Race 2 – Constructive Media Hcp [3YO+] [74-86] 1200m, 4:12pm [EDST]
Race 4 – Go for 2 & 5 Handicap [3YO+] [68-80] 2200m, 5:25pm [EDST]
The rail moves back to the 3-metre position from nine metres midweek and last Saturday.
THE VERDICT: Lead Rope (4). Quality mare who was never given a realistic chance of winning last start behind the local glamour filly For Your Eyes Only. Settled back in the field and was not clear until the bird had flown. Drawn to box seat behind solid pressure and with a clear run is the horse to beat.
THE VERDICT: Galaxy Queen (5). Powerful staying mare who is eyeing four successive Ascot 2200m wins. The Adam Durrant-prepared mare overcame difficulties to prevail last time, as good horses do. She looks superbly placed to win again. Bunbury Cup here we come!
Back to fresh ground and the pad is in superb condition. The track has raced extremely well this season with all horses getting their winning opportunity, based on race tempo. According to track manager Gordon Menzies the grass continues to thrive.
PLUS: On The Carpet (3) stuck on well in the same race and has winkers added to his gear, and W. Pike on board. Shock Value (2), who has trialled impressively and is unbeaten first-up, is the only other possible winning chance.
FORECAST SATURDAY
FOR EXOTICS: (7) Proud Falcon and (5) Lunar Module.
Ascot Saturday Perth Racing Preview BY JOSH RODDER Track is a Good (3) as of Friday morning, with penetrometer at 6.2 (Perth measurements are different from those in the Eastern States, because of a different sandbased track).
SUNNY. MIN 16.
MAX 29.
Race 1– Westspeed 2YO Plate [2YO] [Open] 1000m 3:27pm [EDST] Early scratching is Zedaia (12). THE VERDICT: Ortessa (6). Tough maiden filly better for the experience of her first two starts. Very brave on debut in strong race, before being forced to work overtime, three wide no cover, in the Magic Millions last time. The hard run took its toll and she finished 5.75 lengths behind unbeaten juvenile Time To Climb. Will sit off a fast speed and run on strongly. Eachway value.
PLUS: Boom filly (1) Motion Pictures will be a red-hot favourite after her two slashing victories at Ascot pre-Christmas. The hardest to beat! FOR EXOTICS: Best from trials (5) Private City and (10) Even Astar, with (7) Cold Handel worth including.
Race 3 – National Jockey Celebration Day Handicap [3YO+] [59-74] 1200m 4:50pm [EDST]
PLUS: Stablemate (4) Double Barrel was honest behind Galaxy Queen last start and (7) Volcanic Causeway is ready to win. FOR EXOTICS: (8) My Becks, (10) Catchphrase, (2) Prevaricate, (3) Street Value and (6) Last Curtain.
QUADDIE FIRST LEG
Race 5 – Perth Racing Members Handicap [3YO+] [62-74] 1200m, 6:05pm [EDST]
THE VERDICT: Saytorio (6). Outstanding on debut where he was green as grass and really looked like the occasion got to him. Despite this he was able to attack the line and finish third behind high-class 3YO Impatient Times, just on raw ability. Drawn to get a lovely trail and should just win!
THE VERDICT: Goldy Junior (4). Honest conveyance from in-form David Harrison yard. Finds it hard to win, but with an ounce of luck would have scored last week. This event is not strong and he is due for change of luck. Keen on a 1 x 2 unit betting strategy.
PLUS: Prosaic (8) will lead and gave a great sight at midweek debut.
PLUS: (3) China Bay is worth a save bet. Very good first-up and W. Pike jumps on board.
FOR EXOTICS: (5) Romida, (7) Tozzi, (1) Cheval Roi, (3) State Kama and (2) Crafty Lodger.
FOR EXOTICS: (1) Flight Path, (5) Werd, (2) Trafalgar Square, (6) Altivo, (8) Crown Of Caitlin and (7) Bleue Bizarre.
QUADDIE SECOND LEG
QUADDIE FOURTH LEG
Race 6 – Westspeed Stayers' Bonus Handicap [3YO+] [Open 80+] 1800m, 6:45pm [EDST]
Race 8 – perthracing.com.au Handicap [68-80] [3YO+] 1500m, 7:57pm [EDST]
THE VERDICT: Sentenza (3). Handy middle-distance type returning from a let-up after a well-held ninth in the Perth Cup on New Year’s Day. Lead-up runs last summer are good enough to be competitive in this event. He is excellent on the fresh side and races well at the Ascot 1800m. Each-way value.
THE VERDICT: Black Habit (3). Handy mare who ran an excellent race first-up here early in February, before failing seven days later in an easier race. Third-up at 1500m, with stable rider Jason Whiting returning to the saddle, she is drawn to get a sweet run and provides each-way betting value in open race.
PLUS: Odds suggest saving on (9) Truckin Tobie and (4) Hawkeye Mort. FOR EXOTICS: (1) Calico Blue, (5) Money Exchange, (2) Great Destiny and (7) Beyond Repute.
PLUS: Save on (7) Lie In Wait, who is flying! FOR EXOTICS: (6) Talk To The Wall, (8) Admiring, (1) Referees, (11) Key Miss, (4) Caller One and (5) Legend Express.
QUADDIE THIRD LEG
Race 7 – WA Champion Fillies Stakes [Group 3] [3YO] [Open] 1600m 7:20pm [EDST] THE VERDICT: Clueless Angel (2). This season’s WA Guineas heroine is set to peak at her third run in three weeks. Cracking performance last week against her older rivals – held-up but still stormed to the line when third behind the gifted open grade sprinter Tudor Lad. Drawn wide, however only needs cover to take the crown. PLUS: Best roughie is (10) Avante, who has been very good at her two runs back over unsuitable distances. (1) For Your Eyes Only is flying and rates highly. FOR EXOTICS: (3) Impressive Jeuney, (6) Significant, (5) Le Plunge, (7) Fromm, (4) Dawinner, (12) Street Belle, (14) Broccoletta, (9) Cheri Cheval and (11) Tropical Fury.
BEST BETS Race 2, No 4, Lead Rope Race 3, No 6, Saytorio Race 4, No 5, Galaxy Queen
BEST VALUE Race 8, No 3, Black Habit, each way
QUADDIE 1,3,4/1,2,3,4,5,9/1,2,4,10/1,3,4,6,7,8,11 ($504) 1,3,4/1,3,4,9/1,2,3,10/3,6,7,8 ($192) 1,2,3,4,5/1,3,4,9/2,10/3,7 ($80) 3,4/Field/2/3,7 ($36) Good luck and good punting! Tune in to all the racing action from the west with the Pr.com Get access to all Western Australia’s metropolitan and country race and trial replays, Perth Racing preview show, trial reports and much more. Log on to www.perthracing.com.au for more details. Josh Rodder