Expected weather: Sunny 30°C
Expected track rating: Good4
Rail position: 12m
Race 1 - 1:21PM GET THE TABTOUCH HANDICAP (1200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
4. BLACKLINE was a beaten favourite last start but only by a length and it was against much stiffer opposition. She also had excuses last start after mis-striding at a crucial stage of the race. The start before that, on debut, was devastating when winning by nine lengths. Hard to beat here.
6. ORANGE STRUDEL will have her 13th run this preparation. She has been up for a long time but draws well and receives the services of William Pike. Back to 1200 is of some concern but she has the ability to run well.
2. NIGHT BEAT won startlingly last start when on debut. He seemingly came from the clouds to beat Victorious Lad which has since come out and won. Shaun O’Donnell sticks with him over Orange Strudel which is a good lead.
7. GRINDING HARD put in a nice performance first up at Bunbury. A cold ride from barrier seven will see the daughter of Sebring hit the line well again.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4-6-2-7
SUGGESTED BET: 7. Grinding Hard – PLACE
Race 2 - 1:57PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1000 METRES) – FULL FIELD
3. DELANEY trialled sharply at Bunbury on Monday 27 March. Troy Turner should get cover in the three-wide line and be able to finish off around them. If she can emulate the run which saw her finish 2.5 lengths off Slik Sam in the spring, she will be hard to beat.
6. KING OF CHAOS comes out of the same trial as Delaney and was just as impressive when finishing off down the outside. He gets the 3kg claim of Fiona Bell and looks to have improvement to show after the good trial.
5. DYNAMITE JACK will be having his first start in the colours made famous by Black Heart Bart. The recent all-the-way trial win was impressive as Troy Turner eased up on him in the last little bit. There is more to come and we will see it here. Shaun Meeres takes the ride.
1. FLOYD was disappointing last start on St Patrick’s Raceday when a beaten favourite behind Snow Lord. Snow Lord has since come out and run very well on a Saturday which may actually strengthen the form lines. He will jump and run but he is still a risk here.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 3-6-5-1
SUGGESTED BET: 1.3.5.6 – QUINELLA
Race 3 - 2:35PM HEINEKEN 3 HANDICAP (1200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
4. REMEMBER BERLIN has opened up short with TABtouch but it is hard to go past his first up effort behind Quilista, which has since gone on to win at Listed level. From barrier two, Aaron Mitchell can decide if he wants to lead or let the speed go. Hard to beat.
6. LE PATRON has surprisingly opened up at juicy each-way odds after a good effort for second last start behind Patrimonio. The speed will be on and she should get the run to suit. Watch her to finish off powerfully.
3. RECOILED draws a good gate for the first time this preparation. He should be able to lead on his ear which is what Jason Brown has tried to do in both runs this preparation. He can also sprint off a sit, so tactics will be interesting but this class of race should be well within his reach.
8. DETANGO is first up with Pike in the saddle. The trial leading into the race was sound and in good time. Barrier nine is of some concern but Pike will show his usual patience in running to give her every possible chance.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 4-6-3-8
SUGGESTED BET: 4. Remember Berlin - WIN
Race 4 - 3:15PM GOOD FRIDAY RACEDAY - 14 APRIL HANDICAP (1400 METRES) – FULL FIELD
7. SECRET DOUBT drops back to Wednesday class after an admirable effort in the $100,000 Marjorie Charleson Classic. She hasn’t had cover this whole preparation and, that may have been by design but, she could show a better turn of speed with cover in running. Let’s hope she gets it from barrier six.
5. GLITTERBELL is the class dropper. Her recent efforts haven’t been much to write home about but she draws gate one and gets every possible chance with the 2kg claim included. It’s now or never for the mare.
1. TONKATUFF ran on strongly last start with 59kg on his back. He carries the same weight and draws just as well. The bubble cheekers come off, Ryan Hill stays on and let’s hope for a bit more luck in running.
3. INVINCIBLE MODE has the ear muffs back on and William Pike rides. Pike could be the key to settling the gelding in the early part of the race.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 7-5-1-3
SUGGESTED BET: 7. Secret Doubt – WIN
Race 5 - 3:55PM NATIONAL APPRENTICES' CHALLENGE (1600 METRES) – FULL FIELD
5. SAXSONIC JACK is at a big price but it could be one of those races that ends in a rough result as a lot of inexperienced apprentices will ride horses they have never been on at a track most of them have never seen. Tayla Stone has the advantage of knowing the Ascot track whereas many of the interstate hoops may struggle to navigate their way around the tight circuit. The gelding should also be fit third up after running a nice race behind Barzinho last start.
2. TOUCH OF SILVER is the best horse in the race but has inexperienced Tasmanian apprentice Shiralee Maher aboard. Her first time around Ascot will be made easier by sitting on the best horse in the race.
3. AWESOME AS was super in the same race as Saxsonic Jack. From barrier one, Northern Territory apprentice Kate Brooks will be able to take the shortest way home.
4. MAXIMUS MAK will be partnered by Queensland apprentice Brooke Ainsworth. The rig will bowl along out in front and should be full of confidence after winning nicely last start.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 5-2-3-4
SUGGESTED BET: 5. Saxsonic Jack – EACH WAY
Race 6 - 4:30PM LAVAZZA HANDICAP (1600 METRES) – FULL FIELD
11. GONZO'S GIRL put in a tough effort last start behind Melting Point. Pike picks up the ride and he will do his usual thing by settling her on the fence and peeling off in the straight to give her every possible chance. Big player here.
6. BIG CABBAGE was brilliant when running on last start to dead-heat for third with Gonzo’s Girl. Troy Turner will have to go back and ride for luck again but, if the speed is genuine enough, he should be able to finish off strong again.
5. ROTH DA TOFF steps out to 1600m for the second time in his career. The two runs this preparation have been ok but trainer Bruce Watkins is just being patient with the gelding while he finds his feet. He will be running on strongly again.
7. CELTIC WIZARD comes into the race off a seven-day break. He always runs on well but never seems to be able to put a field of rivals away. He could well run fourth again.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 11-6-5-7
SUGGESTED BET: 5.6.7.11 – QUINELLA
Race 7 - 5:05PM PERTH RACING CLUB MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP (2200 METRES) – FULL FIELD
12. OUTSPOKEN DUKE opened up rough odds but this horse is bred to get out over a trip. He gets out to 2200m for the first time this preparation and, with a host of gear changes and a new rider, he could find something extra. A good each-way chance.
1. ROSEWOOD HILL was a nice winner two starts ago and was then slightly unlucky last start when second behind the green Skip Tracer. They will have to go back from the draw again but she has proven that she can run on.
2. REGAL ROGUE finally registered her first win in Western Australia last start at Bunbury and that may be a sign of things to come for the consistent daughter of New Approach.
6. BON SIGNORE pulled up with no abnormalities last start behind Tommi Toocan after being favoured in betting markets. Barrier five will allow Steven Parnham to settle closer in running and show his best.
SUGGESTED SELECTIONS: 12-1-2-6
SUGGESTED BET: 12. Outspoken Duke – EACH WAY
HAVING A BET?
BEST BET: Race 4 – 7. Secret Doubt
BEST VALUE: Race 7 – 12. Outspoken Duke
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