The Masters at Ascot continues this Saturday with another strong card, headlined by the $1 Million Group l Winterbottom Stakes (1200m). The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is out six metres for the entire circuit.
Field 🏇: View the Winterbottom Stakes Field
Race 1. (16:04) Tabtouch Handicap (66+) 1600m
1 See Me Sizzle (Bet Now: $3.50) for me in the opener. This Team Williams trained galloper won three on the bounce, including the York Cup, before racing over this track/distance last Saturday where he attempted to lead all the way under Pike and he gave a really good kick but just got caught late. The claim for Maddison Brown is a big tick and the depth is nowhere near as strong this time around.
2 Touch Of Silver (Bet Now: $2.60) was trying to sneak into the Railway field via a win in a feature in two attempts but he just didn’t quite measure up, the latest run being in the Peters where he was wide no cover throughout when down the track behind Properantes. Much better suited at this level and should take some beating.
3 Chasing Chaos (Bet Now: $8.50) could be the improver here. He was four weeks between runs when racing over 1400m here last Saturday where he had specking at odds but after receiving the nice sit just off the pace, he lacked the killer blow to go with them and had to settle for a close up fifth. Should improve off that and again draws well.
Race 2. (16:44) Tourism WA Trophy (72+) 1400m
2 Royal Star (Bet Now: $1.70) should win barring bad luck. Outstanding effort last time out in the Peters I thought behind Properantes given she had to make a long run and the pace was an absolute crawl. Getting out to her ideal distance range now, Pike sticks, has class…as I said, I think only bad luck sees her getting beat.
6 La Mouline (Bet Now: $3.70) is a very progressive former kiwi mare for the Adam Durrant team who should be respected big time here. Loved the way she closed off her race to win at this track/distance a fortnight back. Sat back in a slowly run affair but Pike built up the revs, brought her to the outside and she attacked the line with real purpose. Really good test here against a classy mare in Royal Star, but she should run well.
5 New Time (Bet Now: $11.00) is an absolute beauty for the Jim Taylor yard. He is ten years of age but he has been racing so well recently, albeit in weaker grade than this. Attempted to lead all the way at this track/distance last Wednesday and as he always does, he kicked hard on the bend and looked to have fought them off but he was nabbed right on the peg by King Of Wu. Maps to lead here and with only 53.5kg on his back, he’ll give a sight.
Race 3. (17:24) Crown Towers Handicap (1MW) 1400m
6 Bold Success (Bet Now: $1.95) should be winning. Very talented customer for the Williams camp who ran over 1100m here last Wednesday and his run was enormous. Just got too far back in a leader dominated affair but he made up a tremendous amount of ground to run fourth. Up to 1400m, draws to sit closer, Pike on…yep he’ll do me.
3 Night Voyage (Bet Now: $23.00) was five weeks between runs when racing over 1200m at York last Thursday where he had a suck run behind the speed before Knuckey shoved him into the clear and he loomed large, but he just ran out of puff late when third to Niccatrice. Has upside and he draws to get the run of the race.
1 Cranky Dancer (Bet Now: $19.00) is three weeks between runs for the Brett Pope stable since racing over 1200m here where he did the donkey work trying to drag the field up to Gunnago but that horse broke his heart and he just couldn’t go on with it, settling for fifth. Doubt we will get something similar here, he draws well and gets the claim for Mollie Clark.
Race 4. (18:00) Tabtouch Perth Cup New Years Day Handicap (72+) 1000m
3 The River (Bet Now: $1.90) is a classy horse for Trevor Andrews who resumed here three weeks back and despite the margin only being narrow, it was an electric win given the work he had to do with a hot speed in front. Was down to run in the Winterbottom, but after drawing wide, they’ve pulled out and are running here. Trial win on Monday was brilliant.
7 Gee Boss (Bet Now: $6.00) is the big query. Very talented four year old that resumes for the Michael Lane team. He only raced once last prep, which was in May at this track/distance when finishing down the track behind Salorsci, but that form is outstanding with four winners to come from that race, including Winterbottom threat Dainty Tess. Two trials leading in have been great and stable always fires this time of year.
10 Universal Moon (Bet Now: $8.50) is a speed demon who should be somewhere near the lead. She resumed at this track/distance three weeks back where she had the suck run behind the speed and loomed large to win but she just ran out of condition late when third to Tenterden. Has a good second up record and loves racing at the Ascot 1000m.
Race 5. (18:35) Stirling Crystal Slipper Stakes 1100m
7 Fairtrusive (Bet Now: $3.20) looks a very good youngster. Dan Morton trains this girl and she debuted at this track/distance last Wednesday where she sat back, was off the bit before the turn but Pike got her balanced up and once she got to the outside, she let down powerfully under hands and heels. I think she’s a really good one and I’m quite keen.
5 Nocelle (Bet Now: $7.00) is a stablemate of Fairtrusive who landed some decent bets when debuting over 1000m here a fortnight back. Had the box seat sit behind Party Night before angling off its back and putting it away quite comfortably for a dominant win. Draw is a bit awkward but she has that race experience, winning experience.
6 Party Night (Bet Now: $11.00) is a Paul Jordan trained filly blessed with early toe so the wide gate ain’t really a worry because I think she can carve over, which she did on debut before tiring late. Last start was that race won by Nocelle and the effort was strong. Just lacked the finish. Back up to 1100m I think suits and she’ll be in it for a long way.
Race 6. (19:10) Tabtouch Regional Championship Road To Ascot Final 1200m
13 Finance (Bet Now: $4.60) comes through the Bunbury heat of this series and his effort was very good. He just got too far back in the run but worked home with real purpose to run third to You Watching Me. His overall form is a bit suspect, but that last start was a beauty and the big tick for him is Pike rides.
1 River Dance (Bet Now: $3.90) was such an impressive winner of the Geraldton heat of this series. Admittedly he had a pretty good time of it on speed, but when Jerry Noske slipped the horse some rein, he went bang and shot four in front. Oliver takes over now and just has to overcome the draw to be a threat.
4 Niccatrice (Bet Now: $13.00) ran in the York heat of this series last Thursday and the punters knew he was ready to go because he was backed in and the punters got it right as he came with a brilliant finishing burst from off the pace to get the win. Draws to get a suck run behind them here and is hard fit/in form.
Race 7. (19:50) Crown Perth Winterbottom Stakes 1200m
9 Viddora (Bet Now: $5.50 ODDS BOOST) deserves a Group l and I think she gets a great chance here. She ran in the two major sprints at the Valley and didn’t have the greatest amount of luck in them both times. The form out of those is a bit suspect, but overall, they are superior races to what she faces here, and from all reports, she has settled in beautifully.
8 State Solicitor (Bet Now: $3.70 ODDS BOOST) is the local sprint star and he is favourite. A deserved one? I think not and at his current price, he looks rock bottom. Spectacular win last time out after getting badly held up in the straight. Somehow picked himself up and got the win narrowly. Taking on some big boys here but on current local form, he’s the one.
2 Santa Ana Lane (Bet Now: $10.00 ODDS BOOST) is the knockout chance. Hasn’t raced since appreciating a brutal tempo and coming with a brilliant finale to win the Sir Rupert Clarke. First up at 1200m looks perfect, he’ll appreciate a fast speed and he’ll get back and have last say on this. I think the $8 or thereabouts for him is overs.
Race 8. (20:30) My Rentokil Handicap (66+) 2100m
10 Dudemanbro (Bet Now: $5.50) is a horse that’ll make you have your heart in your mouth given his racing pattern of coming off the bit a fair way out but he’ll just keep going. That was the case over 2200m here a fortnight back where he looked gone but he was still whacking away and got the win. See no reason to jump off.
5 Star Value (Bet Now: $16.00) is the best horse in the race by some distance but up to 2100m is the unknown. He ran over 1800m here a fortnight back and looked to have every chance to my eye but just didn’t quite finish it off when fourth to Not Again Ken. Query at the trip, but on class, he goes a long way towards victory.
11 Jazari (Bet Now: $10.00) scored a gritty win over the 2200m here at the midweeks before racing in the event won by Dudemanbro where he tried very hard but just couldn’t get past that horse in a great tussle to the peg. He’ll get a sweet trip just off the speed once again and while he doesn’t have a great winning strike rate, he tries hard.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Two Number 2 Royal Star
NEXT BEST: Race Five Number 7 Fairtrusive
VALUE: Race Eight Number 10 Dudemanbro
Quaddie Tips (Races Five Through To Eight):
Leg One: 7
Leg Two: 1, 2, 4, 9, 10, 13
Leg Three: 1, 2, 8, 9, 11
Leg Four: 4, 5, 8, 10, 11
* Odds Correct at time of posting
$50 Investment= 33.33% of the dividend if successful
Bookmaker | Why Bet | Sign Up | Full Review |
---|---|---|---|
Back Yourself with Ladbrokes! | Join | Review | |
Back a Winner with Neds! | Join | Review | |
Sign up to Unibet and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review | |
Sign up to swiftbet and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review | |
Sign up to Unibet and start betting in minutes! | Join | Review |