Races

Michael Heaton’s Thursday Northam Preview

Posted on | Posted by Michael Heaton

RACE 1

MATERIAL WITNESS is untapped and his hardest tasks are usually getting to and out of the barriers safely. Scratched after having a tantrum in the mounting yard last week but second to Timely Outburst (subsequent runner-up to The Spruiker and Graceful Girl at her next two starts) two starts ago and second to Weiner Waltz (subsequent runner-up to Vane Tempest) last start reads well. If Timmy can keep hold of him this time he should be hard to beat. TO RISE AGAIN hasn’t won in more than two years but his first two runs back this prep have been promising and he gets a map to suit. DAISHIO also hasn’t won in a long time but her recent trial win was hard to miss and she’ll appreciate only 53kg on her back. GESSATO beat Smart Princess home last start and gets 2kg on her after the claim of an in-form apprentice.

Numbers: 3 – 4 – 5 – 2

Suggested Bet – MATERIAL WITNESS WIN

RACE 2

BETTER IN KIT clearly has issues (361 days between runs prior to last start) but has always shown talent at the trials and should be better for her first-up third placing. This is an easier assignment and Pike sticks. COLOUR ME SON ran the fastest closing sectionals when runner-up last start and should be the strongest finisher again. JOYRIZE hasn’t raced for almost 12 months but has placed at six of 10 starts and profiles well if she can overcome a sticky draw. CROSS STATEMENT might be a trial short.

Numbers: 6 – 4 – 1 – 2

Suggested Bet – BETTER IN KIT WIN

RACE 3

ZAC LOVES TO FLY has had 15 chances to win a race but won’t get a better opportunity to break his maiden status than this. Placed at four of his past five including solid performances at this track/distance at his last two. Surely today is the day for Zac Dawson. ZEEWIJK is an unplaced six-start maiden but hasn’t been disgraced and the recent trial was sound. Drawn to box seat and the Wolfe yard is on-song. SAFE REST didn’t fire a shot last start but was good at his previous outing after trialling up well in a heat which has produced multiple winners. Also gets the addition of blinkers for the first time. PREPARE FOR CHANGE will be doing his best work late.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 7 – 3

Suggested Bet – ZAC LOVES TO FLY WIN

RACE 4

CRESCENT CITY found traffic in the straight last start but still reeled off the fastest 800, 600m, 400m and 200m splits to run third. He’ll appreciate the extra 100m here and maps to enjoy the softest of runs. OCEANZARA was well-supported first-up but didn’t get appear to get through the wet going and was also the recipient of a hip and shoulder Byron Pickett would be proud of. Extra furlong here suits and drops 3kg with the ever-improving Holly Watson jumping aboard. (#BackWattoWinLotto?). EXQUISITE STAR has hit the line strongly at her two runs back this preparation and gets blinkers added for the first time. TITIAN QUEEN hasn’t done much wrong and would be higher up the order but is likely to have to settle last from the outside draw which makes it tough.

Numbers: 2 – 8 – 12 – 10

Suggested Bet – CRESCENT CITY WIN

RACE 5

MR FAHRENHEIT ran fourth as an even-money favourite last start but ran the fastest last 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m splits again in doing so. Drew awkwardly that day but should be able to position up handier from the better gate here and the step up to a mile looks ideal. Lightly-raced rising 5YO TRULY INSPIRED showed sharp improvement when stepped up to the mile last start and will be doing his best work late. PRIVATE POET backs up off seven days after a cheeky effort over this distance and can give them something to catch. THE HUNTSMEN comes out of the same race as Truly Inspired when hitting the line strongly first-up no trial over 1600m. Should take natural benefit from the run but the draw hurts.

Numbers: 2 – 6 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet – MR FAHRENHEIT WIN

RACE 6

WHAT ABOUT MOI was scratched from a winnable Class Three at Belmont yesterday in preference for an even more winnable Class One here. A progressive 3YO brilliantly placed dropping back from a 60+ to a 50+ and looks very hard to beat. GINGER BAKER steps up to a mile for the first time and might have to settle last from the draw but resumed in a strong 3YO 62+ which has proven to be a white-hot form reference before finishing a close second to a fellow smart 3YO in Astro Warrior in this grade last start. ONE FOR THE ROAD is only coming out of a Kalgoorlie maiden but the time was electric, he maps sweetly and the extra furlong suits. FOOTSTEPS can be competitive in this grade.

Numbers: 2 – 1 – 3 – 5

Suggested Bet – WHAT ABOUT MOI WIN

RACE 7

MISS IVY LEAGUE comes from a strong 3YO 62+ behind Graceful Girl, Timely Outburst, Divine Pair and Hot Zed and drops back to a provincial 54+ but rises only 1kg after the claim. Natural query stepping up to 1400m for the first time but is already a winner and placegetter in this grade and should enjoy a lovely run from the draw. NEW AMSTERDAM is going super this campaign and will appreciate any rain about but might have to do it tough from the wide alley. ASTRO WARRIOR has also drawn awkwardly but is best suited when allowed to roll forward and a repeat of his last-start performance would see him in the finish. JARMAN doesn’t win out of turn but is an honest type, maps favourably and drops 3.5kg from his last start-start placing in the same grade.

Numbers: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4

Suggested Bet – MISS IVY LEAGUE EACH-WAY

Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

2,8

1,2,3,6,9,14

2,1

1,2,3,4,6

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