Northam hosts a seven-race twilight meeting in Western Australia on Thursday. Race 1 starts at 1:47pm WA time (4:47pm AEDT), and the track was rated a Good 4 when tips came out. William Pike rides many of the leading chances, which is worth noting on a country card.
Cheyne Bay in Race 6 is our best bet. Saisoku, Snow Monkey and De Lago’s Rock are all well fancied in the maidens, but the prices are short, so they suit multis more than single bets.
Race 1 - 360 Farm And Regional Maiden (2200m)
Selection: Saisoku Current odds: $1.50
Saisoku has placed six times from seven runs this preparation, including a third here last start. It has a good draw and William Pike on board, so it rates well clear on form. Rock The Mic backs up quickly after a second at Belmont and is the main danger. Yalda Night also backs up and gets a soft run over the longer trip.
Selections:
- Saisoku - $1.50
- Rock The Mic - $2.60
- Yalda Night - $9.00
- Rock Silver - $13.00
Race 2 - ATC MB Class 1 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Flying In The Wind Current odds: $1.50
Flying In The Wind won first-up this preparation and ran fifth in a stronger race at Ascot last start. It drops in grade with William Pike riding and should finish strongly. Mr Mellon also drops from metropolitan grade after a win at Belmont three runs back, and the two of them are clear of the rest. Kat Five returns from a spell after placing in a trial.
Selections:
- Flying In The Wind - $1.50
- Mr Mellon - $2.50
- Kat Five - $15.00
- The Lucky Chip - $19.00
Race 3 - UUA Maiden (1000m)
Selection: Keppel Gate Current odds: $3.40
There is not much early speed in this race, so the horses that race on the pace have an edge. Keppel Gate is trained by Simon Miller and has placed first-up before. It drops to an easier race after seventh here and has a good gate. Incredible Mr Fox was third here last start and should be well placed. Luminous Lil has the speed to overcome a wide barrier. Treat this race as an each-way contest.
Selections:
- Keppel Gate - $3.40
- Incredible Mr Fox - $5.50
- Luminous Lil - $3.70
- God She’s Good - $8.50
Race 4 - NTI Maiden (1100m)
Selection: Snow Monkey Current odds: $1.85
Snow Monkey was just beaten here first-up and has plenty of early speed. It should improve second-up and take a lot of beating. Don’t Declare is the only real danger. It resumes after 26 weeks with William Pike riding and was beaten as favourite at Ascot last time. Calltex is a debutant who could run into the placings.
Selections:
- Snow Monkey - $1.85
- Don’t Declare - $2.00
- Calltex - $10.00
- Playa Del Sol - $16.00
Race 5 - Vero Maiden (1600m)
Selection: De Lago’s Rock Current odds: $2.00
De Lago’s Rock was third here last start, has drawn barrier 1 and should lead or sit just behind the leader. With William Pike aboard, it looks hard to beat. Frosted Warrior is the danger. It backs up quickly after a narrow second at Belmont and has improved with each run. Lohtse faces a wide draw, but the second-up runner has the speed to overcome it.
Selections:
- De Lago’s Rock - $2.00
- Frosted Warrior - $2.25
- Lohtse - $11.00
- My Digital Soul - $41.00
Race 6 - Country Wide Insurance Brokers Class 3 Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Cheyne Bay Current odds: $2.40
This is our best bet. Cheyne Bay was narrowly beaten here first-up after finishing strongly. It should race closer to the lead from barrier 5 and should improve second-up. Chino Bay is next best. Its last run at Ascot was below par, but it has won second-up at Pinjarra before. Vancouver Storm was a half-length second here last start and has a useful claim.
Selections:
- Cheyne Bay - $2.40
- Chino Bay - $4.40
- Vancouver Storm - $7.50
- Atlantis Beach - $9.50
Race 7 - Attvest Class 5 Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Queen Aria Current odds: $3.60
Queen Aria ran on into fourth first-up at Bunbury and steps up to a trip that suits. It has won second-up at Pinjarra before, and William Pike rides. Show The Way is the main danger. It is two from two this preparation, both wins here, and is a slightly shorter price. Idyllic Ruler has won five times at Northam and is worth including in exotics first-up.
Selections:
- Queen Aria - $3.60
- Show The Way - $3.30
- Buster Biff - $15.00
- Idyllic Ruler - $20.00
