Ascot Saturday Perth Racing Preview BY JOSH RODDER Track is a Good (2) 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 moves out to the 9m position, after being at 3m last Saturday. There was no midweek racing at Ascot this week. The track has benefited from the break, and the pad continues to improve as we enter the Ascot Autumn Racing Carnival. 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 they will pour plenty of water on the track with the heat wave that has hit Perth this week, and is expected to run through the weekend.
Saturday forecast Sunny, windy morning. Min 22, max 35.
Race 2 – Homeloans Ltd Handicap [3YO] [63-74] 1100m, 4:20pm [EST]
Race 4 – Statewide Oil Handicap [3YO+] [62-74] 1400m, 5:40pm [EDST]
Early scratching of Comfort Zone (7) deprives the race of some on-speed pressure, but still expect the sparks to fly.
Tricky race with not a lot of exposed speed.
Avante (4) is a filly I have a lot of time for. Very good first-up, when rattled home from back in the field to just miss. Without the benefit of a trial, she probably just peaked late in that race and strips fitter for the outing. Sacred Crown (11) is a talented maiden who resumed with a cheeky effort here behind dynamic duo Sir Hallowell and Morant. Drawn to get a cushy run and has strong claims. VERDICT: Bet with confidence (4) Avante, with (11) Sacred Crown the hardest to beat. (3) Bad Funk Stripe, (1) Fleming Son and (2) Grand Platz sit on the next line. Include (5) Certain Cat and (6) Cheeky Giggle in wider exotic bet types.
Race 3 – Intents Events Handicap [3YO+] [62-74] 1000m, 5:00pm [EDST]
Race 1– Site Logic Plate [2YO] [Open] 1100m 2:40pm [EDST]
This is a tough race to decipher. Once again they will take no prisoners on speed, thereby suiting horses positioned just off the speed.
Early scratching of Miniroc (3), Winsome Waif (6) and Vacillare (13).
Leaning towards Classofherown (2), who looked as though she would benefit from the run first-up, and ran accordingly. She is unbeaten second-up and should be able to slot in with cover from her wide gate. Big watch on the well-travelled ex-eastern states sprinter La Forza (1). He made his WA debut late last month without blinkers and lacked dash. Blinkers were applied in a recent Bunbury trial and he had a wing on every hoof. He is fast and could surprise fresh.
The quality is starting to emerge in our juvenile ranks as we head into the feature autumn two-year-old races. Good depth here and expecting a fierce contest. Leaning to Leamington (1), who was a laststart third in the Perth Magic Millions 2YO Classic behind unbeaten filly Time To Climb. Drawn wide, but has the gate speed to overcome that and will prove hard to catch. Expecting promising filly Game Muja (4) to be putting in the big bounds late, as she did on debut when winning emphatically in midweek grade. VERDICT: Back (1) Leamington and save on (4) Game Muja. Winning claims to (5) Oh Halo and (9) Auburn Streak – the best of the debutants from trials, drawn to follow Leamington across. Include (2) Gannochy, (12) Saigon Story and (7) Danzmait in wide multiples.
VERDICT: Not a lot of confidence, but it is worth having something small on (2) Classofherown and (1) La Forza for an interest. Big watch (5) Magic Eight and (10) Highest Honour resuming from astute yards. Include (4) Goldy Junior, (9) Amelia's Reason and (12) Go Buster.
There will be plenty of interest in potential classic filly Snug Buggles (6), first-up at 1400 metres against older and more seasoned rivals. I was impressed by her first campaign. If she has come on, as I am sure she has, she could blow these away fresh. Big Ted (2) can control this race from the front and is a progressive type destined to be a consistent Saturday performer. His two runs this time in have been brave and he will give backers a great sight. VERDICT: Watch betting with (6) Snug Buggles and bet accordingly. Also back (2) Big Ted, who gets a nice run on speed. In a tough race (5) Real Honour, who will need a fast run race to win, (3) Pearler (drawn well), (4) Never Forgotten and (9) Legal Agent (fresh from a hot stable) all would not surprise. Include (10) Mr Mikimoto, (7) Skitzo and (13) Brother Mak in wide bet types.
QUADDIE FIRST LEG
Race 5 – SKM Handicap [3YO+] [68-80] 1200m 6:15pm [EDST] Promising three-year-old Impatient Times (10) looks well placed here against open age opposition on the quick back-up. He is in form, improving all the time and gets a sweet run from the barrier. Given Vision (3) is fit and in form. Enormous run last time, when did too much work in the run. Pike on and appears the danger. VERDICT: Bet with confidence on (10) Impatient Times. (3) Given Vision worth a save. Include (1) Saffron Fire, (12) Dante Zonte, (5) Taharka, (4) Maranouchi and (7) Share Trader in wide multiples.
QUADDIE SECOND LEG
Race 6 – SKMRC Challenge Stakes [Listed] [3YO] [Open 71+] 1400m 6:50pm [EDST] This is a mouth-watering clash of some of the state’s most promising young talent. Hard to go past Morant (9), whose two runs this time in have been tip-top! Loved the
way he has attacked the line on both occasions. He just needs to relax in the run and he will explode when it matters. Power Princess (11) is the best value. Fitter for two runs back from a break and with the right run she could surprise back against her own age. VERDICT: Bet with confidence (9) Morant and small save at odds (11) Power Princess. There is some real quality spread throughout this race – (13) Yabigorse and (5) Dampier Dayz may be able to dictate on speed and give the favourite something to catch. Include (1) God Has Spoken, (2) Bridgestone, (14) Zentrate, (12) Redhage and (8) Le Plunge in multiple calculations.
QUADDIE THIRD LEG
Race 7 – Jim Kidd Sports Handicap [3YO+] [74-86] 1500m, 7:25pm [EDST] Early scratching of Teppanyaki (3). Speed will be on here – look for horses off the speed with cover to finish with a rush. Love the way Dominicano (9) is ticking over this time in work. His trial was good, followed by two fine efforts since returning to the races. The run last Saturday would have just topped him off and he has terrific back-up stats. Drawn awkwardly, however with the speed on he can slot in with cover and be saved for one late run. Look for a big run from Caller One (8). Racing well and gets the run he needs to win. Three wide with cover is the ideal position for the veteran, where he can make a sharp dash for the finish line on the swing for home. VERDICT: Quite keen on (9) Dominicano on 1 x 2 unit win/place basis. (8) Caller One is worth a win ticket at odds. Expecting a big run from (13) Lexicon Gold and the inform (6) Changing Lanes. Include (2) Delta Bay, (7) Dane Smile, (4) Another Clanger, (5) King Of The Stalls and (10) Garavanni in wider bet types.
QUADDIE FOURTH LEG
Race 8 – Loxam Developments Handicap [Open 80+] [3YO+] 1200m 8:05pm [EDST] Early scratching of Sportsground (7). A competitive race to finish the day. I am expecting a massive form reversal in seven days from high-quality mare Moccasin Bend (10). She resumed from a long lay-off in the Listed Cyril Flower and ran a top race, with her condition giving out late. Had a lot of admirers last week, but just charged in the lead position and had nothing left when it matted. Astute trainer Lou Luciani has made a couple of gear changes, stable rider Jason
Whiting sticks and if she produces her best she can win! Hadabeclorka (1) was brilliant winning the Cyril Flower fresh back from 2400m to 1200m in four weeks. Big watch on Tudor Lad (8) first-up. Oodles of talent and trialled well enough at his home track recently. Clueless Angel (12) is last year’s WA Guineas winner who needed the run last week. She might just need this again, as she is searching for Champion Fillies glory next week. VERDICT: Back (10) Moccasin Bend and save on (1) Hadabeclorka. (8) Tudor Lad and (12) Clueless Angel have the class to win short of their peak fitness levels. Watch for slashing runs from (13) Hide The Loot, (6) Foxy Boy, (11) Estiarte and (3) Comic Hero.
BEST BETS R2 – NO. 5, CERTAIN CAT R5 – NO. 10, IMPATIENT TIMES
BEST VALUE R7 – NO. 9 DOMINICANO E/W
QUADDIE 1,3,4,5,10,12/5,9,11,13/6,7,8,9,13/1,8,10 ($360) 3,10/9/FIELD/FIELD ($338) 3,10/5,9,11,13/6,8,9/1,8,10 ($72) 10/9/6,8,9,13/1,8,10 ($12) 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