perth racing preview

Ascot Saturday Perth Racing Preview

A Dream and (5) Margaret Street all have winning claims. (2) Ohiyas goes in multiples.

BY JOSH RODDER Track is a Good (3) as of Friday lunchtime.

Penetrometer is 6.3 (Perth measurements are different to those in the Eastern States, because of a different sand-based track).

The rail moves back to the inside position for the first time since opening day.

There was 7ml of rain on Thursday night and 32ml for the week.

According to track manager Gordon Menzies the track is spot on.

FORECAST: PARTLY CLOUDY SATURDAY. MIN 11, MAX 23.

Race 1 – Carlton Natural Blonde Plate [2YO] [Open] 1200m, 2:48pm [EDST] A small field of juveniles face the starter to open Carlton Draught Railway Stakes day.

Ohiyas (2) will set an even speed judging on the natural pace he showed in his trials.

There looks to be very little exposed pressure on paper.

I’m quite keen on the debutant Nediyms Ruler (1) from the astute yard of Dan Morton. He worked strongly at Tuesday morning’s Breakfast with the Stars at Ascot.

He is by General Nediym, out of a half-sister to Flemington Stakes winner Living Spirit.

His trials in preparation for his debut were very different – an easy first trial, followed by a solid on-speed placing when never really extended. Drawn to get the gun run and from there appears the horse to beat.

Amelia’s Glory (4) raced in restricted room over the final stages on debut behind the unbeaten Motion Pictures. Drawn to be able to box seat and has race experience on her side. Catch A Dream (3) ran on well in the same race behind Motion Pictures.

Margaret Street (5) trialled like the 1200m would suit on debut. However, her barrier manners are not great – she was slow away in both trials.

VERDICT Back (1) Nediyms Ruler with some confidence. (4) Amelia’s Glory, (3) Catch

Race 2 – Carlton Mid Handicap [3YO] [Open 62+] 1500m, 3:25pm [EDST] Speed fair with Junior Soprano (8), Bad Funk Stripe (3) and Scenic Grin (13) all capable of being prominent early.

Thorn Dancer (1) is a very smart young galloper who ran a cracking race last week in the WA Guineas – sat back wide, with cover, before sweeping down the outside, looking the winner and going down narrowly. The effort was extremely good after finding trouble cornering. This is the first time he has drawn well (barrier 1), where Paul Harvey can ride a race on him.He is being touted as a Kingston Town Classic contender in a fortnight and would need to win this easily to be considered a genuine open grade Group 1 horse. Looks simply better than his rivals.

Hallowell Express (2) missed a run in the Guineas and comes into this race with three weeks since an even effort in the Fairetha behind boom stablemate Waratah’s Secret.

Two starts back he beat God Has Spoken, who has since run a fantastic race in the Guineas, so the form does tie in with Thorn Dancer.

Inexperienced maiden Ranger (11) ran an eye-catching race at his Pinjarra debut. He is a beautifully bred colt, a Testa Rossa halfbrother to 2003 Railway Stakes winner Hardrada. Looks a promising middledistance galloper in the making.

Another maiden De Lago’s Choice (6) zoomed home in the Burgess Queen behind subsequent Guineas winner Clueless Angel and a repeat of that performance would make her competitive.

VERDICT Bet-up on (1) Thorn Dancer, who should win. (2) Hallowell Express, (11) Ranger and (6) De Lago’s Choice will fight out the placings. Include (7) Enriching, (13) Scenic Grin, (8) Junior Soprano, (3) Bad Funk Stripe and (10) Mission Achieved in wider multiple bet types.

Race 3 – Carlton Dry Handicap [3YO+] [68-80] 1400m, 4:05pm [EDST] Very open race that will be run at a steady tempo, with very little front-end pressure.

Game Park (2) can dictate terms from the top with Verster (13) and Shipyard (1) handy.

Pete The Profiler (9) is working towards a win after two runs back from a spell for his new stable. Good effort with 57.5kg last time in midweek grade, when went for home a long way out and just paddled the last bit.

Strips fitter, drops in weight and should get a beautiful run from a kind draw. Each-way all day.

Glen Erin Lad (3) is a very smart galloper who had a soft kill first-up at Geraldton.

This lightly raced six-year-old has had to overcome several issues to win eight of his 11 race starts. He is also drawn well and will look the winner at some stage.

Verster (13) should have won at Northam on cup day when returning from a let-up. He has since had a soft Belmont trial to fit him for this race. Should get a cosy on speed run for Corey Brown and from there be competitive.

Genuine performer Prince Of Sands (7) is racing well, hitting the line strongly since being ridden that touch quieter. As always he will be there at the business end of proceedings.

VERDICT Back (9) Pete The Profiler each-way and save (3) Glen Erin Lad. (13) Verster, (7) Prince Of Sands, (11) Need Luck, (2) Game Park and (10) Island In The Sun all have winning claims. Include (12) The Package and (4) Rocky Range in multiple bet types.

Race 4 – Placid Ark Stakes [3YO] [Listed] [Open 67+] 1200m, 4:45pm [EDST] Quality three-year-old race with some talented young gallopers locking horns.

Kid Choisir (1) will lead them a merry dance, there is nothing with the speed to

bother him in running. Kid Chosir is a powerful colt who has been burdened with the top weight of 59kg. He has handled big weights in the past and, with the services of Damien Oliver, he will take a power of running down. Once considered a genuine Winterbottom Stakes and East Coast feature race contender, if he turns up in peak form he should win. He was in a bad frame of mind before his last start, and that was a little unusual for such a relaxed colt. Previously too good for older rivals and deserves top billing in this event.

circuit and makes the long trip to town.

Drawn well, he will be thereabouts.

Big gear change on Sealynx (12), backing up from a good performance last week at Ascot.

He dominated a trial in blinkers before his first start and with the shades going on here, look out.

Race 6 – Carbine Club of WA Stakes [3yo +] [Listed] [Open 87+] 1400m 6:05pm [EDST]

Demonic Age (4) worked strongly at Breakfast with the Stars and showed a quality turn of speed when winning here two starts back. Stablemate Stars Aligned (2) is unbeaten in two starts and looks likely to get a superb run for Harvey. The form lines him are strong and he will make his presence felt.

VERDICT Back (1) Kid Choisir and have a small saver on (12) Sealynx. The Trevor Andrewstrained pair (4) Demonic Age and (2) Stars Aligned rate winning chances. Include (5) Don’trocktheboat, (11) Scary Movie and (7) Keshaar in wide exotics.

Race 5 – Winning Edge Presentations Trophy [3YO+] [74-86] 1200m 5:25pm [EDST] This is an interesting restricted race with several horses resuming from a spell and various West Australian form lines clashing.

There looks to be genuine speed and pressure with Freetime (12) and Bike Aaromba (7) the key ingredients. Many of these horses can take handy positions.

I’m going to spec Key Biscuit (2) first-up off a nice all-the-way trial win at Belmont earlier in month. From his wide gate, he can drift back and be saved for one run at the leaders. His fresh record is excellent and I expect him to be humming first-up. Bike Aaromba was good in the same trial and is a genuine on-speed sprinter who will be presented by the state’s leading trainer, Jim Taylor.

Old-timer Stratazoa (1) is well graded here after two runs back from a spell. He will get the gun run from a kind draw.

Albany-trained galloper Weekly Express (4) completed a tidy first-up win at his home

Risca, (9) Highest Honour and (1) Fim Maru should be included in extra exotics.

VERDICT I’m happy to gamble on the first-up fitness of (2) Key Biscuit and (7) Bike Aaromba, so back them both for a result. Include (1) Stratazoa, (4) Weekly Express, (11) Casanova Jack, (12) Freetime, (3) Mission Control, (10) All Class, (8) Dane Crusher, (5) Galldora and (13) See A Victory in all multiple bet types.

QUADDIE FIRST LEG

Thjis is the first time this event will be held at Stakes level, and it is a intriguing race with the inclusion of last week’s WA Guineas winner Clueless Angel (8). There looks to be even speed engaged with Electric General (4) the likely pacemaker.

Front-end pressure will be at a minimum with West River Charley (3) and Liquidation (11) handy.

Adam Durrant has three runners engaged and all come into this race with good form cards. I am happy to gamble that Inarticulate (10) is ready to run a booming race first-up. This gifted galloper returns from a bleeding attack suffered after a narrow Belmont second in the winter. He was given an easy time in a recent Lark Hill trial and was a first-up winner last time in on Albany Cup day in dynamic fashion. He will drift back from a wide gate, hopefully find the three-wide running line and use his devastating turn of speed to make his bid for victory.

Clueless Angel was said to be off for a spell, but she lines up seven days after a gutsy Guineas triumph. Obviously, she has pulled up well and, if she can repeat that performance, she will look the winner at some stage.

Doyoudare (2) was doing his best work late first-up in the Asian Beau and will appreciate the slight drop in grade.

Proart (7), another Durrant runner, was dominant winning here last time and is overdue for Stakes success. Liquidation is a serious winning chance. He is fitter for two runs back from a spell, is drawn ideally and has the services of C. Brown.

VERDICT Have an each-way gamble on (10) Inarticulate. (8) Clueless Angel, (2) Doyoudare, (7) Proart and (11) Liquidation go in quaddies. (12) Star

QUADDIE SECOND LEG

Race 7 – Carlton Draught Railway Stakes [Group 1] [3YO+] [Open 101+] 1600m, 6:40pm [EDST] One of the best Railway fields of the modern era, with three of the first five across the line in the Group 1 Emirates at Flemington facing off against the best local talent.

Kasabian (12) was taken out of the race midweek, so the race looks devoid of any natural speed or front-end pressure, but when there is a $1 million prize at the end of the race, funny things can occur. Expect Sniper’s Bullet (2) to roll to top and try to dictate for Nash Rawiller. Any of Megatic (1), Grand Nirvana (11), Colour Correct (8), Gold Salute (4), Famous Roman (10), Keytomoney (13) and Elliotto (9) can be handy to the speed.

I really think the Emirates form will hold up and break a 10-year drought for Eastern States visitors. The Emirates was run in near track record time with the Cox Plate winner finishing second. Gold Salute was unlucky in third place and reeled off some stunning sectionals after being tardy to begin. The start appears the biggest hurdle, because he can be a little dodgy from the gates. If he begins I think he will win the Railway for hometown hero Damien Oliver. His form this year has been fantastic, a Winter Championship win, followed by placings in two of the best ‘miles’ in the country. Those efforts were split by a resounding Caulfield win with 59.5kg. Oliver is two from two on his fellow and from a nice draw he should get every possible chance.

All American (3) was dynamic winning the Emirates, and if he has any luck from his inside draw he will be right there at the pointy end. His form has been very good this time in and he is all class.

The best of the locals for mine is Grand Nirvana. This gifted entire has just been ticking over nicely for Fred Kersley and is set to peak on grand final day. He was a shade unlucky last week in the Peters and his run last year in the Railway as a threeyear-old says he well up to winning this race.

Colour Correct is the best roughie. He is still untapped and in my mind is a top-liner in the making. His lead-up form has be great and if he can have some luck from a river draw, he will be a tough nut to crack with the minimum weight.

The Parnham pair of Tarzi (7) and Elliotto have faultless lead-up form and no trainer deserves a Group 1 win more than Neville Parnham.

Sniper’s Bullet was desperately unlucky in last year’s edition and with a soft lead will give a power of cheek.

VERDICT Back (4) Gold Salute and save on (3) All American. The best of the locals is (11) Grand Nirvana and the best roughie is (8) Colour Correct. Include (7) Tarzi, (9) Elliotto and (2) Sniper’s Bullet in quaddies. (6) Ortensia, (10) Famous Roman and (17) Lambton Castle can sneak a place.

QUADDIE FOURTH LEG

Race 9 – Carlton Fusion Handicap [74-86] [3YO+] 1600m, 7:57pm [EDST] Tough way to finish the day. Hawkeye Mort (1) will ensure this is a truly run race, with pressure on throughout.

Go as wide as possible in quaddies and tread warily with your punting bank. The winning chances are (1) Hawkeye Mort, (2) Majorca, (3) Brave Knight, (4) Brunello, (5) Solidwickedcruel, (7) Garavanni, (8) General Albert, (9) Coconut Grove, (11) Found And Kept, (14) Kenbon and (15) Sunrange.

VERDICT QUADDIE THIRD LEG

Race 8 –Tattersall’s Cup [Open 86+] [Listed] [3YO+] 2200m, 7:17pm [EDST] This distance event will be run at a genuine tempo, with Friar’s Touch (3), Marine Drive (14) and It’s Judgement Day (12) likely to press forward.

Kalgoorlie Cup winner Gondorff (4) was extremely unlucky in the Northam Cup and the form from that race has been very strong.

This improving son of Montjeu will relish a truly-run 2200 metres and can stake a claim as a BMW Perth Cup contender with a win.

He will get a nice run midfield for Oliver. He has a terrific record at this track, despite being an Ascot maiden.

Classy mare Ma Chienne (13) added another string to her bow with a powerful staying performance to win last time. Down in the weights she will be strong to the line again.

Mikaldico (7) looked the winner before being nailed late last start in the Ascot Gold Cup. Winkers come off and C. Brown jumps on board. Corporate Sam (5) was very good winning the Ascot Gold Cup last start and is a leading chance. Geyser Peak (6) will appreciate being covered up behind the speed after being run over last time. He is a query at the extended journey, but does have a tidy turn of foot if saved for a late burst.

VERDICT Back (4) Gondorff on a 1 x 2 win-place basis. (13) Ma Chienne, (7) Mikaldico, (5) Corporate Sam and (6) Geyser Peak go in quaddies.

Take the field in the quaddie if you can afford it. If you need to have a bet, have something small on (1) Hawkeye Mort and (2) Majorca.

BEST BETS Race 2 – (1) Thorn Dancer Race 7 – (4) Gold Salute

BEST VALUE Race 6 – (10) Inarticulate

QUADDIE ($1 UNIT) 2,7,8,10,11/2,3/4,5,6,7,13/1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,11, 14,16 ($550) 2,7,8,10,11/2,3/4,13/Field ($320) 8,10/2,3,4,7,8,9,11/4,13/1,2 ($56) 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