15/2/2020 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Ascot, Challenge Stakes day

A strong nine race program has been assembled for Ascot this Saturday, headlined by the return of Superstorm and Tuscan Queen, who will clash in the Challenge Stakes (1500m). The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is out a metre for the entire circuit.

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Think up to 1400m will really suit the Bruce Watkins trained 1 Trade Fair Express (Bet Now: $4.60), who has had three runs back from a spell, all coming at 1200m. Latest of those runs was two weeks ago here when working to the line okay without really threatening, finishing third. Up to 1400m from gate one, he’s very likeable here.

8 Diamond Trade (Bet Now: $3.30) comes through the Princely Package race from two weeks ago over 1200m here. She was eased back to last in the run before peeling wide and finishing off strongly, just missing out on the win. She’s had a few chances to break the maiden tag, but off the last run, perhaps win number one isn’t far away.

9 Phandieri (Bet Now: $11.00) is an Anne King trained galloper that is another that has the Princely Package form line from last start. This mare was wide with cover for the trip and seemed to get a decent enough run into the contest but didn’t fire a shot. Has a soft gate to use…doubt she wins, but would be including in multiples.

1 Eristic (Bet Now: $4.60) on top for Karen McDonagh. This son of Hussonet was too bad to be true first up when supported. Came back to 1100m here when wide no cover for the trip yet stuck on really well in defeat, beaten narrowly. Gets the claim for McNaught and a repeat effort of last start will see him as a leading chance here.

10 Nelly Zane (Bet Now: $11.00) is a Tavistock mare for Chris Gangemi that is resuming. This girl hasn’t raced since October 6 at Northam when just off the speed and tried hard when third to Regal Poyse. Been given a good break and thought she trialled up well last week at Belmont over 1000m. As is the case with this stable more often than not, watch the market.

4 Oilskin (Bet Now: $9.50) can be an improver with better luck in running. This gelding debuted here back on January 29 when doing plenty of work to get up on speed and was a beaten horse at the top of the straight. Again a tricky draw, but if he can get over without spending too many petrol tickets this time around, he’s dangerous.

In the corner of 2 Guarded (Bet Now: $3.50) for the Neville Parnham team. Debuted over 1100m here two weeks ago when wide no cover for the trip and was pulling hard, yet still kicked on very strongly and really, was only beaten off the final 50-75m. Back to 1000m should be fine and hopefully the rub of the green goes his way this time around.

1 Dom To Shoot (Bet Now: $5.50) does look quite a progressive juvenile for Sean Casey that has a win next to his name. That came last start over 1100m here when off the speed before edging wider and surging hard the last few strides to get up and score a good win. He’ll be strong at the end of this I’m sure. Just a matter of what sort of start he gives away.

Think back to 1000m will really suit the Paul Jordan trained 8 Janaura (Bet Now: $5.50). This filly ran in the Magic Millions last Saturday at Pinjarra where she was well held but far from disgraced behind boom juvenile Gemma’s Son. Back to 1000m and seriously back in depth helps her cause. Would like to see her jump and run along on speed.

9 Some Sort (Bet Now: $2.80) is a definite market/yard watch. Adam Durrant trained three year old that resumes after a pretty busy Winter/Spring prep, which saw him win four races from seven starts and established himself as a potential Stakes class animal. Trialled very nicely alongside Regal Power and has the early speed to overcome the gate.

4 Danny George (Bet Now: $7.00) is second up here for Brett Pope and he does tend to do his best racing early on in a campaign. Resumed over 1200m at Pinjarra back on January 11 where he had a good run in transit, loomed to win, but his condition gave out late behind Flower Of War, who has gone right on with it since. Fresh legs, fast run 1000m, he’s likeable here.

5 Hoboken (Bet Now: $10.00) is a while between runs but he’s honest and usually isn’t far away from the action. Ran over 1200m here two weeks ago where he got back in the run and was held up for a few crucial strides. At the same time, he was out early enough to do damage. Think a fast run 1000m will suit him and for mine, he’s a knockout chance at likely decent odds.

6 Flower Of War… (Bet Now: $2.90) gee she’s been great this time in. Thought her chances were done when she was stuck wide no cover last Saturday in the Dark Pearl yet she surged in the straight, drew clear and held a safe margin to the line in an impressive win. Takes on the boys and back to 1200m, but really hard to knock the way she’s racing.

1 Valour Road (Bet Now: $2.30) is a beauty for Simon Miller and should be hard to beat here. Impressive win in the Miss Andretti two back before contesting the Scenic Blast where he seemed to get every chance but clearly was no match late for Cup Night. As to what upside he has left, not sure, but has the class and runs on the board overall.

3 Flow (Bet Now: $18.00) can be an improver here at odds for Martin Allan. Ran in the Mungrup Stud Sprint at Albany where the market said he would need the hitout and that’s how it panned out when fifth to Baraki Beats. Does have a really good second up record…just the query is staying at 1200m. I think he might be wanting 1400m.

Going the way of 2 Superstorm (Bet Now: $1.60) for the Williams camp. The lead here is that Pike chooses to ride it instead of Tuscan Queen. Like the filly, this gelding last raced in the Kingston Town and he was outstanding in defeat from the back when fourth to Kay Cee. He looks a rising star of WA racing and loved his trial leading into this. Looks the winner.

1 Tuscan Queen (Bet Now: $4.40) is a Fastnet Rock filly that resumes. This girl was on the lips of everyone during the Carnival where she won the Champion Fillies and was the one most fancied in the Kingston Town. She wasn’t beaten far by Kay Cee, but she had her chance. Tricky draw and Pike chooses Superstorm, but doesn’t lose a great deal with Peter Hall taking the steer.

5 Montelena (Bet Now: $7.00) is a talented filly for the McAuliffe team that comes through the Rangeview Stud from just under two weeks ago at Bunbury when working home strongly from off the pace to run second to the well performed Money Matters, who failed last Saturday but the form prior was very good. Think that should hold up nicely here.

2 Gunnago (Bet Now: $5.50) is bursting to win a race. Luckless here two back behind Coming Around, who has ticked that form off since. Gunnago then went to Bunbury and worked to the line well when a close up second to Sweet Dreamin, who was super in defeat at Pinjarra last Saturday, so the form around him reads well and just has to hold up from gate one to prove hard to beat.

The draw does makes things a bit tricky for 3 Media Baron (Bet Now: $4.80) but David Harrison has him flying at the moment. Loved the win here three weeks ago over 1400m, charging to the line from the back for an impressive win, beating home Serenity Bay, who is racing pretty well at the moment and would nearly start favourite here. Leading chance despite the draw.

Great to see 8 Adornment (Bet Now: $5.00) back at the races. Talented mare for Team Williams that is resuming, having not raced since the WA Derby last year when down the track behind stablemate Regal Power. Just brings one trial leading into her resumption, but it was run in very fast time. 1500m is short of her best, but she has class.

2 Bobcat Johnnie (Bet Now: $15.00) looks a leading contender here. Resumed over 1100m at Ascot a couple of Wednesdays back and if you were on, it was a bit of an ugly watch. Blocked most of the straight before eventually getting clear and really attacking the line but the race was over by then. Like him up to 1400m and somewhat drawn out, should have clear air from the outset.

Bob Peters had several nominated for this race and goes with the sole rep in 9 Special Choice (Bet Now: $1.75), who resumes for Team Williams. This three year old filly hasn’t raced since the WA Guineas when a close up fourth, beaten under a length, but bear in mind they walked in front so those near the front were suited, so perhaps a touch flattering, but that form does read well for this and she did trial well last week.

Market will be the guide to 12 Fetch More Ammo (Bet Now: $35.00), a Fenella Martin trained mare who hasn’t raced since December 22 at Bunbury when a close up second over 1400m after getting held up for a few strides. Normally needs a run or two before finding her feet, but has residual fitness so I think watch the market.

11 Volkswagon Frank (Bet Now: $5.00) in the get out. Justin Warwick trains this stayer, who ran over 2200m at Bunbury last time out when trying quite hard from off the speed and worked home well without winning, finishing a close up third, beaten just over a length. Like him on the bigger track and good lead that Pike is booked to ride.

2 Barbie Will Do (Bet Now: $6.00) is on the seven day back up for Justin Warwick after racing at Pinjarra last Saturday where she took on a handy bunch of stayers and didn’t do a bad job in defeat when sixth to an in form Too Close The Sun. Think that bunch of stayers are stronger than what she faces here, and she has won on the quick back up previously.

6 The Cat Ratcher (Bet Now: $11.00) is a lightly raced eight year for David Harrison that hasn’t been too bad at his past couple. Good effort in defeat here two back behind Morning Song before racing here back on January 29 and not having a great deal of luck in the straight behind Navy Blue. Tricky draw, but he’s going well and is one for multiples.

BEST BET: Race Six Number 2 Superstorm

NEXT BEST: Race One Number 1 Trade Fair Express

LONG SHOT: Race Seven Number 2 Gunnago

Quaddie Tips (Races Six Through To Nine):

Leg One: 1, 2

Leg Two: 2, 3, 6, 8

Leg Three: 2, 9, 12, 14

Leg Four: 1, 2, 4, 6, 11

$50 Investment = 31.25% of the dividend if successful

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