Sunday racing heads to York for the running of the York Cup for 2024.
A small but select field is assembled for the cup (race seven) with Dan and Ben Pearce holding a strong hand in this year's renewal.
There's plenty to like on the undercard as well with eight races from the Avon Valley, which you can catch live and free on 7Plus and Racing WA.
Race 1 - TABTOUCH BETTER YOUR BET MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m)
ON JUST TERMS (11) kept on well at Kalgoorlie last start when beaten just 1.7L. The extra 100m looks to suit today and she has the speed to offset the wide alley. Showed good improvement at her last start and can get the job done if she continues on that trajectory. ANABALLISTIC (9) was backed into favourite on debut at Northam and bumped into a couple of smart ones there. She draws a touch better today and she'll be better for the fresh effort. Worth keeping on side with improvement likely. WEAPONS HOT (1) beat home On Just Terms last start at Kalgoorlie and wasn't far away over this course and distance two back. Up in weight today, but racing well and can make her presence felt. PATRIONIC STAR (3) found a good one at Collie first-up though he does improve with a run under his belt. Won't be far away. AWILDA (10) resumes without a trial but had shown glimpses of talent prior to her debut. Keep safe.
Race 2 - WITTENS IRRIGATION & DESIGN MAIDEN HANDICAP (1500m)
BLOW BACK (2) was tested in Metro company first-up when a 5-1 chance, but he never really featured when tiring. This is much easier and he'll be fitter for the first-up run. Needs some luck from the draw, but he should be winning this if he can recapture his best form. ROYAL TROOPER (9) gets the blinkers on first time today following a poor run at Northam last start when never getting into the race. He may be able to sit a touch closer today and if he can bounce back to his prior form, he'll give a big sight. BIONDO (1) has a host of gear changes today as he looks to recapture his best form. He draws well with Carbery hopping in the saddle and he won't be far away. MAXIMUM IMPACT (14) has had a few goes now but has run well here previously and had claims. LIVING LIKE KINGS (6) wasn't beaten far at Collie and is worth including.
Race 3 - DARRYS PLUMBING AND GAS HANDICAP (1100m)
WINEACLOCKSUMWHERE (4) led them up and put them away with ease at Narrogin last time out, winning by 2.2L running away. He maps to find the front once again today and he has run well at this course previously. Looks to be an improving type who can bring up back-to-back wins. THATSTHEWAYILIKEIT (7) resumed in good order with a 1.2L win at Kalgoorlie just 8 days ago. On the quick turnaround which is interesting, though Fiore riding does add to the confidence. Can put her best foot forward. LIGHTNING GOLD (2) was only fair fresh at Northam, but he did improve nicely to win second-up last campaign. Draws well again and the form out of his last start has stacked up. This is easier and he can be in the finish. SPEEDY NOVA (5) can build on a solid fresh effort at Narrogin.
Race 4 - HAIRITAGE HAIR BY LISA HANDICAP (1300m)
RUNFORROB (4) probably didn't see out the mile last start when well back and never in the hunt. Back to this trip looks ideal now and his prior ratings stack up highly in this event. Draws ideally and can turn his form right around today. BILL SELECTS (8) sat up on the speed in stronger company last start and couldn't hold on. He was better over this course and distance two back from a wide alley, and he now draws inside. Can bounce back and will prove tough to run down from the front. NO PEER (12) has gotten a long way back in her first two runs this campaign, probably over unsuitable trips. Now right out to this distance third-up, plenty of improvement is expected and it wouldn't surprise to see her right in the finish. HEAPS OF MOOLAH (9) comes into this on the fresh side and has claims. AIYZA (7) won't be far away if she can hold her form.
Race 5 - VOLUNTEERS OF YORK RACING HANDICAP (1500m)
CANGGU (2) boasts a handy record over this course and distance and was a wrecking ball at Collie last start, absolutely bolting in. He should find the front today and the claim of Cooper comes in handy. Loves this track and will prove very hard to run down if he runs up to his latest effort. BECALOTTI (1) appears the main danger following a 4L defeat at Northam as favourite last time out. She had been competitive in town prior to that and she stretches out to this trip for the first time. Maps for a lovely run and it wouldn't surprise to see her turn her form around. SECRET IDENTITY (4) is better than he showed last start when beaten a long way over the mile at Northam. He was better in his prior starts and suspect he'll be able to get back to that level today. Can bounce back. JOLLY LACE (9) got the job done here to end last campaign and has to be included first-up. MISS INTENTION (3) can build on a solid first-up record with this being much easier.
Race 6 - D & A PLUMBING AND GAS SERVICES HANDICAP (1920m)
MANHATTAN JEWEL (4) disappointed at Geraldton last start when not finding under pressure turning for home. He now stretches in trip, but she was trending the right way prior to her latest effort. Happy to overlook one bad run and anticipate her to bounce back in a big way today. BEANIE (2) went to town last start and wasn't disgraced following a good win at this track and trip the start prior. Back to the scene of the crime now and the 2lg claim comes in handy. May need some luck from the draw but is racing well and appears the main danger. SMOKING BARREL (5) steps up in trip now which should suit and he'll find this much easier than recent efforts. He is a track and trip winner previously and he'll be coming on strongly from the back of the field. PIERRA ART (8) hasn't been disgraced in tougher company lately and is worth including. DESERT SLEEVE (3) is best of the rest.
Race 7 - TABTOUCH YORK CUP (1920m)
The York Cup for 2024 and DECORATION (2) looks the one to beat. He maps for a lovely run under Tash Faithfull following some very strong efforts in Saturday grade of late. He has a nice profile for a race like this and if he can run up to his recent form, he should be getting the job done. OUTSPOKEN LAD (1) got the job done at Northam last start in a CL5 and steps out in trip again now. That won't be an issue with some strong ratings at Belmont in Saturday company last campaign over 2000m or further. Can dictate from the front and leave his rivals in his wake. COMEALILBITCLOSER (6) couldn't reel in the winner last start at Ascot, though he turned in a strong effort there. Been a while between drinks but he looks well placed in this event and won't be far away. TONI'S SPIRIT (3) can improve again now third-up and is a track and trip winner previously.
Race 8 - AVON VALLEY POOLS HANDICAP (1200m)
BLITZEM BABE (10) has been knocking on the door all campaign in Kalgoorlie and looks to have struck another suitable race here. She maps for a lovely run and Fiore replacing the apprentice is a good sign. Just needs to hold her form and she can end her winning drought. LADY CABERNET (8) disappointed at Ascot last start after a narrow defeat here two back. On the quick turnaround today, but she's racing well and maps for a nice run in transit. Can bounce back in a big ways. VILLAGE GIRL (1) resumes today and boasts a strong fresh record. She was running well on wet tracks last campaign which probably don't suit her judging by her stats. Back on top of the ground now and way back in grade, she can resume with a bang. CHER (5) got the job done here two back as favourite and has to be included. PRETTY DEVINE (3) can build on a nice win at Northam last time out.
