Ascot Selections & Staking Plan: Monday 24th January

Monday racing at Ascot in what is a really solid card after being put back from Saturday due to the extreme heat. Big south-easterly in play could mean its hard to make ground so going to be cautious early to see how the track is playing.

Race 1 – 12:22PM RELIABLE ASSET MAINTENANCE HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

1. Bandalera Beau – 3. Awesome Chatter – 5. Dalhousie – 6. Uni Queen

Bandalera Beau

Feel the conditions early are really going to suit Bandalera Beau who if Taj wishes should be able to roll to the top and dictate. Thought the win fresh when not a lot went right was really strong, will only take improvement out of that run and is a great opportunity for Taj to bring up a metro winner in what looks a fairly simple ride.

1 Unit WIN

Race 2 – 1:02PM HEINEKEN 3 MAIDEN (1400 METRES)

7. Al Tina – 3. Rommel’s Jeuney – 1. Parlare – 10. La Galexia

Race 3 – 1:42PM CROWN PERTH PLATE (1100 METRES)

1. Spin The Knife – 4. Pixie Chix – 6. Via Monte – 2. Guard The Safe

Pixie Chix

Would have preferred 1200m, but still haver to follow Pixie Chix finally drawn a gate off the back of her last run. 8/9, 13/13 at her last two barrier draws and last start, dropped back to the 1000m in a strong 3YO event, just settled too far off them and had nothing to take her into the race, still rattling home late in the fastest L600/400/200 of the race. If we go back 3 starts, she’s been beaten 0.5L by The Front Bar, held a spot 1-1 and was beaten a lip by Beads, who has won since and ran very well last weekend. Drawn 2, Harvey back on for Kyra, he can hold up a spot leaders back on the back of the main danger and if he lacks a little condition late, I have no doubt Pixie will be the one capitalising.

1 Unit WIN

Spin The Knife is 1st up no trial with proper form from last prep. Won a strong 66+ over the 1000m 1st up before dropping back to a 3YO race, carrying the weight and absolutely dropping them. Then went to the 3YO Classic and was run down in the shadows by Liwa, who’s form looks even stronger now than then. Is the best horse in the race, it’s just whether or not he’s fully wound up enough to carry the 60.5 over the 1100 fresh, would be more confident at 1000m. Despite this, maps to land on-speed more than likely leading with the lack of speed here, and be in every sense incredibly hard to get past.

Via Monte the other horse I think can win. Comes from a much weaker formline, but My Baby Blue Jean made it look far better last week with that demolition at Pinjarra. Was unlucky not to have won by 3 or 4 there. Has form around Trix Of The Trade and The Front Bar from last prep and is another who will relish this extra 100m. Maps beautifully to find a trail with cover for Brad, and completes a very competitive  line up of 3 very nice 3YO winning chances.

Race 4 – 2:22PM MAGIC MILLIONS PLATE (1100 METRES)

8. Red Hot Goods – 2. Street Parade – 3. Sheeza Belter – 13. No Peer

Race 5 – 3:02PM TABTOUCH – WESTSPEED PLATINUM HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

1. Speedbird – 5. All In Red – 6. Luke’s Choice – 3. Snippy Miss

Speedbird

Speedbird’s win was really strong last start after putting the writing on the wall the start prior at Pinjarra. Got the better of Off Wego late after that runner gave Pike the perfect cart into it. This looks a slightly different set-up with maybe a few more roadblocks to get around once they turn for home. Rawiller for Pike is no huge difference, still a good rider onboard, it’s just how far back she gets and if anything can take her into the race? The KAGS form looks even better after that runner was a moral beaten last Saturday in an unsuitable race. Flying, just going to need luck from her respective settling position.

1 Unit WIN

Race 6 – 3:35PM BELHUS RACING STABLES HANDICAP (2200 METRES)

3. Black Chips – 1. Come Right Back – 6. Truly Reliable – 11. The Roan Ranger

Race 7 – 4:10PM VALE DR JOE MCDERMOTT HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

5. Miss Frost – 6. Comes A Time – 1. Plutocracy – 8. Nobel Laurence

Miss Frost

Miss Frost runs her best races fresh, and the trial leading into this 1st up assignment I thought was terrific. Ran in behind Indian Pacific in a very slick trial under little riding, looked to travel beautifully ahead of a battling Trix Of The Trade, and we saw what that runner did last weekend. With the speed set-up that is going to unfold in front of her, Azzopardi (on for Pateman I assume with one of his own runners going around here) should be able to get a lovely drop on them with cover, out of trouble and from there, I think she can run a huge race fresh, looks a really nice set-up.

2 Units WIN

Comes A Time

Another really good fresh horse. Think this is a little tougher than what he has previously been facing fresh however, will be tucked away in behind the speed absorbing what looks a seriously fast tempo. The trial was the point of difference, it was terrific. Looks to have come back in super order and if they are struggling to make significant ground, will be the one in box seat tucked away behind a frantic tempo getting the run of the race.

1 Unit WIN

Race 8 – 4:45PM WESTERN RACEPIX HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

4. Miss Vasari – 8. Holy Ghost – 1. Vane Tempest – 6. Divine Pair

Race 9 – 5:20PM HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALLIE BURTON HANDICAP (1800 METRES)

4. Classic Rogue – 9. Golden Bonney – 7. Prized Miss – 8. Our Norman

Classic Rogue

Classic Rogue was a good thing licked last start in that same race as Fairy Fast. Settled down 4 back the fence for Holly, absolutely bolting for a run when badly chopped out on numerous occasions until passing the 100m, would have pissed in with any luck. Drawn in 2 for Nicoll, racing like the 1800m will be of a no problem, it’s just whether or not he can find the breaks for him when he needs them. Potential to be trapped away back on the fence from the gate once again, but happy to have something on.

1 Unit WIN

Race 10 – 5:55PM CELEBRATION OF LIFE DAY TROPHY (1500 METRES)

8. Proconsent – 4. The Spruiker – 6. Lorentinio – 3. Luke’s Gold

Proconsent

Nothing went right for Proconsent in the Easingwold. Kept out 3 deep by the rank outsider He’s A Parker, covered extra ground the entire trip, and still came at The Spruiker late like before the run just took its toll in the last 100m. From the gate, he can be cuddled away in behind Lorentinio (with The Spruiker mapped awkwardly drawn widest) and get the perfect suck run in on the minimum. Looks very hard to beat. Happy to get involved at anything $3.00+, giving respect to The Spruiker.

3 Units WIN @$3.00+ SP

Race 11 – 6:33PM AMELIA PARK HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

7. Burnya To Survive – 10. She’s A Sweet Deel – 4. Reign Of Fire – 6. Kallaroo

Staking Plan

Race 1 Bandalera Beau 1 Unit WIN

Race 3 Pixie Chix 1 Unit WIN

Race 5 Speedbird 1 Unit WIN

Race 7 Miss Frost 2 Units WIN/Comes A Time 1 Unit WIN

Race 9 Classic Rogue 1 Unit WIN

Race 10 Proconsent 3 Units WIN @$3.00+ SP

4 Units Locked in, potential for more, will update accordingly and check back before allotted races.

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