Feature of the day’s racing at Ascot, is the Group 2 CB Cox Stakes. Last year the race was taken out by God Has Spoken who lines up again and with off the back of his recent efforts, is a definite chance to make it successive victories.
Special Offer: $500 FREE BET – Luxbet (Tabcorp owned)
Special Offer 2: $450 FREE BET – IASbet (Recommended Bookmaker)
Special Offer 3: $500 FREE BET – Sportsbet (Recommended Bookmaker)
1. PLAYING GOD – S Parnham (3)
Has ran fourth in the G1 Railway Stakes and sixth (beaten 2 ¼ lengths) in the G1 Kingston Town Classic at his last two starts where he has had every chance in the run on both occasions. Drawn ideally again but would’ve liked to have seen him place in at least one of the last two before tipping him on top here.
Odds: $8.00
2. MR MOET – D Staeck (14)
Fantastic effort and ride to claim the Railway Stakes first up this prep and he backed that up with a second placing to Luckygray in the Kingston Town Classic last start. Record this distance is impeccable as is his recent form and had he not drawn the second to widest gate, wouldn’t have hesitated to rate him on top.
Odds: $2.45
3. GOD HAS SPOKEN – B Parnham (1)
In solid form as he looks to make it back-to-back victories in this race. Just missed a run at a crucial stage two starts back when running fifth in the Railway Stakes and then closed well late for a third to Luckygray in the Kingston Town Stakes. This looks ideal and with an ounce of luck from the inside, he’ll go close.
Odds: $5.50
4. LORDS RANSOM – J Whiting (15)
Two runs back from a seven month spell have seen him struggle on both occasions and his last start was a second to last placing in the Railway Stakes. His recent efforts combined with a wide draw means we can rule him out with confidence.
Odds: $61.00
5. COLOUR CORRECT – P Harvey (13)
An 8yo who won this race in 2010 Since returning to racing in July this year after a seventeen month break, and from in eight starts, he’s placed twice, one of them being two starts back in the Listed Carbine Club (1400m). Struggled at his most recent start in the Kingston Town Classic and can’t see him winning here.
Odds: $41.00
6. BATTLE EMBLEM – R Hill (12)
Well handled in the G3 RJ Peters Stakes and G1 Railway Stakes before an improved efforts last start down in grade, when fourth of seven in the Towton Cup. Back up in grade and to WFA conditions not ideal and will struggle.
Odds: $81.00
7. RANGER – W Pike (4)
After his impressive first up effort in the G1 Railway Stakes, gave him a good chance in the G1 Kingston Town Classic but he could only manage twelfth (beaten 4.8 lengths). Has won a barrier trial comfortably since and ran third in this race last year as 4/5 Fav. At his current quote of $10.00, could most probably forgive him his last start and throw him in somewhere.
Odds: $9.00
8. WESTRIVE KEVYDONN – T Ikenushi (6)
Settled handy in the G1 Kingston Town Classic before finishing eleventh (beaten 4 ¼) before holding on for fourth in the G3 AJ Scahill Stakes last start. Jumps form the 1400m of that race to the 2100m of today’s event – it’ll be some sort of performance.
Odds: $61.00
9. CHESTER ROAD – S O’Donnell (9)
Won the Carbine Club first up in impressive style (by 2 ¼ lengths) before saddle slipped in the Kingston Town Classic and he did well to finish 2.6 lengths from Luckygray. A lightly raced 5yo who appears to be improving with every appearance and I would have to include him amongst the leading chances.
Odds: $8.50
10. SHAMARDASHING – P Carberry (16)
Has had three runs in this and probably gets to the right distance range according to his fourth placing in the G3 Tatt’s Cup (2200m) in Brisbane during the winter. But doubt that from his gate under WFA conditions, the step up in trip will be enough to see him figure in the finish.
Odds: $16.00
11. LOPOV – D Ganderton (10)
Won the Kalgoorlie Cup (2200m) but in September but has finished closer to the tail of the field in his two runs since – Listed Carbine Club and G1 Kingston Town Classic. Better suited in something easier.
Odds: $41.00
12. BIG JOSH – K Yuill (2)
Ran second to Full Reign two starts back before finishing fifth (beaten 2 ¼ lengths) behind Galaxy Prince last start from a wide gate. Drawn much better today but that will not be enough of an advantage for him to be considered among the chances today.
Odds: $41.00
13. ROSIE ROCKET – S Meeres (11)
Her run two starts back in the G1 Railway Stakes, where she was caught wide throughout, was full of merit to finish third to Mr. Moet. She was considered a genuine each-way chance (12-1) off the back of that performance in the G1 Kingston Town Stakes but failed to raise her connections hopes and finished second to last. Not sure what Rosie Rocket will turn up.
Odds: $16.00
14. MALAIKA – J Brown (7)
He has competed in the Listed Ascot Gold Cup, Tatt’s Cup and Towton Cup at his most recent outings for a fourth, third and sixth placing respectively. Rises to WFA conditions and that should be enough to find him out.
Odds: $81.00
15. TALENT SHOW – J Noske (5)
You have to go back fourteen starts before you find this girls’ last win and from her six runs this prep, the pick of them was a second two starts back behind Global Flirt.
Odds: $81.00
SUMMARY
We’ve stuck with God Has Spoken his last two and here’s hoping third time is a charm. Given his latest efforts, think this distance is perfect for him know and as mentioned above, he’ll only need a touch of luck from the 600m on, to be right in the finish. Mr. Moet is going well but the wide gate has me concerned when asked to take $2.40. I’d be more inclined to give the improving Chester Road, who had no luck last start, a start at the $8.00 mark.
