Races

Digby Beacham’s Thursday Bunbury Preview

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

RACE 1

Whilst there is an element of the unknown at how the Bunbury track will play at its re-opening, there’s no debating how good it is to have racing back in the South-West of the State. For the first time in his career, BIG PLAYER hits a maiden race and off the back of two runs this time in, should be now at peak fitness. Went back last start from a wide barrier, but with Luke Campbell claiming 1.5kg here, it wouldn’t be a shock to see a more positive approach. JANNY is the logical danger and will be on top for many. Her return was sound when you factor in she was unable to build momentum around the corner from a low draw. Hasn’t run a bad race in three lifetime starts. GRAND RESERVE worked home nicely on debut at Northam, while LET SPARKS FLY was fair in her most recent outing when she was a bit keen.

Numbers: 1 – 8 – 7 – 9

Suggested Bet – BIG PLAYER EACH-WAY

RACE 2

Opening day at Bunbury and Peter Giadresco used to go hand in hand. He is no longer training a huge string of horses, but appears to have a nice one in SPEAK TO ME. Now a fully furnished four-year-old son of God Has Spoken, his trial win at Lark Hill earlier this month was sound. Has since had plenty of time to come on from that and hits this 1400m assignment with blinkers, a good gate and Brad Parnham. Lots to like. PRIVATE SAPLING was ridden far too aggressively last outing. Expect him to again be at the front of the field, but rated better. FLASH PADDY will be suited over further, but the trial was good. The barrier isn’t. SECRECY has shown more than enough talent previously to be a threat here fresh.

Numbers: 8 – 3 – 5 – 2

Suggested Bet – SPEAK TO ME WIN

RACE 3

The picture of this race could become considerably clearer after VENTURO steps out at Ascot midweek in a C1. CHER ran second to him in a Belmont trial this month and they gapped the others. If he measures up, the price of Trevor Andrews’ filly will disappear. Think she has the talent levels and gate speed to be right there at the business end under Holly Watson on debut. Fellow first starter PROCESSIO was doing her best work late in a Lark Hill trial over 960m and William Pike takes the reins. Watch betting moves. PROMISED BRIDE hasn’t trialled in the lead-up to her first-up run, but Paul Roberts has fitted blinkers in a sign of intent. SCORPION RULER (Shaun McGruddy riding 54kg midweek) and CABLE GIRL next best.

Numbers: 9 – 12 – 2 – 6

Suggested Bet – CHER WIN

RACE 4

MAXINE’S WISH was able to kick up and hold the lead on debut over 1000 at Northam and showed tremendous grit to fight back when challenged by TYCOON HARRY. The margin wasn’t great and with the benefit of that hit-out and another economical barrier, I’m thinking this Brad Graham-prepared mare is the one they need to get past. ONE ABOVE ALL trialled particularly well at Lark Hill. Could have entertained having him on top had he drawn better on debut. A big watch. Talking of trials, MASCHINO MOON did everything right at her latest jump-out, although that was seven weeks ago. SUPER SNIPPY couldn’t really be tested at his trial because he wanted to lay in a bit. His best form is sound, however he now needs to display it around a corner from a wide barrier.

Numbers: 7 – 10 – 13 – 1

Suggested Bet – MAXINE’S WISH WIN

RACE 5

KILLARNEY is the starting point and, in all likelihood, the finishing point also. Blinkers were fitted for his return to racing at York and while he was beaten into sixth place behind DIVINE JUDGEMENT, the manner in which he found the line at a track which probably didn’t suit was most encouraging. The step to 1690m looks ideal. ICEBERGS was scratched from Wednesday to run here and from the soft draw, will get every chance to run out a strong mile. COVENTRY REEF and KEEP IT HUSH can come on second-up.

Numbers: 4 – 11 – 3 – 2

Suggested Bet – KILLARNEY WIN

RACE 6

LOVA SESSION had been knocking on the door until someone finally opened it last start. Off the back of that win, when Dan Morton applied blinkers and brought her back from 2200m to 1600m, there’s no reason why she can’t again prove hard to toss here. Expect Chris Parnham to again be positive despite rising 2.5kgs into C1 company. A daring ride by Holly Watson aboard SAMARIA at York nearly proved a masterstroke. The mare has been in the money in six of her nine starts. GRATIAS DEO is second-up and 1400m to 1690m off no trial, but comes back from a C3 to a C1 and was only beaten five lengths behind YONGA LASS last outing. THE ROAN RANGER wasn’t tested in his latest 1450m Lark Hill trial.

Numbers: 5 – 3 – 8 – 1

Suggested Bet – LOVA SESSION WIN

RACE 7

The market was respectful without being in love with YONGA LASS at her first start for Grant and Alana Williams at Northam on October 11. The manner in which she savaged the line ensured she would be very popular at her next outing, which is here. And from barrier four with William Pike in the saddle, the set-up looks lovely. She’ll stalk the speed and come with a run. Destined for better races than this. MEGAMI is proving a bit hit and miss out of the gates. Thought her effort at Ascot in a graduation assignment after bungling the start was super. DESENNEA ran third in that race after tracking up three-deep in the run. Respecting him and also thinking AWESOME CHATTER is building nicely. Third-up today and a third-up winner last prep.

Numbers: 6 – 1 – 5 – 2

Suggested Bet – YONGA LASS WIN

RACE 8

A big field to finish the day and a race with plenty of intrigue. LITTLE SIVER and CHOLLIMA are going to have their admirers after showing their talent levels previously. In the end I have sided up with LITTLE SILVER, who has been freshened off a last-start fifth over 1000m in 66+ grade behind SOPHIA’S SYMPHONY. Rises 5.5kg here, but will be ridden aggressively by Shaun McGruddy from a good gate and therefore has a tactical advantage over CHOLLIMA. He might well need it though. This filly is smart. Haven’t seen her at the trials, but her debut win earlier in the year over ANCIENT GUIDANCE, a subsequent dual Saturday winner, was breathtaking. BEAUTY IN ME, CRUISE TO VICTORY and FAST FLICKER are racing well.

Numbers: 2 – 14 – 11 – 7

Suggested Bet – LITTLE SILVER WIN

Quaddie (Races 5-8)

4,11

5,3,8,1,6, 0

6,1,5

2,14,11,7,13

Market Market



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