Races

Michael Heaton’s Thursday Bunbury Preview

Posted on | Posted by Michael Heaton

RACE 1

NOBLE REIGN steps to a staying trip for the first time but has been racing like he’s looking for ground. The form around him this prep is better than his rivals’ and the small field will suit his negative racing pattern. BEGAAFD led them up at a furious tempo 2 starts back and held on for second before racing out of his grade on the Fibre Sand last time out. He looks much better suited back to a Maiden and Pike jumps back aboard. ALNAUD is a 25-start 7YO maiden but interestingly has now joined the white-hot yard of Michael Grantham. He was racing well at Bunbury earlier this year. RIBELLATO looks a one-paced type who will appreciate the step up in trip.

Numbers: 3-5-1-4

Suggested Bet – NOBLE REIGN WIN

RACE 2

ARTISTRY IN MOTION trialled up impressively before an enormous race debut effort. He was posted 4-wide throughout and made multiple runs when switching back to the inside of heels on straightening and he still managed to hit the line off powerfully. He wasn’t entitled to finish off the way he did and that race was lengths superior to this. QUEEN CARTEL drops out of a Saturday race to a Maiden and still drops 2kg to 53kg after the handy claim. She hasn’t been disgraced at either of her starts and the shades going on should help straighten her up. Debutant LORD ARCADIA was a sharply improved second trial with blinkers on and his last 100m was the best part. MISS FINKMEYER didn’t fire a shot on debut but may have had excuses after copping some Byron Pickett’s early in the race.

Numbers: 1-3-2-6

Suggested Bet – ARTISTRY IN MOTION WIN

RACE 3 

REBELNADO appears to have found a winnable assignment in what looks a two-horse race. Hit the line well over 1300m 2 starts back in a hot form race (5 subsequent winners including Triple The Chant) then got a mile out of his ground in a higher grade last start but did his best work late. He drops back into a moderate Maiden here and the step to a mile should suit. SECRET INTENT has been around the mark all prep and is knocking on the door for a win. Her efforts 2 and 3 starts back were particularly good and she’s the clear danger. BELLA VIOLETTA hasn’t been far away and can kick through to lead this from her inside draw. PRINCE EPAULETTE has many question marks but still looks the next best.

Numbers: 2-4-5-1

Suggested Bet – REBELNADO WIN

RACE 4

SHAULA is a lightly-raced 5YO who appears to have some ability. Resumed in a C3 when a nice second to subsequent winner Kervette then had no luck second up when held up multiple times in the straight. He’s drawn to be kept out of trouble here and the extra 200m looks ideal. GIRLS ON FIRE is one of 3 subsequent winners out of the hot Twisted Steel 2YO race on July 12. She wasn’t exactly convincing when getting the job done at $1.30 on the Fibre Sand last start but her overall form is brilliant for a race like this and 1400m looks within reach now. THE LUCKY CHIP is a very hard horse to catch but he’s hit the line strongly at his last 2 starts and now gets Pike and a smaller field size. CHEETO was quite erratic last start but drops in both class and weight after the claim and defeated Asphalt at this trade/distance 3 starts back.

Numbers: 3-6-5-2

Suggested Bet – SHAULA WIN

RACE 5

CENTRE BOND has always looked raw but with plenty of ability. Loved his recent trial when bursting through the gap to beat Gi Gi Pops and his form last prep when second to subsequent Lex Piper Stakes winner Too Soon reads up well. PHAROAH SHOW resumes first up, no trial and won at this track/distance first up last prep. His last 3 starts before a spell were in Saturday grade, including a fast-finishing fourth in the JC Roberts Stakes, and he gets in well after the claim. PLAY DICE is a handy mare resuming but it’s been 2 months since her trial which is a natural query. MISS ESPRIT is another nice type making her race return. Her peak form reads up very well for a race like this but it looks a sticky map for her from the gate.

Numbers: 3-4-1-2

Suggested Bet – CENTRE BOND WIN

RACE 6

MYSTERIOUS FORTUNE resumes off the back of a solid trial win when leading throughout and he showed good speed to lead and finish (4L) second to Sixinch Heels at his only start to date. Sixinch Heels went on to win her next 3 starts (including 2 Saturdays) and he looks the likely leader and horse to beat here. OLD MATE HENRY was the more impressive trial when finishing second to Mysterious Fortune after getting held up and not being fully tested but still finding the line beautifully. Appears to have plenty of ability but will likely settle near-last here which is the concern. SATURDAY SESH is a 10-start maiden but hasn’t been too far away in some starts and he should enjoy the run of the race from his inside draw. STARTLING STAR is the first foal out of former Gr1 Railway Stakes winner Galaxy Star. The Pierro 4YO is bred in the purple but her trials have only been fair.

Numbers: 3-4-1-12

Suggested Bet – MYSTERIOUS FORTUNE WIN

RACE 7

KERVETTE hasn’t put a foot wrong in WA so far. Ran the fastest closing sectionals of the day when winning first-up over 1300m then came from a long way back to win second-up over 1650m. She only rises 1.5kg here and there’s no reason to suggest she can’t win again. WORCESTER has been very good at both starts back. First up ran the progressive Noble Connection to a neck then over-raced last start and hit the front a touch too early before getting gunned down by Kervette. He gets a 2.5kg swing in his favour here but will need a good steer from the tough draw. NO PEER drops from 3 creditable Saturday runs back to C5 company and will be hitting the line as strong as anything. LYRICAL ANGEL didn’t appear suited rolling forward first up and could be an improver with a run under her belt and ridden colder.

Numbers: 1-4-5-3

Suggested Bet – KERVETTE WIN

Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

2,3,5,6

1,2,3,4,5,7

3,4

1,3,4,5

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