The Saturday Salute: Ascot - Saturday 22 April

Race 1 - 12:24PM TABTOUCH PLATE (1100 METRES)

THE WINNER

The outsider of the four-horse field and eventual victor was Little Hercules. Now in the care of Ascot trainer Eric Wake, after formerly being with Brian Kersley, the gelding sat behind leader Get The Vibe and peeled off the fence in time to win comfortably by over a length.

THE GOOD

Danes Maree sat outside of the leader and looked to had run her race on straightening but she found a second wind to grind away to finish runner-up.

THE BAD

Four-horse fields are obviously not great betting propositions.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Little Hercules – 34.77


Race 2 - 1:03PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

THE WINNER

A brilliant front-running ride from Aaron Mitchell saw Key To Fame claim a much-deserved win, his second win of the preparation.

THE GOOD

Tonkatuff was three-wide for the majority of the race and kept on finding the line for third. The son of Therock was only beaten by a ¼ of a length.

THE BAD

It was an excellent run from runner-up Grey Enigma but he was punted from $19 into $8.50 so some savvy punters just missed out.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Elegant Blast – 35.00

 

Race 3 - 1:43PM AMELIA PARK HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

THE WINNER

One Short stalked the leaders and travelled into the race nicely before getting off heels in the straight. The race was his at the 100m mark.

THE GOOD

Night Beat flew home along the inside with the blinkers on for the first time. He is not far off win number two.

THE BAD

Heavily-fancied Royal Missile failed to run in the top three after seemingly getting every possible chance in the run. Maybe next start over 1600m?

FASTEST LAST 600M

Night Beat – 34.94

 

Race 4 - 2:23PM POINT2 SOLUTIONS - DALLAGLIO RUGBYWORKS HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

THE WINNER

In what was a win for the ages, favourite Remember Berlin dwelt at the start before creeping runs along the inside and producing a devastating turn of speed to win. We saw a wonderfully cool-headed ride from apprentice Aaron Mitchell.

THE GOOD

Bells Tower was afforded every possible chance in the run but did not help himself by over-racing. He still found the line well for second and will be one to watch for next start. Roman Fighter stuck on well for third after being allowed to roll out in front.

THE BAD

Brackets vetted out with lameness in his off-fore and is proving a hard one to catch for punters.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Remember Berlin – 34.33

 

Race 5 - 3:03PM YELLOWGLEN HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

THE WINNER

Bollywood Blitz started second favourite after heavy betting support came for Minus Looks. Despite the market drift, Bollywood Blitz box-seated behind Minus Looks in the run and always looked like running down the favourite in the straight.

THE GOOD

Push To Pass flew home from the back of the field to claim third.

THE BAD

Saker was poor again and finishing second last. No mention in the Stewards’ Report.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Push To Pass – 35.63

 

Race 6 - 3:40PM DIGGERS CUP (1400 METRES)

THE WINNER

Variation took on the older horses for the first time this preparation and, despite the margin, beat them quite convincingly. Similar to when he won the Raconteur Stakes in front of Quilista, the son of War Chant slotted into the slipstream of tearaway leader Corporate Larrikin and had enough dash to run down the leaders while holding off Red Publisher.

THE GOOD

Red Publisher flew home for Lancelin trainer Ashley Maley. He finished second and was beaten a short head on the line.

THE BAD

Terror Force dipped at the 400m mark and William Pike almost fell. The son of Al Maher blundered in the same spot four starts ago and also finished down the track on that occasion.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Red Publisher – 34.88

 

Race 7 - 4:15PM RSLWA - WESTERN AUSTRALIA CUP (3200 METRES)

THE WINNER

Zarantz settled a lot better in the run compared to last start in the Pinjarra Cup when he finished down the track after pulling outside of the leader. He settled third last in the field of nine and showed an outstanding turn of speed at the end of the two-mile feature.

THE GOOD

Sunset Superman was also allowed to find his feet at the back of the field and finished off strongly for second and was beaten 2¼ lengths.

THE BAD

$1.55 favourite Dark Alert was well beaten after sitting outside of the leader for the majority of the race. He gave a slight kick in the straight but quickly faded after being passed by eventual winner Zarantz.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Zarantz – 36.66

 

Race 8 - 4:55PM D'ORSOGNA ITALIAN RACEDAY - 20 MAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

THE WINNER

From last to first was the story for the first up Profit Street. The hot speed set by Furious Dame allowed the Peter and Matt Giadresco-trained galloper to finish off over the top of the field.

THE GOOD

Red Paddy, Conseated and Woolibar were all excellent in running on for second, third and fifth respectively. But three-year-old Dainty Tess was tough for fourth after chasing the hot speed in second and carrying 58kg against the older horses.

THE BAD

Cuanzo returned with a slightly elevated heart rate and will now be sent for a spell.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Profit Street – 34.26


PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY

After missing the jump by about a length, Remember Berlin showed a marvellous turn of foot to win. It was only a 62+ affair but there are more wins in store for the son of Zizou.

Apprentice Aaron Mitchell rode a treble which included the feature race, the $150,000 Western Australia Cup.


RIDE OF THE DAY

Aaron Mitchell’s cool and calm mindset helped when sneaking runs along the rail before weaving through traffic in the straight to win on Remember Berlin. An incredibly mature and professional performance.



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Post-race interviews are brought to you by RWWA.