Races

Michael Heaton’s Thursday Northam Preview

Posted on | Posted by Michael Heaton

RACE 1

IDYLLIC RULER was able to find the top last start and won well. It’s always tricky following a horse from a maiden win into a C1 at their next start but he should be able to lead again and appears to have upside. STOP DREAMING made an eye-catching return after almost 12 months away from racing. He charged through the line and looks suited by the small field and the step up to a mile. EXPELLIARMUS jumps from 1300m to 1600m but produced a strong final furlong after copping a check last start and raced well over a mile last prep. MERITIA next best.

Numbers: 3 – 1 – 2 – 4

Suggested Bet – IDYLLIC RULER WIN

RACE 2

ROCKIN’ THE SILKS is a 10-start maiden but produced arguably a career-best performance last start. Charged home in the fastest closing splits to run second to Idyllic Ruler (who could frank the form in the first race) and he should be able to a soft run midfield. DUO MUSO was a horror watch at Kalgoorlie two starts ago when held up the entire before running (a distant) third to Guarding Heaven last time out. Natural query jumping from 1300m to 1600m but she could work her way to the top in a race without much speed and with only 52.5kg on her back. PLAY WITH DESIRE was much better last start and looks ready for the mile. LIEN HYPHEN hasn’t had much luck at her last couple.

Numbers: 2 – 9 – 4 – 10

Suggested Bet – ROCKIN’ THE SILKS WIN

RACE 3 

ROCKET JUICE has been gelded since his last prep and trialled up impressively when covering ground and still being strong through the line. His efforts in his two career starts to date are good enough for a race of this nature and with natural improvement from the ultimate gear change he could prove hard to beat. SOUND THE CHARGE loomed then peaked over the late stages first-up over 1400m. He looks suited dropping back to 1300m and with more fitness under his belt. THE RUSH was plain first up but has a tongue tie going on and her form last prep suggests she can improve sharply. UNDERCOVER SNIPER didn’t make an impression on debut but the booking of Pike catches the eye second up in a moderate field.

Numbers: 7 – 1 – 6 – 9

Suggested Bet – ROCKET JUICE WIN

RACE 4

HOLDOUT produced a big run when held up then flashing late to run second to subsequent Saturday winner Pleasure Cruise two starts back before getting posted three-wide and without cover last time out. He maps to get a gun run from his inside draw here and a repeat of either of his efforts two and three starts back is good enough. MANZOR MAGIC has caught the eye over the late stages of his trials and 1300m looks a suitable kick-off point for him on debut. He should be doing his best work late. SPREAD THE RUMOUR raced a bit fiercely on debut at York but was only bloused in the final stride by a horse (Budgerigar) who could frank the form at Ascot on Wednesday and he should be able to find the front. Debutant KERMELIA has shown some ability in her trials.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 3 – 10

Suggested Bet – HOLDOUT EACH-WAY

RACE 5

GAGE ROADS is hard to catch but has struck a very winnable race. He got into a bumping duel in the straight when fourth to Rockin’ Rupert first up from a freshen before being beaten less than three lengths in Saturday grade after getting posted wide without cover last time out. He reunites with Pike here and can camp on the leaders from his good draw. ROCH LEGACY ran a ripper first up at $101 for his new stable and is much better suited stepping up to a mile. He’s well placed after racing exclusively in Saturday grade at his past 10 starts. MEGAMI had been going well below her best but hit the line well last start in a return to form. POWERFUL FORCE can work his way to the top.

Numbers: 3 – 5 – 1 – 8

Suggested Bet – GAGE ROADS WIN

RACE 6

VALDARENA is a big watch. Put together two really nice runs back in March before trialling up super on two occasions in August but now hasn’t been seen publicly for two months. She’s a lightly-raced 4YO who appears to have good ability but the multiple gear changes suggest she might have a few quirks. KING’S ARTILLERY was a sharp improver with the blinkers going on in his most recent trial and should be able to get a nice run for Pike behind the expected hot tempo. SONOFABOSS and BRONTE’S DREAM both resume and both look very fast.

Numbers: 5 – 8 – 6 – 7

Suggested Bet – VALDARENA WIN

RACE 7

PACIFIC BOXER drops back into a C3 after racing in Saturday grade at his past four starts, including placing two and three starts back. He was a bit plan most recently but this is a much more suitable assignment. UNDER INFLUENCE was held up at different stages first up but still found the line very well in traffic. He’ll appreciate the expected hot tempo up front and will launching late. DEEP ENVY is brilliantly placed back into a C3 as a previous 3YO Saturday winner and she trialled up very well ahead of her return but simply didn’t fire a solitary shot first up. CATCH THE RED EYE and Sue Olive’s stable in general are going great guns.

Numbers: 2 – 4 – 1 – 3

Suggested Bet – PACIFIC BOXER EACH-WAY

Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

2,3,4,10

3,5

5,8

1,2,3,4,5,11

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