Esperance hosts a six-race card alongside a big Railway Stakes Day at Ascot.
It's the club's first race meeting of the new season, with good fields engaged across the day.
You can watch all the action from Esperance live and free on 7Plus and Racing WA.
Race 1: RACING WA CAREERS IN RACING MAIDEN (1300m)
KEEP A KNOCKIN' (2) was second fresh up at Bunbury when last in work and has since changed stables. He will find racing at country level more to his liking and from a good gate, he is the one to beat fresh up. QUEEN OF CHAOS (8) has improved since joining the local Paul Tapper stable and is nearly 8 weeks between runs which will do her no harm. Each way value in this lineup. KIMBERLEY ROSE (13) has also changed stables since her last start sixth at Kalgoorlie 3 weeks ago and is expected to improve on this circuit. Include in all combinations. MAIDS TESTIMONY (4) has made up some good ground in both of his starts this prep. He has the blinkers on for the first time and is nicely placed in this easier company. Watch closely.
Race 2: CPC ENGINEERING MAIDEN (1100m)
ROYAL ACCOLADE (1) ran a couple of really nice races early on in his last prep for new trainer Josh Brown who trains on this track and on exposed form, he is the one to beat fresh up, especially from a handy gate. ORIENTAL FLYER (4) ran his best race at the end of his last campaign and would have matured since then. He has a handy gate and with Chris Nicoll in the irons, he has to be respected. A market watch is recommended. ALOTTA FIGHTING (3) showed some promise in 4 starts at Kalgoorlie in his initial campaign and would have matured since then. He is drawn to receive the run of the race early on and give his local trainer Paul Tapper a strong hand in the race. Each way. PRIZED JEWEL (7) battled away bravely to finish third fresh up at Kalgoorlie just over 7 weeks ago and he Jerry Noske in the saddle for the first time. She strips fitter and is worth including in all combinations.
Race 3: THELMA JONES MEMORIAL HANDICAP (1100m)
BOOZEROO (3) is a handy local gelding resuming from a spell and he normally comes to hand quickly. He has a strong record over this trip on the track and if he doesn't need the run, he will be among the hardest to beat. MUNGO JERRY (1) clung on grimly to score by a head at Kalgoorlie just over 7 weeks ago, albeit in a 4-horse field. He is having his start on this track from new trainer Josh Brown and has to be respected. Each way. NOBLE REFLECTION (2) did not come up as expected earlier in the year and is resuming from a spell. He has solid stats fresh up and is normally competitive at this level. Check the markets and include in all combinations. COCOON BAY (6) is a very capable mare on her day and has had a freshen-up since her last start at the end of August. She might want more ground but should be hitting the line strongly. Watch for her late.
Race 4: KIA SORRENTO HANDICAP (1100m)
AURIEL (2) is an ex-Victorian gelding who did not quite kick on as expected after winning at Colac earlier in the year. He will be a lot stronger and is bred to improve with more racing. A wide draw is no help and without any public trials, it can be tough to get a line on him. This field is not strong and any market support has to be respected. REBEL SQUAW (10) was thereabouts last prep and her only win did come on this track. She comes to hand quickly and with the benefit of a 2kg claim, she can figure in the finish fresh up. TAK GOES BOOM (12) was beaten as favourite at Kalgoorlie 3 weeks ago and has proven to be very hard to catch. If he is in the right mood, he is more than capable of taking this out. GREYLANDER (5) did not fire in 3 starts last winter after shifting from Queensland. He is better than his form suggests and is not out of this, especially if the money comes for him.
Race 5: TABTOUCH HANDICAP (1200m)
PURE QUALITY (11) won fresh up for her new trainer on this track to kick off her last prep and her following 2 starts also had merit. She resumes from a spell and should be stronger this season. She only carries 54kg and will be among the hardest to hold out. FLOBA (7) capped off some strong form with a well-deserved win by a nose at Kalgoorlie 3 weeks ago. There is no reason why he can't score again. CRUNCHY NUT (3) has changed stables since last racing and will find things more to his liking at country level. A good draw helps and he is certainly good enough to take this out. HUGHBERT (6) is a stablemate of the third pick who has also recently joined the local Helen Harding stable. He has winning form on the course and can take this out. Use the markets as your guide.
Race 6:SNAPPER ENTERPRISES PTY LTD HANDICAP (1300m)
SMALL TOWN RUBY (10) is a promising mare who improved after moving to this area and she looks to have a future over a middle distance. She is resuming from a spell and with the benefit of a 2kg claim, she is expected to sprint well fresh up. Watch closely. Can win. TRUE CHANCE (3) went for a spell after winning his last start here by a nose in February. His recent break would have done him the world of good and he can give this a shake. BIG BAD BAGGINS (1) led all of the way to win on debut at Northam near the end of June and has been on ice since then. He has the pole position and has the scope to take care of this field. ALWAYS AWESOME (2) has changed stables since his last start at Ascot and will find the company here more to his liking. He has more upside than most in this and a win would be no surprise.
