A strong eight race program has been organised for Ascot this Saturday for JC Roberts Stakes Day. The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is out three metres for the entire circuit.
Race 1. (16:18) Magic Millions Plate 1200m
Not the greatest of juvenile races but I’ll give the nod to 1 Magic Planet (Bet Now: $3.20), who did a good job to win over 1100m here a fortnight back. Looked in a bit of trouble at various stages under Pike but found plenty late when challenged and won well. 1200m is the obvious question mark but the field is lacking depth.
10 Red Snitz (Bet Now: $17.00) is a Snitzel gelding on debut for the Fred Kersley team. This bloke has had four trials this prep to prepare for his debut so to say he has been well grounded is an understatement. Has gradually got better with each outing, the latest a placing over 1000m at Belmont. Always respect the stable when they send out an unraced type.
11 Orasky (Bet Now: $41.00) is a tick over two weeks between runs for the Dan Morton camp since racing at this track/distance at the midweeks where she battled away pretty well in defeat when fourth to Amelia’s La Bout. Has an awkward draw, but should ease back for cover and there appears to be good speed engaged.
Race 2. (16:58) Tabtouch Handicap 1200m
4 Danny George (Bet Now: $2.50) for me in a cracking three year old race. Two for two to start the career for Brett Pope, both coming at Pinjarra, firstly winning down the straight over 1000m before stepping up to 1200m and being impressive against the older horses, which is always a good sign for a younger horse. Toughest test to date but I think he can measure up.
1 How To Fly (Bet Now: $3.75) is an Adam Durrant trained filly on the quick back up after racing over 1000m here last Saturday where on face value, she seemed to have her chance when second to Wee Cent, but perhaps the break between runs wasn’t the ideal set up. Hard fit now, Pike remains on and up to 1200m.
8 Sunboss (Bet Now: $9.00) is still a maiden for the Trevor Andrews team but he’s a better horse than that. Not sure he will win here, but he should run well off the back of an eye catching third at this track/distance last Wednesday in a Maiden when finishing off with real purpose late from the back. Draws to sit much closer in the run, so a must for exotics.
Race 3. (17:33) Richard Lee 70th Birthday Handicap (1MW) 1400m
Not the strongest race for the mares, but siding with 4 Kimbo’s Girl (Bet Now: $2.90). She was eight weeks between runs when racing over 1200m here a fortnight back where she was unlucky not to finish closer, doubt she wins, when fourth to Dynamite Dream, beaten 1.6L. Up to 1400m ideal and gets the claim for Kate Witten.
1 Scottish Trader (Bet Now: $10.00) faces her toughest test to date but I think she can measure up and run well. Two for two this time in at the provincials, winning first up at York before getting the job done impressively at Albany. Her record in town isn’t flash, but she’s in career best form and deserves another crack.
12 Snitz ‘N’ Giggles (Bet Now: $21.00) is a Justin Warwick trained mare who is three weeks between runs since resuming over 1200m here where she got back near the rail and fought on okay without really threatening behind Blackline. Draws awkwardly, on face value, but I think being outside horses and getting clear air may suit.
Race 4. (18:10) Irene Lugg Memorial (1MW) 1400m
7 Warrior Of Justice (Bet Now: $3.85) on top for me.Team Williams train this bloke who resumed at Pinjara where he got into the clear at the right time and loomed large to win but I reckon his condition just gave way late. Gets the blinkers on for the first time and Pike takes over, so he’s very likeable here against this lot.
2 Harry Thomas (Bet Now: $5.00) is a very consistent gelding for the Ross Price team who was specked at odds here a fortnight back but just lacked the killer blow to go with them when fourth to The Celt. Don’t think there is as much depth and for mine he gets in really well with the claim for Fiona Bell. Definite threat.
3 Sixpence Spent (Bet Now: $6.00) looks a leading contender. Ran over 1200m here a fortnight back and savaged the line late from the back to run a close up second to Dynamite Dream. I reckon 1400m sees him right out, but the way he is going at the moment, you’d back him in to get it, especially with cover from the gate.
Race 5. (18:50) Ascot Canteen John Lugg Handicap (66+) 1000m
I’m quite keen on 2 Jingtang (Bet Now: $3.75). Fortnight between runs since racing at this track/distance where he was given a lovely ride just off the pace and once he got the split, it was game over and he won as he pleased in recording a rather dominant win. Should get a lovely run behind Floyd here and have last look.
1 Floyd (Bet Now: $2.60) will lead and be attempting to burn the candle both ends. Just not sure how strong he’ll be late because there is good depth to this field. Looked the winner when resuming three weeks back but just found Snow Lord too good on the day. Last 50m will be the test, but he’ll look the winner.
11 Show Honey (Bet Now: $6.00) is six weeks between runs for the Williams camp since racing in the Pearl Classic at Pinjarra where she got a fair way back in the run and closed off strongly late behind Royal Missile, an above average mare for Simon Miller. She is a very good fresh horse, and gets blinkers off, and any headgear for a resumption, for mine, is a lead she’s ready to go.
Race 6. (19:25) Iron Jack Handicap (72+) 1800m
2 Western Temple (Bet Now: $1.75) should be winning barring bad luck. Ran over the mile here a fortnight back and did a really good job in defeat when second to My Greek Boy, spotting an impossible start but finishing off with real purpose. Should be able to sit much closer in the run, and with clear, I think he wins.
3 Keeper’s Son (Bet Now: $4.90) is on the seven day back up after absolutely bolting in at the mile here last Saturday. Lucy had the gelding free flowing on speed, doing his own thing, going about it very nicely, and he just loved the scenario and kept running for a dominant win. More depth here, but off last start, he’ll go close.
5 Cougar Nights (Bet Now: $17.00) comes through the My Greek Boy race mentioned above where he looked to race just a touch flat to my eye in running third. Appeared to travel well, loomed as a threat but just didn’t ping like he did early on in the prep, so the rise to 1800m looks ideal and he does meet Western Temple better at the weights.
Race 7. (20:00) Schweppes JC Roberts Stakes 1800m
13 Startthefriar (Bet Now: $9.50) interests me at odds. Has only had the three career outings, the latest, like most here, was in the Lex Piper where he sat midfield and stuck on okay without really threatening behind Miracle Man in an on pace race. Should get a lovely run from the draw and 1800m does look ideal.
1 Money Maher (Bet Now: $3.30) faces his D-Day here. He was sitting last in the run in the Lex Piper and just couldn’t come on at all in a race that didn’t suit behind Miracle Man. Should get a more genuine tempo this time around, draws well again and last time he was at this track/distance, he ran a blinder in the Kingston Town.
11 Prozone (Bet Now: $51.00) is a Proart gelding who brings different form and we know that is always to be cautioned with. He won the maiden over the Pinjarra mile last time out where he sat on speed and fought hard all the way under Paul Harvey for a narrow but gritty victory. Draws well and should get a lovely run near the speed. One for exotics.
Race 8. (20:35) Good Friday Raceday (72+) 1200m
8 Snow Lord (Bet Now: $4.40) is three weeks between runs for the Williams camp since scoring a dazzling win over 1000m here three weeks back, with a bit of Pike magic coming to the fore late in nabbing Floyd near the peg. Has to stretch that brilliance to 1200m, but if he does, he should take some beating against this lot.
10 Blackline (Bet Now: $2.50) had an eight week freshen up prior to racing over the 1100m here three weeks ago where I thought he was given a lovely ride off the pace by Smokin Joe and the gelding responded with a brilliant finishing burst to win in fast time. He will love the rise to 1200m, draws well and gets weight relief.
4 Star Glitter (Bet Now: $19.00) is two weeks between runs for the Neville Parnham camp since racing over the 1000m here where he got a mile back off the tempo but was working to the line strongly late when fifth to Jingtang. 1000m not his go I feel, so the rise back up to 1200m suits and he is a knockout chance at odds.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Six Number 2 Western Temple
NEXT BEST: Race Five Number 2 Jingtang
VALUE: Race Seven Number 13 Startthefriar
Quaddie Tips (Races Five Through To Eight):
Leg One: 1, 2, 5, 11
Leg Two: 2
Leg Three: 1, 6, 7, 11, 13
Leg Four: 4, 7, 8, 10
$50 Investment= 62.50% of the dividend if successful
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