3 minute read
Ascot has played host to some superb racing in recent weeks and now the final day of The Pinnacles Racing Carnival is upon us. It will be hard to top the 2023 edition of The Gold Rush, where ‘The Goat’ Damien Oliver won on Munhamek in what would be his final race ride.
We've provided our thoughts on the G3 feature as well each of the other eight races on the card below.
RACE 1 - 3:33PM: 3YO OPEN PLATE (1400 METRES)
Earthstorm (7) has to be one of Western Australia's best maidens and gets her chance to break through for her first win here.
The Russell Stewart-trained filly caught the eye last start in the Listed Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic when finding the line strongly to finish 1.2 lengths fourth.
She was good two starts back in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes when despite racing wide from a horror draw found the line to finish 2.4 lengths seventh.
This looks like the easiest race she's competed in for some time and she's at peak fitness.
1 Unit – Earthstorm (7)
RACE 2 - 4:08PM: BM66+ HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
Final Siren (1) resumes here for his former trainer Rebecca Bayliss and is looking to continue his impressive record that reads five wins from nine starts.
The four-year-old gelding boasts a perfect first-up record including a strong all the way win at Belmont over this distance and in this class when kicking off last campaign.
He looked good in a recent trial win where he cruised around well within himself in front.
Brayden Gaerth, who claims 2kg, can go forward and give them something to catch.
2 Units – Final Siren (1)
RACE 3 - 4:48PM: BM72+ HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
Keep Attacking (6) produced an eye-catching performance last start over this course and distance when charging home after drawing an outside barrier to miss the win by a head.
The Grant & Alana Williams-trained gelding was six weeks between runs so will strip fitter and drops 3kg.
His form in his three races prior to last start was very good, which included two narrow seconds and a win at Belmont.
Clint Johnston-Porter can settle just off what looks a strong speed and give his mount every chance from barrier 2.
1 Unit – Keep Attacking (6)
RACE 4 - 5:28PM: BM78+ HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
The Boss Lady (3) is building a great record that now stands at seven wins from 14 starts.
One of those wins came last start in the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic where the daughter of Street Boss let down strongly to win by a neck.
That was her first race over this course and distance and she looks well placed now she's at peak fitness.
Chris Parnham has built a great relationship with her and will give her a great run just off the speed.
2 Units – The Boss Lady (3)
RACE 5 - 6:08PM: ONE METRO WIN HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
War Matters (9) broke through for his first win three starts ago when charging to the line over 1600m here for a half-length victory.
Two starts back he settled back over a mile and worked home strongly despite being held up to finish 1.7 lengths fourth to Border Force who he meets better at the weights.
There was a lot to like about the Darren McAuliffe-trained War Chant gelding's last start effort when stepping up to this distance for the first time.
He was forced to make his run a long way out so he didn't lose contact with the tearaway leader and while others faded, he kept charging to the line to finish a head third.
There looks to be good speed in the race which should see Brad Parnham enjoy a beautiful run just off it.
1 Unit – War Matters (9)
RACE 6 - 6:42PM: ONE METRO WIN HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
This is a really tricky race so it's probably not wise of me to tempt faint and go with Chollima (6) who has been luckless her whole preparation.
There is no better example of this than last start when the Darren McAuliffe-trained mare looked to be full of running over this course and distance but never got clear air until it was too late, at which point she savaged the line to finish three lengths from the winner.
She was four weeks between runs so will strip fitter here and should be at peak fitness fourth-up.
Lucy Fiore just needs to get her to the outside in the straight and let her do her thing.
1 Unit Each Way – Chollima (6)
RACE 7 - 7:16PM: LISTED STARSTRUCK CLASSIC (1600 METRES)
Own The Queen (1) returned in magnificent order last start over 1400m at this track.
The Awesome Rock mare settled at the tail of the field from the wide gate before sticking to the inside entering the straight and charging to the line despite a chequered passage to miss the win by a nose.
The 2023 WA Oaks winner will appreciate the rise in distance and will strip fitter second-up.
She'll enjoy an economical run from the inside barrier and will just need Troy Turner to get off the fence in the straight to be in the finish.
1 Unit – Own The Queen (1)
RACE 8 - 7:57PM: G3 GOLD RUSH (1400 METRES)
Wind And The Lion (16) is the only three-year-old in the G3 Gold Rush but what he lacks in experience, he makes up for in talent.
The Sean & Jake Casey-trained gelding let down strongly to win the Listed Placid Ark Stakes two starts ago.
He was left flatfooted in the Listed Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic last start with the big weight but did get to the line well once he balanced up to finish 1.1 lengths third.
While he's up significantly in class, he'll appreciate the drop from 59kg to 54kg.
Lucy Fiore should land in a prominent position.
1 Unit Each Way – Wind And The Lion (16)
RACE 9 - 8:32PM: BM66+ HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
Snippy Which (5) deserves a return visit to town after tearing up Geraldton lately.
The Adam Durrant-trained son of Snippetson was highly impressive last start over 1400m at Geraldton where he cruised past his rivals on the outside to dash clear for 1.7 length win with the jockey riding hands and heels.
That followed a win three starts back and a fast finishing second.
She maps to get the run of the race for Lucy Fiore.
1 Unit – Snippy Which (5)
