Race 1 - 1:07PM AMELIA PARK HANDICAP (2150 METRES)
THE WINNER
OUTLAW PETE stayed out of trouble and covered his rivals quite comfortably in the home straight. Stepping up in trip was no issue which adds another string to his bow.
THE GOOD
TOPPA DAWOZZA was game again after running another placing at handy odds. Gary Crispin has got him going very well but he just doesn’t win out of turn.
THE BAD
PRESELECTION was well found in betting but got caught behind the tiring KIROV BOY. She ran a fast-finishing third but the bird had well and truly flown.
FASTEST LAST 600M
OUTLAW PETE – 35.51
Race 2 - 1:47PM CHINESE NEW YEAR RACEDAY-4 FEB MAIDEN (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
Willie White got FOXY LAD into the plum spot, in the race, behind the leaders. He found the front with about 125m to go and held off the late challenge from OUR MAORI BOY. It was a maiden metro success for trainer Andrew De Campo.
THE GOOD
There were many good runs in the race but, apart from STRATOSPHILLY and a couple of others, it is hard to see many other winners coming out this moderate affair.
THE BAD
DONT LET THOMMO GO was crunched late in betting, from $4.40 to $3.20, but didn’t fire a solitary shot and finished third last.
FASTEST LAST 600M
OUR MAORI BOY – 35.78
Race 3 - 2:28PM MORLEY GROWERS PLATE (1100 METRES)
THE WINNER
For her size, DAINTY TESS has to be the toughest filly going around at the moment. She pinged the gates and held the lead from the well-fancied CAROCAPO and speed demon ATACAMA SKY. The daughter of War Chant managed to hold off the fast-finishing BELTER with the top weight of 58.5kg on her back. An enormous performance.
THE GOOD
BELTER finished off best in the race and just missed DAINTY TESS narrowly. There’s a nice race in him.
THE BAD
There were a few disappointing runs in the race. CAROCAPO finished last and tailed off after sitting outside of DAINTY TESS. The only excuse could have been that he over raced in the run? CHIN STRAP dropped out quickly and looks to have a few quirks that need ironing out. And DEADLY SHOT was found in betting but did not let down at all after enjoying a cosy run in the race.
FASTEST LAST 600M
BELTER – 34.33
Race 4 - 3:08PM DARRYL O'MALLEY 60TH BIRTHDAY HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
THE WINNER
PINZU was outstanding under Clint Johnston-Porter. The ride is what won him the race. A lot of jockeys, with barrier two, may have been content with settling on the rail but Johnston-Porter made sure he jumped away with ABBASSO on his inside and stayed in the running line one off the fence. He peeled out in the top of the straight and was never in doubt.
THE GOOD
SASSO’S CIRCUS and GRANLARADO both finished off well.
THE BAD
OUR FINEST MOMENT was right in betting but pulled up lame in the near fore. Not a good result for his backers.
FASTEST LAST 600M
PINZU – 34.32
Race 5 - 3:43PM AUSTRALIA DAY BBQ-28 JAN HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
THREE VOTES was the win of the day by a long way. He jumped as though shot out of a gun and took his wide barrier of nine out of the equation. The son of Fastnet Rock was in front after 100m and then went further and further in front on straightening, winning by over five lengths.
THE GOOD
The three-year-old SLIK SAM was excellent for second. SECRET ASSAULT was also game for third after having to steady off heels at around the 900m mark.
THE BAD
TOMMY WHO box seated in the run and then drifted back in the field quite sharply to finish second last, beaten 11 lengths.
FASTEST LAST 600M
33.89 - SEEKER
Race 6 - 4:20PM SUMMER LOVING-$5 EARLYBIRD TICKETS HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
It was great to see LIBERTY RISE get a much deserved win for Colin Webster. Troy Turner got the mare into a lovely spot, midfield on the fence, before producing the five-year-old to set out after INDI PACIFIC.
THE GOOD
INDI PACIFIC was outstanding in running second, again. Considering she jumped from the widest barrier, it was a great effort and she deserves a win.
THE BAD
After being scratched before the race the previous week at Pinjarra, SOMEDAY ONE DAY technically came into this race first up, which may not have been ideal, but nevertheless he was still very plain.
FASTEST LAST 600M
INDI PACIFIC – 34.84
Race 7 - 4:55PM MISS ANDRETTI STAKES (1100 METRES)
THE WINNER
Brilliant mare VOLKOFF broke through for a much deserved win at black type level. She had the run to suit with a solid tempo up front and, when asked to chase by Jason Whiting, she lengthened beautifully to run down a good field of sprinters. A marvellous performance by trainer Gary Crispin.
THE GOOD
DURENDAL was enormous to run second once again with top weight. The former easterner got dragged back to last on turning but still let down very well and was the unlucky runner in the race. The Scenic Blast Stakes has his name written all over it!
THE BAD
$500,000 earner REBEL KING was disappointing considering his wonderful record. Let’s hope that he just needed the run and that this is not the end for him.
FASTEST LAST 600M
VOLKOFF – 34.29
Race 8 - 5:30PM JAMES BOAG'S PREMIUM HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
BOMBS AWAY showed a devastating late turn of speed to win the last race of the day. After settling three-wide with cover at the back of the field, apprentice Randy Tan drove the son of War Chant to the front in dazzling fashion.
THE GOOD
Simon Miller has RED PADDY flying this preparation. He ran another slashing race for second and looks to have a few more wins in him this preparation.
THE BAD
Punters went home empty handed after a poor performance from favourite DEZZIES DREAM. She went out as $2.70 punters elect but failed to finish in the first half of the field.
FASTEST LAST 600M
UPTOWN FUNK – 34.59
PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY
THREE VOTES was devastating when winning race five. Don’t be surprised to see him go through the grades quickly.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Clint Johnston-Porter, on Pinzu, got the son of Pins in the running line from barrier two and peeled him out at the perfect moment on straightening. The young apprentice is back riding plenty of winners and is one to watch out for in the coming weeks.
#AscotGoodTimes
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