3 minute read
The last of the big three Group 1 races at Ascot on Saturday with a nine race card.
The best part is you can watch all the action live and free on 7Plus and Racing WA!
Race 1: MAGIC MILLIONS PLATE (1,000m)
BUCKLED (1) went around as a 4-1 pop on debut in an arguably tougher race where he just failed to fire. He had trialled very well prior to that though and he would've taken plenty of benefit from the run. Drawn well with the blinkers coming off now and he can improve sharply. CASTLE ROAD (2) makes his debut today and has shown plenty of ability at the trials. He maps for a lovely run and he should be up on the speed from the inside gate. All of his siblings are winners and it wouldn't surprise to see him kick off in winning fashion. DO I FEEL LUCKY (3) has trial form around Castle Road and Chris Parnham hops in the saddle for his debut. Looks to have good speed and ability and won't be far away. EL ALAMEIN (4) is a stablemate to Castle Road who has also trialled well and gets Steve Parnham in the irons on debut. Can feature.
Race 2: SWAN DRAUGHT HANDICAP (1,600m)
KESHI BOOM (7) looks to be back in form and appears to be screaming out for the mile now. She gets the blinkers on first time from a beautiful draw and Pike remaining in the saddle is a big tick. She looks to have found her race now and she can end her winning drought. RUSSIAN TO THE BAR (5) hit the line alongside Keshi Boom last time out. Up to the mile seems ideal for him now and Chris Parnham remains in the saddle. He's accepted for the Northerly, but this looks a much better race for him. FAST FLICKER (2) was too good last start when holding on to score narrowly over 1400m, beating home Keshi and Russian on that occasion. She is 0/2 third-up but stretches to the mile for just the second time. INVESTMENTSTRATEGY (4) drops right back in grade today and looks ready for this trip now. Can improve.
Race 3: RACING TOWARDS BETTER PLATE (1,000m)
NONESOSPICY (5) gets the nod as she looks for a hat-trick of wins. She looks a progressive type and she's found a nice race to rise into Saturday grade. She should be prominent in the run and if she can continue to improve as expected, she'll be very hard to beat once more. ONEMORETWOMANY (1) failed in the Belgravia but bounced back to just miss in BM66+ grade last start and he drops back to his own age today. Will need a touch of luck from the draw, but he looks well placed and it wouldn't surprise to see him return to winning ways. GOLD MAKER (3) shed the maiden tag first-up in a midweek event at Belmont when doing his best work late in the race. Maps for a similar run this time and he's expected to go close with improvement on the cards. SUPIDO EXPRESS (4) was solid in his debut campaign and won't be far away if he can pick up where he left off.
Race 4: MCA POLYTRACK HANDICAP (1,000m)
DEVINE BELIEF (3) bumped into a smart one first-up over this track and trip 21 days ago when setting the tempo throughout. She's unbeaten second-up in the past and she'll be able to cross from the wide alley. Ticks plenty of boxes and she won't have to improve a whole lot to be winning again. CELESTIAL STORM (10) comes across from Victoria and has trialled sweetly leading into this campaign. She's still lightly raced as a 4YO and Chris Parnham hops in the saddle first-up. Needs some luck from the draw, but rates highly on best form and can make a statement in her WA debut. TWAIN'S ANGEL (2) drops back to 1000m for the first time today following a 4L defeat in the Jungle Mist last time out. She should be close to the speed off the inside and a return to her best would see her hard to hold out. STREET PARADE (1) boasts a handy fresh record and won't be far away.
Race 5: SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (2,200m)
ARCADIA KNIGHT (10) was strong to the line last time out when beaten in a photo finish over 2100m last time out and the form out of that race has already been franked. The wide draw won't matter as he gets back anyway and he remains at the bottom of the weights. Can get the job done this time. CANDLELIGHT SUPPER (4) proved too good over 2100m here last start and beat a lot of these rivals last time out. She should be in a handy position along the inside draw and O'Donnell has won 2/3 when riding. Hard to knock her win last start and should be going close again. AFFLUENTIAL (7) disappointed last start when a long way back and never featuring here a fortnight ago. He'd been trending the right way prior to that and he can bounce back today if they ride him in a positive manner. KISSES FROM KELLY (2) was solid first-up last week and has won 2/3 at this trip. Won't be far away. TONI'S SPIRIT (3) should be around the finish if she runs to recent form.
Race 6: TABtouch WESTSPEED PLATINUM SERIES FINAL (1,400m)
JANNY (5) ran over the top to win impressively over this course and distance last time out and clocked some fast sectionals in doing so. She seems a progressive type and she was back to her best last time out. Likely to be well back from the draw again but can round up her rivals to win again. KING CARTEL (2) led the field last start and was only collared late in the race won by Janny. He'll be fitter again for that effort and he's sure to take plenty of catching from out in front. PROFIT POCKET (3) won narrowly first-up before a 0.9L defeat to the hands of Janny last time out. The wide draw is a niggle for her, but Steve Parnham knows her well and she still has plenty of upside. Can improve again third-up and should be right in the finish. ON PATROL (4) never got a chance last start and looks well placed under these conditions. Include. BELLE JOURNEE (13) wasn't far away last time out over this course and distance and has claims.
Race 7: G.A. TOWTON CUP (2,200m)
A lead-up to the Perth Cup is the G.A. Towton Cup and DIAMOND SCENE (3) goes on top. He was too good over 1800m last time out and rises to this trip now where he's been successful previously. The form out of his last start has worked out well and he's still open to improvement fourth-up and out in distance. He can win again. BUCKETS RIDGE (2) disappointed in the Luckygray but he's better than what he showed there. Getting out in trip is a big tick for him and expect him to sit a whole lot closer from the inside draw today. Can rise to the occasion and return to winning ways. SIMPLY (11) couldn't keep the winning streak alive last start but rates highly down in the weights today. Draws to get every chance for Bates and he can be right in the finish. RED SUN SENSATION (5) is racing in good order and is knocking on the door of a drought breaking win. He has to be included. IN GOOD ORDER (4) was solid in the Scahill and won't be far away.
Race 8: TABtouch - NORTHERLY STAKES (1,800m)
The final Group 1 of the year and SUPER SMINK (14) lands on top following a strong run in the Railway Stakes. She didn't have the best of luck late in the Railway but savaged the line to get into the placings, beaten only 0.8L. Maps for a much better run this time around and can land her first G1 victory today. STORYVILLE (16) fits the mould of 3YO's coming to the Northerly and being right in the finish after an impressive win in the W.A. Guineas. Pike from an inside draw is a big tick. She's an untapped filly down in the weights and the stable have done this before with some smart gallopers. ATTRITION (2) rated highly off his latest efforts in Sydney when winning the Hill stakes and sticking on well in the Five Diamonds. Best form is good enough and he should get every chance to produce that effort. DEMOCRACY MANIFEST (7) was strong late in the Craven Plate two back and can improve off his last start effort. ZIPAWAY (12) is set for this with the blinkers on and has strong claims.
Race 9: TABtouch - HAVE YOU GOT THE TOUCH HANDICAP (1,100m)
WICKED VENOM (7) ran home in fast splits last start when just missing as favourite over 1200m at Belmont. Back in trip is a slight niggle, particularly from a wide draw, but he ran to a strong figure last time out and the sectionals back edit up. Just has to run up to his recent effort to be winning this event. ALL PLAY (6) disappointed last start and has been back to the trials since that effort where he looked good. Draws much better today and should sit much closer from the inside alley. Still has plenty of upside and can bounce back in a big way. SUNLIT FRESCO (12) led and kicked away to win impressively at Bunbury last time out from a wide alley. Suspect similar tactics will be adopted from out wide and Brad Parham hops back in the saddle. Can go to another level third-up and can feature in the finish. RICHANCO (5) disappointed last time out but can feature on his best form. TREASURED QUEEN (10) won't be far away if she can pick up where she left off.
You win some. You lose more. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
