1/1/2026 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Ascot, Perth Cup day

A monster eleven race program has been set down for Ascot on Thursday for Perth Cup Day. Weather is fine, track is good (4) and the rail is out seven metres for the entire circuit.

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The gate is tricky for 4 Desert Dancing (Bet Now:  $SP.00) but she does look to bring strong enough form lines to say she is top seed. Few weeks between runs since racing over 1400m here when off speed, presented clear air and looked the winner, only to be bloused late by Auto Cruise, who is flying. Back to a fast run 1200m, she’ll sit back and launch late.

5 Define Beautiful (Bet Now:  $SP.00) comes through the Epona Classic just under two weeks ago. She sat on speed throughout and tried hard but the end of 1200m at that level just found her out when fourth to Jaz Session. Good racing style, back to this level, she appeals.

6 Hammarmill (Bet Now:  $SP.00) was sneaky good late behind Jaz Session. She got back to near last in the run and while she was never really threatening, she kept chasing and was pretty good late. If she can use the inside gate to advantage, she’s dangerous.

I think 4 Amaroo Star (Bet Now:  $SP.00) can resume a winner for Simon Miller. He had a three run Winter prep and was okay but nowhere near the level he was in the previous campaign. He does fly at this track/distance, he looks to have trialled well and gets Pike to steer. Good enough for me.

5 Niccimota (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a Jim Taylor trained mare that resumes. This girl is first up, having not raced since Sep 20 at Belmont when leading and she gave a decent kick but had no answers late for Black Ora. Likely lands in front and from there will take running down.

7 Allentown (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has been given a mini let up since his resumption on Nov 22 when wide no cover, four wide no cover, and dropped out to finish down the track behind Smooth Chino. If he brings his best, he can run a much improved race.

3 Ripper Rupert (Bet Now:  $SP.00) seems a big price here for mine. He resumed with a bang over 1100m in a Bunbury maiden, getting the suck run in behind the speed before getting the split and he showed nice change up speed late to win. Chris Parnham rode that day and he sticks, which for mine is a good lead.

8 Like Clockwork (Bet Now:  $SP.00) looks quite progressive for Michael Grantham. Big win on debut at Bunbury before proving that was no fluke with a win here, giving them a start and a beating in an electric performance. If she can overcome the gate, she’s dangerous.

2 Baby Pearl (Bet Now:  $SP.00) comes back to 1000m after racing over 1200m in the Sires Stakes where he tried hard, ran an honest race, but I think 1200m at this level just sees him out. Back to 1000m I do like and overall, this isn’t a deep contest.

4 Keep Ita Mystery (Bet Now:  $SP.00) should only run well here. He comes back to 1000m from 1200m when racing here just under two weeks ago. He just got too far back in the run but did make up headway and was far from disgraced in defeat. If the inside gate can be used to advantage, he’ll be strong late and hard to hold out.

7 Haida Gwaii (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a few weeks between runs since a track/distance win when on speed throughout and trucking before being clicked up and away she went for an impressive win despite the narrow margin. Good racing style, she’s dangerous.

1 Sinful Living (Bet Now:  $SP.00) was tardy away when racing over this track/distance last start and while she was never threatening, I thought she was far from disgraced in defeat behind Black Ora. If she finds the front, she’ll run really well at odds.

5 Street Band (Bet Now:  $SP.00) each way for me in what looks an open contest. He resumed over 1000m here where he just found them a bit sharp over the short course but was solid late in the piece behind Haida Gwaii. Fitter and up to 1200m, in well after the claim, he’ll do me each way.

1 Playin’It Sweet (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is taking on the older horses but she is a beauty for Adam Durrant. She has been kept on ice since Cup Day when taking out the Burgess Queen, just seeing out the 1400m best. Fresh legs at 1200m, claim, class, she rates highly.

2 Earthstorm (Bet Now:  $SP.00) comes back to 1200m after racing over 1500m here a few weeks back when off speed and keen. She tried hard but just felt the pinch late behind Magna’s Choice. She’ll likely spot them a start but be strong late and can win.

3 Touretto (Bet Now:  $SP.00) on top but not really a race I want to get involved in. He ran over 1400m here a few weeks ago where he got a fair way out of his ground but I did like the way he finished his race off in defeat. I think the mile is okay for him and you’re getting a decent each way price.

6 Territory Man (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is hard to beat but I will say he does seem on the short side for a horse that just got there over 1400m here last time, with Pike really being the difference between winning and losing. The gate is tricky, 1600m is a query…but, he is quite clearly the most progressive and this is a nothing race.

10 Classic Impact (Bet Now:  $SP.00) was a total forgive from the Westspeed Mile when wide no cover for the trip and the hard run just told on her late behind the very much in form Auto Cruise. Better run in transit this time around, she’s a definite improver.

4 Our Paladin Al (Bet Now:  $SP.00) looks the good thing on the card. He’s very progressive for Russell Stewart that was arrogant when a winner over 1400m here last time, getting better as the race went on to win and win with room to spare. Two time winner at the mile, good upside to come, kind map…all points to him.

Very wary of 1 Arcadia Knight (Bet Now:  $SP.00), who resumes for Michael Grantham. He ended last prep on a high with a couple of wins, both of which coming over the mile at Pinjarra and Belmont respectively. Fresh at the mile signals intent and the trial work has been encouraging.

6 Deamber (Bet Now:  $SP.00) was a narrow but strong winner at Pinjarra two back before going here when keen behind the speed and was never really a factor behind Our Paladin Al. Not sure she can turn the tables but can run first four.

1 Machine Gun Gracie (Bet Now:  $SP.00) has lengths on these if she’s ready. She just wasn’t quite ready when resuming in the Starstruck when fourth. Fitter and up to 1800m…if she’s ready to go, I can mark her odds on. $4+ seems a gift. Keen on her.

3 Luvnwar (Bet Now:  $SP.00) was the real eye catcher in the Starstruck, getting back in the run but really liked the way she closed her race off in defeat behind Storyville. Small field, 1800m, hard fit, she clearly appeals as a key winning chance.

5 Noteworthy (Bet Now:  $SP.00) was a solid first up winner before going to the Starstruck when wide no cover for the trip and the hard run just told late in the piece. 1800m should be fine and she has good upside to come. In the mix as a first four contender.

8 Hanchi (Bet Now:  $SP.00) will be stronger than most late and with that in mind, I am backing each way. He has been freshened up since the Colonel Reeves when beaten for early speed but balanced up in the straight and was good late when fourth. He’ll spot them a start but be one of the strongest at the end.

11 Madhi Girl (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is a Simon Miller trained mare that resumes. This girl is first up, having not raced since Aug 16 at Belmont when making it three on end, actually beating Hanchi. She flies fresh, trialled well, Pike sticks…if there was a knock, it could be that she races best away from Ascot. Market will be a good guide.

10 Keep Reading (Bet Now:  $SP.00) comes back to 1000m after racing over 1200m a few weeks back here. He got back off speed and was held up at times but overall, I thought he had his chance behind Timeless Gem. Maps to do no work and be effective late.

I want to be on something each way and that something is 8 Fame (Bet Now:  $SP.00). He was massive in defeat over 2200m here a few weeks ago, wide no cover throughout yet was hailed as the winner, only getting bloused late by Grand Reserve. Brings inferior form yes, but is on the minimum with fresh legs, he’ll do no work, upside, sense of timing…I think he only runs well.

All things being equal, 2 Apulia (Bet Now:  $SP.00) wins. He had no right to win the Ted Van Heemst given where he was in the run and despite it being given none by Pike, he still rounded them up to win. I can’t see anything turning the tables from that race here, he maps perfect, Pike sticks…very likeable.

10 Forever Boy (Bet Now:  $SP.00) was the beaten short priced favourite in the ATA. I thought, despite copping a loss of momentum on the turn, he had enough time to wind up and win but just one batted to the line when third to Playhouse Patron. I reckon he’ll be out of trouble on speed and making sure this is a truly run 2400m.

8 Camera Action (Bet Now:  $SP.00) each way in the get out. Team Casey trained mare that resumed over 1200m here. She got a fair way out of her ground and while she was never threatening, she kept chasing and was pretty good in defeat behind Timeless Gem. Fitter and up in trip, should get a drag into the race and be strong late.

3 Awesome Boy (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is several weeks between runs since racing at this track/distance. He lobbed outside the speed and was there to put the race away but just found one better in Speed Dream in a driving go. Good racing style and is bursting to win.

1 Six Shooter (Bet Now:  $SP.00) is third up from a spell and should be at peak fitness. He ran over 1200m here last start where he got into a decent spot in transit just off speed and tried hard but couldn’t quite get there behind Timeless Gem. Hard fit and 1400m, he’s in the mix.

BEST BET: Race Seven Number 4 Our Paladin Al

NEXT BEST: Race Eight Number 1 Machine Gun Gracie

LONG SHOT: Race Three Number 3 Ripper Rupert

Quaddie (Races Eight Through To Eleven):

Leg One: 1

Leg Two: 8, 9, 10, 11

Leg Three: 2, 8, 10, 15

Leg Four: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8

$50 Investment = 62.50% of the dividend if successful.

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