Race 1 - 12:10PM RENTOKIL INITIAL HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
A painless way for punters to begin Schweppes WATC Derby Day with Snow Lord getting the cash comfortably. On the seven-day back-up, William Pike got the son of Universal Ruler into a plum spot, fourth in the running line, behind Tenterden before rocketing away for a 1¾ length win in the straight.
THE GOOD
Tenterden sat second outside of Aerozine, in the lead, and stuck on well to hold second. The gelding paid $2.60 for a place in the pay 1-2 event.
THE BAD
Just A Fluke was caught wide for the majority of the event. Don’t drop off next start.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Snow Lord – 34.20
Race 2 - 12:50PM RACING MINISTER PAUL PAPALIA TROPHY (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
Smart Rogano filly Resistance held the strongest form lines in the race after running a sound fifth in the Group Three Gimcrack Stakes. Ben Paterson bounced the filly out of the gate to sit outside the leader and was far too superior in the finish. She has a bright future.
THE GOOD
Debutants Danes Maree, Dynamite Dream and Sunboss all have wins to looks forward to. Sunboss is potentially a black type galloper in the making.
THE BAD
Of the raced brigade, Demons ‘N’ Dust was caught wide and Royal Strata just failed to finish off.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Sunboss – 33.78
Race 3 - 1:30PM TABTOUCH MAIDEN (1500 METRES)
THE WINNER
Given a Pike-like ride from apprentice Clint Johnston-Porter, Black Chips got the run of the race after settling in the second half of the field, on the fence, and weaved his way through field in the straight to chase down Duck Feet and Orbit The Sun.
THE GOOD
Duck Feet and Orbit The Sun, for trainer Brett Pope, were both very good for second and third. Break The Chain ran fifth and looks a typical Blackfriars. He will be hard to beat next start over 1600m in maiden class.
THE BAD
Keeper’s Son simply went far too keenly in the run under Shaun McGruddy. Forgive him for next start.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Break The Chain – 35.64
Race 4 - 2:10PM SHEILA GWYNNE CLASSIC (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
Dendee made it two wins from two starts this preparation when capturing her maiden black type success. The daughter of Denman was just as impressive as her first up performance in the $100,000 Marjorie Charleson Classic.
THE GOOD
Let It Slip was game again for second and will pick up a win this preparation. Fancy Fox backed up her good third in the Charleson with another excellent third.
THE BAD
Jestajingle was fired up in the pre-race and raced fiercely in the lead. She faded quickly.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Another Vision – 34.54
Race 5 - 2:50PM RED SHOE SOCIETY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
Candlelight Star was one of our “Under the Radar” runners which saluted at nice odds of $11. On his record, he looks to be a horse which races well fresh but credit has to go to jockey Jerry Noske who knows him so well and gave him the perfect run.
THE GOOD
Gigante was game as anything, once again. Despite looking like fading in the latter stages of the race, the Jim Taylor-trained gelding managed to kick back to hold second.
THE BAD
Potent Secret led after a little freshen up but lacked match fitness and finished last.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Miki Two Toes – 33.95
Race 6 - 3:35PM REAL ICED TEA CO HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
THE WINNER
Three weeks between runs and out to 1600m did the trick for Pushin’ Shapes. The son of Viscount let down with an impressive turn of speed to beat some very handy rivals. Pushin’ Shapes was another runner which went “Under the Radar” at juicy each-way odds.
THE GOOD
Infathuated was brave again for second with 60.5kg on his back. Terror Force backed up up his good last start win with a nice run-on fourth.
THE BAD
Ripper Rio wasn’t a bad performance for third but he should not have started at even-money. There were enough negatives to suggest that others held greater claims in the race.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Pushin’ Shapes – 34.29
Race 7 - 4:15PM RACONTEUR STAKES (1500 METRES)
THE WINNER
The reigning WA Guineas winner Variation was ridden perfectly by Brad Parnham. Parnham decided to roll forward from barrier eight and, when key rival Quilista failed to settle in the lead, he slotted in right behind her and received the run of the race. He was not for catching in the straight.
THE GOOD
Quilista over-raced and looked gone before the straight but she fought back tenaciously to run third and be beaten only 1½ lengths. Western Temple followed the rail and got through for a nice second after a one-month let up.
THE BAD
Gangbuster didn’t have the sprint to back-up after the Melvista a fortnight ago. Despite having to be popped the question before the turn, Parading was disappointing again. Maybe he just doesn’t like the Ascot circuit?
FASTEST LAST 600M
Western Temple – 35.20
Race 8 - 4:50PM SCHWEPPES-W.A.T.C. DERBY (2400 METRES)
THE WINNER
After being desperately unlucky in the JC Roberts Stakes and winning the Melvista dominantly, Gatting won his grand final in the most impressive fashion you could imagine. He was caught wide in the run and never really settled but the Frenchman Matthieu Autier pushed the button, and got the run between Khawaja and Chill The Champers, and drew away to win in devastating style.
THE GOOD
Chill The Champers started $101 and was caught wide punching the breeze for the majority of the race before Clint Johnston-Porter decided to push on and sit outside of the leaders at the 1000m mark. She got away from the leaders in the straight but was run down late by the two favourites, Gatting and Very Tempting. Very Tempting was following Gatting at the turn but the latter’s turn of speed left the filly for dead. Final Salute found awful luck on turning but finished off like a bullet.
THE BAD
Victorian class one galloper Rock With You was heavily backed into $4.60 but was comfortably held in the finish.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Gatting – 36.32
Race 9 - 5:25PM GOOD FRIDAY RACEDAY - 14 APRIL HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
After a one-month freshen up, Majinika was too strong when leading all of the way. There were doubts coming into the race after the gut-buster last start but he carries a fair bit of ability which was shown in the win.
THE GOOD
Star Glitter and Cuanzo both finished off very nicely for second and third respectively.
THE BAD
Favourite Royal Missile hit the line well enough but just found 1200m too short. Watch for her next start.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Cuanzo – 33.80
PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY
Gatting proved his staying dominance in the WATC Derby. Punters may think that Very Tempting was unlucky but Gatting ran slightly faster time than what Very Tempting did in the WA Oaks. Watch for Gatting who may head towards the Group One South Australian Derby.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Brad Parnham seized the initiative on Variation, from barrier eight, when he saw Quilista wanting to pull and over-race in the lead. Parnham decided to go forward and then slotted into Quilista’s slipstream which gave him the run of the race with top weight on his back. Variation is in for a big preparation.
#AscotGoodTimes
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