Pinjarra 11/01/2020

Conditions

Rail – True
Track – Good 4
Forecast – Max 36 degrees, sunny

Race 1 – Country Comfort Perth Plate – 1200m – 12:43pm

Chix Chatter is two for two at trials. It is his first time at the races, but quite a few of the other horses are in the same boat. David Harrison knows how to train two-year-olds and Joey is coming off a great riding stint in Singapore which are both positives. Precautionary is also coming off some very nice trials and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her winning here. She also gets in very well in the weights with Harry’s claim. Brazen Arrow should improve after having his first run last start and may appreciate the extra distance after getting a touch too far back. La Farola won her first trial and came fourth at her second trial behind Chix Chatter. The wide barrier may be a concern, but as I previously stated, many horses are having their first start so anything can happen.
3 – Chix Chatter
9 – Precautionary
1 – Brazen Arrow
8 – La Farola

Race 2 – Sound Telegraph Maiden – 1400m – 1:23pm

Mexi Cola comes into this race having not raced or trialled since July, so there is an unknown element there in how he has returned and his fitness. However, his form early in 2019 was good and he seems to have some ability, while being lightly raced in what seems to be a weak race. I Hope You Dance ran a nice second at Pinjarra on boxing day after coming from the back. She should be fit third up here and improve on that run. Magic Empire has never won in fifteen starts but he was knocking on the door last start and does drop down in distance here. Roo has come second her past two starts at Pinjarra. She may have to use some petrol early on to get into a nice spot from the wide barrier, but she could surprise.
7 – Mexi Cola
9 – I Hope You Dance
1 – Magic Empire
10 – Roo

Race 3 – Westspeed Platinum – Kwik N’ Kleen Car Wash Handicap – 1400m – 2:05pm

Kelly’s Gem was racing well last preparation, including running in the Belmont Oaks. She did come back a bit shaky, coming last in a trial but has since bounced back winning two trials leading into this race. Perceptive Miss has improved with each run, winning last start at Ascot. Form surrounding that win is perhaps not that great and it’s an interesting choice to drop her down in distance, given her last performance at this distance and with a wide barrier (which she’s also drawn here), but she did get too far back then, so I’ll forgive that run. Advocator is no superstar, but she has been racing consistently third and fourth this preparation. She does step up in class, but Jade should give her a lovely ride from that barrier. Starorio has won her previous two starts at Albany, so brings confidence from that race, plus it looks like this horse just loves to run for Brodie Kirby.
2 – Kelly’s Gem
5 – Perceptive Miss
7 – Advocator
6 – Starorio

Race 4 – Bowden Select Handicap – 1500m – 2:50pm

Censure has been racing very well this preparation and seems to be a horse with some ability, with her first up run being the only bad one this preparation (and only time outside the top three). Pike jumps off in favour of Snippy Miss, but Ben has ridden this horse plenty of times before. She’s a great value chance. Snippy Miss has run second to horses that people have high options of, and she could very well get her chance here. She steps up to the 1500m for the first time but she is a serious threat. Call Again has placed in the top three at his last three starts at this track (3:1-1-1) and there’s no reason why he can’t do the same again today. Sauvegarde is a winner of her last three starts and seems to be a versatile horse. She doesn’t have the good form surround her races as some of the horses, but she can run well here.
8 – Censure
5 – Snippy Miss
2 – Call Again
4 – Sauvegarde

Race 5 – The Sandbar Scarborough Beach Handicap – 2000m – 3:30pm

Not To Be Mist is a horse that is flying and clearly has ability. He has overcome 60kg and a wide barrier before, however, the step up to 2000m does make me slightly nervous. British Bessy was probably just outclassed slightly in the Perth Cup, so dropping down in class should definitely benefit her here. Aconite came third in a group 3 last start over 1800m. Based on that performance she should appreciate the 2000m and despite dropping in class, she only goes up 0.5kg on last start. Rivalry Galore was racing incredibly well last preparation, though has come back slightly disappointing in his trials and first up run. I’d be looking for me to improve here, though he may be better suited on a soft track.
1 – Not To Be Mist
7 – British Bessy
6 – Aconite
4 – Rivalry Galore

Race 6 – The Mandurah Mail Handicap – 1300m – 4:10pm

Put A Spell On You is a horse that is going places, having only placed outside the top three once (4:2-0-1). Pike wasn’t on board when she finished seventh, so it’s great to have him back on board, especially as the pair won last start at this track and distance. Lacevinsky has placed second to Not To Be Mist twice this preparation, which is very good form. He’s also raced well in his other races and he should be right up there, despite the wide barrier and new jockey. Maschino Miss isn’t really a horse you can knock, especially after she won last start. She also gets in well at the weights after Kristy’s claim, bringing her back into the race. Prevailing Winds got too far back last start but had been racing well prior to that.
12 – Put A Spell On You
6 – Lacevinsky
1 – Maschino Miss
3 – Prevailing Winds

Race 7 – Sign Strategy Handicap – 1300m – 4:45pm

Serenity Bay has a nice quiet trial leading into this race and last preparation had never placed outside of the top two (4:2-2-0). She could very well be winning here if she can reproduce any of those performances. Street Fair got way too far back last start but still managed to place second behind Put A Spell On You. He’s shown this fantastic turn of foot before and it may be his secret weapon to win here, plus he’s great value if he does get up. Horizon has been racing very consistently and there’s nothing really to complain about with his runs. Abby Lane went into last start’s run with no trial and still managed to run third. He was racing well last preparation and should only improve here.
10 – Serenity Bay
9 – Street Fair
3 – Horizon
4 – Abby Lane

Race 8 – Bunbury Apartment Motel, 100 Club Mandurah Cup – 1400m – 5:20pm

Midnight Sky won last start, though was disappointing three starts ago. This looks to be a more competitive race with good form lines from other horses, so she’s going to have to bring her best if she wants to win here. Snowchino was backed as the winner by many punters last start after placing in key lead up races, but she couldn’t quite get there. The drop down in distance will suit (as perhaps 1800m was just too far for her given that she likes to lead) and she should get to the front easily as long as she jumps well, however, she is on the one-week backup. Harry Thomas rarely runs a bad race and is always up there. He drops down in distance but he’s the dark horse in this race. DanceMusic has been racing well, with three seconds and a third in her past four runs. I also like how she can lead or sit, and this versatility may come in handy here.
11 – Midnight Sky
5 – Snowchino
10 – Harry Thomas
6 – Dance Music

Race 9 – Hygain – Feeding Champions Since 1983 Handicap – 1200m – 5:55pm

Flower of War has an amazing good track record (6:5-1-0) and showed she’s come back just as good this preparation, winning last start. The wide barrier and weight is a concern but she has the ability to overcome this. State Attorney can probably win this race with no doubt, as he also won last start. He may also get a better place in the run than Flower of War, but I just don’t think he has the raw ability like Flower of War. Danny George has a great first up record (4:3-0-0) and while the 1000m seems to suit him better, he has trialled well leading into this race. Northern River is having her first start in WA for Lindsay Smith. Her first up record is ok (4:0-1-1) and she could be a horse to watch if the sea change does her good.  
4 – Flower of War
8 – State Attorney
3 – Danny George
10 – Northern River 

Race 10 – Magic Millions WA Ladies Day Saturday Feb 8 Handicap – 1600m – 6:30pm

Choice Command has been the bridesmaid in his last three starts. He should be able to settle into the spot he wants (in the first few) from that barrier. If you want a safe bet, back him to run second as he has a great record at running second (9:1-5-0). Son of Bacchus has been racing very consistently, with good form surrounding these races. I would have had him on top, but I worried that from the very wide barrier that he may get too far back and perhaps even stuck in traffic. Playing Marika has shown a good turn of foot in her past two starts to run second. If she could either settle slightly further forward or get a clear run in the straight, then watch out. Lucky LindaLulu continues her good form this preparation and should only improve third up here.
9 – Choice Command
1 – Son of Bacchus
12 – Playing Marika
3 – Lucky Linda Lulu

Best Bet

Race 9 – Flower of War

Confidence rating

I’m not as familiar with the Pinjarra track compared to Ascot and Belmont, plus there are some very evenly matched horses. I’m mostly concerned about Midnight Sky plus I also tossed up between, Flower of War, Serenity Bay and Censure (because she’s such amazing value) as my best bet, so if you’re looking for an outsider and another good pick, I’d go with those two.