Your Expert WA Racing Previews

Terry Leighton

Race 6 – Highland Beat

The best non-black-type sprint you’ll encounter on the Western shores will well and truly divide opinions. I do think that the (now) in form Gangemi yard can sneak one under the radar, however.

Highland Beat made a real impression when first landing in the West, pushing Money Matters to under a half-length, despite giving that galloper the cart into the race and copping pressure left, right and centre. 6 months on, he meets that same galloper here 7.5kg’s better at the weights as well as other positive weight swings on the fancies.

Trialled like a jet before getting next to no running room first up in a race won by Miss Conteki (River Beau second). Arguably the run of the race. Has drawn underneath River Beau and Gemma’s Son, which could be key in the early tactical battle and at the healthy double-figure quote looks a great each-way investment. Real guesswork what he trades late with so many of these potential ‘money horses’. I’ve marked him single figures.

BACK (EW) — Highland Beat each way

Race 7 – Big Bada Boom

With the early scratching of Saucy Jack, the cartographers of the world will be having an old fashioned dip at Big Bada Boom who should get his own way out in front.

After handing out several galloping lessons in the Great Southern, this bloke came to town and despite copping mid-race pressure from a Eurasia move, was still too strong at his Ascot debut. He was given a near 2-month let-up by Mr. Rogers when brave in defeat behind Black Shadow. That run had extra merit to it, considering the fact he was given no peace early from million dollar pop, Reverend John, who shouldn’t be allowed to race on a grass track ever again.

Should strip far fitter for the run, Mitch Pateman rides this bloke beautifully and should simply lead from go to whoa (had to google correct spelling of whoa – surprised me). I’ve marked him $2.60, with the $3+, plenty. My best.

BACK (WIN) — Big Bada Boom

Race 8 – Liwa

The barrier draw really hasn’t done much for those looking for some intrigue or value in the feature, with Ex Sport Man and Liwa looking to have a mortgage over the $200,000 Sires Produce after drawing the 3 and 4 marble.

Ex Sport Man got the better of Liwa in the Karrakatta, though with the margin of victory being so minute, it’s fair to say the result would have been flipped had Liwa not encountered some mid-straight traffic.

Absolutely no knock on Ex Sport Man here, but I do give Liwa the slight edge and I think if we show some patience, we can shop at something nearing $4 late. Always happy taking that type of quote for a coin flip.

BACK (WIN) — Liwa

Dan Cripps

Race 2 – Acromantula

Super impressive debut when leading all the way on a day where it was disadvantageous to be on pace and you can rule a line through his subsequent start where he had excuses. Has been gelded and trialled up well for this first up assignment where he looks the likely leader. If he can reproduce his debut effort they will struggle to catch him.

BACK (WIN) — Acromantula

Race 6 – Captain Kink

Brilliant race and River Beau is the testing material after knocking off boom sprinter Clairvoyance but I thought Captain Kink was a superior run than him at their last encounter and gets a 2.5kg weight swing for good measure. Maps to land leaders back and should get every chance from there.

BACK (WIN) — Captain Kink

Race 9 – Billy ain’t Silly

We will save the best for last. He’s a lightly raced 3YO who is going through the grades quickly. Last start he absorbed a heap of mid race pressure but was still far too good. This doesn’t look any harder and he will roll forward and sit right over the speed. Think he just wins and anything above even money is enough.

BACK (WIN) — Billy Aint Silly