3 minute read
The Ascot Racing Carnival heats up this Saturday with three black-type races headlined by the G2 Lee Steere Stakes. The rail is in the true position and we should be racing on Good 4 surface but there is the possibility of showers so it will pay to monitor.
We've taken a close look at each of the nine races at Ascot and provided our top selections below.
RACE 1 - 3:34PM: BM66+ Handicap (2200 METRES)
Simply (1) has been low flying this preparation and is looking to win his fourth race in a row.
The Grant & Alana Williams-trained Domesday gelding proved too strong three starts back when winning over 2200m at Belmont.
In his past two starts he's easily won over this course and distance with the most recent effort seeing him let down powerfully to bolt in by 3.5 lengths.
While William Pike is off, apprentice Brayden Gaerth goes on and his claim will see the horse carry less weight than he did last start.
2 Units – Simply (1)
RACE 2 - 4:14PM: 2YO Open Plate (1100 METRES)
Talkanco (14) makes her debut here following two trials, with the most recent being an ultra-impressive piece of work.
The Daniel & Ben Pearce-trained filly led the 1000m Belmont trial comfortably before letting down powerfully under her own steam to win by four lengths in good time.
She has a beautiful, big action and looks set for a bold showing.
Top jockey Chris Parnham was aboard in both trials and retains the race ride.
1 Unit – Talkanco (14)
RACE 3 - 4:54PM: No Metro Wins Last Year Handicap (1200 METRES)
Wicked Venom (5) has come back this preparation in great form.
The son of Sessions picked up strongly in the final furlong over 1000m at Northam to win by just under a length and defeat Janny who he meets here.
He surged through the line last start over 1000m at Belmont to miss the win by a nose.
He'll strip fitter third-up and did win here at his third run back last preparation.
1 Unit Each Way – Wicked Venom (5)
RACE 4 - 5:33PM: One Metro Win Handicap (1200 METRES)
First Beach (9) is a progressive galloper who is looking to win his third race in a row.
The Michael Grantham-trained Nicconi gelding proved too strong when winning first-up at Bunbury.
He then let down strongly despite racing a touch greenly to win easily by 1.5 lengths over 1200m at Geraldton.
He's ready for a shot in town and gets the services of William 'The Wizard' Pike.
1 Unit – First Beach (9)
RACE 5 - 6:10PM: BM72+ Handicap (1200 METRES)
Antique Miss (5) was absolutely luckless when resuming over 1400m here two starts ago.
The Michael Grantham-trained mare bounced back last start when finding the line strongly, before being picked off late by Cosmic Crusader to finish a half-length second.
She'll strip fitter third-up and while the drop back to 1200m is intriguing, she will be strong late.
William Pike can give his mount a great run just behind what looks like a decent speed.
1 Unit – Antique Miss (5)
RACE 6 - 6:50PM: Listed Luckygray Stakes (1800 METRES)
Buckets Ridge (3) has been racing in great form this preparation and enters the Listed Luckygray Stakes looking to win three in a row.
The Grant & Alana Williams-trained gelding let down strongly in the final stages to win over a mile at Belmont two starts ago.
Last start he settled back after drawing wide in the Northam Cup before unleashing a powerful finishing burst down the outside to win by half a length.
He was six weeks between runs so will strip a lot fitter.
1 Unit – Buckets Ridge (3)
RACE 7 - 7:30PM: Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400 METRES)
Olympic Park (7) was ultra impressive when making his debut over 1400m at Bunbury two starts back.
The Michael Grantham-trained son of Ocean Park settled back and was last entering the straight but savaged the line late like he was fired out of a cannon to win by just under a length.
He was brilliant last start from the outside barrier over this course and distance when savaging the line from a long way back to win by a neck.
Just like his connections who have WA Guineas aspirations for Olympic Park, I have a tremendous opinion of this guy and expect him to be storming home.
1 Unit – Olympic Park (7)
RACE 8 - 8:10PM: Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400 METRES)
Zipaway (8) returns to the races for the first time since finishing third in the G2 Alister Clark Stakes at The Valley.
The Neville Parnham-trained son of Playing God will be better over further but can produce a big fresh run.
Last preparation he ran a super first-up race in the G2 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield where he was 2.6 lengths third to Space Patrol and subsequent G1 winner Southport Tycoon.
He also boasts a win over 1200m at Belmont when resuming two preparations ago.
Two trials will have primed him for this and he looks great value at double figure odds.
1 Unit Each Way – Zipaway (8)
RACE 9 - 8:45PM: BM66+ Handicap (1400 METRES)
Keshi Boom (1) was one of the stars of the Ascot Carnival this time last year with wins in the Burgess Queen Stakes and the WA Champion Fillies Stakes.
Unfortunately, she didn't come up last preparation and was spelled after just one race where she finished two lengths sixth over 1200m at Belmont.
The Grant & Alana Williams-trained mare was luckless when recently returning in a stronger race over this course and distance and probably should have challenged for the win.
She can bounce back and did win her only previous second-up race which was over this course and distance.
1 Unit – Keshi Boom (1)
