 8 – 5:27PM LJ HOOKER BUNBURY COLLIE HANDICAP (1208 METRES)

Really decent handicap to finish off and simply have to stick with TINTO BELLE. Has notched up two on the bounce, so has form and race-fitness on her side, and should get a lovely smother in transit from the draw. Suited down on 54.5kg and looks really hard to beat again. I AM SPARTACUS is one of a number of first-uppers expected to run well. Lead-up trial effort was strong and he gives himself every chance up on top of the speed. SUPREME FORCE maps well and can rebound after last start, while HENTY GAL and CAERHELAN have their share of ability, and both are expected to be swooping late fresh.

Tips: 13-3-4-10
Suggested: 13. TINTO BELLE each way.

13. TINTO BELLE
3. I AM SPARTACUS
4. SUPREME FORCE
10. HENTY GAL
11. CAERHELAN

**This edition of #TheLegUp by @thoroheadsWA originally published at 9:00am on Tuesday 7 January 2020