Photo: Fabergino (Western Racepix)

The Saturday Salute: Ascot - Saturday 29 April

Race 1 - 12:23PM DEVIL'S LAIR PLATE (1000 METRES)


THE WINNER

The very fast Febergino franked her good trial form and won impressively in a swift time of 58.28. After jumping away a few strides slow, Jarrad Noske drove her to the lead and she held on quite comfortably. Noske had a hard time pulling the filly up after crossing the line. A nice type moving forward.

THE GOOD

Vital Blast was a touch unlucky in the straight but still wouldn’t have won. After being beaten by one length, he may have finished about a ½ length closer with clear running. Watch for him next start if they persist with this current preparation.

THE BAD

Last start winner Resistance worked hard outside of the leader and eventual winner. She faded late and will now probably head to the paddock.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Rubia Miss – 34.32


Race 2 - 1:03PM LAVAZZA HANDICAP (1600 METRES)


THE WINNER

North Ridge looked to be the likely winner on paper despite not having won for 378 days leading into the race. Apprentice Randy Tan put the son of Danehill Express in a lovely spot, behind the speed, and picked up the leaders in the straight. He did drop the bit before the turn but picked up nicely on straightening.

THE GOOD

Corporate Larrikin and Woodsville each gave great accounts of themselves after going along at a solid clip out in front. The finished second and third respectively.

THE BAD

$4.20 second favourite Dezzies Dream settled last and failed to pass any rivals. Back to sprint trips for her may be the go.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Dark Musket – 34.79

 

Race 3 - 1:43PM KIRIN MEGUMI HANDICAP (1200 METRES)


THE WINNER

After brilliant thirds in the Marjorie Charleson Classic (1200m) and Sheila Gwynne Classic (1400m), Fancy Fox stormed home in what was a much easier fillies and mares race. She will now be targeted towards the fillies and mares races in the coming summer.

THE GOOD

Le Patron opened up at $21 with TABtouch and ran a great race for third paying $3.40 for the place, on the tote. She seemed overs and, despite not winning, she proved that she was indeed.

THE BAD

Not necessarily bad but just plain unlucky. Watch the replay below of Detango (yellow and blue colours).

FASTEST LAST 600M

Fancy Fox – 34.27

 

Race 4 - 2:19PM SEACORP HANDICAP (1000 METRES)


THE WINNER

Caipirinha justified her short quote by leading all of the way. She was fizzy in the mounting yard, before the race, but Joseph Azzopardi got her to the barriers unscathed and she won like a good thing. Adelaide?

THE GOOD

Delicate Miss got the lovely drop on the leader and eventual winner before pulling out on the turn and running on into second. The River was also a good running on into third.

THE BAD

Sweet Ora looked to have every possible chance to run on into second but faded late. She looks stuck in limbo between carrying heavy weights in three-year-old grade and restricted level against older horses.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Seeker – 33.48

 

Race 5 - 2:54PM TABTOUCH HANDICAP (1200 METRES)


THE WINNER

After an impressive debut win back on Wednesday 11 January at Bunbury, Top Of The Class came out and put her rivals to the sword with a barnstorming win after settling at the tail of the field. Jarrad Noske rode at 54kg (a weight he only rides at if he has an above average mount) which was a good indicator that the filly has a lot of ability.

THE GOOD

Despite being a well-backed beaten favourite, Karlakee Miss stuck on well after leading and absorbing pressure in the early part of the race. My Grace worked home nicely for fourth along the rail. Clear racing room next start will see her right in the finish.

THE BAD

Swift Platinum was caught wide for the trip and tailed off badly down the back straight. He pulled up with a minor laceration on his near fore pastern but also may have choked down in running.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Top Of The Class – 34.96

 

Race 6 - 3:30PM GRANT THORNTON HANDICAP (1200 METRES)


THE WINNER

Star Glitter was afforded the run of the race with thanks to a beautiful ride from Brad Parnham. On the way he won, don’t be surprised if he can win a few more and go through the grades.

THE GOOD

Pirate’s Fortune was excellent first up and led for a long way of the race. He was only beaten two lengths and should improve with the run. Airlie Sun was found in betting and ran on nicely into fourth.

THE BAD

Hinchinbeel was only a $21 chance but was a late scratching behind the barrier after becoming fractious and then cast in the stalls.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Airlie Sun – 35.15


Race 7 - 4:10PM AMELIA PARK LAMB HANDICAP (1400 METRES)


THE WINNER

Key To Fame must have taken a lot of confidence from his win last week because no horse was getting past him here. Beautifully rated out in front by apprentice Aaron Mitchell, the son of Al Maher led and held off the late challenge of Majinika. A very, very tough win.

THE GOOD

Danefin was exposed early before turning and ground away well to the line for fourth. Senso won on this weekend last year at Belmont and put in another nice effort for third. Both gallopers have more wins in store this preparation.

THE BAD

Despite only being beaten under two lengths, Ripper Rio started favourite and never really looked likely, which was unfortunate for punters, even though he ran the fastest last 600m sectional.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Ripper Rio – 34.33

 

Race 8 - 4:50PM SUBIACO FOOTBALL CLUB HANDICAP (2200 METRES)


THE WINNER

Couleur Bizarre made it two in a row with thanks to a brilliant ride from Steven Parnham. After jumping from barrier 13, Parnham made a positive move early to put the grey in a prominent position and managed to settle him in fourth, just behind the leading pair. After the tiring Triple Express dropped off in the back straight, the multiple Group One-winning hoop showed the gelding daylight and he attacked the line strongly to hold off race favourite Cappo D’Oro.

THE GOOD

Cappo D’Oro was excellent along the inside to run second. He is one which prefers to get to the outside of horses and is certainly not far away from another win.

THE BAD

A winless day for William Pike was capped off after running a luckless seventh on At The Ready. After dropping back to last, with hardly any tempo on up front, the three-year-old had the task ahead of him from a long way out.

FASTEST LAST 600M

Proxy – 36.31



PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY

Top Of The Class zoomed home from second last to take out the fifth race of the day, the TABtouch Handicap, in slashing fashion. The daughter of Star Witness ran home (last 600m) in a dazzling 34.96 and looks to have a bright future ahead of her.


RIDE OF THE DAY

Steven Parnham made his own luck on Couleur Bizarre, in the last race of the day. From barrier 13, Parnham managed to get the gelding into a forward position with cover and produce the grey in the straight to put the affair to bed. A great way to finish the day for the Parnham family with Brad, Chris and Steven all riding winners while father Neville trained Star Glitter to victory.


#AscotGoodTimes


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