Race 2
Our Zak Whitby (11) got the better of Hot Fraternity last week to make it back-to-back wins. Stuart McDonald had driven the entire to both victories, but he is replaced by Jocelyn Young so that they can use her claim in the race.
The four-year-old has a lot of speed and barrier 11 is a good barrier for him as he follows Hot Fraternity who looks the leader. There is plenty of pressure in the race with Major Catastrophe the breeze horse and Our Zak Whitby might be able to run them down in the straight.
Race 3
Risk gets his best chance to win for the first time since 2016 as he will lead from the inside barrier over 2536m. I don’t know how well he is going after finishing 47.6m from The Bucket List who broke the 2503m standing-start track record in 1:57.1 last start. He was parked for the last 1100m but I thought he should have finished closer.
Due to some queries, I like Zennart (7) in the race because his form is very strong. He was sixth in open-class company last time and has won five of nine this season. Beaten just 1.5m by Runrunjimmydunn in 1:55.0 three starts ago is a good form reference and he will give Risk a run for his money.
Race 4
Lady De La Renta’s gate speed is the query here because she will be extremely hard to beat if she can lead. She showed good gate speed to run third behind Bechers Brook in the Group 2 Western Gateway (2536m) and the winner narrowly went down in the WA Derby.
The mile rate was 1:56.4 when Lady De La Renta (1) led in the Western Gateway. She then finished 11th in the WA Derby but this is a class drop back to fillies’ grade. She can do work which gives Chris Voak options if they are crossed.
Race 5
The Clarke Final has assembled a strong field and I like El Jacko (7) following his heat victory after a perfect drive from Ryan Warwick. The horse that once ran down Chicago Bull at Pinjarra is looking to get back to his best form and last week was a step in the right direction.
His first-up sixth can be ignored as he looked a lot sharper last week in 1:55.2 and this gelding has many strings to his bow. If he could land the 1 out 1 back position behind The Accumulator then he will be hard to hold out late while Courage To Live and Whozideawasthis look the other main players in the race.
Race 7
There are two versions to Bettor Boa (8) but her best form is too good for this field. She is capable of producing a sub-56 last half which almost all of the field are unable to run. Three and four starts ago she was runner up when producing strong finishing bursts but as mentioned, she can also throw in a shocker.
Having the stablemate Chevrons Champion in the race is a bonus as they may be able to make their runs together late. Although there is the possibility that they could be put into the race earlier.
Race 9
This is probably a throw at the stumps in a race that has many winning chances, but Bettors Avenue (2) could surprise. He was fifth behind Heez Manly last time and has had a number of midfield finishes from worse barrier draws.
He ran 10th three starts back over this distance when Futurist finished with him while Arthur Lowe was last in that event. Both pacers are around $5.00 here while Bettors Avenue is $21.
April 6
Race 1
Sheez Edgy (1) hasn’t been far away in recent starts and drawing barrier one against an even field of M0 mares is a huge advantage. Her past two starts have seen her run fourth, with the latest a 4.8m defeat.
She will be trying to hold out Soho Changeling who has very good gate speed and one of the two should be the leader. Whether she is able to lead or trail, Sheez Edgy looks one of the leading contenders in the race and should be fighting out the finish.
Race 2
Our Zak Whitby (2) would be over the line if he had drawn the pole but instead he will have to settle for letting Hot Fraternity lead and try and obtain 1 out 1 back cover which would be ideal; under that scenario I favour Our Zak Whitby to have too much closing speed for Hot Fraternity who was very good last start.
Three starts ago Our Zak Whitby ran fourth in the Narrogin Pacing Cup (2662m) and he should be midfield or better in the moving line. He won’t be far away from barrier two.
Race 3
Miss Sangrial (1) has been beaten as an odds-on favourite at her past two starts but she could bounce back returning to her own age group. The mile rate wasn’t that quick in either defeat and a stronger tempo may suit her more.
She has the necessary speed to lead, unless they decide that trailing Amelias Courage or Our Angel Of Harlem is a better option. Chris Lewis takes the drive which makes me think that they will hold up and her prior form against the three-year-old boys was good enough to be an each-way contender.
Race 8
The standing-start event is a great contest and once again highlights why stands can be a great alternative to mobile starts.
Skye Bond has Risk and Rock Diamonds (8) engaged and there is very little between the pair who both begin off 10m. The Real Nadal should lead but he lacks the class of the Bond pair while The Bucket List is the class runner off 20m and will be a huge threat also.
Rock Diamonds is first up which is the concern and Ryan Warwick picks Risk but Chris Lewis takes the drive behind Rock Diamonds and he is a master behind the tapes.
Race 9
Art Keeper could be at risk of being crossed by speedy beginner All The Whispers. Any early speed burn would suit the Gary Hall Snr pair Whozideawasthis (5) and Red October (12). The latter is a more versatile pacer who won from the breeze in 1:56.3 three starts ago while the former is quick and could be a threat if he settled close in the run.
I’m happy to suggest both of the Hall runners at current prices as I think they will give Art Keeper some strong competition in the penultimate event.
March 9
Race 2
Major Catastrophe (9) drops a long way in class from his eighth-placing in the Pinjarra Cup (2692m) on Monday. Prior to that he had won two standing-start races and was runner up in the Northam Pacing Cup (2560m).
He will work forward over the 2536m in search for the lead, otherwise will be content to sit outside the leader and looks extremely hard to beat.
Rated Price: $1.70
Race 4
Springsteen (2) is the likely leader in the event and this looks a very even M1-M3 event which means being in front is going to be a big advantage.
Two starts ago he met a similar field when leading and run down late to finish a narrow second to Mac Tiger over the 1730m. His fourth last start was fine as he bumped into Runrunjimmydunn who was far too good.
Rated Price: $3.80
Race 5
The Group 2 Empress Stakes (2536m) has a short-priced favourite in the form of Better B Chevron who drew perfectly in barrier one. I have a query over the 2536m as she has only had one start over the distance when running fifth in the WA Oaks.
She meets an Oaks winner from a different year in the form of Major Reality (6) who is the class runner and racing first up. She appeals at $8.50 in the event after racing against the top mares over the Inter Dominion carnival.
Sheer Rocknroll and Madame Meilland have each-way claims in the race while Gotta Go Gabbana looks a place chance.
Rated Price: $4.80
Race 6
Vampiro leads but could be vulnerable in this company after defeating Runrunjimmydunn by a half-head back in December. He got a cheap 32.3 first quarter and they dashed home in 55.3 seconds. This time around I expect Runrunjimmydunn (8) to apply some pressure and he looks the better horse.
While I think Runrunjimmydunn can turn the tables, he has a stablemate in the race by the name of Zennart (5) who is quick. He could be on the back of Runrunjimmydunn which makes him a huge danger.
Because Vampiro is so short at the moment ($1.55), we can back both Runrunjimmydunn and Zennart in the race and we should go very close to an even-money collect.
Rated Price: $3.00
Rated Price: $3.50
Race 8
Major Rush (2) comes up with a good barrier as he begins from the inside of the 10m line with only Mister Tom Dooley off the front.
If that horse makes a mistake then Major Rush will be some chance of finding the front, otherwise Ruling Gold or Another Ayjay should find the front.
Major Rush was third in the Northam Pacing Cup (2560m) and then third in a stand here when racing outside of the leader which isn’t his go. He should be flashing late.
Rated Price: $6.00
Race 9
Rockin The Boys (2) was a game second after facing the breeze last start in a similar race. Chris Lewis will be searching for the front and if he finds it, then the $3.80 on offer will be tremendous value as she excels as a frontrunner.
One For Sassy is drawn inside and may be thinking of leading also but he did drop out last start which is some concern; his prior form is excellent and he looms as a very strong winning chance too.
Rated Price: $2.60