Race 1 - 12:29PM AMELIA PARK BEEF HANDICAP (1100 METRES)
THE WINNER
DISCO METAL surprised all by, firstly being backed and then, winning impressively from last under William Pike. The last 600m sectional suggests she may be able to take that next step to ratings races.
THE GOOD
The tactical change to go forward on UNIVERSAL MOON worked a treat as she gave plenty of cheek when booting away in the straight. A nice second at big odds. RED PADDY was unlucky and should have finished a lot closer but was a run full of merit.
THE BAD
ON TREND was caught three-wide and should have finished a lot closer. Watch for him next start.
FASTEST LAST 600M
DISCO METAL – 34.34
Race 2 - 1:04PM GET THE TABTOUCH PLATE (1100 METRES)
THE WINNER
HOBOKEN broke his maiden unexpectedly in this very good three-year-old race. He sat outside of the leader in the run and kicked away to hold off Dainty Tess.
THE GOOD
DAINTY TESS and GATTING were three and four-wide the trip respectively and both ran amazingly well to finish in the placings.
THE BAD
LEITFADEN pulled up mildly lame in the off fore which suggests that she could be forgiven for the poor run.
FASTEST LAST 600M
SPANGLED IMPACT – 35:01
Race 3 - 1:44PM PENFOLDS HANDICAP (2100 METRES)
THE WINNER
MOSSERATTI was given a lovely ride by one of the world’s best jockeys in Damien Oliver. He had plenty to offer in the end and trainer Cliff Green is of the opinion that he is still a preparation away from being a very good stayer.
THE GOOD
OUR MATE AL finished off the race strongly once again for second while FATHOMS OF GOLD stuck on well for third after sitting on top of a hot speed.
THE BAD
The well fancied MAGIC ROCKET looked to get going mid-race but couldn’t finish off after the one-week back-up. He did pull up lame in the near fore so forgive that run.
FASTEST LAST 600M
OUR MATE AL – 35.52
Race 4 - 2:24PM TABTOUCH-SIR ERNEST LEE-STEERE CLASSIC (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
LUSAHA was lucky to get the run in the straight under hard riding from Hugh Bowman. Bowman lobbed the gelding behind the leader and then barged The Celt out of the way to get the run and finish off strongly.
THE GOOD
CAIPIRINHA was a beaten favourite but she does not know how to run a bad race. She will be a top class sprinter next preparation.
THE BAD
CHIN STRAP was found in betting markets at good each-way odds but got back on the inside and then followed a few slow ones in the run. There’s an easier maiden for him around the corner.
FASTEST LAST 600M
STORED ENERGY – 35.05
Race 5 - 3:00PM CROWN TOWERS HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
DELICATE MISS led and held off fast-finishing three-year-old The River to record another city win for apprentice Kate Fitzgerald. Beating Douglas Whyte in a photo finish is no mean feat!
THE GOOD
THE RIVER is enjoying racing with no weight on his back against the older horses. Hopefully he can get a win soon for his confidence levels and go on with it as a three-year-old.
THE BAD
KENNOCHA looks to have had enough as a racemare and may be headed towards a career as a mum for next season.
FASTEST LAST 600M
VOLKOFF – 33.90
Race 6 - 3:35PM JAMES BOAG'S PREMIUM HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
ANTIQUE DREAM was not the cerise and white runner we expected to be winning this race. GLENN SMITH gave the mare a positive ride from the good draw and she showed her best to hold off the game Settlers Creek.
THE GOOD
SETTLERS CREEK was wide for most of the trip but still kept finding the line for second. With any luck moving forward, he should be winning races.
THE BAD
DENDEE was desperately unlucky in the straight after enjoying a great run on the rail. Bowman just couldn’t pick his way through the wall of horses.
FASTEST LAST 600M
STEP RIGHT UP – 34.18
Race 7 - 4:15PM ASCEND SALES TROPHIES-JUNGLE DAWN CLASSIC (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
Although racing somewhat intractably, SILVERSTREAM was another second stringer for Bob and Sandra Peters which got the prize. This time under Damien Oliver with thanks to a ground-saving ride.
THE GOOD
KRAKKA VISION came from last to run an eye-catching third, proving that she is a serious metropolitan mare.
THE BAD
Despite the poor draw of barrier 13, COSMIC STORM was expected to win easily. Unfortunately though, she was forced to sprint from the 1000m mark to sit outside of the leader and, considering her tough run, she ran quite well to finish fifth.
FASTEST LAST 600M
SILVERSTREAM – 34.50
Race 8 - 5:00PM PETERS INVESTMENTS-KINGSTON TOWN CLASSIC (1800 METRES)
THE WINNER
STRATUM STAR box-seated under Damian Lane and set chase after Scales Of Justice in the straight. The entire relaxed incredibly well and had just enough to get past Douglas Whyte and Scales Of Justice.
THE GOOD
There were plenty of good runs to come out of the race. SCALES OF JUSTICE worked double time to get outside of Mackintosh in the lead and still gave a great kick in the straight. PERFECT REFLECTION ran on gamely again for another Group One placing. KAWI had to get going at around the 600m mark and still ran credibly for fourth. NEVERLAND, DUBAI ESCAPADE and TICK TICK BLOOM hit the line very nicely and all look on track for the Perth Cup.
THE BAD
Douglas Whyte was charged post-race for his ride on SCALES OF JUSTICE and pleaded not guilty to failing to ride his mount out to the end of the race (AR.137(b)). The case is ongoing. TRADESMAN was valiant in beating home half of the field after a torrid run sitting three-wide for the entire race.
FASTEST LAST 600M
TICK TICK BLOOM – 35.39
Race 9 - 5:40PM PRESETS PERFORMING PERTH CUP - 31 DEC HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
After running second in the Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic on the same day last year, YOSHI NOXIOUS scraped the paint of the rail to get a long-awaited win for Brian Kersley. Brad Parnham got the dream run behind the leader (Hedlander Boy) and kicked the four-year-old away to score.
THE GOOD
INDI PACIFIC came from near last to record a fast finishing fourth. POINT hit the line well and should be winning race when he gets out in trip.
THE BAD
PINZU was caught wide for the majority of the 1400m after being heavily backed before the race. He never featured in the finish.
FASTEST LAST 600M
INDI PACIFIC – 34.88
PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY
Despite not placing in the Peters Investments-Kingston Town Classic, TRADESMAN showed serious ability and grit to track wide the whole way around Ascot Racecourse and still beat more than half of the field home. He has stamped himself as a serious galloper.
RIDE OF THE DAY
How did SILVERSTREAM get four back on the fence from barrier 12 you ask? The simple answer is Damien Oliver. He dragged the mare back to the inside and saved all of the ground in the run to score an impressive win and turn around her form.
#AscotGoodTimes
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