Eight races will be run and won at Ascot this Saturday where it is WA Cup Day. The weather is fine, the track is soft (6) and the rail is out ten metres from the 1200-Winning Post; Out eight metres for the remainder.
Race 1. (14:59) Chandler Macleod Handicap 1100m
3 Catherine Wheel (Bet Now: $2.80) looks an exciting prospect for Karen Kersley and she can make it 3/3. Blitzed them down the straight on debut Pinjarra before going to the 1200m here when sitting near the speed throughout before being asked for the big effort from Staeck and the response was instant, with the daughter of Rogano dashing late for a sharp win. Has race fitness and a touch of class it seems.
1 Dance Music (Bet Now: $1.75) is the class of the field, clearly, but the gate and weight are the two negatives with her. But perhaps class will take care of those two factors. She had a fabulous Spring prep here, highlighted at the end of the campaign when winning the Placid Ark, beating some sharp three year olds. Loved the way she looked in a recent Lark Hill trial win and with luck is the one to beat.
2 Driftstar (Bet Now: $9.50) is a son of Sepoy resuming for Lindsey Smith. This three year old hasn’t raced since the Spring Carnival here when down the track behind Dance Music, but did look to race like a tired horse. Interesting he resumes without a trial, but has been well supported at odds. Not sure has the class/brilliance of first two, but have to respect the early market push.
Race 2. (15:39) Tabtouch Better Your Bet Handicap (64+) 2150m
6 Summers Skye (Bet Now: $2.80) is on the seven day back up after racing over 1800m here last Saturday where she had a torrid run in transit, sitting wide no cover throughout but kept fighting and was really good in defeat behind Lauffey. That run would have taken a fair bit out of her I dare say but like she’s on the quick back up. Back up in trip, with better luck, should prove hard to beat.
2 Press The Petal (Bet Now: $5.00) has been up a little while for the Adam Durrant stable but she’s still maintaining a decent level and this isn’t a strong race. She comes through the Mount Barker Cup when on speed, doing work in the run and was entitled to drop off but she whacked away in a game effort. Don’t think this race carries much depth and with luck, can win.
7 Spiritual Warrior (Bet Now: $10.00) looks to be going really well for the Justin Warwick stable. Ran in the Lauffey race where he had three wide cover most of the way and looked to be travelling well but couldn’t quite dash when required. Looks like he wants further, which he gets here, and can easily win without surprising. Just hasn’t won in a little while the negative.
Race 3. (16:19) Iron Jack Handicap (1MW) 1500m
7 Leading Man (Bet Now: $4.00) has to take on the older horses here but overall, it isn’t the strongest race going around. This Adam Durrant trained gelding won a couple of races on the bounce before racing over 1400m here last Wednesday when back last in a slowly run race and couldn’t dash with the big weight and had to settle for fifth. Looks like 1500m will be okay for him and can sit closer in the run from the draw.
5 Velago (Bet Now: $5.00) is a Delago Deluxe gelding who is third up here, so he should be ready fitness wise. Just looked in need of the run first up before racing over 1300m at Pinjarra when on speed before booting clear under Lucy Warwick and despite getting the staggers late, the win was pretty good given he was second up with 60kg. Gets weight relief and a good run on speed I suspect.
Bit of cushion in the track won’t harm the chances of 2 Vermont Lady (Bet Now: $6.50), who has had three runs back from a spell. Just forget she went around last time given she was wide no cover, putting the pressure on, and faded out of the finish. Draws much better this time around and with the claim for McNaught, she gets in well. At her best, she can win this.
Race 4. (17:00) WA Cup 3200m
3 Dark Musket (Bet Now: $3.50) won this race last year and I think he can repeat the dose in 2019. Probably not going as well form wise overall compared to last year, but I thought the Pinjarra Cup run was a beauty when closing from the back to run a close up fourth to He’s A Parker. Proven at the two miles, has upside, been set for the race and this years edition isn’t overly strong.
1 Cappo D’Oro (Bet Now: $3.80) is a Fred Kersley trained stayer who certainly has the class to beat these but just not sure about the two miles with him. Thought he had every chance in the Pinjarra Cup last time when attempting to lead all the way and he did get some cheap mid race splits but couldn’t quite finish it off when beaten narrowly by He’s A Parker. Has to lump the weight, but has class and looks to lead.
5 Juicing Carrots (Bet Now: $12.00) is on the seven day back up after racing over 1800m here last Saturday where the race shape didn’t suit him at all but he kept finding under pressure and was really good in defeat behind New Age. Was coming back in trip from 2200m so a really good effort I think and with most of these unknown at 3200m, he has race fitness on his side and can roll forward.
Race 5. (17:35) Glenroy Chaff Handicap (76+) 1500m
Hoping for clear air this time around with the Adam Durrant trained 3 Battle Torque (Bet Now: $12.00). Resumed over 1400m here a fortnight back where nothing went right for him in the run. Wanted to get to the outside to let down with his customary brilliant finale, but had no room at all in a total forgive. If he can get to the outside to let down, he’ll take some beating here.
I think back to 1500m will suit 8 Midnight Sky (Bet Now: $3.40). Was tested at a strong mile last time out when back in the run and the dash was just taken out of her legs via the good speed when finishing midfield behind Red Publisher. Like her back to 1500m and Pike remains on which is a tick for fans of her. Likely eases back to last from the wide gate and launch late.
9 Run Liam Run (Bet Now: $26.00) is an eight year old veteran whose best days are probably behind him but he’s still racing okay, as seen last time out at Mount Barker when given a sweet steer off the pace before getting clear air and finishing best. Has run well in town before and could fill a minor spot but will need luck in running because he is the sort of horse that needs things to fall into place.
Race 6. (18:10) Vale Barry Curtis Handicap (70+) 1000m
Class to come to the fore here via 1 Valour Road (Bet Now: $2.00), an above average three year old resuming for Simon Miller. He hasn’t raced since the Spring/Summer Carnival where he ran a courageous and outstanding fifth in the Winterbottom behind the ill fated Voodoo Lad. He is a bomb fresh horse and went enormous in a sharp looking Lark Hill trial win. Claim for Azzopardi is a big tick.
3 Captain Stirling (Bet Now: $7.00) is the interesting one. Very speedy customer for Roy Rogers who seems to save his best for the Pinjarra straight. Last two wins have come via that course while his last two defeats have come at this track/distance when seemingly having every chance on speed. Has the speed to take care of the barrier…just needs to put a win on the board.
2 Seeker (Bet Now: $16.00) is a Lou Luciani trained gelding who is on the seven day turn around after racing here last Saturday where he had the suck run nearer the inside and ran his usual honest race nearer the inside when third to the in form Special Award, one of the form horses in WA at the moment. That does read well for this. Just has to overcome the sticky gate.
Race 7. (18:45) Seacorp Handicap (64+) 1400m
Looks a good race for the Peter Fernie trained 4 Little Fish (Bet Now: $3.00). Three weeks between runs since racing here when wide all the way, albeit with cover, and finished off strongly to run third to Special Award, who franked that form last weekend. Winkers on and the depth here isn’t as strong so he really gets a great chance to get back into the winners list. Keen.
12 Supreme Force (Bet Now: $13.00) is third up here for the Pearce camp and an improved showing wouldn’t shock at all. Really good first up when beaten narrowly by Comparative but last start, he just went too keen in the run and had nothing left. He’s better than that and stable is going well so giving him another chance provided he does find his best, because he can be hit and miss.
9 Resistance (Bet Now: $10.00) is a Fred Kersley trained mare who doesn’t give herself the best of luck at times given her racing pattern but she can win here with luck. Ran over 1400m here two weeks ago when back, held up and not really clear to let down properly when a close up fifth to Skinnen Ties. She can win with luck, but she’ll need plenty of it given the way she races.
Race 8. (19:20) Mumm Champagne Handicap (1MW) 1200m
Buttering up on 12 Free Trade (Bet Now: $3.10). Was keen on this Michael Lane trained galloper when he resumed here two weeks ago but just went a fraction too keen in front and that early burn just left him empty late when bloused by Speeding Comet. If he relaxes, he should be too good for them. Do I want to take a silly short price, eg odds on? I couldn’t touch him if he’s at those kind of odds.
3 King’s Authority (Bet Now: $5.50) is racing quite well at the moment for the Simon Miller stable but he just can’t quite crack it for a win. Had every chance for mine in the Speeding Comet race from two weeks ago when having the box seat sit and was there to win but didn’t finish it off. Gets a good run once again, runs an honest race…can he break his run of outs?
9 Truly Belong (Bet Now: $9.50) is a talented daughter of Showcasing resuming for the Adam Durrant team. This girl had such a frustrating campaign where she looked well placed to win a couple of races but due to her horrendous racing pattern, she just found too much bad luck, and that’s the worry with her, but she can sprint well fresh and did look very good in a recent Lark Hill trial.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Eight Number 12 Free Trade
NEXT BEST: Race Six Number 1 Valour Road
LONG SHOT: Race Five Number 3 Battle Torque
Quaddie Tips (Races Five Through To Eight):
Leg One: 3, 4, 6, 8, 9
Leg Two: 1
Leg Three: 3, 4, 9, 12
Leg Four: 12
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