3 minute read
Ascot has played host to some superb racing in recent weeks and now the final day of the pinnacle series is upon us.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
Whilst there's no group one racing this Saturday, it's set to be a massive day as champion jockey and homegrown hero, Damien Oliver will be legged aboard for his last ever race ride.
The feature event, the Group 3 Damien Oliver Gold Rush has been renamed for the special occasion and as the last race on the program, it could very well be a fairytale finish for the one the best our sport has ever seen.
The 'GOAT' will take his final mount onboard the Victorian visitor Munhamek, who is currently sitting as a $8.50 chance on the Ladbrokes fixed odds market but with the wide draw Ollie will have to produce his best to get him home.
It's a very open market for the 1400m feature with a host of genuine chances.
The track is currently rated a soft 5 and the rail will be out 4m for the entire circuit.
Our Ladbrokes preview can be found below.
RACE 1 - 2:29PM: TABtouch - HAVE YOU GOT THE TOUCH PLATE 3YO SW (1400 METRES)
Blue Lagoon comes here off a solid run in the WA Guineas where he finished off strongly into fourth.
The son of Supido was desperately unlucky when contesting the Listed Fairetha Stakes the start prior.
Severely crowded upon entering the straight he was held up for a long way and charged to the line late in restricted room.
He looks well placed here dropping back in grade and is set to get the gun run from gate two under Clint Johnson -Porter.
RACE 2 - 2:08PM: BISLEY WORKWEAR HANDICAP 1MW (1500 METRES)
San Fabrizio hasn't been far away in two runs back this campaign and looks well placed here third up to get the job done.
The well travelled son of Siyouni didn't have the best of luck when resuming.
Held up in the early part of the straight he charged between horses late to grab fourth, beaten only a length.
Last start he found himself back last with a task ahead and charged home down the outside into third.
The slight step up in trip looks ideal and Damien Oliver will again do the steering for Stephen Miller.
RACE 3 - 2:48PM: LEXUS OF PERTH HANDICAP RTG72+ (1600 METRES)
Billy Ray has been racing well and will appreciate the slight drop back in grade.
After saluting here in October the six year old son of Sebring contested the Group 3 R J Peters where he hit the line strongly after being held up in the early part of the straight.
He was gallant in defeat last start behind the in-form Starry Heights and comes here on the quick back up.
Michael Poy knows him well having been onboard his past four starts and he'll afford him every chance from the good gate.
RACE 4 - 4:28PM: STARSTRUCK CLASSIC LISTED FILLIES AND MARES (1600 METRES)
Super Smink opened an early favourite for the Gold Rush and as the current second emergency for Group Three feature, the talented three year is set to line up here as a consolation.
A winner of the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic earlier in the year, the Super One filly then went on to take out the Karrakatta Plate and the WA Sires, stamping herself as a quality racehorse.
She returned off a good break in terrific order taking out the Listed Belgravia Stakes before placing at her past two appearances.
Taking on the older mares for the first time, she gets in with just 54kgs and Craig Williams is set to do the steering.
RACE 5 - 5:04PM: AMELIA PARK HANDICAP 1MW (1800 METRES)
Captain Pluto has only gone down narrowly in two runs for the new stable.
Formally trained at Cranboune, the Savabeel gelding had performed well at the provincials before tackling the SA Derby where he couldn't quite see out the trip.
Relishing life in the west, the four year old was terrific when resuming.
After settling back last he flew home along the rail to just go down by a neck and last start he powered home down the outside to go down in a bob of heads.
The step to 1800m here looks ideal and with Pike sidelined, Damien Oliver takes the reins.
The wide gate shouldn't prove a worry as he'll get back and will be doing his best work late.
RACE 6 - 5:39PM: SCHWEPPES HANDICAP RTG66+ (1400 METRES)
Count The Sessions looks ready to peak.
He's hit the line strongly at his past two starts only to be overrun late by the very smart Yonga Lass.
Now a six year old, the Sessions gelding has been performing well since joining the Holly Taylor stable earlier this year and made it back to back wins over the 1400m journey back in August.
He looks ideally placed here over that same trip and strips fitter for the three recent runs.
Clint Johnson – Porter has formed a good association with the gelding, he sticks with him and from the low draw he's set to enjoy a soft run.
RACE 7 - 6:14PM: DRUMMOND GOLD HANDICAP RTG66+ (1100 METRES)
Devine Belief returned to the races with a terrific first up win and she looks well placed to repeat that.
The Playing God mare showed good early speed from the wide gate to burn across and take up a position outside the leader.
Kicking strongly over the final part she pulled away to score by two lengths.
She's only stepped out past 1000m on one occasion and that was her debut run in the Group 3 Gimcrack.
With four wins from just eight starts she's very progressive and I don't think she'll have any trouble running out a strong 1100m now.
Damien Oliver goes onboard and from barrier seven she should be able to take up a forward position without spending too much petrol early.
RACE 8 - 6:52PM: FURPHY HANDICAP RTG78+ (1400 METRES)
Upper Limits comes off a very encouraging first up effort over 1200m a fortnight ago.
The four year old son of Exosphere settled midfield and worked home strongly into third to be beaten only .6 of a length.
He will have taken improvement from that first up run and whilst he's yet to win second up, he has been placed on both occasions and they were against quality opposition.
A stakes winner, having taken out the Listed Aquanita last prep, he boasts a terrific record and has only finished out of the placings on one occasion.
He gets in with just 54kgs and Chris Parnham is sure to afford him every chance from barrier four.
RACE 9 - 7:32PM: DAMIEN OLIVER GOLD RUSH (BY TABtouch) GROUP 3 WFA (1400 METRES)
Ripcord will once again take on the older horses after a class performance in the Winterbottom Stakes.
After settling midfield, the talented three year old hit the strongly to finish third behind Overpass, proving he's up that level.
His win prior to that run was something to be seen.
From last he unleashed a tremendous turn of foot to grab the leader right on the line and take out the Listed Placid Ark Stakes.
He steps to 1400m for the first time but the way he's been hitting the line suggests he'll absolutely relish it.
Clint Johnson – Porter has been onboard for this last two starts and he retains the ride for Luke Fernie.
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