Sky Atlas set to salute at Bunbury Turf Club

Two maiden chances head the market in race one with Mantime and Pharaoh’s Triumph. The latter thumped a trial field of nine at Lark Hill by more than four lengths and could land the cash today.  

The Dion Luciani trained Count Kala looks the best of the previously raced horses. 

The second has plenty of chances. First starters Cape Lady and Truly Rare along with lightly raced pair Ragazzo D’Oro and Explosion are all up in the markets but I am going to tip a knockout chance. 

Red Noire ($19) finished middle of the field last start in Northam and something tells me Thursday’s good conditions and an extra 100 metres might make a difference. Don’t put the house on it, but consider at juicy each-way odds. 

There is a lot of hype around Diamond Princess in the third. Her metropolitan form is good and can prove too strong here with the right ride from apprentice hoop Mollie Clark, who brings the weight down to a light 52 kilograms.

A big field of 16 tackle race four with an open market. Any punter that get’s this one right will be rewarded with tasty dividends.

I think the class of William Pike on first-starter Mississippi Delta, who won a solid Lark Hill trial, could prevail but don’t dismiss Zefiro, Danehills Daughter, Dixie Win and Quest To Venus. 

Race five, over the 2219 metre distance, has a light field with a few key chances.

I’m leaning towards Classy Cat ($4.40) with apprentice jockey Jake Casey. The six-year-old mare is untried at this distance but likes the speed on and was a half-length third to Prying Tom at Belmont two starts back. If Prying Tom’s effort in Bunbury last week is anything to go by, Classy Cat could be a winner. 

I’m backing the Bernie Miller trainer Born Blue in race six. The first two runs back from a spell haven’t been terrific but will have sharpened the five-year-old gelding’s fitness up for this assignment. Barrier one is a plus too. 

It’s hard to go past local favourite in race seven, Prentice, for Bunbury trainers Peter and Matt Giadresco. The former WA Sires’ Produce Stakes winner will likely do his best work late and represents excellent each-way value.

The price of Sky Atlas ($2.05) plummeted sharply after the only other key chance in the field, Geiger Gem, was scratched on Thursday morning. William Pike riding in the cerise and white for Grant and Alana Williams means this three-year-old gelding will likely start odds on or unders and should duly salute.