Races

Michael Heaton’s Thursday Northam Preview

Posted on | Posted by Michael Heaton

RACE 1

LIGHT OF THE WORLD looked good when leading up his trials but he hasn’t been able to get near the speed on race day yet. He matched motors with the impressive Heavenly Paradise in a recent trial, has been gelded since his last start where he was held up on straightening and beaten only 2.7L on a Saturday and the step to 1400m in a race he can find the front in looks much more up his alley. MANHATTAN RHYTHM hasn’t been too far away at Saturday level at his past 3 starts and this race looks significantly weaker. CARRIGANE BOY has done his best work late at his past 2 outings and is going okay. NEW YORK GROOVE will likely settle rearwards but got home okay on debut last week and the step to 1400m looks more suitable.

Numbers: 4-1-2-6

Suggested Bet – LIGHT OF THE WORLD WIN

RACE 2

DIRTY HABITS will need a bit to go right from his outside draw and rearwards settling position but his race debut last preparation was a real replay watcher’s run. He didn’t see much daylight and was beaten less than 2L by Searchin’ Times (who won her next 3) and whilst he likely wants further like his half-brother and reigning Perth Cup runner-up Filthy Habits, if he’s within striking distance on straightening he can play a part in this. BOOKENDS drops back from 1300m to 1100m with blinkers for the first time and will have admirers but he has only been fair at his first 2 starts? DREAMLORD will need some luck from a tricky gate but his recent trials have been okay. ZERO TO SIXTY drops back from 1400m to 1100m and should get the run of the race.

Numbers: 2-5-3-1

Suggested Bet – DIRTY HABITS WIN

RACE 3

SAPPHIRE DAWN was a big run on debut when racing first up, no trial from barrier 14 of 14 and coming from a distant last to run third to Common Touch (races Wednesday) on a leader-dominated day. She now draws a better gate with the benefit of a run and race experience under her belt. BADGER BOB debuts off the back of a nice recent trial win when well held throughout and whilst there must be a big question mark on the quality of his opposition in that heat, he should land in a perfect position for Pike here. BUBBLES IN RIO resumes without a trial and has been a perennial placegetter throughout her career. CHE FIGATA showed a bit early doors and is a big watch at his first start for Lyn Watson.

Numbers: 9-2-4-1

Suggested Bet – SAPPHIRE DAWN EACH-WAY

RACE 4

ADMIRE THE GIRL is a lightly-raced 4YO from the flying yard of Jason Miller and she’s trialled up very nicely on 2 occasions when never let off the bridle in either. She was a fresh winner last campaign and whilst this is a step up, she should get a sweet run camped behind the expected hot tempo for Pike and looks hard to beat. SNIPER’S SON has been a hard horse to catch over the journey but the shades went on for the first time last start and he landed big bets in a fast-run 1000m C1. He’ll land in the first 4 in running and will likely look the winner at some stage. SESH is going much better this preparation and was a winner at this track/grade/distance only 2 starts back. SUNLIT FRESCO has the ability but has been going well below her best since the spring.

Numbers: 4-2-5-3

Suggested Bet – ADMIRE THE GIRL WIN

RACE 5

SPANISH ARMADA was only fair in his 2 runs last campaign but he also finished alongside horses like Joyoh and Common Touch and his recent trial when only nabbed late by subsequent debut winner Flip The Pattys was solid. He strikes a winnable race first up and can ride the speed. PEANUT BUTTER trialled up well and ran accordingly first up when hitting the line powerfully to make big late ground on an on-speed day. Might just need a touch of luck if he ends up strung up midfield with a few slow ones around him. FORGOTTEN SON will get back but was a much better trial than reads on paper last month and he showed enough last campaign. TANUNDA hasn’t shown anything at the races but he’s trialled up quite well this time around.

Numbers: 5-1-2-4

Suggested Bet – SPANISH ARMADA EACH-WAY

RACE 6

JIMMY ANGEL doesn’t win out of turn but he’s highly consistent and this is a great race for him. His last 3 starts have been in higher grade, which includes being beaten a nose by Esta Mirando and beating home subsequent winner and narrow Belmont Guineas runner-up Prince Of Dala 2 starts ago before getting caught on the wrong part of the track and finishing a strong third to Hurricane Harley and Deltason last start. He now drops into a C1, gets a good claim and can ride the speed. VANDOULA JET had blinkers on for the first time in the same race last start and was given every chance but she wasn’t able to get past Jimmy Angel. The blinkers now come straight back off and she draws ideally. LADY MONEY TALK was a nice maiden win last start and could find the front again here if they wish. THINK QUICK has been freshened and typically goes well at Northam.

Numbers: 1-2-6-7

Suggested Bet – JIMMY ANGEL WIN

RACE 7

SHIMONOSEKI has shown a sharp turn of foot at each of her 3 starts in WA and comes out of a hard-run mile back in grade to a C3 (which she won in 2 starts back) from a middle draw. She’s a lightly-raced 4YO who appears to have some upside and this looks a nice setup for her. AUTUMN GEM was a great run first up when hitting the line strongly to miss narrowly on an on-speed day. The step to a mile looks suitable. WYNN LAS VEGAS got caught on the wrong part of the track last start and can improve sharply with the rise in trip if he can roll to the top. OLD MATE HENRY will get back but he’s well placed in this grade and is another who will appreciate the step up in distance.

Numbers: 10-9-1-2

Suggested Bet – SHIMONOSEKI WIN

Quaddie (Race 4 – 7)

2,4,5

1,2,4,5

1,2,6

1,2,9,10,12

180 combinations

Market Market



Recent Articles