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Ascot Preview & Selections
Race 1: Westspeed Platinum Handicap (1600m)
The pace looks set by Gingerquest and Impressive Jewel, but Tousled Crown is the one that maps to perfection here. This mare is a classic "fifty percenter," having finished in the top three in 5 of her 10 career starts. She is at a fitness peak now, fourth-up after a dominant win at Pinjarra where she sat behind the leaders and strolled home. She carries a manageable 55.5kg and draws perfectly to stalk the speed. Gingerquest is the obvious danger with William Pike taking the ride; he’s a last-start winner at Albany and maintains a high rating, though this is a step up in grade.
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Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - Tousled Crown ($3.20)
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Bomb: Brave Contender ($51.00) – Total blowout price for a horse with 9 career wins.
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Tousled Crown | Gingerquest | Fitter for recent runs and loves the 1600m journey. |
Betting Market (105%)
| Runner | Odds |
| Tousled Crown | $2.90 |
| Gingerquest | $4.40 |
| Impressive Jewel | $5.50 |
| Forever Dreaming | $6.00 |
| Others | $10.00+ |
Race 2: Magic Millions Plate (1100m)
Juvenile races are always a bit of a lottery, but They'reallsisters has the trial form that screams "ready to win." Her recent trial at Lark Hill was professional, and securing William Pike for a debut suggests the stable expects a result. Optimus Prime is the main threat, coming off a very comfortable trial win at the same track. Both map to be prominent early.
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Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) - They'reallsisters ($3.10)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| They'reallsisters | Optimus Prime | Trial form is superior; Pike on board is the signal. |
Betting Market (105%)
| Runner | Odds |
| They'reallsisters | $2.80 |
| Optimus Prime | $3.40 |
| Dawn Dancer | $5.50 |
| Boy Crush | $7.00 |
| Others | $12.00+ |
Race 3: Mrs Mac's Handicap (1000m)
Amaroo Star is the class runner here. With 4 wins from 11 starts and a place rate of over 50%, he is a model of consistency. He was very impressive winning first-up at this track and distance, and while he carries more weight here, he drops slightly in grade compared to the Group horses he has trailed. Tycoon Harry won well last start and will be the one they have to catch, but Amaroo Star’s second-up record and Pike’s hands make him the play.
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Recommended Bet: Best Bet (3 Units) - Amaroo Star ($2.35)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Amaroo Star | Tycoon Harry | A winner at the track/dist recently; Pike stays on. |
Betting Market (105%)
| Runner | Odds |
| Amaroo Star | $2.10 |
| Tycoon Harry | $3.00 |
| Sonoftheboss | $5.50 |
| Pin Deep | $9.00 |
| Others | $20.00+ |
Race 4: Glenroy Chaff Plate (1400m)
With Backchatting out, the market has centered on Western Ace, and for good reason. He is 2 for 2 in the placings and was ultra-impressive winning a Westspeed Maiden over this distance last start. He maps to sit on the pace or just behind and looks to have a significant class edge on these. Major Flirt is the saver; he was a winner over 1200m at Ascot last start and will be hitting the line hard, but the 1400m favors the selection.
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Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - Western Ace ($1.75)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Western Ace | Major Flirt | Proven at the distance and the map looks identical to his win. |
Betting Market (105%)
| Runner | Odds |
| Western Ace | $1.65 |
| Major Flirt | $5.50 |
| Reminiscence | $6.50 |
| Beau's A Lad | $9.00 |
| Others | $15.00+ |
Race 5: Happy 80th Sean Twomey Handicap (2200m)
Kisses From Kelly is a distance specialist who finally gets back to her pet trip. With a 55% place rate across 31 starts, she is the reliable veteran of the field. Her second-up run was a flashing second at the track, and she is now primed for the 2200m. Audio Boy is the obvious danger coming from the Adam Durrant yard with Pike riding, but the value lies with the established stayer.
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Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) - Kisses From Kelly ($4.80)
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Bomb: Armino ($51.00) – Has a 2200m win in the locker; better than current form suggests.
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Kisses From Kelly | Audio Boy | Loves the distance and maps for a cozy run. |
Betting Market (105%)
| Runner | Odds |
| Audio Boy | $3.40 |
| Kisses From Kelly | $4.20 |
| Grand Reserve | $5.00 |
| Starwalker | $7.50 |
| Others | $12.00+ |
Race 6: Vale Gerard Patterson Handicap (1400m)
Timeless Gem is 3 wins and 1 place from 6 starts at Ascot—a local specialist. He comes off a fighting win over 1200m and the step up to 1400m is exactly what he wants now. He has a tactical advantage over the main danger, Cashel Palace, who tends to get further back in his races. Timeless Gem should be able to sit in the 1x1 and get the first run.
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Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - Timeless Gem ($2.40)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Timeless Gem | Cashel Palace | Elite track record and superior tactical versatility. |
Betting Market (105%)
| Runner | Odds |
| Timeless Gem | $2.20 |
| Cashel Palace | $4.50 |
| Dug Another Hole | $5.50 |
| Lord Gannicus | $6.50 |
| Others | $15.00+ |
Race 7: Morley Growers Market Handicap (1200m)
All Grunt returns to the races with an incredible record of 6 placings from 7 starts (85%). He has competed at a much higher level, placing in the J.C. Roberts Stakes (Listed) and the Lex Piper Stakes (Listed). Dropping back to a One Metro Win grade is a massive class drop. While he is first-up at 1200m, his class should carry him over the top of Lucky I Am, who is quick but has struggled to finish off in similar company recently.
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Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) - All Grunt ($2.50)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| All Grunt | Lucky I Am | Massive class drop from Listed company; high place rate. |
Betting Market (105%)
| Runner | Odds |
| All Grunt | $2.30 |
| Lucky I Am | $3.40 |
| De Grandhomme | $9.00 |
| Shooting Spirit | $10.00 |
| Others | $15.00+ |
Race 8: Miss Andretti Stakes (1100m)
The feature race is a cracker. Madhi Girl is the "queen of the 1000m," but she showed last start in the Summer Scorcher that she can handle the pressure. She has won 6 of 15 and is at the peak of her powers. Jaz Session was only a nose away last time and is the legitimate threat, but Madhi Girl has the winning habit and Pike in the saddle.
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Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) - Madhi Girl ($3.00)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Madhi Girl | Jaz Session | Hard to bet against the Pike/Miller combination in a feature sprint. |
Betting Market (105%)
| Runner | Odds |
| Madhi Girl | $2.80 |
| Jaz Session | $3.40 |
| Richanco | $5.00 |
| Acromantula | $15.00 |
| Others | $20.00+ |
Race 9: MCA Polytrack Handicap (1400m)
Return Of The Mach is our final "fifty percenter" of the day. She has 4 placings from 7 starts and was an "awesome" winner two starts back. Her last run at Ascot was full of merit, storming home late for third. The 1400m looks ideal now. Rally The Troops is the danger; he is a consistent type coming off a win at Bunbury and will give them something to catch.
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Recommended Bet: Bet (1 Unit) - Return Of The Mach ($2.90)
| Selection | Danger | Comment |
| Return Of The Mach | Rally The Troops | Maps for a late charge; looking for the 1400m trip. |
Betting Market (105%)
| Runner | Odds |
| Return Of The Mach | $2.70 |
| Rally The Troops | $7.00 |
| Bolta | $7.00 |
| Stylish Lord | $7.50 |
| Others | $10.00+ |
Summary of Best Bets
| Confidence Level | Horse | Race | Unit Stake |
| Best Bet | Amaroo Star | R3 | 3 Units |
| High | Tousled Crown | R1 | 2 Units |
| High | Western Ace | R4 | 2 Units |
| High | Timeless Gem | R6 | 2 Units |
| High | All Grunt | R7 | 2 Units |
| Medium | They'reallsisters | 5 Comments | 4 months ago |
Recent Comments
GLAMOUR 11 Jan | Posts: 789
Good to see her get her 1st Ascot Sat winner.
Chris 10 Jan | Posts: 5059
Lucky I Am, Jaz Session and Return of the Mach my best at Ascot
SLIPPERGOLDEN 09 Jan | Posts: 7555
There is a Bomb missing from the first race.......Bomb: Brave Contender ($51.00)