EXPERT RACING TIPS: BUNBURY

BUNBURY PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | SATURDAY JULY 19TH 2025

Betting Strategy

Some of the trials leading into this 2yo event, just about make this the race of the day. We’ll start with the horse who will be hoping to lead (fair bit of speed underneath) in Ourgirlcanrun. She improved panels with the blinkers on at trial number 2, winning by a margin in a slick time. I like the way she put a further gap on the field when asked for that effort in the straight. The big query with her is, under race day conditions can she cross the few speedy ones under her? It’s a very hard thing to do on debut – be professional. Vino Miss was as eye catching a trial as you’ll see. If this was Pike/Williams or Parnham/Miller, she’d be half her quote. It’s absolutely no disrespect to Robert & Kate Witten who do tremendously well with their small team, but it’s just the way it is. If that trial translates to race day form and nothing has nicked it from the front, she’d be winning. Rippert Rupert is clearly the Fernie pick with Chris Parnham going on, while Call Nick was another cracking trial and Pike rides. Tempted to back and save the two girls down the bottom of the page, but I just feel like the market will know more than me here, so I’ll sit out.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 5. Naughty Tortie (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $3.30)

Pretty thin little 3yo event here, where I am happy being with the big maiden winner in Naughty Tortie. He didn’t have a huge amount of luck in his prior preps (wide gates, ran into some good ones), but put it all together first up to win by a margin. The form from that race is already stacking up and while maiden to Saturday grade does always sound like a leap, there isn’t a huge amount of fear factor in this. Think Lucy can work to the breeze and something near $4 will see me get involved. Think we can semi-forgive Allentown for his most recent. Got in a wrestle with Clint early and it probably knocked about his finishing sprint. Low draw should be OK in the early races and gets a big map/weight swing on Timeless Gem. Timeless Gem was backed with stolen money ($4.4 to $2) and got the choccies for us first up. While the win was fine, it was a bit of a gift with nothing really challenging him for the front on a day where leading was A1. More weight, worse map and this is probably harder? Naturally risk as favourite.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 6. Planet Cash (WIN & PLACE) for 2 units (Rated at $5.50)

A lot of the fancies are going to get well back here (On Patrol, Platinum Shot, Linden’s Gold), and I reckon there are a pair of runners at the other end of the speed who are going to be very hard for that lot to catch. Rock In Wonder was a cracking fresh run. Carried the 59 leading first up and was only gunned down by the flying Fancy Red who got the suck run in behind. The third horse (Surf Patrol) was a gap away in third and has put in plenty of good ones, to suggest that is a very nice form reference. While rising in grade he drops weight but this setup is almost more suitable. Wary on how that inside pad is and if Vicky considers shifting off fence early in the straight (my concern is this is the race they learn the fence is cooked, rather than being proactive), but he was an easy horse to make favourite (3.8). Planet Cash is likely to provide the better play vs. my market (5.5), so I’ll chuck him on top from an each way perspective and look to chop on Rock. Planet Cash has been a story of persistence from the owners with the horse not really turning up for his last 5 preps. He’s dropped a stack of points in that time and Summer Dickson looks like she has the horse back and happy. Both 1400 runs prior were super (in significantly harder than this) and he simply does not get a mile, especially when he’s sitting deep the trip, so I’m happy penning that last run. Back to 1400 here, a mile back in grade (72 to a Westspeed) and I can see a nice spot for him in 4th or 6th here, one off the fence. Can win. Agent Jay has been around forever, but his effort a week ago was surprisingly super. Likely sits outside Rock Of Wonder and gets the services of Lucy Fiore as well as some shades attached. Big watch – almost feel compelled to chop on that run and at the likely quote? Ton Of Grunt is the backmarker who has drawn low, so if the pine is good, look for him to pinch some runs underneath them.

BACK: 6. Planet Cash (PLACE) for 2 units

A lot of the fancies are going to get well back here (On Patrol, Platinum Shot, Linden’s Gold), and I reckon there are a pair of runners at the other end of the speed who are going to be very hard for that lot to catch. Rock In Wonder was a cracking fresh run. Carried the 59 leading first up and was only gunned down by the flying Fancy Red who got the suck run in behind. The third horse (Surf Patrol) was a gap away in third and has put in plenty of good ones, to suggest that is a very nice form reference. While rising in grade he drops weight but this setup is almost more suitable. Wary on how that inside pad is and if Vicky considers shifting off fence early in the straight (my concern is this is the race they learn the fence is cooked, rather than being proactive), but he was an easy horse to make favourite (3.8). Planet Cash is likely to provide the better play vs. my market (5.5), so I’ll chuck him on top from an each way perspective and look to chop on Rock. Planet Cash has been a story of persistence from the owners with the horse not really turning up for his last 5 preps. He’s dropped a stack of points in that time and Summer Dickson looks like she has the horse back and happy. Both 1400 runs prior were super (in significantly harder than this) and he simply does not get a mile, especially when he’s sitting deep the trip, so I’m happy penning that last run. Back to 1400 here, a mile back in grade (72 to a Westspeed) and I can see a nice spot for him in 4th or 6th here, one off the fence. Can win. Agent Jay has been around forever, but his effort a week ago was surprisingly super. Likely sits outside Rock Of Wonder and gets the services of Lucy Fiore as well as some shades attached. Big watch – almost feel compelled to chop on that run and at the likely quote? Ton Of Grunt is the backmarker who has drawn low, so if the pine is good, look for him to pinch some runs underneath them.

BACK: 13. Rock In Wonder (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $3.80)

Rock In Wonder was a cracking fresh run. Carried the 59 leading first up and was only gunned down by the flying Fancy Red who got the suck run in behind. The third horse (Surf Patrol) was a gap away in third and has put in plenty of good ones, to suggest that is a very nice form reference. While rising in grade he drops weight but this setup is almost more suitable. Wary on how that inside pad is and if Vicky considers shifting off fence early in the straight (my concern is this is the race they learn the fence is cooked, rather than being proactive), but he was an easy horse to make favourite (3.8).

Betting Strategy

This isn’t an overly deep staying race, nor is there a heap of speed (presume Fioreyes will work his way around to try lead?) and I expect the winner will come from a select few. Dun With The Blues (marked $3) is the obvious starting point. Proven over the trip, his form this prep has been OK (usual big fresh run, soft second up run, then was in the right spot to nick third in harder a fortnight ago). Pike goes back on, he maps to stalk the speed and he very simply should be going close. $3 was as long as I could get him. Cosmic Chaos ($5) is the one I expect to run a big race, but unfortunately the market has semi-agreed. I thought he was one we might nick some early double figures about, but it wasn’t to be. Won a very similar staying race just under a year ago and for an aspiring stayer his prep thus far has been exactly what you’d want to see. The booking of Lucy Fiore only adds confidence and he actually steps really well so look for him to land closer with the better draw and lack of tempo in this. Snazzler ($5) is clearly the other. Wasn’t sure if he’d stay, but savaged the line behind Forever Boy a fortnight ago. If the rain comes early, it is a huge plus for him. Amazing Cheat has been a revelation for Donna Riordan. Two queries with him are, will he stay? And how strong are those True Player / Long Genes form lines? I’m happy to focus on my main three, but unfortunately the market looks a bit too similar.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 13. Diamond Dancer (WIN and PLACE) for 2 Units

Amaroo Star was OK fresh, a bit unlucky but I don’t think he was that good and his trial pre didn’t overly enthuse. Probably deserves favouritism, but might want 1200 now? Art Session has perhaps had enough this prep? Senior and shades may help, but cops a heap of pressure. Real Deluxe is unmappable. Terratif at 1000? I appreciate the dominance in his 1000m trials, but that doesn’t translate to race day dashes (just ask the punters who backed Boab Boy with stolen money midweek). Snow God probably has the most upside of this lot, but he’ll surely have to win differently here, looking for a run in a 3 wide line?

With the plethora of scratchings, I’m more than happy to be aboard Diamond Dancer. I wasn’t sure about this bloke staying at the 1000m second up, but he was as good a thing licked as you’ll see. Should have beaten Art Session by half the straight (is a longer quote than him here) and the eventual winner, has come out to win again since. Seemed to appreciate being tucked in behind the speed, so the 4 speedsters engaged here should only help. Each way all day.

BACK: 13. Diamond Dancer (WIN and PLACE) for 2 Units

Amaroo Star was OK fresh, a bit unlucky but I don’t think he was that good and his trial pre didn’t overly enthuse. Probably deserves favouritism, but might want 1200 now? Art Session has perhaps had enough this prep? Senior and shades may help, but cops a heap of pressure. Real Deluxe is unmappable. Terratif at 1000? I appreciate the dominance in his 1000m trials, but that doesn’t translate to race day dashes (just ask the punters who backed Boab Boy with stolen money midweek). Snow God probably has the most upside of this lot, but he’ll surely have to win differently here, looking for a run in a 3 wide line?

With the plethora of scratchings, I’m more than happy to be aboard Diamond Dancer. I wasn’t sure about this bloke staying at the 1000m second up, but he was as good a thing licked as you’ll see. Should have beaten Art Session by half the straight (is a longer quote than him here) and the eventual winner, has come out to win again since. Seemed to appreciate being tucked in behind the speed, so the 4 speedsters engaged here should only help. Each way all day.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 8. Madhi Girl (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $3.35)

This is a great little sprint. While I have marked Desert Whisper favourite ($2.85), I do have Madhi Girl only slightly behind ($3.35) and at the time of writing, we are seeing $5, so she’ll get me for a little play. I think she’s a 3yo who has perhaps snuck under the guard a bit in regards to her quality . I felt she was consistently better than Sinful Living ($13) in the 3yo features (nearly should have won the 3yo Classic?), has got the better of Desert Whisper at their two meetings (and gets considerable weight swings), she ran 2nd to Repossession in the Placid Ark Prelude and she had absolutely no luck down the straight first up with 60 kegs. That was all after the best two trials of her career. She should be on the back of Desert/Sinful here, she drops to the 54 and Pike sticks. No knock on Desert Whisper but I think that price differential should be smaller. Desert Whisper loves Lucy. This is a lot harder, and it’ll be interesting to see how big a ‘how do ya do’ Chanel gives Lucy on her debut Saturday appearance, but you’d like to think she rides her horse to it’s strengths – hard and fast. Hanchi ($5.65) is the other winning hope. Luckless run after luckless run this prep and he finally gets the stable #1 in the saddle. He does need to catch two lightly weighted, on speed 3yo’s however.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 8. Rockin’ Rupert (WIN & PLACE) for 2 units (Rated at $3.90)

I suspect we can get a winner on map here, with Rockin’ Rupert hopefully the beneficiary of Toropa leading/being a part of the three wide line. There is a heap of speed and a heap of secondary speed (those wanting to park right on the leaders) drawn under Toropa and while she was the one I was fairly confident I’d find at any price, I simply couldn’t find a hole for her, in this map. If Brad Parnham slots her into the one-one, it’s likely race over, but I just don’t see how? Rockin’ Rupert is the horse I see as the major beneficiary of this. His gate is somewhat irrelevant as he gets back anyway, I presume by this stage of the day wide will be best and the three wide line for a horse with a dynamite turn of foot, will be the spot. This is a horse who was stiff in the Colonel Reeves at SWP, then ran Overpass to 1.9L at WFA before giving The Boss Lady 2kg’s (he carried 60.5) at the unsuitable 1400m and only going down by neck. This bloke is a proper racehorse. He now gets into a weak sprint (comparative to those form lines) on the minimum and we are seeing each way. The more I simplify the race in that sense, the keener I get. Needs the right ride (please, please, please just go to the outside if it’s best, nothing cute) from last, but this is the right race. Toropa is far better at the 1200 than the 1000. With a map, I’d mark favourite, but could only get him on the equal top line with Rockin’ because of the setup. Over to Brad Parnham. Wind And The Lion back to 1200? Possibly. Very hard one to line up. Baby Paris and Phanta are the two of the ‘older’ brigade who could run a race, but I do think this race is setup for the 3 on the minimum.

BACK: 8. Rockin’ Rupert (PLACE) for 2 units

I suspect we can get a winner on map here, with Rockin’ Rupert hopefully the beneficiary of Toropa leading/being a part of the three wide line. There is a heap of speed and a heap of secondary speed (those wanting to park right on the leaders) drawn under Toropa and while she was the one I was fairly confident I’d find at any price, I simply couldn’t find a hole for her, in this map. If Brad Parnham slots her into the one-one, it’s likely race over, but I just don’t see how? Rockin’ Rupert is the horse I see as the major beneficiary of this. His gate is somewhat irrelevant as he gets back anyway, I presume by this stage of the day wide will be best and the three wide line for a horse with a dynamite turn of foot, will be the spot. This is a horse who was stiff in the Colonel Reeves at SWP, then ran Overpass to 1.9L at WFA before giving The Boss Lady 2kg’s (he carried 60.5) at the unsuitable 1400m and only going down by neck. This bloke is a proper racehorse. He now gets into a weak sprint (comparative to those form lines) on the minimum and we are seeing each way. The more I simplify the race in that sense, the keener I get. Needs the right ride (please, please, please just go to the outside if it’s best, nothing cute) from last, but this is the right race. Toropa is far better at the 1200 than the 1000. With a map, I’d mark favourite, but could only get him on the equal top line with Rockin’ because of the setup. Over to Brad Parnham. Wind And The Lion back to 1200? Possibly. Very hard one to line up. Baby Paris and Phanta are the two of the ‘older’ brigade who could run a race, but I do think this race is setup for the 3 on the minimum.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 6. Little Silver (WIN & PLACE) for 1 unit (Rated at $6.00)

Head scratcher to finish the day. Bigdayonit should lead and Little Silver should land in the breeze. Sometimes these choppy Bunbury decks can really suit the first horse to get out to the centre, so for a horse who does his best work on chopped up decks it might really make Little Silver hard to run down. I thought his most recent effort was far better than it looks as he really does resent being restrained. The wide draw does Tash a favour here as her hand is forced tactically. At the double figures, he’ll get me for a very small play. Border Force, Climb On Top and Antique Star should all get the right runs, just behind the speed. How do you line the three up? Is Antique Star the one with scope who is still nearish enough to the minimum? If I was inclined to save on one of the three, it’d be her. Uncle Gerard is your current market elect, and that tells you a story about the race. He’s got a smaller heart than me, but the drop back to 1400 is very much in his favour. He can win, but you’d be a brave soul taking ~$4.50.

BACK: 6. Little Silver (PLACE) for 1 unit

Head scratcher to finish the day. Bigdayonit should lead and Little Silver should land in the breeze. Sometimes these choppy Bunbury decks can really suit the first horse to get out to the centre, so for a horse who does his best work on chopped up decks it might really make Little Silver hard to run down. I thought his most recent effort was far better than it looks as he really does resent being restrained. The wide draw does Tash a favour here as her hand is forced tactically. At the double figures, he’ll get me for a very small play. Border Force, Climb On Top and Antique Star should all get the right runs, just behind the speed. How do you line the three up? Is Antique Star the one with scope who is still nearish enough to the minimum? If I was inclined to save on one of the three, it’d be her. Uncle Gerard is your current market elect, and that tells you a story about the race. He’s got a smaller heart than me, but the drop back to 1400 is very much in his favour. He can win, but you’d be a brave soul taking ~$4.50.