Black-type racing continues in Perth this Saturday with the running of the Group 2 W.A.T.C Derby over 2400m.
The rail is in the true position, the track is rated a Good 4, and you can find our best bets for the entire program below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 2:04pm – Glenroy Chaff Handicap (1000m)
Hard to go past Acromantula over his preferred trip.
The son of Written Tycoon owns an impressive five wins over the track and distance, the most recent coming over 1.5L nearly a month ago over an equally smart horse in Panzdown.
He’s drawn to get the gun run again from the inside and gets in nicely with the claim.
Race 2 – 2:41pm – Pepsi Max Handicap (1100m)
Speed Dream can be a frustrating horse to back at times, but he’s typically somewhere in the money more often than not.
That was again the case when he resumed over 1200m a couple of weeks ago for third behind Alien From Mars, and I think he’ll take great improvement away from that given he tends to run well second-up.
Another low barrier works in his favour, and he should be storming home late again dropping a couple of kg’s under Jason Whiting.
Race 3 – 3:21pm – Schweppes Tonic Plate (1100m)
Sticking with Swear To God here, who did not disappoint winning as the short-priced favourite on debut a couple of weeks ago.
The son of Playing God put the writing on the wall at the trials leading in and his turn of foot was simply sensational winning by close to two lengths.
Has a little more work to do this time from out wide, but Chris Parnham has been riding a stack of winners of late, so we know he’s in safe hands.
Race 4 – 4:01pm – Westspeed Platinum Autumn Series Heat 3 (1200m)
Premium Choice was the beaten favourite in his last start in what was a total forgive run over shorter.
The four-year-old missed the start and was given an awful ride in the finish, but as already mentioned, Chris Parnham has been riding well of late, so he looks like the right man to turn things around.
This is also his first start under new trainer Tony Triscari, who has tinkered with the gears a little.
Maps to get a nice cart into the race from midfield and should be strong late.
Race 5 – 4:39pm – Cool Ridge Handicap (1200m)
Featherweight couldn’t have been more impressive winning over the track and distance last week by two lengths.
He’s drawn even kinder this time around in barrier 1 and gets Chris Farnham back in the saddle, who steered him to his maiden win this time last year.
The three-year-old by Snippetson possesses a serious turn of foot and he only needs to hold his form to put this field away.
Race 6 – 5:15pm – Crown Perth Handicap (1400m)
Happy to have something on God Has Chosen in his first run back for Lindsey Smith.
This son of Playing God won back to back starts to wrap up the spring by a combined four lengths, and he should be well on his way to bigger and brighter things if he returns the same.
Recent form at the trials has suggested otherwise but he’s drawn to get a lovely run on the inside under Clinton Johnston-Porter. We’re getting a nice price here for a smart horse and, particularly one that has won twice over the track and trip.
Race 7 – 5:55pm – Amelia Park Handicap (2400m)
Big watch on Chuck A Luck following his demolition job a couple of weeks ago over shorter.
The Neville Parnham-trained five-year-old blitzed his rivals by over 4.5L, a performance that reflected his market price.
This is tougher, but the speed he showed in the finish makes me happy to have him on top, while thew die barrier should see him get back and run on late.
Race 8 – 6:35pm – Schweppes W.A.T.C Derby (2400m)
The feature basically looks a race in two between Trix of the Trade and Alaskan God.
I’m with the latter, who held off Trix of the Trade for a comfortable win in the end in the Melvista last time out over 2200m.
The son of Playing God crossed the line with plenty in hand to suggest he’ll appreciate a furlong further, and there’s still scope for more improvement given he’s only four runs deep into his prep.
Barrier 3 should see Chris Parnham settle back and I’m confident they’ll be tough to hold out.
Race 9 – 7:15pm – Furphy Handicap (1600m)
Trade War is a consistent type that typically finds the money more often than not.
He’s been a tough horse to follow this prep running a place in five of his six starts since running first-up, but his recent form is tough to knock getting back out over the mile.
The son of Trade Fair ran fourth over the track and distance two back and was unlucky not to win over 1400m in his latest.
This is a deep race, but with fitness on his side and a handy inside draw, he’ll go close.
