Takahide Ikenushi will ride Agribiz in race six at each-way odds

By Geoff Whittle

Thursday’s feature event at Northam is the $12,000 1400 metre Wild Turkey Handicap and the locally trained Certain Gold could turn back the clock and win again on the track.

Trained by Kevin Anderson, Certain Gold to be ridden by John Claite won the prestigious Northam Sprint in 2007 and he is getting close to a win judging by his fifth to Freetime at Belmont on June 3rd. The gelding was blocked in the straight in that event and will be at his pet distance on Thursday.

Last start winners Rampo, Lookatme Lookatme and High Exposure have undeniable chances also.

With five maidens to contend with early, punter’s mettle will be tested at Northam on Thursday. However all events should offer value for individual selections with no short priced runners likely.

Paul Harvey could give a good lead in the first two events with rides on Wocket In A Pocket, resuming in race one over 1000 metres and Dargon in the second.

Both horses should give a good account and Lindsey Smith’s Wocket In A Pocket has been placed at four from six attempts. Her latest outing being a close second to Almighty Runner at Bunbury in February and she has been placed twice on the Northam track.

Dargon ran second at the track on May 28th two-lengths astern of Highest Honour and the Vain Rancher chestnut is close to a win in an open race.

Race four, the Perrier Jouet 2200 metre Maiden contains many chances but at each-way odds Cardera represents a fair gamble having been placed at 2000 metres and running third to Tony’s Angel last time. Rider Chloe Chatfield should get a nice run from her inside draw.

Crystal Dove, Marleycombe, second up over the journey and Wye River can all stake claims.

Agribiz has been placed first up and on the track and trainer David Harrison should have her ready to fire for jockey Takahide Ikenushi.

Selections:

Race 1: 12 – Wocket In A Pocket (P. Harvey) 10 – Melody Miss 5 – Spiritual Leader

Race 2: 4 – Dargon (P. Harvey) 9 – Superior Speed 1 - Annear

Race 3: 1 – Brandy Lane (P. Hall) 5 – Julzrulz 7 – So Sublime

Race 4: 8 – Cardera (Ms C. Chatfield) 9 – Crystal Dove 3 – Marleycombe

Race 5: 5 – Hurricane Cartel (C. Staples) 2 – Chok Dee 7 – Yourcayeye

Race 6: 11 – Agribiz (T. Ikenushi) 9 – Soft Wind 6 – Milken Whiskey

Race 7: 1 – Certain Gold (J. Claite) 6 – Rampo 8 – Lookatme Lookatme

Race 8: 11 – Analogy (Ms K. Yuill) 3 – Treacle 5 – Tony’s Angel

Best Bets: R1 – 12 Wocket In A Pocket

Value: R6 – 11 Agribiz

Flexi Quaddie: R5 – 2, 5, 7, 11. R6 – 6, 9, 10, 11. R7 – 1, 4, 6, 8. R8 – 3, 5, 11, 12