Expected weather: Mostly sunny 32°C
Expected track rating: GOOD4
Rail position: 6 metres
Race 1 - 1:19PM MPA SKILLS PLATE (1000 METRES) – FULL FIELD
4. COGNAC is a colt by Henny Hughes which is having his first start. His dam is Scottich Storm and she won the 2004 Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic on debut. The recent trial was sound and in good time behind Wacked Out despite being ridden right out to the line. The blinkers were on in the trial and stay on for raceday.
2. ARRUM BOY bumped into the very smart Debellatio last start when on debut. He stuck on well to be only beaten by 2.5 lengths and should have improved since then.
7. KISS BANG LOVE has a couple of handy additions. The first of those are blinkers and the second is William Pike. The Demerit filly finished off well last start in the same race as Arrum Boy. She has drawn better and, with any luck, should go close to winning.
3. GALVESTON BAY got the dream run through last start but couldn’t run down Time And Truth. The blinkers come off and he should have improved with the race experience.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4-2-7-3
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Cognac – EACH WAY
Race 2 - 2:04PM CBUS SUPER HANDICAP (1100 METRES) – FULL FIELD
6. SPEEDING COMET only has to carry 53kg with apprentice Sarah Bonner's claim. From barrier four, expect the gelding to sit on top of the speed and be the one to run down. His only other win was also over 1100m and it seems to be his favoured distance.
1. MORE ACES was a good last start winner when leading all of the way. He is starting to build an imposing record and is the likely leader from the good inside draw.
9. MANTIME has shown good ability in his four-start career despite still being a maiden. Barrier 10 is the query but, like last start, the son of Denman should be finishing off strongly.
11. NEXT GENERATION ran moderately last start behind More Aces. The run before that was good in the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy when only beaten three lengths by Enchanted Dream. From the inside draw, Chris Parnham can follow the rail and sneak into a place.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 6-1-9-11
SUGGESTED BET: 6. Speeding Comet – EACH WAY & 8. Mantime – EACH WAY
Race 3 - 2:45PM MINUTOLO DRAFTING SERVICES HANDICAP (1200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
1. REGAL GLEAM is one of the likely leaders but does have to jump from barrier 12. She can slide across from the wide draw as there doesn’t look to be much speed underneath her. The Simon Miller-trained mare will give a good kick in the straight and could be aided by the way conditions may play.
8. PRESENTATIE should slot into the first half of the field from barrier five and will be the one trying to chase down Regal Gleam and the rest of the leaders. 1200m is her pet distance and this race looks winnable.
13. JESTAJINGLE is a very fast mare with plenty of ability. She comes into the race fresh and off the back of a fast 1000m trial at Belmont where she ran 60.09. She may have to go back from the draw but she'll be finishing off hard. And if they do decide to ride her more forward, she'll be there for a long way.
11. DOLLY EM has surprised with running two good races since winning a weak maiden. She has drawn the widest but may scoot across from the draw with Regal Gleam which should give her every possible chance. 52.5kg on her back is the key positive.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 1-8-13-11
SUGGESTED BET: 1. Regal Gleam – EACH WAY
Race 4 - 3:20PM EBM- INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT HANDICAP (1000 METRES) – FULL FIELD
11. THREE VOTES will jump from barrier two which is a big advantage for the well-bred runner. He has been freshened up since his impressive five-length win on Saturday 14 January at Ascot. Jarrad Noske stays on and, despite the sharp rise in class, he looks hard to beat with the minimum weight on his back.
6. SEEKER has won his last three in very good fashion. His most recent defeat was behind Three Votes but he looks to have furnished into a seasoned and professional galloper since then. He only has to carry 51.5kg, with the claim of Kate Witten, which may prove to be a big advantage.
7. CONSEATED led all of the way last start in much inferior grade. The rise in class is of some concern and this race will be her biggest test yet but she will lead from barrier 10 and will be the one to run down on a day which could suit on-pace runners.
1. SMOKO ran two good races last preparation in black type company. He has to carry 60kg from the widest barrier which is not ideal so he will have to do a mountain of work in the run but, if William Pike can get an easy time of it out in front, he could hold on to a place.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 11-6-7-1
SUGGESTED BET: 11. Three Votes – WIN
Race 5 - 3:55PM MASTER PLUMBERS AND GASFITTERS ASSOCIATION TRPY (1400 METRES) – FULL FIELD
7. MAJINIKA meets Corporate Larrikin 1kg better at the weights for a half-length defeat last start. He maps to get the perfect trail from barrier five and should be within striking distance to run down the natural leader.
1. CORPORATE LARRIKIN is coming off an excellent last start win. He will do his thing and roll along out in front despite having to carry 2kg more. The one to catch.
5. SO WHO'S HARRY trialled well recently after being disappointing first up at Pinjarra. Forgive that run as it wasn’t a day to be leading. It may well be the day to lead at Ascot which will suit this gelding.
4. INFATHUATED is on the seven-day backup and drops back to 1400m after a disappointing showing one week ago. He has drawn inside again and the blinkers go back on. He will get the sweet cart up into the race and should be thereabouts.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 7-1-5-4
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Infathuated – EACH WAY
Race 6 - 4:30PM REHAU UNLIMITED POLYMER SOLUTIONS HANDICAP (1600 METRES) – FULL FIELD
8. VEUVE DE VEGA takes on the older horses here but comes off a very good second behind the in-form Precious Memories. He beat Gangbuster on that occasion which has since come out and won in Listed grade against three-year-olds which would have no worries in beating this field. From barrier two, the son of Lope De Vega can lead all of the way.
4. POLITICS is on the seven-day backup after running a flashing second behind Forseen over 1400m. Out to 1600m and third up suits for the in-form Albuino stable.
12. CAPTAIN BONEHEAD has run second at four of his last five starts. Albeit in weaker grade, he has been consistent and draws ideally in barrier one. He can follow the leaders and run a cheeky race from the good draw.
6. CULVERIN ran well first up over 1400m and looked as though there was improvement to come. She may not win but she will win races this preparation and run well here.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 8-4-12-6
SUGGESTED BET: 8. Veuve De Vega – WIN & 12. Captain Bonehead – EACH WAY
Race 7 - 5:05PM WORLD PLUMBING DAY-J.C. ROBERTS STAKES (1800 METRES) – FULL FIELD
1. GANGBUSTER is a brilliant son of Blackfriars which is racing in great form. His win last start, in the Lex Piper Stakes, was very good on a day where it was hard to run on but he did it with ease. He will be close enough again from the good draw looks very hard to beat.
6. WESTERN TEMPLE has drawn barrier one again will really enjoy stepping out over 1800m for the first time in his career. He is by the same sire as recent Schweppes-Ascot 1000 Guineas winner Awaken, Dream Ahead, and is out of a great staying female family. Watch for another good run.
5. FINAL SALUTE is William Pike's elected mount. The run on effort behind Gangbuster and Western Temple was eye-catching but he still has to make up some ground on the aforementioned two. He looks to have upside moving towards the Schweppes-WATC Derby.
8. FRIARESQUE’s last start was excellent in open age class one company. The run before that in even tougher Saturday graduation grade was good also. He looks to be a strong stayer which will run out the 1800m trip comfortably. Have to include in multiples and exotics.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 1-6-5-8
SUGGESTED BET: 6. Western Temple – EACH WAY & 8. Friaresque – EACH WAY
Race 8 - 5:40PM GALVINS PLUMBING SUPPLIES HANDICAP (1800 METRES) – FULL FIELD
2. POINT finally gets out to 1800m for the first time since coming to Western Australia. His last run in Queensland was over 1800m and he won that race quite comfortably. Along with his consistency this preparation, out to 1800m is a key consideration as he is by ill-fated middle distance stallion High Chaparral and out of a Zabeel mare. He looks hard to beat from the good draw.
3. ELEVEN SECONDS drops back to 1800m which suits after running two admirable placings over 2200m. His remarkable win three starts ago was over 1800m and he can lead all of the way here just like he did on that occasion.
1. SHALO’s only go at 1800m was a successful one. In fact, that was last time he won which was in February 2015. Aaron Mitchell will roll across from barrier 12 and try to go with Eleven Seconds. He is fourth up and fit enough to run well.
4. BLACKWOOD runs well second up as a rule. Despite reading 11th of 16 last start, it actually wasn’t a bad effort over 1300m. Lee Newman can sit just camped off the speed and ask the mare to finish off after a soft run.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 2-3-1-4
SUGGESTED BET: 1. Shalo – PLACE & 2. Point – WIN
HAVING A BET?
BEST BET: Race 8 – 2. Point
BEST VALUE: Race 1 – 4. Cognac
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