3 minute read
The Ted Van Heemst is the feature event as the lead-up to the Perth Cup continues.
The Pinnacles have finished but the action is still red-hot at Ascot on Saturday with plenty of action right across the card.
You won't want to miss a moment of the action on Saturday, and you won't have to with coverage live and free on 7Plus and Racing WA.
Race 1: TBWA WESTSPEED PLATINUM PLATE (1000m)
The 2YO's can be tough commodities to follow, but the debut win of CASTLE ROAD (1) suggests he might have a class edge early in the juvenile season. He sat on the speed before kicking clear to win impressively over this track and trip, This doesn't look any harder and he should be getting the job done again. GOLDEN OPERA (6) makes plenty of appeal. She's out of 2YO Perth Magic Millions winner Cadenza - who Morton trained - and was very good when winning a recent trial. Maps to get plenty of favours and can make her presence felt on debut. FINAL FLUSH (5) is another on debut, this time for the Ryan Hill barn. All 5 siblings have won races and two of those have performed in Stakes grade. Can be there in the finish. TRUE FICTION (2) will be better for the debut effort and is worth including.
Race 2: OWN THE DREAM MAIDEN (1400m)
NORTHERN DIAMOND (14) just missed last time out at Pinjarra when beaten in a photo finish. The form out of the race has been strong and she has her hoof on the till. Maps to get her chance and can shed the maiden tag this time. GASPARDO (6) is another who was beaten narrowly last start, just missing out at Albany when favourite. He'll find this tougher, but he looks to have good class about him and the rise in trip may suit. Possesses some class and should be right in the finish. TACTICS (5) gets the blinkers back on today following a disappointing run over this trip at Belmont most recently. His first two efforts this time in were much better and getting the blinkers back on today can see him turn his form around. ROMANTIC RULER (1) has been very close in all 3 runs this time in work and won't be far away. WON FOR THE GIRLS (8) is building nicely this campaign and now out to this trip can see him in the finish.
Race 3: WESTSPEED PLATINUM CUP (2100m)
KISSES FROM KELLY (1) was very impressive on the 7-day turnaround second-up when holding on to score as favourite. While he does rise in weight today, he possesses a strong third-up record and he maps for a lovely run in transit. CJP remains in the saddle and he can bring up back-to-back victories. ROCKING SOCIETY (6) won narrowly over 1800m last start at this track and looks ready for this distance now. He still has upside and he should plonk himself around the speed from a good gate. Strong in the Melvista and Derby last campaign and he can get back to that level now. ALASKAN (9) was ridden differently last start and turned in a much better effort when only 0.4L off Kisses From Kelly. He meets that galloper better at the weights now and while the draw is sticky, he has the ability to turn the tables. TONI'S SPIRIT (2) clocked some fast splits home last time out and has to be included. ROCH LEGACY (7) was beaten far last start as a 60-1 pop and is worth plenty of thought.
Race 4: EPONA CLASSIC (1200m)
This is a great race. DEVINE BELIEF (1) was there to be beaten last start but she was too good for her rivals, winning by 0.9L. Up to 1200m now is the niggle, though she was dominant over 1100m this time last year. Should find the front again and prove very hard to run down. RISSOLES (11) is filled with upside following a great return win at Belmont when she was backed off the map. She's proven she's up to Saturday grade in the past and she will be even better out to this trip. She picked up where she left off last campaign and she can go to the next level now. PLAYING GAMES (9) can sit much closer than she did last start when closing off strongly from back in the field. Now at peak fitness third-up, she can land in a handy position and she's sure to be strong late in the race. JANNY (4) is some niggle back to this trip but it's hard to ignore her past couple of efforts. Not discounting by any means. DUCHESS OF GOSSIP (2) is better than she showed last start and can bounce back.
Race 5: WESTSPEED PLATINUM SIRES STAKES (1200m)
DAYTONA PETE (6) is a brother to the great Red Can Man who comes to town after some strong showings at Pinjarra his past couple. Stepping out to 1200m now looks like it'll suit him down to the ground and he'll be right there to strike in the run. He continues to improve and can go one better this time out. DESERT WHISPER (11) was put away following a victory at Belmont over 1000m at the end of last campaign. She'll be fitter for a recent trial, though she is first-up at 1200m which is a slight niggle. No denying her upside though and she should be going close. NOAHQUINTILLY (10) stumbled and dropped the jockey when favourite at the end of last campaign after building through the campaign nicely. Her recent trial was solid and she can make a statement on resumption. GOLD FLAKES (9) was a good winner last start at Belmont and can go on with the job. BATTLE COMMANDER (2) should appreciate a firmer deck and the blinkers going back on. Don't discount.
Race 6: TED VAN HEEMST STAKES (2100m)
A major lead-up to the Perth Cup is the Ted Van Heemst and SOCKS NATION (8) looks primed to win a race like this. Brilliant in the Empire Rose and bounced back in the Northerly last start. She might just be looking for more ground now and she maps beautifully for Parnham. Trip won't be an issue and she can return to winning ways. NUMERIAN (1) was just okay in the Northerly, though he was off a 42-day break there and he should be better for that effort. He maps for a better run this time around and he'll appreciate the extra journey. He's the best horse in the race when he's at his top and he should be close to that now. IN GOOD ORDER (7) scratched from the A.T.A on Wednesday to run here. He was very good there when running on strongly from the back. Should be going close if he can run up to his recent form. RUSSIAN TO THE BAR (6) was too good over the mile last start. Trip is the obvious niggle, but he has upside. CURRIMUNDI (5) should be better getting out to this trip again.
Race 7: WESTSPEED PLATINUM SPRINT (1400m)
INVESTMENTSTRATEGY (2) drops back to the 1400m today after a strong run over the mile most recently. He does have strong ratings over this track and trip though and he's won 3/7 here. Has enough pace to offset the sticky barrier and if he runs up to his latest figures, he'll prove very hard to beat. KING CARTEL (9) will appreciate drawing the inside as he's been run down his past couple by a smart one on the way through. He should find the front once again and he'll relish the drop in weight. Racing well without winning but should get his chance now. WEERAECHOUX (7) resumes following a win in the Belmont Classic and his recent trial was solid. He is likely to get back, but there's good speed engaged and he'll be very strong late in the race. Can return with a bang. YARRALEA (12) draws much better today and should be in the finish after running some strong splits late in the race last start. GINGER GREEN (3) won't be far away as he reaches his peak.
Race 8: WESTSPEED PLATINUM MILE (1600m)
PROFIT POCKET (8) wasn't far away in a strong race last time out when sitting up on the speed throughout. She's building nicely into the campaign and she still has plenty of upside. Out to the mile now should suit and if she can land in a good spot from the draw, she'll be very hard to beat. ROMMEO (16) ran over the top to win impressively as favourite at Pinjarra last time out and is on the 8-day turnaround. He drops plenty of weight today down to the minimum and while this is tougher, he's showing good promise. Can run up to his latest effort and will make his presence felt. BELLE JOURNEE (10) is racing in good order lately and looks ready to step out to the mile once again. She's been set tough tasks of late but she may be able to sit a bit closer today. Racing well and should get her chance. CATCH THESE HANDS (7) just missed last start at Bunbury and has to be included. CITINO (2) should be better for the fresh run and can go close today.
Race 9: TBWA STALLION TENDER SCHEME TROPHY (1200m)
It's hard to ignore the win of NORICH (7) last start who smashed the clock on Winterbottom Day over the same trip. Suspect similar tactics will be adopted from the wide draw and two winners have come out of that race since. McGruddy won aboard him 2 back and he should be very hard to run down once more. HOSTILE TALK (17) comes into this first-up with a nice trial under his belt. He has plenty of upside and was building through the grades nicely at the end of last campaign. Can go to another level this time in work and shouldn't be far away. KRAKEN TIME (16) resumes off a 98-day break without a trial but he is a fresh winner in the past. He brings solid form from last campaign and he should be in the finish if he can run up to that level first-up. GO GO GROMMET (14) is on the quick turnaround following a solid effort down the Pinjarra straight last start. Can build on that strong showing. SNOW PRINCE (2) should be up on the speed and will take catching.