Esperance plays a supporting role on Gold Rush Day with seven races from the Great Southern region.
Follow along with all the action – alongside racing from Ascot – live and free on 7Plus and Racing WA.
Race 1: THE MIDLAND BRICK HANDICAP (1,100m)
BLUE CAN TALK (2) drops right back in class today following a strong run in the Regional Championship Final at Ascot last time out. She loves this track and trip, she maps to get every chance and Lisa Staples has won 3//5 when partnering. Ticks plenty of boxes and is clearly the one to beat. DAWN AMNESTY (4) hits this third-up into the campaign and she finished off strongly from well back to be just 1.9L off the winner last start in a CL5. She looks well placed in this grade and she should be getting to her peak fitness third-up. Can make her presence felt. MY BOY CHRIS (5) drops right back in trip following a disappointing run 8 days ago. He is a winner at this track and trip previously. WESTERNIZE (3) is best of the rest.
Race 2: SHARPES/HOLCIM ESPERANCE MAIDEN (1,100m)
MARYBEE (4) resumes today off a 94-day break and drops right back in grade. She had been competitive in Midweek and provincial maiden's prior to being sent down to the Harding stable. She has plenty of early speed and she'll only have to hold her form for the new stable to be winning this. QUEEN OF CHAOS (5) drops back from 1400m last start when she finished well back. She was solid in her runs prior and those ratings stack up in this field. Not an overly strong maiden and she gets her chance again today. I HAD A DREAM (1) was well beaten at Kalgoorlie 97 days ago, though the form out of that race was very strong. Fresh now and back onto the home track, it wouldn't surprise to see him improve. CLASSIC CODE (8) trialled well here recently as she makes her stable debut. Include.
Race 3: MACKENZIES ELECTRICAL SERVICE MAIDEN (1,600m)
DANDY'S GEM (11) stuck on well over 1400m last time out and rises up to the mile again for just the second time. He bumped into a good race the first time he stepped out to a mile at Northam, though this looks a lot easier. Nicely placed from a good draw and she'll take plenty of beating. PRIZED JEWEL (7) jumps right out to the mile now following a 2.8L defeat over 1200m last start at this track. He is 0/2 at this trip, though both of those efforts were in tougher company. The trip looks to suit and she can capitalise on her good run of recent form. MANGANUI (1) boasts a solid record over this trip, running well through the Kalgoorlie season. He needs a touch of luck from the draw, though he has enough class to put himself in the finish. ALOTTA FIGHTING (4) will get back in the run but it looks as though he wants a mile now. Can improve sharply.
Race 4: APEX BUILDING HANDICAP (1,400m)
PASSION PRINCE (4) brings some solid ratings into this event, including last start when only 2.2L off the winner at this track and trip. He was fresh off 55 days there and should be better for the run. Can improve off that figure and end his winning drought. CRUNCHY NUT (2) got a long way back last start but closed off well to be just 3L off the winner, finishing behind Passion Prince. He draws a much better barrier today and he can turn the tables on Passion Prince without surprising. HUGHBERT (3) was only fair first-up over 1200m here but steps out in trip second-up. The draw is sticky, but if he can get back to something like his ratings from last campaign, he should be in the finish. MISS EUGEN (7) can improve second-up and out in distance.
Race 5: STAR TRANSPORT HANDICAP (1,300m)
I AM SPARTACUS (1) resumed in top order over 1200m here when beaten 0.4L. He steps out to 1300m now where he's unbeaten and he maps to get every chance off the inside. He'll be fitter for the fresh run and he can go one better this time around. MUNGO JERRY (2) led them up in a CL5 here last time out over 1100m and was only collared late in the race. Galati replaces the apprentice hoop and he has enough speed to cross from out wide. He's run well over 1200m previously and he'll take beating. COCOON BAY (4) got the better of Mungo Jerry last start and is a winner over this trip previously. She maps to get her chance once again and she can get the job done again. KALLAROO (5) wasn't far away fresh and has claims second-up and out to this trip.
Race 6: STEWARTS ENGINEERING HANDICAP (1,200m)
ROYAL ACCOLADE (2) stormed over the top to win very impressively first-up as favourite, running away to score by 1.9L. The slight rise in trip won't be an issue and while this is harder, he's never missed the placings second-up and this looks to set up similarly. Can go back-to-back. PARADISE STAR (6) steps out to 1200m now third-up into the campaign. She has placed 3/4 at this track and trip and she's building nicely through her first two runs this time in. Will need some luck from the draw but should be making her presence felt. THE LIONS' GATE (3) just missed last time out and is knocking on the door of a drought breaking win. She maps for a lovely run with Cooper's 2kg claim coming in handy. Big chance. ALWAYS AWESOME (1) is much better than he showed first-up and can bounce back.
Race 7: LE GRANDE PLUMBING HANDICAP (1,600m)
THE ROOSTER (2) scored a good win at Belmont two back before a 0.6L defeat at Ascot last time out over 1800m. Back to the mile now off a 39-day break and he's switched to the Rob Payton yard. This looks much easier than what he's been racing in and he just has to hold is form to be winning this. MINOR DETAIL (10) was only 1.3L off the winner here first-up in a close finish and he's a second-up winner in the past. He draws well again today and while he hasn't saluted for a while, the fresh run suggested a win wasn't far away. Worth keeping onside. WEST COAST WARRIOR (3) was too good here first-up when winning as favourite over 1400m. He hasn't won over the mile previously, but those efforts have been in Metro and provincial grade. Can go on with the job now. RED WITH TED (5) can improve again third-up and put his best foot forward.
