3 minute read
Boxing Day Racing heads to Esperance on Thursday with seven races on offer.
You can watch every moment from Esperance, as well as Pinjarra and Albany live and free on 7Plus and Racing WA.
Race 1: KIA - MOVEMENT THAT INSPIRES MAIDEN (1200m)
FAVAIOS (2) has improved this season since joining the local Helen Harding stable. He was runner-up as favourite here nearly 3 weeks ago and even though he cops a tougher gate this time, he can go on better. I HAD A DREAM (1) hit the front early in the run home here when resuming from a spell 12 days ago and proceeded to race greenly when under pressure. He probably got there too soon that day and with a more patient ride this time, he will be hard to hold out. DUBAI'S DAUGHTER (5) was near enough earlier in the season and has since changed stables. She will find the company around these parts more to her liking and is capable of snagging a win over the Christmas period. CLASSIC CODE (8) ran on strongly when finishing third fresh up for a new trainer on this track 12 days ago and has an extra 100m to travel this time. She won't be long in breaking through in this area.
Race 2: EXPRESS YOURSELF PRINTING MAIDEN (1400m)
KEEP A KNOCKIN' (2) will be peaking third up and has shown quick improvement since making the move to this area, escaping the metro quality fields. He will continue to get better with more racing and can get the job done after finishing runner-up on this track nearly 3 weeks ago. THE MAN HIMSELF (4) did not fire in 3 starts this prep and has changed stables. His last 2 starts are best overlooked due to wide draws and from a superior gate here, he is open to sharp improvement. Let the market be your guide. ORIENTAL FLYER (8) was beaten by a wide gate on a muddling pace here nearly 3 weeks ago and is ready for the step up to 1400m. A wide draw is no help but in this field, he can figure in the top 3. FLASH INVADER (5) has raced his way into form and his last couple of starts at Geraldton have been his best. Kate Pateman steps into the irons and the pair merit healthy respect.
Race 3: COMFORT INN BAY OF ISLES HANDICAP (1300m)
LUCKY SUE (3) flipped her form around when winning fresh up here nearly 3 weeks ago over 1100m and the fact that she was only playing 10/1 suggests that plenty knew about her recent improvement. The extra furlong second up is ideal and she can win again but don't expect any fancy money this time. HOT PUDDIN (5) changed stables before her last start after a couple of poor runs and she did not do any better in her first run from the local Josh Brown stable. He does not muck around with horses if they aren't paying their way so he must be worth another chance. Each way value. FIRST LAW (1) is a handy gelding who does not win often but is seldom far away. He got going late here last start when finishing third and will be peaking for a more suitable trip of 1300m here. Stick with him on an each-way basis. HABIB (4) has a good record on this track and has a handy draw fresh up. He usually takes a run but at this level, he is worth including in all combinations.
Race 4: KIA SPORTAGE HANDICAP (1100m)
DEBONNAIRE (3) won 5 races in a row at Kalgoorlie during the winter months before finishing sixth there in his last run before taking a well-earned break. He comes to hand quickly and starts from a very handy gate. There is more in store for this gelding over the summer and if it is not too sharp for him over 1100m, he will be hard to hold out. BOOZEROO (4) got in the deciding strides here fresh up from a spell early 5 weeks ago when scoring by over half-a-length. He has a very strong record on his home track and is at his best over the trip. Go again. STORM COMMANDER (1) put in some solid efforts in tougher company late last season and is resuming from a spell at a more suitable level. He might need the run but has won twice over this trip and should not be risked. Watch for him late. TALK SOFTLY (6) has been handled patiently and has built up a strong record with 6 wins from just 18 starts. He will be peaking third up and will appreciate the drop back from 1200m to 1100m. Each way.
Race 5: DRAKE-BROCKMAN BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION HANDICAP (1100m)
SHEZGOTTHALOT (8) showed some signs of a form return when finishing third here nearly 5 weeks ago. She seems to prefer racing over shorter trips after being tested over longer earlier in the season. Now that she has rediscovered her confidence, she can take this out. MYTHICAL MISS (7) was a beaten favourite fresh up in her first run for a new trainer. She can be excused for that performance after being found lame after the race. She only has to race up to the form that she showed earlier in her career to be hard to beat in this. Follow your money. MUSSA (3) has been racing her way into fitness but is having no joy with her barrier draws this season and cops another wide gate here. If she can find some luck in the run, then she can turn her form around. Include in all combinations. SECRICITY (5) picked up her maiden win last season at Northam and is resuming from a spell at a suitable level. She was runner-up in a recent Lark trial and is good enough to take this out fresh up.
Race 6: GREAT NORTHERN HANDICAP (1400m)
SAFE RAPPA (4) hit the front in the home straight here nearly 3 weeks ago and looked all over the winner before being stung on the line and finishing second by a short-head. He will be spot-on for this assignment and will go close again. On top. WEST COAST WARRIOR (1) changed stables before the start of the season and made an immediate impact for his new trainer when winning fresh up here at the start of the month, his first success in over 20 starts. He then followed that up with a second-place finish on the track 12 days ago. He is back to 1400m from the mile and can give this a shake. PURE QUALITY (5) has hit the line strongly in her last couple of starts on this track, finishing runner-up 12 days ago, and finally nails a decent draw. She can settle closer this time and can go one better. SMALL TOWN RUBY (8) should have no fitness excuses after having 3 runs back from a spell and it is worth noting that the concussion plates have been removed. She is worth one more chance.
Race 7: BOOKMAKERS CHARLIE OSMETTI & ERNIE MCCREED BOXING DAY HANDICAP (1600m)
ELITE FIGHTER (3) has not looked back since joining the Josh Brown stable earlier in the season and since resuming from a freshen-up he has won 2 races on the bounce. A change of scenery and routine is sometimes all these older geldings need to show their best. The hat-trick beckons. CRUNCHY NUT (5) built his fitness steadily in 3 starts for the local Helen Harding stable and got the job done comfortably by nearly a length here 12 days ago. He is facing a similar lineup and with only an extra 1.5kg to carry, he can win again. THE ROOSTER (9) was knocked around when beaten as a favourite here 12 days ago in his first run in the area. He was good enough to win at Belmont in October and finish runner-up after that at Ascot. If he can repeat either of these runs, he would be hard to beat in this. Follow your money. WHEATSTACK THIEF (6) is an honest local gelding who does most of his racing on this track. He resumes from a spell and has won fresh up in the past. Include in all multiples.