Bunbury Racing Tips: Wednesday, February 17th

Odds Last Updated: February 18, 2021, 10:51am (AEDT)

Only a small field here but this is a cracking little race.

(5) Trade War was enormous on debut, coming from last on the turn and storming down the outside to get up in the final strides. He didn’t beat much but I reckon he might be pretty good and you always have to add a few lengths on for Michael Lane horses at Bunbury. Chris Parnham jumps off Hot Zed to ride Trade War which is a good lead given Hot Zed’s won his past two.

(3) Hot Mix brings strong form behind the likes of Magical Dream and La Farola, which reads very well. I’m wary that this is her fifth run of her first campaign now.

(4) Nobel Lawrence is the real smokey. He was very good on debut and backed that up with a dominant win over 1400m at his second start. He might find this a touch sharp first up over 1200m against a good field, but Jason Pateman runners go very well here and he might be fresh without a public trial.

(2) Gunmetal Grey is going well but might be giving them a start, and it’s hard to knock (1) Hot Zed.

Five of the six runners can win!

Tip: (5) Trade War $3.40 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 1 unit WIN Trade War

Odds Last Updated: February 18, 2021, 10:51am (AEDT)

(9) Superlove isn’t a bad each way bet at $8.50 here. I was on him first up at Pinjarra when he was about $5.00 into $2.90. He was held up for clear running at a crucial stage before finishing off well to be beaten 1.1L. Pike’s off to Melbourne so Azzopardi jumps on and I don’t see why he can’t run a good race again.

(4) American Grin is first up for the new stable today, transferred from Kellie Grantham to Adam Durrant. No surprise to see sharp improvement.

(2) Natural Airchief led here last start and was only run down in the final stride by Trade War, who might be smart.

(1) Sichern was huge on debut at Pinjarra before disappointing second up in town. On his first up run, he’d be the horse to beat here.

Tip: (9) Superlove $8.50 Ladbrokes

Also Backing: (1) Sichern $5.00 Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: 0.5 units WIN Superlove, 0.5 units WIN Sichern

Odds Last Updated: February 18, 2021, 10:51am (AEDT)

Patrick Keating saddles up his first runner here in the form of the ex-Grant and Alana Williams-trained (8) Shooting Shirocco. He has form behind Hot Mix and Bourbon Beau, so if he was able to bring that here on his stable debut, he’d be very competitive.

(11) Reliable Star ran 3^rd on debut, coming from back in the field at Pinjarra. Has had seven weeks between runs and a trial in between. Draws well and will be thereabouts.

(4) Astro Warrior didn’t get much luck first up behind Western Empire, which obviously looks a very good form reference for a midweek maiden.

(1) Cotchin also comes out of that same race.

Tip: (8) Shooting Shirocco $4.50 Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: 0.5 units WIN Shooting Shirocco

Odds Last Updated: February 18, 2021, 10:51am (AEDT)

(6) Vane Tempest just has to run somewhere near his best to be winning this. He was dominant first up at Pinjarra, then copped a very ordinary steer second up, before running 2^nd to Kissonallforcheeks in a 3YO Plate last start. Kissonallforcheeks is a Stakes winner and he was less than a length off her, so he looks a good thing dropping back to a Class 1 here. $1.70 is actually a good price.

Tip: (6) Vane Tempest $1.70 Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: 4 units WIN Vane Tempest

Odds Last Updated: February 18, 2021, 10:51am (AEDT)

(3) Universal Pleasure looks the horse to beat off consecutive wins but I’m not sure I’d be diving into the $1.85. He should jump and lead but this is a deeper class 3 than what it might look so I’d be staying out of the short quote.

(1) Approach went close first up last prep before winning consecutive races in town. Carries top weight but if he turns up like he did fresh last prep, he’ll be right in this.

(9) Trilli Filly won first up last prep and if the money comes for her, she’ll run a big race. She’s currently $26 but it really wouldn’t surprise me to see her start half that. She did have two trials leading into her first up win last prep but she comes into this untrialled this time in.

(2) Trevello makes its stable debut for Grant and Alana Williams having previously raced in Queensland. Has had two recent trials to prepare for his first up run here. I’d watch the market.

Tip: (1) Approach $7.00 Ladbrokes

Value: (9) Trilli Filly $26 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 0.5 units WIN Approach, 0.25 units E/W Trilly Filly

Odds Last Updated: February 18, 2021, 10:51am (AEDT)

(1) Queen Takes King was terrific first up over the mile, beaten less than a length by No Surrender. He steps up to 2000m now which suits and Chris Parnham goes on. This is one of only two runners on the day for the stable and both should be going very close to winning. The slight query with this horse is the little setback he apparently suffered since his last run. The market could tell the story here – if he’s firm in betting he should be winning this.

Tip: (1) Queen Takes King $1.95 Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: 2 units WIN Queen Takes King

Odds Last Updated: February 18, 2021, 10:51am (AEDT)

The second runner for the Lindsey Smith yard today is (6) Born To Try. I was keen on his chances last start at Pinjarra, which was his first start for the new stable. They threw the blinkers on and Pike on, but he was taken back and locked away on the inside. He finished well and I suspect he will be very hard to beat here.

(7) Chiclett resumes from a spell and has the ability to win a race like this at her best.

(11) Volpe should have just about won last start and he gets a major jockey upgrade today with Lucy Warwick taking over from Angela Johnston. He might lack the class of some of the better horses here but his run last start was much better than what it reads on paper.

(5) Caerhelan can improve third up.

Tip: (6) Born To Try $2.80 Ladbrokes

Value: (11) Volpe $26 Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: 1.5 units WIN Born To Try, 0.25 units E/W Volpe

Odds Last Updated: February 18, 2021, 10:51am (AEDT)

(9) Fashion Queen draws well for her return today and looks hard to beat. She ran 2^nd on debut at Ascot before winning over this track and distance last time we saw her. If she’s ready to go, she should be winning.

(4) Speedbird was a winner at Belmont last time it raced and it’s another that resumes from a spell here. Has been heavily backed in early betting which suggests it’s ready to go fresh.

Tip: (9) Fashion Queen $2.00 Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: 1 unit WIN Fashion Queen