3 minute read
Best Bets on Raconteur Stakes Day at Bunbury.
With the RWWA and Perth Racing crew still assessing the results after testing the Belmont surface, the Saturday meeting goes to Bunbury with the Raconteur Stakes for the 3YO's the feature event.
The Bunbury surface is already a Soft 6 as of Thursday morning and with showers forecast through Thursday and into Friday, it's expected to remain in that Soft range come race day.
Grant & Alana Williams head the market in the Raconteur with WA Guineas winner Storyville the early favourite, and deservedly so with the record she brings into the race.
She got back first-up at Pinjarra, locked away along the inside and hit the line sweetly under William Pike, clocking some strong splits late despite what the finishing position says.
That will hold her in good stead for the Raconteur as she looks to have a class edge on her rivals, now drawing an inside barrier with plenty of improvement expected.
One the market may have overlooked however is OPPORTUNISTIC for the Michael Grantham barn, wearing the famous cerise and white.
While it was only a maiden win, the clock was very strong and there's a sense of timing around the So You Think gelding.
There looks to be plenty under the bonnet of the three-year-old with stacks of upside. At a double-figure quote, he's worth keeping on side with the untapped potential, whereas we have a good hold on those around him in the market.
Over to the Best Bet on the card which comes up early in the day, with Race 2 #5 MY HIDDEN UNIVERSE.
The five-year-old was sharp at the trials coming into this campaign and he was just as impressive at Belmont, running away to win comfortably by just over a length.
His first-up performance was a new peak rating with Racing and Sports, and throughout his career thus far, he's hinted that there's a little more still to come.
While he's had his issues, he looks ready to go to the next level this time in work and can continue to work through the grades. He'll be better for the fresh run and with improvement expected second-up, he looks the one to beat in the second event on the card.
The Best From The West
Best Bet: Race 2 #5 MY HIDDEN UNIVERSE
Value Play: Race 7 #11 OPPORTUNISTIC