Albany Preview, 4th Feb 2016 (The Leg Up)West Australian Racing

Thoroheads

RACE 1 ZOETIS MAIDEN 1:23 PM (1230M)

Champion trainer Adam Durrant usually makes an appearance or two in the Great Southern each season and he has decided to make the trip south with a float full or horses here. And the stable looks set to get off to the best possible start with Trade Fair four-year-old GUNFIRE. Simply put a line through his Pinjarra debut when suffering a heart flutter and finishing down the track, after being kept safe in betting, and we were encouraged by his Lark Hill trial effort on January 11. Has gate speed so he should be able to make the most of his inner barrier and GUNFIRE should be able to get the job done. PEAKMOSS is the danger after getting well out of his ground here last Thursday before running on nicely in the straight. Expect him to be ridden a bit close to the speed here, while IL POSTINO hasn't done a lot wrong in his two starts and should give his supporters a run for their money again. Look out for an improved effort from THEY CALL ME JACK after having little luck in running when being a beaten favourite first up here last Thursday.

Tips: 4-3-1-5

Suggested Bet: (4) GUNFIRE each way.

RACE 2 TRUTEST MAIDEN 2:03 PM (1512M)

The Garry Delane-trained LIGHTNING POINT is developing into a professional placegetter, however, this race does look his for the taking. With five minor placings from eight starts to his name, the son of High Chaparral shouldn't have any excuses jumping from a positive inner alley and with quality senior jockey Glenn Smith maintaining the ride. We get the feeling if LIGHTNING POINT can pinch a win he will get the confidence to go through the grades, and this appears his best chance yet to break through. KONGSBERG is an interesting type from the Steve Wolfe stable, returning to the races after being sent back to trials for playing up in the gates here on January 9. Hasn't raced since Boxing Day, however, looked in good nick when winning a barrier trial here last Thursday. Appears the only danger to LIGHTNING POINT. GALINBA GIRL ran a nice race first up at Mt Barker on January 17, working home well for third after getting a long way back in running, while SAVANNAH'S GRACE is the wild card with her ability to go forward, set a fast tempo and box on in the straight.

Tips: 1-3-5-6

Suggested Bet: (1) LIGHTNING POINT each way.

RACE 3 KENSO KENUP DRY HANDICAP 2:43 PM (1512M)

Only a smallish field to face the starter here, however, it is quite competitive with our early assessment coming up with six horses with genuine winning chances. We settled on the ever-consistent TEE PEE CAT to crack it for her first win this Great Southern season, having recorded three second placings from five starts. We feel she is better suited dropping back to the 1512 metres and the in-form Shaun McGruddy should be able to give her every chance jumping from the handy barrier draw.  TEE PEE CAT has played second-fiddle to stablemate ALVARES this season, however, this could be her day to turn the tables. SHILLING is a horse that possesses his share of ability and returns to the region after racing at Pinjarra and Ascot at his past two starts. Chased home Corporate Larrikin here three starts back and that form stacks up very well. ALVARES found the 1850 metres at Mt Barker beyond him last start, however, this does appear to be a more suitable assignment. Will roll forward, set the pace and take some getting past in the straight, while we're expecting to see a more competitive CANNA LILY here. 

Tips: 4-5-3-2

Suggested Bet: (4) TEE PEE CAT each way.

RACE 4 CSBP HANDICAP 3:25 PM (1512M)

It has been a long time between drinks for the Steve Wolfe-prepared PICCOLO JOE, however, this race looks set up nicely for him to score his first win in 722 days. Beaten narrowly in a three-way photo here two runs back before a competitive effort behind subsequent Ascot winner It's It at Bunbury last start, PICCOLO JOE appears to have the strongest form lines in the race and his ability to race on speed means the awkward barrier draw shouldn't be an issue. Esperance visitor BOHEMIAN LASS is the interesting runner of the race, coming out of a very comfortable maiden win in the Bay Of Isles on January 8. Has raced well there all season and we're anticipating another competitive performance in this tougher grade. GEE PEE ESS hasn't done a lot wrong this campaign and should be suited racing in this Class 2 Handicap. Had excuses last start and he shouldn't be overlooked, while the Angela Smith stable is so hot right now and because of this we have thrown BILLESTRINI in for fourth at healthy each-way odds.

 

Tips: 7-8-5-12

Suggested Bet: (7) PICCOLO JOE each way.

RACE 5 BAYER SELOVIN LA HANDICAP 4:00 PM (1050M)

We originally had the Durrant stable's BRACKETS on top, however we switched back to LONG KNIFE after another viewing of his complete demolition job here last Thursday, when blowing his Ratings 68+ rivals away with a heavy duty display of speed. We were a bit concerned with the 6.5kg rise in weight, however, Roy Rogers-trained horses Potent Secret and Dream Merger won with 60.5kg and 60kg respectively last Thursday, so the stable knows what they're doing ... and they're doing everything right at the moment. LONG KNIFE for three wins on the trot. BRACKETS comes to Albany after four competitive performances since returning from a break and the Volkoff and Roger The Roman form lines read very well. The only danger to the top weight. TEKAPO TANGO has to go on as he is rarely far away at the finish of his races and Boyanup visitor HEEZ OUR WALLY has some ability and shouldn't be left out of your Trifectas and First Fours.

Tips: 1-2-3-4

Suggested Bet: (1) LONG KNIFE to win.

RACE 6 VIRBAC HANDICAP 4:36 PM (1900M)

It is good to see these middle-distance races being well supported and the Ratings 64+ band appears to be a great fit for the Great Southern region. This is a competitive line up with and we feel the Adam Durrant-prepared DRUMNOORUM has the best form lines and should be ready to produce a peak performance at his fourth run back from a spell. Durrant and his team are geniuses, especially when it comes to horses racing over 1800 metres and beyond and we simply can't go past DRUMNOORUM. SASSENACH is one of the most improved horses in training in the state, having won three of four starts since joining Dave Hopperton's Mt Barker stable. Gutsed it out to win a tight won at Bunbury last start and he looks well placed dropping 2.5kg after winning. BACKHOUSE STREET has slid down to a remarkably low rating considering his country rating peaked at 76 this time last year. Pitched in with only 52.5kg and he is a major danger, while freakish 11-year-old INSURGENCY continues to do his thing and must rate among the major players. 

Tips: 4-5-7-1

Suggested Bet: (4) DRUMNOORUM each way.

RACE 7 VINIDEX HANDICAP 5:15 PM (1230M)

This is a tremendous race to finish the day and is easily the best betting race of the day. And popular local mare WILD RUBY appears to be the horse to beat, stepping up for the first time since knocking off the smart Furious Dame here on December 10. That form has stood up very well since and WILD RUBY proved last start that she doesn't have to be ridden off-pace to produce her best. Look out for Mitchell Pateman to be positive from the inner barrier draw and the Gene Killick-trained five-year-old is our best each-way play of the day. CHASING CHAOS is arguably the best horse in the race, however, the jury is out on him after his last-start shocker at Ascot. Stable hasn't rushed him back to the races (26 days between runs) and if he is anywhere near his best will prove mighty hard to beat. ASIAN LILY has done plenty of travelling in recent times and heads back to Albany, having finished second (behind Chasing Chaos) on Albany Cup Day last year. Form is hard to fault and she should be thereabouts when the whips are cracking, while DREAM MERGER has to be included after his courageous win with 60kg here last Thursday. You could make a strong case for several other runners, so it looks like being a wide last leg for Quaddie players.

Tips: 3-6-8-2

Suggested Bet: (3) WILD RUBY each way.