Race 1 – 1:44PM THE DIRTY CLIFF CUP MAIDEN (2038 METRES)

This looks the right race for DROP THE ORANGE. Like the way he worked home when resuming at Ascot 14/11 and he had genuine excuses second-up, when encountering significant interference 700m from home. Has the Durrant polish, so third up 2038m shouldn’t be an issue, and Drop The Orange should salute. JOLLY ODD was placed in a similar assignment two back and her follow-up mile effort was solid. Should find the front and box on. DREAMY ALICE has been knocking on the door all prep and should go close again, while ORASKY has had plenty of chances but her latest form reads well.

Tips: 2-5-6-4
Suggested: 2. DROP THE ORANGE win.

2. DROP THE ORANGE
5. JOLLY ODD
6. DREAMY ALICE
4. ORASKY

Race 2 – 2:19PM AUSMIC PEST CONTROL MAIDEN (1420 METRES)

BLONDE WARRIOR will take some beating. Showed up at trials and should’ve finished closer at her two short-course assignments to date, with all the form around her stacking up nicely since. Third up 1420m is a slight query, but this filly has been getting run off her feet early, so really should appreciate this longer journey. GOODBYEFEDS was $3.40 to $2.50 last week, but popped late after over-exerting outside leader early. That hit out brings him forward and should get the right run from gate one with the cutaway in play. Follow up. MAGIC EMPIRE and ANGEL WHISPER are the obvious next best.

Tips: 8-3-1-2
Suggested: 8. BLONDE WARRIOR win.

8. BLONDE WARRIOR
3. GOODBYEFEDS
1. MAGIC EMPIRE
2. ANGEL WHISPER

Race 3 – 2:55PM ALLAN FOR BREAKFAST MAIDEN (1216 METRES)

JAKESTAR and new rider Shaun McGruddy will be looking to dictate terms out in front. Lunged late and just missed knocking off the odds-on Red Warrior on debut, before being out-bobbed on the line after a two-horse war last Sunday week. Doesn’t have to lead to win, but if he does find the front without too much pressure they won’t get past him. ICE TRADE was big on debut and had genuine excuses at Albany last time. Stable in form and has to be a major player. OBSTINATION comes back sharply in grade and will have a heap of admirers, while no surprise to see MIRTH ‘N’ MUSIC run well at a price.

Tips: 5-8-10-3
Suggested: 5. JAKESTAR win.

5. JAKESTAR
8. ICE TRADE
10. OBSTINATION
3. MIRTH ‘N’ MUSIC

Race 4 – 3:30PM SOUTH WEST YAMAHA HANDICAP (1216 METRES)

Pretty keen on BEDOUIN BELLE. Champion trainer Lou Luciani has put his faith in 3kg claimer Kristy Bennett to get the job done and from gate one with a cutaway rail in play, there should be no excuses. Bedouin Belle was a moral beaten at Ascot last start and the form out of that race has really held up since, so if this mare turns up she should be winning. OLIVIA KNOWS has caught the eye at both Ascot runs this prep and is obvioulsy suited coming back in grade. SWEET DREAMIN’ almost knocked off the smart Silkinise and loves this track, while GRAND DESIGN can elevate back up to six furlongs.

Tips: 4-7-5-2
Suggested: 4. BEDOUIN BELLE win.

4. BEDOUIN BELLE
7. OLIVIA KNOWS
5. SWEET DREAMIN’
2. GRAND DESIGN

Race 5 – 4:00PM THE DRIVE HOME WITH CLIFF HANDICAP (1216 METRES)

Not a bad contest and sparingly-raced TAWNY PETE has to be a major player. Has obvious issues and trainer Paul Roberts has his hands full, but if right, Tawny Pete can find the front and take some running down. First-up Ascot effort much better than it reads and he’ll certainly relish racing back on his home deck. First-upper BEAUTY KANAS warrants serious consideration after a solid initial WA prep. Maps soft from gate one and should show some dash late fresh. The wayward VELAGO has real talent but is hard to recommend confidfently, while PATRISTIC has ability and can fire fresh.

Tips: 2-1-7-5
Suggested: 2. TAWNY PETE win.

2. TAWNY PETE
1. VELAGO
7. PATRISTIC
5. CHOICE COMMAND

*Numbers amended after Final Scratchings

Race 6 – 4:35PM BOQ BUNBURY HANDICAP (1116 METRES)

Locking in RIVER BEAU to go back-to-back. Came through a hit race on debut to score narrowly this track/distance last Sunday week, coming with a sweeping run to nail the fave Jakestar on the line. Looks capable of elevating further third up for an in-form yard, and he’ll give this a nudge. SOLARIZE was caught in a two-horse war throughout his 1000m assignment last start and missed the win by an official 0.07L. Looks the likely leader and will be hard to run down. GUNFLINT was brave after racing wide throughout last time, while first-upper GESSATO is honest and maps ideally from the low draw.

Tips: 5-1-2-4
Suggested: 5. RIVER BEAU win.

5. RIVER BEAU
1. SOLARIZE
2. GUNFLINT
4. GESSATO

Race 7 – 5:15PM KENNEDY MOLLOY HANDICAP (1705 METRES)

Solid handicap to finish the program and sticking with the up-and-coming MR KUNAFA to score again. Could count himself a little unlucky not to be unbeaten, and his last-start Ascot win was significant, with his closing sections among the best of the day. Has a few things against him, but has a bit of class and with a patient ride, he’ll be hard to counter late. SHADOW HUNTER has to be a big danger coming back in trip. Will have a field-position advantage from gate one. STELLA ANNE maps sweetly also, HYPERSPACE can run a race, while THE CAT RATCHER could bob up a huge odds.

Tips: 1-3-8-5
Suggested: 1. MR KUNAFA win.

1. MR KUNAFA
3. SHADOW HUNTER
8. STELLA ANNE
5. HYPERSPACE
4. THE CAT RATCHER

**This edition of #TheLegUp by @thoroheadsWA originally published at 3:00pm on Monday 2 December 2019