Perazzi primed to challenge regional championship field

Hobby trainer Bob Bell believes last-start winner Perazzi has more improvement to come ahead of his second-up task in Sunday’s $30,000 Tabtouch Regional Championship The Road To Ascot (1230m) heat at Percy Spencer Racecourse.

Perazzi, bought by Bell from Victoria, had two starts in Albany last season and went to Port Hedland for the North West season but came up sore and was spelled as a result.

Resuming from a spell at the Great Southern opener in Mt Barker on November 5 and without a trial, Perazzi was a slashing two-length winner over 1100m to notch his first WA victory.

At the first meeting in Albany this season, the lightly raced son of Testa Rossa will contest the $30,000 feature race on the card which has attracted an even field of 14 starters.

Bell said the jump in distance to 1230m would suit his six-year-old, second-up from a break.

“There are no issues with him at all, he hasn’t missed a day of work,” Bell said.

“He has pulled up good from the win and hasn’t gone backwards.

“This is a bit stronger race but I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t competitive.

“I’d expect him to be in the finish.

“He ran third in Albany last season to Captivated Point and wasn’t right, but there is no comparison, him this season to last season, the spell has done him the world of good.”

Leading rider Mitchell Pateman retains the mount on Perazzi, who will jump from barrier four with 58kg on his back.

Bell, who is based here in Albany for the season, also has staying type Speed ‘N’ Reef and ex-NSW galloper Gambled in his stable.

Albany trainer Steve Wolfe expects a strong showing from Captivated Point, one of his three runners in the championship heat on Sunday.

Captivated Point has won four of his 12 career starts but will have to overcome an awkward gate for stable jockey Shaun McGruddy.

“He’s been disappointing in town but is going well,” Wolfe said.

“There is four or five chances and he’s one of them.

“If Gauged brings his form from the other day he will be right there and Rare Selection is probably the class horse but it’s a tad short for him.”

Gauged and Rare Selection make up Wolfe’s other chances in the race which also has Zipabout, Naturaliste and Count Kala engaged.

Albany’s seven-race card will kick off at 1.55pm on Sunday.

Cameron Newbold’s Albany selections

Race 1: Margays

Race 2: Vision Up

Race 3: Hey Bro

Race 4: Ellens Choice

Race 5: Prince Friar

Race 6: Perazzi

Race 7: Babble

Best Bet: Margays

Value: Babble