Esperance Twilight Preview Friday 12th Febrauary

This Friday’s meeting at the Esperance Bay Turf Club is a twilight meeting. The first race is scheduled for 3:01pm and the sixth and last is set down for 6:15pm. The EBTC is expecting a large jovial crowd by the time the Quaddie begins at 4:22pm and it’s great to see Don Whitfield in town with his team for the ‘back end’ of the season. Colourful hoop Russel Hanson also returns to race riding and will be hoping to find form in the lead up to the Kalgoorlie-Boulder season.

The Farm Trees Sprint kicks things off with just five horses to face the starter. Ears Loppy and Moss Street are both recent winners but topweight Expedition is most likely to start favourite with in-form apprentice Andrew Castle booked to ride/claim. Billyaintsilly shouldn’t be taken lightly either given his recent second at Mt. Barker. Seven gallopers have accepted over 1950m and are no doubt headed towards the Express Yourself Printing Esperance Cup that will be run on the last Saturday of this month. Key’s Ace and The Gift fought out the finish two weeks ago over this distance and they loom as the two favourites on Friday. Our Calendar Girl bolted in at Narrogin on Australia Day and on the strength of that performance looms as a threat. Danish Currency is open to improvement with the apprentice’s claim too. The P. H. Kerr & Co Maiden is over 1400m and sixteen horses have accepted with a capacity field of fourteen to compete. Macmatey, Royal Wing and Sarabella boast the best credentials while Aint No Angel, Flanno, Pure Fandango and Majestaad are ‘fringe’ candidates. The RSM Bird Cameron Handicap is over 1400m and this event looks wide open. Pinpointing a favourite isn’t easy although Miss Alonso looks well placed for Rod Kirkup and Damian Lane. Marubos will benefit from the hitout but is a horse that needs a longer trip to produce his best. Ron’s Gem has won 3 of her 4 starts this season and Stormy Express, Twice The Speed and Put Option have all been performing well. Alabama is another worth considering on an each way basis. The Loff’s Feed & Saddlery Handicap is over 1600m and one thing is for sure, Hackett’s Heart will be flying home. The four year old has started twice for a win and a second and is prepared by leading trainer Brendan Corver. Wing Star is a last start winner while Lord Airlie and Cyclonic Force have been competitive without winning. End Of Fashion looks to have a rough hope too despite being unplaced at his last few efforts. The final race is the Landmark Handicap and once again a capacity field of fourteen will take part. Good luck finding the winner here. Arcade Attraction has drawn off the track but has been racing in ultra consistent fashion. The same can be said for speedy galloper Outside Influence who is likely to set the pace for Peter Farrell. San Supremo, Outta The Blue, Go Fury Go and Western Crown are the others that should be included in Flexi Quaddie calculations. Following Friday’s meeting only two will remain, both of which will be Saturday fixtures on the 20th and 27th of February. Early Friday selections ; Expedition, Aelstreet, Cyclos, Alabama, Lord Airlie and Arcade Attraction.