3 minute read
We’re treated to a seven-race card at Esperance on Friday as an entree to the Northerly Stakes.
With strong fields assembled for the Friday meeting, the Class 5 and RTG70+ sprint races stand out on what is a great program of racing.
You can watch all the coverage live and free on 7Plus and Racing WA.
Race 1: SKIPPERS AVIATION MAIDEN (1400m)
DANDY'S GEM (14) has been competitive in stronger maiden's than this, finishing only 2.1L off the winner last time out at Bunbury. She's since moved to the Josh Brown barn since that latest effort. She'll find this much easier than recent races and she can shed the maiden tag this time. QUEEN OF CHAOS (9) has been around the mark her past couple, finishing just 1.6L away at this track last time out. Out to 1400m now and she has the speed to offset the sticky barrier. In the market last start and can go close once again. NADELL (11) ran home strongly to hit the line alongside Queen Of Chaos last time out over 1300m. Up in trip looks to suit and the wide draw doesn't hurt as she tends to get back anyway. Watch for her flashing late. KEEP A KNOCKIN' (4) faded out of contention first-up but should be fitter now and can improve. WEST COAST WARRIOR (1) is better than he showed last time out and will find this an easier race on resumption. Won't be far away.
Race 2: WITTENS IRRIGATION MAIDEN (1200m)
FAVAIOS (4) looks a progressive type who resumed in good order here over 1100m. Getting out over further looks a key for him, as does the inside draw after doing plenty of work to find the front last time out. Can improve on that effort and land the knockout blow. PRIZED JEWEL (8) came through a strong form race first-up and went to another level last time out when 1.9L off the winner over 1100m here. Suspect she'll get back from the wide draw, but she should be at peak fitness now and she can make her presence felt once again. DRIFTALOT (5) is an unknown coming into this after finishing 2.2L off the winner of his only trial here recently. He'll need some luck from the draw, but this isn't an overly strong race and it wouldn't surprise to see him play a role on debut. CAULDRON (1) is better than he showed first-up and he can get back to his best now. ALOTTA FIGHTING (3) finished well back first-up but gets the blinkers on now and can improve.
Race 3: STEARNES HANDICAP (1200m)
TALK SOFTLY (4) went around in a very strong race at Kalgoorlie first-up and the form out of that was very strong. While he was 80-1 there, his form at this level prior was very good and he's won 2/4 second-up. Maps for a beautiful run today and he can bounce bac to winning form. AL QUEPONE (2) is first-up for nearly a year today but will be fitter for a recent trial here. His fresh record is a niggle, though he is undefeated at this track and trip. Galati sticks from the trial and he can play a major role on resumption. I AM SPARTACUS (1) is another on resumption today, but he comes in without a trial. He's performed well fresh in the past and he should get his chance from gate two. He shouldn't be far away at the finish. NODUSTONME (7) was good first-up in a Cl5 event here and drops a stack of weight today. Drawn well and can be in the finish with improvement likely.
Race 4: ESPERANCE CABINETS HANDICAP (1100m)
MYTHICAL MISS (10) comes into this off a 106-day break and a switch to the Rob Payton barn. She holds good form in tougher races, only being narrowly beaten in Metropolitan midweek company through her last campaign. She was a Cl1 winner fresh at Bunbury last prep and if she can return to that form today, she should be winning. THE LIONS' GATE (3) will put up a good fight though following a 2.7L defeat at Kalgoorlie last start. The form out of that was solid and he should be able to improve again third-up. Might need some luck from the alley but appears the main danger on recent figures. SISTER KATE (4) got a long way back at Kalgoorlie and never featured when fresh from a break. Now 65 days between runs and back onto her home deck. Can bounce back to form now from a nice alley. PARADISE STAR (6) can build on a handy fresh effort over this track and trip. LUCKY SUE (1) is better than she's shown her past couple and can turn things around third-up.
Race 5: POWERPLANT HANDICAP (1100m)
DAWN AMNESTY (6) ran over the top to score over this course and distance 13 days ago and put up a good figure in doing so. This is tougher, but she drops in weight and she usually improves second-up. Nicely drawn and can land the knockout blow once again. BLAZING PASSION (3) was solid first-up over 1200m here when only feeling the pinch late in the race. That was a nice platform to build on though as she loves this track and trip and is a two-time winner second-up. Can improve now and go a couple better this time. NICCOLITE (2) makes her way to the west after a couple of runs in South Australia to end last campaign. She comes into this on the fresh side, but she is a fresh winner previously and she was racing at a higher level throughout her last preparation. Can play a role on resumption. MUNGO JERRY (1) is racing well of late and while he has to carry the big weight, he'll still take catching from out in front.
Race 6: LED ESPERANCE HANDICAP (1400m)
NORTHERN IVY (3) came down to Esperance last start and ran really well off a 90-day break over an unsuitable trip, closing off well over 1100m. Steps out to 1400m now and he's never missed the placings at this course and distance. Maps to get every chance and can return to winning ways now. ANNIHILATOR (2) was taken to Ascot to begin this campaign, running in a Saturday race most recently where he was 100-1. This is much easier though and he was around the mark at this level last campaign. Ready to fire third-up now and he shouldn't be far away. ELITE FIGHTER (4) stormed home from the back of the pack to win by 0.8L in relatively easy order in a Cl5 here first-up. The rise in trip is a niggle as he's 0/9, though he usually fires second-up. Creates plenty of interest. ROCK OF KAHA (1) will find this a touch easier than his past couple of efforts and he'll be strong late. CRUNCHY NUT (5) gets the blinkers on first time and can improve out in trip.
Race 7: SKIPPERS AVIATION HANDICAP (1400m)
TRUE CHANCE (1) is a progressive type who was a dominant winner first-up over 1300m here. The rise out to this trip doesn't look an issue and Altieri sticks with the gelding. Can continue to work through the grades and with further improvement expected, he can get the job done again. FIENDISH (12) comes into this on the fresh side, though he does perform well that way. He was strong to the line over 1300m at Kalgoorlie last time out and the form out of that has been solid. Can be making an impact late in the race. MILITARY ACTION (4) probably didn't see out the mile to end last campaign and resumes now without a trial. He has some good form over this trip at Kalgoorlie and a return to those figures will see him in the finish. FRIAR THE GUN (9) was good behind True Chance first-up and can build on that effort. LACIE ACE (13) will be fitter for the fresh run.