KEEPER’S TALE was given a peach of a ride by Brad Parnham. He settled one out and one back on the filly by Scandal Keeper and, from there, she looked hard to beat.
SHE BANGS THE DRUM was excellent to the line after being forced to punch the breeze outside of the leader. There’s a win around the corner for her.
DESERT ORE dropped out to run a conspicuous last, beaten over 17 lengths. Back to provincial races for him.
Race 2 - 1:52PM HEINEKEN 3 HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
ROYAL STAR was far too good after opening at seemingly deluxe odds of $1.45 on TABtouch. She was heavily backed on course into $1.12 and was never in doubt in running. A bright future awaits.
THE GOOD
PATAPUS ran another honest race after having won her two previous starts. She’ll go through the grades and may reach Saturday class down the track.
THE BAD
AVON TRADER cast a shoe in running and could be an excuse for the poor run.
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Race 3 - 2:32PM AUSTRALIA DAY BBQ - 28 JAN HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
AMALIEMOO was forced to roll forward from the wide barrier but showed grit to sit outside of the leader and hold off all comers.
THE GOOD
COMPASS POINT stuck on well for second after setting the pace on the inside of the favourite and eventual winner.
THE BAD
The majority of runners ran to expectation.
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Race 4 - 3:10PM COUNTRY INTERSTATE & INTERNATIONAL MEMBERSHIP HC (2200 METRES)
THE WINNER
PAGAN DANCER looked to be in trouble on turning but it was William Pike who knew exactly what he had under him. The son of Blackfriars looked to be chasing from a long way out but Pike waited until the turn to unleash the gelding. A nice winner.
THE GOOD
STRIKES TWICE and GREATER IMPACT set the speed in front and both stuck on well for second and third respectively.
THE BAD
PROCLAMATION was well found in early betting market, and was one of our Three to Watch, but he failed to fire a shot and did not feature in the stewards’ report.
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Race 5 - 3:45PM SUMMER RACING - $5 EARLYBIRD TICKETS HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
STAR GLITTER’s effort to break a 1166-day drought was enormous. He was given a lovely ride by Brad Parnham and worked into the race nicely before getting past Du Plessis in the straight.
THE GOOD
DU PLESSIS ran another brave second after setting the pace, her third second in a row. HASHTAG settled back in the field and was asked to do too much in the end but found the line strongly in third.
THE BAD
GOOD MORNING was somewhat unlucky after copping some minor interference early in the race but that should be forgiven for next start.
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Race 6 - 4:20PM CHINESE NEW YEAR RACEDAY - 4 FEB HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
PATRIMONIO was back to his brilliant best and extended his excellent first up record to three wins from four attempts. A cold ride from Patrick Carbery allowed the son of Heritage to settle and find the line strongly.
THE GOOD
PRIME WITNESS looks to have grown a leg at her two most recent starts. It is great to see her showing such fast acceleration at the end of races.
THE BAD
RADIANT GIRL was bustled out of the barrier to take up a forward position behind the leaders, which may have got her slightly fired up, but, when popped the question in the straight, the mare failed to finish off.
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Race 7 - 5:00PM CLUB MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
ZEFIRO sat three-wide with cover before being unleashed in the straight under Jason Whiting. Everybody saw the luckless run at Pinjarra but that was long forgotten by connections who were rapt to see the son of Von Costa De Hero salute.
THE GOOD
After winning a maiden at his previous start, three-year-old BROTHER’S KEEPER showed great ability to run second with 57.5kg on his back. The ride from Jarrad Noske was sensational. One to watch for next start.
THE BAD
CELTIC WIZARD took a seemingly nasty fall but horse and rider (Daniel Staeck) were both safe and sound in the post-mortem.
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Race 8 - 5:40PM YOUNG MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
THE WINNER
THUNDER BOOM capped off a wonderful day for Pike who ended up riding four winners for the day. Pike jumped the three-year-old filly out and sat her outside of the leader Foxella before waving them goodbye on straightening. A talented filly moving forward.
THE GOOD
FREMOND popped up to run a nice second. He is an impossible horse to catch.
THE BAD
After leading, FOXELLA hung out badly around the turn and almost hampered the favourite on straightening. It could have been nasty but luckily, for favourite punters, it wasn’t.
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PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY
ROYAL STAR stamped herself as a serious filly on the rise. She is a full sister to recent Perth Cup winner Star Exhibit and has plenty of upcoming races at her mercy.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Very rarely does a beaten jockey receive the ride of the day but Jarrad Noske’s effort on BROTHER’S KEEPER was outstanding. From the widest barrier, Noske jumped the gelding out and rode positively. He ended up lobbing fourth in the running line, with cover, and was only beaten a half-length by the fast-finishing Zefiro.
#AscotGoodTimes
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