Art Series started a hot $1.75 favourite and didn’t let the punters down. William Pike settled the well-bred filly behind the leader and managed to hold off Roganella to claim the first win of the day.
Roganella loomed at the top of the straight as if he would go straight past the rest but peaked on his run with about 100m to go. Watch for him next start. Monsoon got tangled up in traffic with Run Run Run in the straight and should have finished closer.
Teacher’s Pet’s run was huge after becoming detached from the field early after buckjumping for about 20m. But the Frost Giant filly was pretty much out of play after acting out.
Race 2 - 1:12PM TABTOUCH RACE REPLAYS HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
Star Lightning started $14, the second longest runner in betting, but won nicely from off the speed in the small five-horse field after Festive Excess was scratched at the barrier.
THE GOOD
Kramden stuck on well to hold second after sitting outside of the leader and using a bit of petrol early.
THE BAD
$1.75 favourite Aerozine was gone at the 200m mark after enjoying a trouble-free lead. Festive Excess lunged in the barriers and was scratched accordingly.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Star Lightning – 34.43
Race 3 - 1:47PM GET THE TABTOUCH MAIDEN (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
A Knight Of Pro jumped cleanly from barrier 12 and led all of the way to beat a moderate maiden field. There are plenty more wins in store for the son of Proart.
THE GOOD
Despite being a 3¼ lengths off the winner, rough chance Just Elated ran well for second after following the rail in fifth while Prince Turbo just held on to run third.
THE BAD
For the second race in a row, there was a late scratching in the immediate lead up to the race with Emma’s Child not wanting to play ball in the preliminaries.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Just Elated – 35.60
Race 4 - 2:22PM PERTH RACING CLUB MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
THE WINNER
Time To Hunt was game to the line and held off the hot favourite all of the way up the straight. A tough effort by the gelding and he beat some handy types.
THE GOOD
Nice Go settled last and ran on eye-catchingly for fifth. Something Big led the field up and was fair to the line considering the stiff opposition he was up against. He might just be a preparation away from his best.
THE BAD
$1.60 favourite Reveille was the widest when rounding the home turn and that showed in the filly’s finishing burst. It was still a good run but she just didn’t get the luck her way.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Reveille – 35.37
Race 5 - 2:57PM PERTH RACING FACEBOOK HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
Celtic Wizard won and put his placeless record at Ascot to bed with thanks to a nice ride by apprentice Randy Tan. He has always shown good promise but will improve further when he gets back to Belmont.
THE GOOD
Despite sitting three-wide with cover, Cheap Express, for Ben Pearce and Peter Hall, found the line well for second and looks to be in for at least one win this preparation. Grinding Hard snuck up along the inside to run a cheeky third. On her first up run behind Salty, there is a win in the mare this preparation. Secret Choice was three-wide and on the speed without cover so to finish fourth was a sound effort.
THE BAD
The bookies made good profit after roughie Grecian Summer was backed from $41 into $12. It led and failed to let down in the straight. She also hindered favourite Victorious Lad in the latter stages of the race.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Cheap Express – 35.82
Race 6 - 3:35PM HAHN SUPERDRY HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
THE WINNER
Bergio had no worries stepping out to 1800m after coming from the tail of the field to swoop home under William Pike and deny apprentice Brodie Kirby of a maiden metropolitan win on Moonsearch.
THE GOOD
At $101, Black Nemesis ran home well from last to run an eye-catching fifth. Watch for him next start over 2000m or beyond.
THE BAD
Daniel Staeck couldn’t hold second favourite Excellently and allowed him to stride but he ran out of petrol with 500m to go.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Bergio – 35.53
Race 7 - 4:10PM SUMMER BRIGHT LAGER HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
THE WINNER
$5 chance Bevel was nicely rated by Pike, just forward of midfield, and when the run presented itself, inside of Secret Doubt, he just had to hold off Come On Board which had worked hard in the run. That’s two in a row now for Bevel.
THE GOOD
Come On Board sat three-wide without cover for the entire race and was only beaten by a head. Watch for him next start as he will be hard to beat.
THE BAD
Secret Doubt started second favourite but failed to let down after settling on top of a genuine speed. She may appreciate some cover next start.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Bevel – 36.14
Race 8 - 4:50PM SALINGER HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
First emergency Black Grape put the writing on the wall last start with a nice run-on effort behind Young Gina on Good Friday. Chris Parnham allowed the seven-year-old to balance up towards the rear of the field and he let down very sharply. He may be able to string together a few wins at Belmont on a softer track.
THE GOOD
Harry Thomas stuck on well to be narrowly beaten. The three-year-old looks to be a very progressive sprinter. Hodge Podge, Bucktorio and Hashtag all ran on very swiftly.
THE BAD
Radiant Girl had a checkered run inside horses and didn’t appreciate Black Scandal steadying in front of her. She could be one at odds for next start.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Hashtag – 35.49
PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY
Under William Pike, Bergio flew home from the tail of the field to record an impressive win over 1800m. Whether he gets 2000m plus remains to be seen but there are plenty of nice races for him to win in the future.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Jarrad Noske’s ride on Time To Hunt was wonderfully timed. He pushed out at the perfect stage of the race, on turning, and shunted the favourite out wider on the course. Once Noske straightened his mount up, the mare fought very gamely under strong riding from the two-time Perth Cup-winning jockey.
#AscotGoodTimes
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