Bunbury Betting Tips for September 17, 2026 - Poppy's Roses Set to Bloom
The Bunbury race meeting on September 17 features strong provincial racing with the track rated a Good 4 and the rail positioned out four metres. Key recommendations include Poppy's Roses as the best bet in Race 5, expected to break her maiden under the in-form jockey Clint Johnston-Porter. Moose is tipped as the next best in Race 6 after promising trial form, while Safari Boy is suggested as a solid value each-way play in Race 7, especially with the drop back in class and improved track conditions.
- Poppy's Roses is top pick in Race 5, predicted to break her maiden
- Moose debuts in Race 6, well-supported after promising trials
- Safari Boy offers value in Race 7, can improve third-up on firmer ground
Bunbury serves up another solid Thursday of provincial racing. (Getty)
Provincial Thursday racing in Western Australia remains at Bunbury for the September 17 card.
The track is currently rated a Good 4, with the rail out four metres for the entire circuit.
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Bunbury Tips September 17
Duncan Equine Group Maiden Tips (Race 5)
Bunbury Best Bet - Race 5 No. 7 Poppy's Roses
It is remarkable that Poppy's Roses is still a maiden, and connections will be hoping the daughter of Maschino can finally break through fresh on Thursday.
She looked ready to go when making ground for second in a 950m Lark Hill trial on September 7, doing her best work late and continuing strongly through the line.
The 1400m is a comfortable starting point for the WA Oaks runner-up, who had reached the end of her previous campaign when tackling the WATC Derby, while her two earlier attempts around this trip both came with excuses.
She was heavily held up after attracting support at a price at start two last November, while her luck was no better when resuming over this track-and-trip in January before following that effort with consecutive seconds, including a narrow defeat here behind Pure Mac, who has since won again.
Clint Johnston-Porter takes the fresh ride after partnering her in the recent trial, and with the jockey striking at 27% in September, including five metropolitan victories, Poppy's Roses gets an excellent chance to finally shed the maiden tag.
Swan Draught Maiden Tips (Race 6)
Bunbury Next Best Bet - Race 6 No. 11 Moose
Daniel Morton has made a strong start to September, preparing a winning double at last Thursday's Bunbury meeting before his next runner to the races, Roger, produced an impressive debut victory at Belmont on Wednesday.
Morton has five runners entered across Thursday's card and appears to have found a suitable starting point for Moose, a debutant who showed enough in two autumn trials before being given additional time.
The gelding has returned a more furnished horse, finishing runner-up in two 950m Lark Hill trials and doing his best work late in both hit-outs.
For a galloper who looks likely to appreciate further ground in time, 1400m shapes as an ideal debut distance, and he also finds a maiden lacking much depth among the raced brigade.
Oscar's No Grouch has shown some ability, but the favourite has had several opportunities and was a little plain when well beaten at Belmont last time, giving Moose his chance to make an immediate impression.
Real Punters Play Here TABtouch Handicap Tips (Race 7)
Bunbury Value Bet - Race 7 No. 3 Safari Boy
The overall strike rate may not leap off the page, but Safari Boy's 2026 form paints a much more encouraging picture.
His long-awaited breakthrough came via a dominant Geraldton victory on January 8, and he backed that up with a Class 2 win two starts later before remaining competitive in metropolitan company at Belmont when stretching out to 2100m.
That campaign concluded at Ascot in a 50+ event over a staying trip on March 11, and while Thursday's distance is short of his optimum, the six-year-old looked forward enough in two winter trials, including a second behind Fantaxtic, who subsequently won at Belmont earlier this month.
Safari Boy resumed over 1400m at Bunbury on August 13 at big odds and produced a much better run than the finishing position suggests, making ground against the race shape while recording the second-fastest final 400m and 200m of that event, before excuses could be made for his latest effort after being set a difficult task from the rear on a testing surface.
The drop back to provincial company and return to firmer ground are both significant positives, and although he may still be one run short and ultimately looking for slightly further, Safari Boy hasn't done much wrong this year outside of the forgivable second-up run.
Verdict
Our Bunbury tips for Thursday, September 17 are:
Poppy's Roses
To Win
$1.85 - 6 Units
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Moose
To Win
$2.90 - 3 Units
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Safari Boy
Each Way
$20.00 - 1 Unit
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