Ascot Tip Sheet & Staking Plan – Kingston Town Classic Day 5th December

Tunk comes from a relatively unknown stable, really liked the most recent trial of his. 2nd fastest trial of the morning over the 950m,  was 2.5L off the eventual winner Wuhan Warrior but was given a seriously easy time of it and pulled away from the rest of the chasing pack late essentially under a hold. Had plenty left to give, really nice trial.

Astrape ran a nice 1st up 2nd in the Crystal Slipper, got on the back of the leader Flying Missile, got past him very late. Gets Pike on for McGruddy, looked like he’d appreciate 1200 rather than back to the 1000m? Given the manner which he hit the line. May not get as cushy a run but should improve.

Flying Missile gets the stable’s best jockey so clearly the most preferred here of the Neville Parnham gallopers. Should take it up out in front again and 1000m looks likely to suit him down to the ground and will have improved out of the debut run. Hard to beat from the draw.

Pixie Chix I really liked the way she responded in her most recent trial under riding, really extended nicely. Gets a lovely run from the draw, wouldn’t surprise.

Ultimate Command has also trialled very well in some slick time.

Lonsdale Lady

What a massive run 1st up in the the Jungle Mist. Was advised before the race she would be ridden upside down and taken back from the wide gate, where she was slow away and disconnected from them last, got going 600m from home when pulling out 4 wide around them and still reeled of the fastest L400/200m splits of the entire meeting. Was never suited but put the writing on the wall she has come back a very promising prospect. Maps to get a beautiful run from a much more favourable draw in the box seat here up to a much more suitable 1400m. A big price, and in my opinion is going to be very hard to beat.

1 Unit EACH WAY

Serenity Bay was another huge 1st up run in the Carbine Club. They weren’t really running on from where she settled on the day but almost pinched it on the post from Neufbosc when getting a lovely trail up to them in that 3 wide moving line. 8 looks arguably more tricky than out wide, given there are faster tactical horses drawn underneath her. Will also be spotting some very good ones lengths on straightening and have to run past them, but still think she is a huge danger here and is going to run a big race with any luck from the gate.

Tycoon Storm was a tad unlucky 1st up over an unsuitable distance in the Jungle Mist, held up for a run at them until passing the 150m when given a great run in transit on the back of the leader till that point, got clear and hit the line well for 3rd. Maps to get an almost identical run here up to her pet trip of 1400m with a 100% strike rate 2nd up. Hard to beat.

Chantrea is a horse that is all class. 6/6 is no mean feat but this is by far her toughest assignment and think she loses the picket fence here 1st up. The map is really sticky from 9 in a field of very talented fillies and mares, and 1st up last prep was only able to get over a field late of what I would call donkeys by a length. The trial was good, but just not a betting proposition here for me, wants further to get to her best trip.

Western Empire

Looks a moral here for mine. Unleashed some huge sectionals in the WA Guineas at only his 3rd start, running the race fastest L600/400/200 in a race dominated by those on the pace. Was an absolute moral beaten in the Fairetha over this trip when 4 deep the entirety without cover and still kept coming at them to be pipped at the line. Should position up in that 3 wide moving line here where Pike can just peel off heels and give him every chance down the middle. From the gate he doesn’t have to be too far off them. Will take a big performance for anything else to hold him out.

5 Units WIN

Chantorque is a horse going from strength to strength for Rusty Stewart at the moment. 3 wins on the bounce and did it as easy as you like last start in the Placid Ark when pulling away from them late after taking the tuck in behind the leader. The rise to 1400m here is probably at the end of her range, but she’s racing like she will get it, but there were some such as Mystical View, who starts $16.00 here taking ground off her late last time round over the 1200m. Will enjoy another plumb run dropping in behind the speed here and be offered the chance to run past them, but does she get 1400m is the question against some other very likeable 3yo types?

Snickerdoodledandy is a very good horse, just don’t like the map and think Western Empire who is arguably more talented is going to get a much better run.

Smashing the blow out chance, was massive in the Guineas from the gate and unlucky the start prior at CL3 level over this trip, can run a race.