FREE: Ascot Selections Saturday 17th December

The Pinnacles wrapped up, but the quality racing doesn’t. 9 races today on the Westspeed Platinum program with the rail at 6m and some strong easterlys forecast throughout the afternoon, track a Good 4.

Race 1 – 12:28PM OWN THE DREAM MAIDEN (1400 METRES)

9. Feels Playful – 2. Salary Man – 11. Double Ginger – 8. Fashion Stakes

No great enthusiasm with the price but pretty keen Feels Playsful can win the opener here on Westspeed day.

This filly trialled up really nicely prior to her effort 1st up at Northam. Was somehow (to the eye looked home) edged out on the post there by Rock My Way after sitting outside leader in transit, with a space back to the remainder of the field. Race has already since produced Rock My Way subsequently winning again last Saturday and Call Me Violet back in 4th a very impressive winner at Pinjarra last Sunday, franking the strength of that form. Most of the key chances in this field will position up in the first four, and with a bit of that speed drawn underneath her, think most likely Holly lobs right on the back of the speed from the gate close enough to the one out, one back position. Marked her a 2.90 favourite, so the current price a little on the thin side, but pretty keen she is winning the first.

Salary Man I think the key danger. Really good debut at Northam, was eyeballed throughout, dropped off horse that sat outside him easily and still reeled off 2nd best L200m split of the race. Liked way he kicked through line again too, 1400m a tick, race experience under the belt, gets first look leading on a fresh inside pad which is never a disadvantage early in the day at Ascot. View TOPSPORT Racing Markets Here! View Our NEW Form Guide Here

Race 2 – 1:08PM TBWA WESTSPEED PLATINUM PLATE (1000 METRES)

4.Leading Taddy – 6. Shell Bell – 7. Miss Rockjoy – 2. Idyllic Ruler

Difficult little race for the 2yos I’ll more than likely be happy to stay out of.

Shell Bell much improved last start under Pike when able to jump and find the rail in front back to the five furlongs. Beaten by a very smart one there in Home James, has the race experience on her side and with similarly aggressive tactics here, should be able to find the fence and lead this for a long way.

Leading Taddy brings huge intrigue, by first season sire Ducimus and have loved both his trials to date. The first of those had no early speed but was under double wraps at the back there for O’Donnell and looked ready to expelled if asked for any sort of effort. In the most recent Knuckey rode, bounced him out much better, took up the running and once clicked him up, nothing else got near him, was a really nice effort. Query here being the map and the anticipated pressure I can see there being in the race, really sticky gate for Knuckey to navigate but think with some luck the breeze or the box-seat is achievable.

Idyllic Ruler for the Taylor’s a really nice recent trial I thought. Not your typical jump and run 1000m 2yo, big, strong striding type who was allowed to coast along in front and looked to be doing it quite easily although grabbed late in the piece by what looks a smart one. Think in time a bit more ground will be his go, but he’s one off his trials I certainly want to be following through the prep. View TOPSPORT Racing Markets Here! View Our NEW Form Guide Here

Race 3 – 1:48PM EPONA CLASSIC (1200 METRES)

1. Vane Tempest – 3. Glasgow Girl – 7. I’m All Miss – 6. Ninetyone Dwyer

Vane Tempest

It could be a difficult watch, but I think $2.25 is value about Vane Tempest, or at least I marked her in the red here and you’ll know what sort of watch it will be I think after the first 200m.

If she steps clean, she should be able to hold up leaders back here but the fly in the ointment is Glasgow Girl, who in recent times has been bombing the start, but began much better and on terms the last time we saw her at the races. Any hesitation and Campbell could find himself 3 back the fence here and that is where I would start to get very squirmy.

Drops back sharply in grade from Listed company and 78+ grade to a 66+ mares only and carries the same weight here as she did in an all sexes 72+ 4 starts ago, great use of Campbell’s claim, great placement. No luck in the Jungle Dawn, was the run of the race in the Jungle Mist and then even before that, unlucky not to have beaten home Hot Zed in a 78+ who has since run 4th in a Winterbottom and 5th in a Gold Rush. Ideal world Campbell holds up in front of Glasgow Girl and gets that run similar to what he had aboard Capital Flight last week, Sockoff wobbles and think that will give him a lovely passage through if he can hold that spot. Clear galloping room, very confident she wins, 3 back the fence much like she was in the Jungle Dawn, going to be heart in mouth stuff.

3 Units WIN View TOPSPORT Racing Markets Here! View Our NEW Form Guide Here

Race 4 – 2:28PM TBWA STALLION TENDER SCHEME TROPHY (1200 METRES)

2. Bitofmerit – 4. Weaponson – 3. Ain’t No Other Man – 1. Corn Cob

Really zero’d in on the two runners here in the 66+ for the boys in Bitofmerit and Weaponson.

Bitofmerit is arguably one of most promising sprinting types in WA steps out to the 1200m here 2nd up off a huge 1st up win. Won very softly there in a strong field and looking at the form around that effort, Hardly Ever backed as if unbeatable and won last week, Moi Choux was huge again and Tadweer even ran 10th there and came out last Saturday and ran a very brave 2nd to progressive sprinter Capital Flight. Only had the one go at the 1200m in his career but had genuine excuses there so you can pen that effort. The draw here isn’t ideal, lands last or near enough to in running but there looks to be enough pressure on paper for a genuine tempo. Anticipate there will be a 3 wide line with main danger Weaponson having 2-3L, maybe even more of an advantage on straightening, it’s a question of whether he can make up that sort of ground late. Am in the camp that he can, thought 2.60 was the right price so the avalanche of money for him in the last 12 hrs leaves him a little on the thin side for me at the moment.

Weaponson the key danger, loved his effort last start in high pressure 1200m run 9L faster than average. Will certainly have tactical field advantage on the favourite from the soft draw with John Allen taking the ride. I like that with each run under Morton he has gotten better, doesn’t win out of turn but he’s clearly thriving and ready to run a huge race. Thought a tick over $4 the right price for him. Marked $4.20. View TOPSPORT Racing Markets Here! View Our NEW Form Guide Here

Race 5 -3:05PM WESTSPEED PLATINUM SIRES STAKES (1200 METRES)

13. Goddess Of Giving – 3. Revitup – 5. Saloon Bar – 12. Penny On The Queen

Speed on speed here, charge of the light brigade early.

Revitup has been very well-backed early despite the draw. Hugely impressive win last time out in a 78+ in a race where they posted a huge figure. Draw the sticking point here, Pike smart enough to know there is speed around him and given her durability she’s shown now, anticipate he just tries to follow a Street Parade across and if she gets a back to follow throughout she’s going to be right there again, $1.95 absolutely bare bones however given the amount of pressure that is engaged here.

Opens up the opportunity to play a couple around her, the first of those being how keen I am to follow up Goddess Of Giving after her 1st up effort.

She was arguably the run of the meeting or very close to fresh in that five furlong crawl behind Street Parade. Only got into the clear after being shuffled back to last on the corner at the 200m, ran home into 2nd in the fastest L600/400 sections of the entire meeting. Certainly looking for more ground and a race with more tempo and she ticks both of those boxes here. Meets Street Parade 2.5kgs worse off at the SWP conditions but just think the way this race shapes suits her much more than it suits him. Liked the fact she’s drawn away from the fence, maps for a midfield run with cover and $7.50 looks a really nice betting proposition.

1.2 Units WIN

Saloon Bar was arguably just as good in that same race and a high-pressure 1200m is similarly right up his alley. Got completely chopped out in the straight but once he balanced up he reeled off a sub 11 sec L200m, the best for the entire meeting.Barrier 1 not ideal given there will be plenty of pressure and numerous horses not able to burn the candle at both ends, likely leaves John Allen with some slow ones falling in his lap late but if he can find gaps when he needs them, he gets a very soft run and will be very dangerous late. Might be an ugly watch but 7.00 is over my price as well.

0.8 Units WIN

Wouldn’t surprise to see really good support Penny On The Queen albeit not your standard 3yo prep. Really good last start in a 60+ behind Via Monte, held up badly and O’Donnell put the cue in the rack early when she looked to have plenty to offer. Drops 2.5kgs at the weights here at SWP, Burgess Queen/Champion Fillies form has well and truly held up. Another who map for a soft run off that anticipated tempo. View TOPSPORT Racing Markets Here! View Our NEW Form Guide Here

Race 6 – 3:40PM STARSTRUCK CLASSIC (1600 METRES)

6. Alsephina – 5. Playing Marika – 1. Treasured Star – 3. Ginger Flyer

Couldn’t get her as short as she is now, but Alsephina looks very hard to beat again here off the 7 days, a formula which has worked for her before.

Huge last week in a very slowly run race when it looked primed to be a horror show, cluttered up between runners locked away on the corner but as the very good horses do, she found a way and got a terrific steer from the Wizard to bullock her way into the clear to get up right on the post. Drops 3.5kgs here, butters up off 7 days and is already a winner at her only attempt off the quick back-up. Maps an absolute treat from the draw, there isn’t anything to suggest she won’t be winning again other than having to step up again here in what is a much deeper race than what she has faced at her last couple.

At the prices, she’s my clear on-topper but am more inclined to suggest Playing Marika each way as the bet in the race given she is considerably over the price I marked her here. The punters rejoice, she butters up off the 7 days after being completely off the track last week behind Alsephina, was 4 wide no cover throughout and yet only beaten 2L on the post and gets 1kg swing in her advantage on the favourite.$9 on offer and the start prior to that she SP’d $6.50 in an RJ Peters, if she can find the back of the hotpot in running here, she certainly gives herself a chance. Very confident she runs top 3.

Race 7 – 4:15PM WESTSPEED PLATINUM CUP (2100 METRES)

7. Queen Alina – 2. Holy Enchantment – 13. Roch Legacy – 14. Soviet Spy

Queen Alina

Really progressive staying mare, love what she’s doing this preparation. Just got shuffled back to a really awkward position when they really bunched approaching the corner last start and couldn’t get into her work when she wanted to, to get up like she did for 2nd I thought was massive given the soft run the winner had compared to her.The key for Chris here I think is to hold up not only midfield but also just to keep her her off the fence, there looks to be enough tempo here to my eye that it isn’t too much of a worry. Gets 5kgs off her main danger, which is a lot any which way you look at it, and that could be telling late if she gets clear air with a soft run in transit. Pretty keen on her chances, she’s just very thin now at $2.20. Get a wobble late out to 2.60+ and I’m happy to play.

3.5 Units WIN @$2.60+ BSP

Holy Enchantment the obvious and key danger. 2200m 66+ winner with 58ks, 1800m 66+ winner with 60kgs, and finds another 66+ here 3rd up at the staying trip with 59.5kgs. Awkward draw to contend with, but he generally runs his best races 3rd up into his campaign and this is definitely the trip he is looking for, a genuine stayer with a turn of foot in the locker. Keeps finding himself in this grade with winnable weight and is going to prove the stiffest opposition to the favourite. Some $6 available, doesn’t look a bad back/chop out sort of play to me.

1 Unit WIN

Race 8 – 4:55PM TED VAN HEEMST STAKES GR 2 (2100 METRES)

3. Marocchino – 10. Steinem – 7. God Has Chosen – 4. Ironclad

Comes through different form out of the Scahill, but how tough is Marocchino?

Lugged 60.5kgs to victory there, outmuscled Neufbosc who went out and franked that form in the Towton Cup last Saturday. Another suited by WFA, drops 1.5kgs at the weights and should waltz to the top here again for Turner against opposition where there are more questions than answers about running a strong 2100m, a box he will and truly ticks. Just maps for such a sweet run on pace again here and while he will have the old boy Trap for company, I still think Turner should be able to dictate, Ironclad and Steinem won’t want to lead, neither will Bad Wolf. He takes up the running and takes a power of beating.

Steinem was really good in the Northerly in her first run in WA. Fractious in the barriers, uncharacteristically slow away, ended up midfield on the fence in running, two pairs back from where would have been ideal. Allen didn’t get any room to build the revs approaching the corner, had to cut back to the inside of runners and loved the way she finished off late. Another soft draw, ran 2nd in a high pressure Matriarch over 2000m two starts prior, distance much unlike most others I don’t see as an issue, if she can stalk Marocchino and Trap For Fools in running I think she’s going to be very hard to beat, she’s just a bit short with the early support at that $2.30-2.40 region.

God Has Chosen is a horse I have always felt he would always come into his own over 2000m, but it hasn’t been the most ideal of preps in the same regard. Reefed hard as a result of the slow tempo in the Northerly, just never settled while O’Donnell got shuffled right back to the fence and lost plenty of ground mid-race. Ended up back last on cornering, thought given the run he had and how the race panned out he finished off super.

I would love to see some positivity here. Try and hold a spot close to the speed or just in behind with him, I really think although no longer with Lindsey, his last two runs have been super and this is the sort of trip (in my opinion) he is looking for now, he just needs to settle himself in the run. Johnston Porter jumps back aboard and gets on with the horse well, drawn a really soft gate. Stranger things have happened, wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he goes very close. Double figures I think is overs.

Race 9 – 5:35PM WESTSPEED PLATINUM MILE (1600 METRES)

1. Pat’s Got Sass – 4. Tri For Us – 3. Trade War – 15. Sweet Tea

Pat’s Got Sass

Going to follow the hot hand here with the flying Harrison camp in the last with big Pat. Dropped back from the mile to the Jungle Dawn last start at Listed grade. Was slow to begin and had to do some work early to tow herself to get over the speed. Battled on strongly late in a strong run 1400m contest. The start prior 2nd up over the mile in this grade, Kesh in the saddle, drew very wide, worked really hard early to get to the breeze outside Castillo De Lago, never an easy position to race from and battled on really nicely once they straightened for 2nd after taking care of the leader very early in the straight. Maps to lead them here quite comfortably here I thought, camp is absolutely flying, back up to the mile, also love the fact that she seems to really run for the apprentices taking some weight off her back, 11 of her last 12 starts have been in higher grade than this, ticks a lot of boxes.

1 Unit EACH WAY

Staking Plan

• Race 3 Vane Tempest 3 Units WIN
• Race 5 Goddess Of Giving 1.2 Units WIN/Saloon Bar 0.8 Units WIN
• Race 7 Queen Alina 3.5 Units WIN @$2.60+ BSP/Holy Enchantment 1 Unit WIN
• Race 9 Pat’s Got Sass 1 Unit EACH WAY

8 Units locked away, potential for 11.5 if we get a wobble back out to 2.60+ Queen Alina in Race 7, wait and see late. View TOPSPORT Racing Markets Here! View Our NEW Form Guide Here