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The WA Summer Carnival is heating up with Ascot on Saturday hosting two Group races which are both key lead ups into The Pinnacles commencing next fortnight.
The highly progressive Brave Centurion will look to make it six straight wins as he steps up to Group level in the Prince of Wales Stakes (1000m) while Super Smink holds favouritism in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes after commencing her latest campaign with two straight placings.
Today's meeting can be viewed live and free on 7Plus and Racing WA.
Race 1: TABtouch - WESTSPEED PLATINUM HANDICAP (1600m)
DATE WITHTHE DEVIL (4) closed off well over 1400m here last start and looks ready for the step out to the mile now. He is likely to get back in the run, but he's improved with every run this time in work. Can continue to work through the grades with a win today. PULL THE TRIGGER (3) got the job done in a dead-heat in this grade last time out. Pike was on board for that run too and he maps to get a lovely run in transit off the inside draw. Does rise in weight, but he'll be fitter again and he can go close to winning again. AMAZING CHEAT (8) is better than what we saw from her last start and may not have run the trip last time out. Dropping back to the mile looks a smart moves and she can be storming home over the top late. CANNY JACK (9) may get back in the run but is sure to be closing off strongly late in the race. FRAPPUCCINO (5) took up the running over 1500m last time out in easier company and boxed on well. Can feature again.
Race 2: WITTENS IRRIGATION & DESIGN HANDICAP (2200m)
LORD RANDOLPH (8) blew his rivals away with ease over this trip last time out at Belmont. He was on the 7-day backup there and while this is tougher grade, he drops 1kg in the weights. Pike remains in the saddle and with a similar run in transit on the cards, he can go back-to-back. I LOVE YOUR SMILE (1) disappointed last time out after a couple of handy runs, beaten a long way. He should get her chance again today from a good draw and this is easier than the races she's been contesting of late. On the quick turnaround and can make her presence felt. CHOICE THINKING (2) stepped out to 2100m last start at Belmont and was far too good, running away to win by 2.1L. That was only a Maiden, but there's no denying he is on an upward spiral. Expecting further improvement now and he can win again. LEAD BY EXAMPLE (5) is better than she showed last start and can bounce back with CJP in the saddle. COMEALILBITCLOSER (6) can feature from the good draw.
Race 3: QUAYCLEAN HANDICAP (1500m)
WINNING SHUFFLE (7) was very impressive at Northam two back and just missed last start over 1400m at this track. He maps for a kind run again today and CJP remaining in the saddle is a good sign. He's trending the right way and if he can improve again, he'll prove hard to beat. BE BARDOT (6) went out to 1800m last start and may not have run out the extra journey when disappointing in the run. She was very impressive in her runs prior and getting back to this trip looks a big tick for her. Pike sticks and she's sure to be strong at the finish. AMJAAD (5) stuck on gamely when up on the speed last start at this track and the form out of that has worked out well. Out in trip should suit and if she can get back to her best, she'll go close to winning. CHOLLIMA (2) was good from the back last start and will find this easier. Big chance. MISS SKYHIGH (1) jumped favourite and went close in a similar race a fortnight ago. Has to be included.
Race 4: DRUMMOND GOLF HANDICAP (1800m)
ROYAL TORONADO (7) is on the quick turnaround today and continues to be knocking on the door of another win. The horse is flying and he now gets Pike back in the saddle who has won 2/3 when partnering. Back up to this trip is no issue and he can get back to winning ways today. ROCK IN WONDER (12) is a nice horse on the way through, winning a CL1 at the midweeks over this course and distance in fine style 17 days ago. He has the speed to cross from out wide and he's improved sharply since getting out in trip. Right down in the weights now and can take catching from out in front. ODINAKA (4) has closed off well his past couple over the mile and drops in grade for today's assignment. The rise in trip looks to suit and he ticks plenty of boxes today. Likely to feature. FLY WITH CAUTION (1) was very good when winning over the mile last start and is building a handy record. Has to be included. GRAND RESERVE (6) is better than what we saw last start and can bounce back.
Race 5: SELANGOR TURF CLUB TROPHY (1000m)
The progressive JOKERS GRIN (7) returns today after winning three on-end to finish his debut campaign. He improved with every run last campaign and his trials suggest he hasn't gone backwards coming into this. May get back in the run, but he looks destined for better races and can keep his winning streak alive. THE BOSS LADY (3) got out tot he mile last campaign but her form prior was very good over the short course. She goes well fresh, she's a course and distance winner and Parnham has a winning record when partnering. Can resume in top order. KINGS HONOUR (9) peaked on the run first-up after trialling strongly coming into this campaign. He drops plenty of weight today and while this is tougher, he can roll forward and take plenty of catching from out in front. CAPITAL FLIGHT (1) gets Pike in the saddle and an inside draw following a good run in Listed company last campaign. Include. HANG GLIDER (8) is racing well and won't be far away from a handy barrier.
Race 6: TABtouch - PLACID ARK PRELUDE (1000m)
SINFUL LIVING (2) was good in the Max Simmonds before tackling the older horses last start and finish midfield. Pike hops back in the saddle now as she drops back to her own age and she should be up front from the draw. Draws a better gate this time and can return to winning ways. WIND AND THE LION (1) looks a smart galloper in the making following a dominant win over 1000m on debut at Belmont. He's trialled nicely coming into this and thew wide draw doesn't appear an issue. He has stacks of upside and he's sure to make his presence felt. REPOSSESSION (4) was good in the Max Simmonds when closing off nicely from midfield after being slowly away. Drawn well again today and the added run under his belt is a big tick. Has plenty of class and can go close. MADHI GIRL (6) looks an improver dropping back to 1000m today and is not to be discounted. GOLDEN KATHLEEN (8) is better than what she showed fresh and has to be included.
Race 7: TABtouch - PRINCE OF WALES STAKES (1000m)
SALOON BAR (3) was squealing home over this course and distance last start in the Crawford on the back of a 42-day freshen. He meets some rivals better at the weights today and while he is likely to be back in the run again, he's right at his best and he'll be storming home once again. BRAVO CENTURION (8) kept his winning streak alive with a good win in the Crawford. He rises in weight today, but he maps to find the front yet again and there's no reason why he can't improve further. Will prove tough to catch from the front once again. SNOWDOME (4) had plenty of hype coming into last campaign but didn't really fire. He was a winner of this race first-up last season and he resumes as a gelding today. No trials coming in, but maps for a lovely run and it wouldn't surprise to see him back at his best. BOOTS LIKE BRUCE (5) was very impressive through the winter and if he can run to that level today, he'll be right in the finish. RED CAN MAN (1) won't be far away first-up.
Race 8: HOSEMASTERS - ASIAN BEAU STAKES (1400m)
SUPER SMINK (2) is right back to her best and looks to have found her race today. Cruelled by bad gates in both runs this time in, she gets a chance to sit closer today for Chris Parnham and she may have more room for improvement. Plenty to like and she can end her winning drought. ZIPAWAY (3) was strong first-up over this trip at Caulfield last campaign and he looks in good order based on his trials coming in. The draw is a little niggle, though he's a classy galloper who has been tested in some classy races as a 3YO. Can make a statement on resumption. YONGA LASS (15) has won 2/3 fresh and has impressed a the trials coming into this. Pike has a brilliant record aboard the mare and she should get every chance from the inside. Carries no weight and is likely to be in the finish. LUVNWAR (11) will appreciate this trip first-up and looks a progressive mare. Worth including. DIAMOND SCENE (9) was impressive winning fresh over this track and trip and he has claims.
Race 9: MRS MAC'S HANDICAP (1200m)
ESPRIT GARCON (3) moved into the race boldly before peaking on the run first-up over this course and distance. The tongue tie goes on now and the draw isn't an issue as he tends to get back anyway. Form out of that race has worked out well and he can get back to winning ways today. MALKAR PINDARI (4) rocketed home over 1000m first-up when a long last on straightening. Chris Parnham hops in the saddle now and she draws inside now. May need some luck to get out, though she's a classy type and she looks open to further improvement. KEEP ATTACKING (6) is racing well of late and now gets Pike back in the saddle following a bold effort last time out. He beat Esprit Garcon on that occasion and now he gets Pike in the saddle. He's a versatile galloper who can make his presence felt. REGAL STATUE (13) won well first-up and can improve again now second-up. MISS FLIRTACIOUS (14) will put herself on the speed and take plenty of catching down in the weights.
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