Ascot Saturday Perth Racing Preview BY JOSH RODDER Track is a Good (3) as of Friday morning. Penetrometer is 6.2 (Perth measurements are different from those in the Eastern States, because of a different sand-based track). The rail stays at six metres, the same as last Saturday. There was no midweek racing. The track raced well last Saturday with all horses getting a chance on a firm surface. Track manager Gordon Menzies said we had 35mm of rain during the storms early in the week. They have had to put water on the track since and were to water again on Friday. They have kept the four metres near the inside “new” for the two big meetings on April 17 and 24. The track is dealing well with the wear and tear for this stage of the season. Saturday: Mostly sunny. Min 19, Max 29.
Race 1– Word Of Honour Handicap [3YO+] [74-86] 1600m, 3:45pm [EDST] (4) LIE IN WAIT Outstanding record since landing in WA and has won four of his past five start at Perth Racing HQ, and there were genuine reasons for his narrow second. Seven-day back-up after an impressive all-the-way win last Saturday that blew up the ratings. Drawn to lead or box seat and should win.
PLUS: (2) Money Exchange is an underrated veteran who looks well placed with the claim for Ben Kennedy. Drawn well and suited in a genuinely run race.
FOR EXOTICS: (7) Big Ted will appreciate the weight drop, (5) Lexicon Gold is in career best form, (6) Key Miss is flying! And (3) Truckin Tobie is in form.
Race 2 – Roy Edwards Memorial [2YO] [Open] 1000m, 4:25pm
– formerly with Peter Moody – and is a big watch on betting moves. Also (8) Collayshell strips fitter for her excellent first-up run and can win.
(10) MAGNIFICENT PAIR
FOR EXOTICS: (5) Klasy Spy, (2) Classic Smile, (12) Leica Xaar, (4) Romida and (6) Melo.
Well-named filly (dam is Maewest) who has quality race experience on her CV during the summer. The two races she contested have rated extremely high around the likes of Miss Condition, Absolute Pleasure and Totteridge Green. She returns from a let-up and is drawn ideally (4) for William Pike. Good barrier horse who will be humming just behind the pressure. Looks a safe eachway bet.
PLUS: Save on well-bred debutant (8) Soonest. Really taken by the Belmont barrier trial on Monday and he looks a natural. One of the best-bred horses running at the meeting, by Savabeel out of former slick Newcastle-trained Danehill mare Miz Nicholls, who was a daughter of Group 1 Coolmore Classic winner Shindig.
FOR EXOTICS: (6) Cristiano is another promising debutant, (13) Lisetta is a fast newcomer, (5) Carbine Street is a runner, (3) Aylesford has a big finish and (14) Twists Of Fate.
Race 3 – Westspeed 3YO Handicap [3YO] [Open 59+] 1100m, 5:05pm (14) VALOURA Well-bred Exceed And Excel filly making her debut after two encouraging Belmont trials. Her first in February was just a look around, then showed a nice turn of speed in her most recent hit-out. Bred to fly, being a grand-daughter of former flying Snippets filly Valourina (also the dam of Timbourina, Media). Pike and Morton combine. Big watch!
PLUS: Save on (13) Peach Tree, who is making her WA debut for in-form local yard
Race 4 – Hard Act Hcp [3YO+] [Open 68-80] 1800m, 5:45pm (3) MY BECKS Big-finishing mare who looks well-placed back in restricted grade, and the fast frontend tempo will suit her racing pattern. Honest effort in Listed Bunbury Cup last time reads well for this race. Drawn inside, so will need an “out” at some stage, but Peter Knuckey is a top-shelf rider who knows Ascot like the back of his hand.
PLUS: Save on (5) Brandy Lane, another big finisher flying on the provincial circuit. Also (7) Taxtime, who will jump, lead and run time with no weight on his back.
FOR EXOTICS: (4) Volcanic Causeway, who had no luck last midweek, (1) Black Habit, (11) Night At The Opera, (12) Warburg, (6) Royal Cobra and (9) Four Floors.
QUADDIE FIRST LEG
Race 5 – Amelia Park Country Bowl [3YO+] [68-80] 1500m, 6:20pm (7) HOODLUM GANG Big horse who strips fitter and looks ideally suited up to 1500 metres at his third run back from a spell. Finishing sectionals have been spot on, drawn to be ridden more positive and gets chance.
PLUS: (6) Trafalgar Square was very brave first-up, racing outside a fast speed at 1200 metres and not far away at the finish. Much fitter, drawn inside and there is not much between him and Hoodlum Gang on previous meetings.
FOR EXOTICS: (4) Share Trader is ready to win, (5) Round Tuit is the blow-out! (11) Mr Mikimoto, (12) Vainito, (10) Eden Park, (8) Vergood and (1) He’s Smokin’.
QUADDIE SECOND LEG
Race 6 – Chasta Bellota Handicap [3YO+] [74-86] 1200m, 6:55pm (4) HENRY DE HORSE Good horse and, importantly, knows where the winning post is. He is unbeaten this time in and at the Ascot 1200 metres. Will find the right position outside the leader Werd and will be too good again
PLUS: (7) Werd has responded to the hard work of Team Gangemi and has found a new lease of life being allowed to roll in front. Hard to run down again.
FOR EXOTICS: (10) Go Buster is flying! (1) Broome Time is well graded. Add (12) Proud Falcon, (9) Flight Path, (2) Group Memory, (5) Secret Enigma and (6) Striken.
QUADDIE THIRD LEG
Race 7 – Schweppes-JC Roberts Stakes [Listed] [3YO] 1800m, 7:30pm (2) BRID GESTONE Top-shelf 3YO who blew his opposition away in the feature race for his age during the Bunbury round. Got back, made wide and early run in a slow race, and let down in the centre of the track with a devastating burst to score. That was on a leader-biased track, where it was difficult to make ground down the centre. He is my Derby pick and gets the right run off a fast speed.
PLUS: (1) God Has Spoken is the classy stablemate of Bridgestone and there is not a lot between the pair. His last run at this track and distance was a weight-for-age second to Snipers Bullet in the G1 Kingston Town Classic. It is a top form reference. Hardest to beat.
QUADDIE 4,5,6,7,12/1,4,7,9,10,12/1,2/1,2,3,4,5,7,8,10 ($480) 4,5,6,7/4,7,10/1,2,3,6,13,14/1,5,8,10 ($288)
6,7/4,7/1,2/Field ($128) FOR EXOTICS: (3) Yabigorse, (6) Brother Mak, (13) For Your Eyes Only, (14) Impressive Jeuney, (4) Zentrate, (12) Bag Of Nails and (11) Sail Maker.
6,7/4/2/8,10 ($4)
Good luck and good punting!
QUADDIE FOURTH LEG
Race 8 – Heroicity Handicap [62-74] [3YO+] 1400m, 8:05pm (10) HIGHEST HONOUR Ready to win after two runs back from a spell, and her most recent victories came at the Ascot 1400 metres last time in work. She is a hard-going mare, so up to 1400 metres with no natural leaders she can dominate on speed. Drops a grade and gets chance to return to winner’s stall.
PLUS: (8) Escape Velocity is the best value for the day. He looked as though he struggled to stay last start at 2100 metres. Form through Lie In Wait reads well – he gave that horse weight and is the only horse to beat him at Ascot.
FOR EXOTICS: (1) China Bay ready to win, (5) Raging, (3) Major Sweeney trialled well, (2) Fine Memories, (7) Conakey, (17) Osmak, (4) Manila I Scream, (13) Snow Symphony and (14) Silent Empire.
BEST BETS Race 1 – (4) Lie In Wait Race 6 – (4) Henry De Horse Race 7 – (2) Bridgestone
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