Racing
Race-by-race Preview for Ascot - 26th of April
Jaike Altieri provides his race-by-race analysis for Ascot this Saturday.
Race 1 - SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
BLAZING EMERALD (4) is hard to knock on recent form, winning three of her last 5. She's on the quick turnaround from last week when winning by 0.5L here, but she maps for a lovely run once again and she can repeat the dose. WESTERN POWER (6) looks to be hitting his straps now and looks suited by the step up to the mile third-up into the campaign. He also runs on the 7-day turnaround. but he looks to be on the way up now and CJP sticking is a positive sign. He's the main danger. TRIO (3) disappointed last start when well back over 1400m following a good win at the mile prior. Now back up in trip with Pike on from a good alley, she ticks plenty of boxes to return to winning ways. WITHOUT REG (1) was too good over 1400m last start and can repeat the dose. ZEPHYRA (2) was 2L off Without Reg last start but draws inside now and won't be far away again.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Siding with Blazing Emerald in the opener
Race 2 - TABTOUCH - WESTSPEED PLATINUM HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
TAWKIN' JIBBERISH (1) looks one of the main pace influences in the race and that's a big key to her chances. Gunned down late here last start after bolting in two back. Can find the front with Zac Lloyd in the saddle and prove too good this time. WICKED VENOM (3) boasts a strong fresh record and was great in his only trial coming into this. He sat on the speed in that outing, but most of his racing has been done from midfield or worse. Needs some luck from the draw but he looks on song. ON THE FULL (7) stuck on well behind a progressive type here last week when sitting on the pace a good odds. Can roll forward again and give a bold sight. INSYDE SUCCESS (5) didn't come up last campaign, but both runs were on wet tracks. Back on top of the ground now and can improve. CRYPTIC JOY (8) comes through a handy form race last start and should get his chance under CJP today.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Tawkin' Jibberish can bounce back to winning ways.
Race 3 - BELHUS RACING STABLES 30TH ANNIVERSARY HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
NEXT BEST: BE BARDOT (4) had no luck two back before an impressive win over the top last start at the mile, clocking some good splits in the process. She looks a mare on the rise and 1800m now doesn't look an issue. Thinking she's on her way to better races while the others may not be. MEMORY PARADE (1) is one who has contested those better races recently, finishing 1.7L away two back in a Listed event. She was only 0.6L off them last start and this looks much easier. She has to carry the weight, but she's earned it and she'll give a bold sight. GRAND RESERVE (7) is a course and distance winner previously ad has shown enough in his early runs this campaign to suggest he can run a bold race. There's plenty to like with Schiller on from an inside draw. EMERALD TRADER (5) boasts a good second-up record ad he won't be far away. HENCHARD (2) is next best following a good effort at this track and trip last time out.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Be Bardot.
Race 4 - MCA POLYTRACK HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
LOVA SESSION (7) was too good at this track and trip two back off a slow tempo before slipping his rivals too much rope most recently. Back to the scene of the crime now and Pike remains in the saddle. Likely to be well back on straightening but he has the turn-of-foot to come over the top. GREAT FORTUNE (6) doesn't have the best fresh record, but his form to end last campaign says he's in with a chance. Suspect he's been set for a first-up assault on a feature day and he'll give a bold sight from the front. COUNT THE SESSIONS (4) is better than he showed last start and has been freshened coming into this. Gets a big tick with CJP back in the saddle and the inside draw can see him well positioned. He can land the knockout blow. DEFERRED (5) is hard to knock on recent form and is likely to be in the finish again. SIBERIAN SIREN (1) can roll forward from the inside and dictate from the front.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Lova Session gets the nod.
Race 5 - QUAYCLEAN HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
SIXINCH HEELS (1) continued her winning streak with an arrogant victory last start over 1200m as the $2.20 favourite. Now back up to 1400m which looks ideal and she'll be much closer to the speed from the barrier. Hard to see anything turning the tables on her. POND MASTER (4) was closing off well behind Sixinch Heels last start but is likely to spot her an even bigger start this time. He is second-up however and Pike remains with the gelding. Can improve on what we saw fresh and if anyone's likely to turn the tables, it could be him. MASTERLY (3) was collared late last start against the older horses and brings in a different formline. He's been strong from the front in recent efforts and maps to lead again off the inside. Can give a bold sight. KARNUP QUEEN (8) gets the blinkers on third-up and can fire a shot. BIG SHOTS (2) can make an impression first-up with Billy Egan taking the ride.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Sixinch Heels can extend her winning run.
Race 6 - SWAN DRAUGHT HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
AHYEAHRIGHTO (2) wasn't suited by the slowly run race last start over the 1000m journey and looks well suited now up in trip. Third-up into the campaign, he's poised to return to his best figures and from a good draw, he can bounce back to winning ways. CAMERA ACTION (9) has gone under narrowly in both runs this preparation and drops back to 1200m today third-up. Tyler Schiller hops in the saddle now which is a positive sign and while this is tougher, she's well placed to land the knockout blow. CANNY ROCK (1) is looking for the hat-trick after a 0.5L victory at this track and trip last time out. The form out of that race has been solid and he's been kept fresh for this. Can put his best foot forward yet again. SHOOTING SPIRIT (3) will get back in the run but was good late last time out. Watch for him flashing once again. ZOUBOLTZ (7) can go on with the job following a good win last time out.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Ahyeahrighto goes on top.
Race 7 - LAWN PRIDE AUSTRALIA-KARRAKATTA PLATE (1200 METRES)
The first of the features is the Karrakatta Plate and YES QUEEN (8) looks the one to beat despite going under in the lead ups. She was gunned down late first-up before clocking some fast splits from the back to just miss last start. Things look to be in her favour this time and she can turn the tables. TALKANCO (7) beat home Yes Queen narrowly last start and wasn't far behind two back in the Supremacy. She won't have as big a head start this time, but she has class and should get a lovely run. She's the main danger. JUST TOO FLY (4) is still a maiden, though he gives the feeling he'll love a race like the Karrakatta. He'll be able to lob in a great spot and he was strong to the line last time out. Booking of Lloyd is a good push and he can make his presence felt. CASTLE ROAD (1) draws ideally after a dominant win in the Perth Stakes and he can repeat the dose. DO I FEEL LUCKY (2) is better than he showed in the Perth Stakes and can bounce back.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Going with Yes Queen on top in the Karrakatta Plate.
Race 8 - THE KIA QUOKKA (1200 METRES)
Time for the big one, The Quokka. OVERPASS (1) is looking for the three-peat and looks on song following a big run in the TJ three weeks ago. The draw is no issue, he'll roll across and make his own luck up on the speed. He's the one to beat. HEADWALL (6) also comes through the TJ where he was unlucky and flashing late in the race. Getting away from the rail is a big tick for him and if he gets an unimpeded run in the straight, he'll take plenty of beating. FRONT PAGE (2) can roll across with Overpass and sit up on the speed as he likes to do. His form ties in through Overpass and Headwall and if he handles the travel and is at his best, he'll give a big sight from up on the speed. JOKERS GRIN (9) was below his best in the Roma Cup but the fresh win was scintillating. Can bounce back third-up and be in the finish. WESTERN EMPIRE (3) creates interest first-up. He's a class horse who maps well and can be flashing late.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Overpass can bring up the three-peat.
Race 9 - THE DRUMMOND GOLF JOEY (1200 METRES)
BEST BET: Over to The Joey where SALOON BAR (5) looks the horse to beat. He's been rattling off slick splits in the key Quokka lead-ups, but takes the lower route to The Joey. Barrier 7 is great for him, Pike sticks and he's poised to strike third-up in his Grand Final. He'll be hard to beat. RIPCORD (2) disappointed at the end of last campaign but his first-up run in Melbourne was very good. He's trialled nicely coming in and gets the winkers on again, as well as the tongue tie first time. Key player. TWAIN'S ANGEL (13) beat Quokka runners last start at this track and trip 56 days ago and has trialled well since then. Looks to get every chance off the inside and she can play a major role. SNOWDOME (3) will appreciate the slight rise in trip and he can return to form. PETULA (14) suggested she was back to her best last time out and can go on with the job.
SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Saloon Bar in The Joey.
Race 10 - TABTOUCH - HAVE YOU GOT THE TOUCH HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
BOUSSAC (10) ran home well as favourite here a fortnight ago, beaten 0.9L at this track and trip. He maps for a closer run in transit this time and Troy Turner now hops in the saddle. Racing well without winning but gets his chance today. GAGE ROADS (2) comes through a good race over the mile last start when beaten 1.4L and that form may have already been franked today (R3). He'll lob in a great position under McGruddy and he'll go close if he can run up to recent form. CLOSE AT HAND (1) went under in a blanket finish last start but did get a long way back from the draw. Now draws inside and Billy Egan replaces the apprentice hoop in a good push for his chances. Can land the knockout blow. BRAZEN EMPRESS (5) is better than she showed last start and can bounce back to form. MOJO'S LUCK (3) has been off the scene a while but he does have the figures to suggest he can run a big race. Watch for any market moves.
SUGGESTED PLAY: With Boussac in the last.
Check out the latest South African News