3 minute read
A nine-race card at Ascot on Saturday.
No stakes races on offer but the best on the program, London's Image in Race 2, brings some strong early summer carnival form to the table.
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Following a 37-day let-up she set the ball rolling with a shock win at Listed level on Melbourne Cup Day. Since that breakthrough victory, the daughter of Headwater has been thereabouts in the Placid Ark, WA Guineas, and most recently a game second in the 1400m Ernest Lee-Steere Classic when she led until the closing stages.
Trainer Ryan Hill has given the filly a seven-week freshen since that career peak, a strategy that paid off with that win in the Burgess Queen on Cup Day. From the inside draw, Brad Parnham will use her natural speed to lead or take a sit if something takes her on.
While 1100m is short of her best trip, it looks ideal given she is coming off a let-up and there is likely to be a stack of speed in the race. Expect her class to prevail.
The other nice play on the program comes up in the last.
Antique Queen is a lightly raced four-year-old who has returned in great order this prep.
She opened with a win in a modest BM58 at Albury then came to town on New Year's Day and didn't have a great deal of luck when third over the mile. The mare had to settle well back from a wide draw before fanning wide on the bend then eating up the ground late to grab third.
At this stage of the prep she needs Saturday's journey of 1800m. From a wide alley she will again be asked to come from the second half of the field, but there is genuine tempo likely. It is worth noting the daughter of Pierro travelled next to last in the Listed Belmont Oaks last time in work before flying late to be beaten just over a length. That sort of form reads nicely in a one-metro-win race.
Both selections hover around the $4 to $5 mark and look good value.
BEST FROM THE WEST
Best Bet: Race 2 No 2 LONDON'S IMAGE
Next Best: Race 9 No 9 ANTIQUE QUEEN