Race 2 (5:54pm local/7:54pm AEST) – MS PACE – 1730m
Jacksagrinner comes up with the inside gate over the short-course and there should be a mad-dash into the first bend with Jacksagrinner capable of showing good gate speed. Outside of him, The Pacesetter, The Marble Ridge and Hot Fraternity can all leave the gate quickly.
The key will be holding up or trailing the leader for Jacksagrinner to get his chance to break through here. Any further back and it is curtains for his chances.
His first run for Michael George was in a standing-start event at Northam and he acquitted himself well. Dropping back to 1730m looks ideal with a record over sprint trips that reads five wins from 15 attempts.
Blinding Light won’t find a more suitable M0 to capture while a case can be made for almost all of the runners.
Rated Price: $4.50
Selections: 1-3-2-9
Race 3 (6:24pm local/8:24pm AEST) – MS PACE – 2130m
Nothing In Between and Limestone Bay will both have ambitions of finding the lead and it could be a good battle early – I favour Limestone Bay but Nothing In Between has been pacing better compared to previous efforts when asked to show gate speed from an inside draw.
Majorlicious appeals on an each-way basis from barrier four at $15 and $3.90.
Three starts back he chased home talented stablemate See Me Victorious at Wagin. He then followed it up with an impressive win from the 1 out 5 back position at Pinjarra over the 1684m in 1:54.0.
He may get shuffled back a bit here with Hidden Bad likely to be aggressive in this grade and McClinchie could also head to the breeze position.
Hidden Bad deserves to be top pick because her best form looks too strong but she doesn’t always produce it.
Rated Price: $9
Selections: 5-4-1-2
Race 4 (6:54pm local/8:54pm AEST) – MS PACE – 2130m
This looks a race in four with Im Master Charlie, Military Master, Natural Disaster and Aussie Delight looking the main contenders.
Military Master has barrier three which should ensure he gets a great run. He looks to have more gate speed than Im Master Charlie and if he can get across then he becomes the horse to beat; otherwise he will race outside of the leader or grab cover on the back of Natural Disaster or possibly Rabchenko.
Two starts ago Military Master raced in the death seat and crushed his opposition by more than 20m in 1:55.6 for the 2130m. A repeat performance on times alone would see him go close but Im Master Charlie would prove hard to roll out in front.
Last start was a procession for Military Master at $1.20 and this horse has always shown good ability.
Rated Price: $3.50
Selections: 3-1-5-10
Race 6 (7:55pm local/9:55pm AEST) – THE PURE STEEL FINAL – 2130m
One of two feature races on the program and this will be an outstanding race when you consider the depth of the field. Everywhere you look there is talent.
Red Hot Major has enough speed to lead and I don’t see him handing up. That should leave Americanbootscoota outside of him and he is most likely to stay there; he may hand up if the right horse comes around but he was victorious in his heat from this position in 1:55.5. Overboard Again begins in the 1 out 1 back position if that’s the case and Campora should be on his back.
At current prices, I am happy suggesting two horses to back.
Zach Maguire caught my attention with a brilliant turn of speed at Pinjarra to run down The Trilogy and co. He made them look like they were standing still and he followed it up in his heat by defeating Johnny Disco. Barrier nine makes things tougher but this horse looks one of the better ones in the field and that’s a big compliment already.
Campora is the other suggestion. Maps handy enough if there aren’t moves throughout and while he was disappointing last start, he looks well over the odds. In saying that, he was third and only beaten 2.9m but he looked to have the race at his mercy before either peaking or completely switching off. He is a better chaser and I expect him to chase better when he has a few strong bunnies ahead of him.
I won’t run through the field as most look to have claims. It would be a complete shock if Our Jaccka Mara won the race though and Dana Duke looks tested.
Selections: 9-1-11-12
Race 7 (8:25pm local/10:25pm AEST) – MEMBERS SPRINT – 1730m
Tonight’s feature race is the Group 3 Members Sprint and it’s a terrific contest that should see a 1:52 or 1:53 mile rate.
Our Jimmy Johnstone is the most likely leader but Bettor Reward will be looking to hold him out and Run Oneover will be charging out also in search for the lead.
Despite an early speed burn, the inside trio are clearly the horses to beat but the field has the likes of Beaudiene Boaz, Simply Susational, Sheer Rocknroll and Exciteusinthecity – I think Exciteusinthecity is a little underrated in WA and I will be having something small on him at big odds here.
At current odds, Bettor Reward looks the best value in the race at $5. He is either going to lead or trail the leader and his past two efforts in open-class ranks have been terrific.
Rated Price: $3.50
Selections: 2-1-3-6
May 19
Multi 1
R1 – Overboard Again – $1.70
R2 – Harry Hoo – $1.50
Multi 2
R1 – Overboard Again – $1.70
R2 – Harry Hoo – $1.50
R5 – Eyre Crusher – $1.70
Multi 3
R1 – Overboard Again – $1.70
R2 – Harry Hoo – $1.50
R5 – Eyre Crusher – $1.70
R10 – Better B Chevron – $2.20
Race 4 (6:54pm local/8:54pm AEST) – THE PURE STEEL QUALIFYING HEAT 3 – 2130m
Gary Hall Snr trains two of the leading contenders here with the resuming Mach Time against Zach Maguire who was very impressive at Pinjarra.
The winner is likely to come from that duo or Johnny Disco while each-way claims go to Dana Duke who looks value at $10 or better on an each-way basis.
Back-to-back wins at Narrogin have been comfortable for Nathan Turvey’s former New Zealand pacer who had been placed behind Vincent in a race and rated 2:00.5 over 2600m at his final New Zealand start.
His latest start was victory in 2:00.7 at Narrogin over 2662m which is good going and this horse appeals on an each-way basis at $21 and $3.90.
Rated Price: $9.50
Selections: 3-12-7-4
Race 8 (9:00pm local/11:00pm AEST) – CONDITIONED HANDICAP SS PACE – 2503m
The standing-start event is wide open and the handicaps have made the race interesting.
I’ve settled on Assassinator who generally flies the tapes and if Importer Exporter (drawn in front of him) were to miss away and he could get around, then he may be able to take up the running.
Assassinator ($9/$3) captured the Group 3 Easter Cup (2902m) three starts ago defeating Galactic Star and Ohoka Punter which is excellent form. He was then fourth behind Galactic Star and fourth behind Simply Susational.
Importer Exporter is the most likely leader if he steps away, Naughty Maravu and Ohoka Kentucky are class runners with strong claims and Waltzing With Cullen trialled well behind Johnny Disco.
Rated Price: $7.50
Selections: 10-2-8-7
Race 9 (9:30pm local/11:30pm AEST) – WESTBRED MS PACE – 2130m
I’m interested in a horse returning from a spell that could get out to massive odds tonight – Mako Shadow.
Four starts ago Mako Shadow landed the 1 out 1 back position as he defeated Leftrightgoodnight and Max Meridius. He won’t be close to the speed here but will be looking to make a three-wide move late.
That was the move six starts ago when he finished second behind Sheer Rocknroll. There is no Sheer Rocknroll in this field but strong chances go to Star Armbro, Lord Willoughby, El Sunami and Davinci Diamond.
At present Mako Shadow is $26 and $4.80 which looks value.
Rated Price: $14
Selections: 1-4-10-9
Race 10 (10:00pm local/12:00am AEST) – 3YO FILLIES MS PACE – 2130m
Better B Chevron looks the class filly of the field and despite barrier six, she looks hard to beat after a last-start second-placing behind Kerrin Joseph in a C0-C1 event. She raced 1 out 4 back before commencing a three-wide move with 900m left to travel.
She was brave to get within 1.9m of the winner and her last half was around 55.2 seconds.
A number of these fillies competed in the WA Oaks (2536m) and Better B Chevron’s effort was pretty good. She finished fifth after working three-wide early during a quick 66.8 lead time. Despite the early toll she still battled on gamely in the home straight.
Susies Desire looks the leader in the event and Better B Chevron could be the breeze horse; if she can control the tempo from that position then she may prove too slick in the final stages.
Rated Price: $2
Selections: 6-5-2-4
May 12
Race 1 (5:24pm local/7:24pm AEST) – MS PACE – 2536m
An interesting race to kick off the program with class runner Red Hot Major drawn barrier seven. It has taken this horse a long time to find form after an extended break but he has found it and looks the top pick here.
I’m not sure on the speed map here because they could hand to Red Hot Major or a horse such as Gotta Go Chocolate, Kinda Black or Blinding Light may roll the dice to hold out Red Hot Major.
Khun Ratha and Frostyflyer should both receive nice runs throughout and have plenty to offer in the concluding stages.
Red Hot Major should prove hard to beat in this grade after defeating Simply Susational two starts ago and then placing behind Livura and Overboard Again last start.
Selections: 7-11-12-6
Race 3 (6:24pm local/8:24pm AEST) – MS PACE – 1730m
This race looks a beauty over the short-course and there looks to be five key chances – Skippy Rascal, James Galleon, Rabchenko, Naughty Maravu and Franco Rayner.
Class runner Franco Rayner has barrier nine to overcome and the 1730m can often prove difficult for the class operator to overcome.
I like the two inside horses here as they can run slick sectionals on the fence and one of them is the likely leader with Rabchenko the horse that can roll the dice in a bid to try and cross. Franco Rayner could do the same and if he managed to get across it is race over for rivals.
Skippy Rascal was a good winner at Pinjarra in 1:53.6 back in March and has recently been 2.1m off Shandale when flashing late. He is currently under my rated price so I would wait for $4 or better which should be around later in the day or close to race time.
James Galleon has been costly to supporters and I’m prepared to forgive last start. He was crossed from the one which was a bit surprising and then wasn’t driven the best.
Selections: 9-1-2-8
Race 5 (7:24pm local/9:24pm AEST) – MS PACE – 2536m
The open-class race is wide open this week and once again, two runners have caught my attention.
Rycroft has come up with barrier one and his effort off a 50m handicap was excellent first-up. He will be fitter again and he was a good winner over the 2130m at this track in November when defeating Twoandahalf Tigers.
While the class rise is a query for this pacer second-up, Mike Reed runners generally grow a leg in front and Rycroft should give them something to catch if he can hold Erskine Range and Condrieu out early.
Vultan Tin is the other runner. He has come up $21 on the back of winning the Narrogin Cup (2662m) in 1:59.0. That is a massive effort and he was too strong for Im Full Of Excuses who would be single figures in this race from any draw.
Prior to that he was beaten 3.4m by Galactic Star (currently $3.80) and 4.4m by Im Full Of Excuses in the Harvey Trotting Club (2569m) – Our Jimmy Johnstone was a distant third in that event and Vultan Tin could be underestimated here.
Phoenix Warrior loves this distance and will run a massive race while Galactic Star and American Boy both have strong claims.
Selections: 1-12-8-9
Race 6 (7:57pm local/9:57pm AEST) – WESTERN CROWN 2YO FILLIES MS PACE – 2130m
A great race for the two-year-old fillies and we see Cott Beach and Miss Sangrial renew their rivalry.
Cott Beach defeated the boys in the Group 2 Champagne Classic (2130m) two starts ago with Miss Sangrial runner up before the tables were turned with Miss Sangrial too good for Cott Beach.
The start is crucial here with Ella Gant Player, Miss Sangrial and Cott Beach all capable of charging the gate and one of the trio should lead.
Miss Sangrial will need to lead or sit 1 out 1 back behind Cott Beach (who would need to be caught in the breeze) in order to defeat her adversary.
Millwood Poly is a newcomer from New Zealand and that must be respected while Ella Gant Player is a big improver from barrier three and she has been racing well without luck.
Selections: 4-7-10-3
Race 8 (9:00pm local/11:00pm AEST) – MS PACE – 1730m
Ona Happy Note looks a big improver from barrier three this week. He has been trying to go forward at the start and then getting dragged back. He should map handy this time and he is racing better than his numerical form suggests.
Last start he finished 15.2m off Simply Susational at Pinjarra which was a nice run from back in the field. He only got clear running late and hit the line really well.
His last win came over course and distance and he appeals each-way at $13/$3.70.
Soho Wall Street was a dominant winner last start but this is tougher. Other winning hopes include Our Big Slow, Lagoon Stride, Walkabout Creek and Out Back Joe.
Selections: 8-4-3-7