Race 1 - 12:36PM STREAKY BACON PLATE (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
As we so often see in two-year-old races, it was a jump, run and lead all of the way act for the Brett Pope-trained Watchit.
THE GOOD
Metallic Dream stormed home under Willie White and seems to appreciate the softer footing. Over to Belmont and out to 1300m and 1400m will suit her. Frosty Bay stuck on well and has a two-year-old win ahead of her.
THE BAD
Salubrious was the disappointment of the race after trialling impressively but not bringing it to raceday. Jerry Noske also found bother in running which didn’t help the $2.70 punters elect.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Metallic Queen – 35.49
Race 2 - 1:16PM CABANOSSI HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
Dainty Tess balanced up in last from the widest barrier before coming around the whole field to win. Apprentice Kate Witten had to keep Dainty Tess’s mind on the job for the first half of the race before letting down with a wicked turn of speed. We said it in the Key Runners preview, “she is an owner’s dream”.
THE GOOD
Karlakee Miss was ridden with cover before finishing off her race well for second and was only beaten by one length. It may have been disappointing for punters as she was a $2.15 beaten favourite but the run was full of merit. Mantime got caught on the speed and battled on gamely to hold third. There are plenty of wins in store for the aforementioned couple.
THE BAD
Invincible Warrior bounded on jumping which saw him lose one length at the start of the race. The son of I Am Invincible travelled sweetly in running before looming large on the turn. He looked as though he would go straight past his rivals but failed to accelerate. He may not have let down on the soft track but he possesses plenty of ability so don’t drop off him.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Dainty Tess – 34.61
Race 3 - 1:55PM TRIPLE SMOKED HAM HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
Mr Motown jumped nicely but then had to be scrubbed along by apprentice Randy Tan to hold an inside spot on the rail. The son of Oratorio found the right spot in transit and ended up getting a lovely run into the race behind the leaders before quickening and winning nicely.
THE GOOD
Border Scot returned to the races with an eye-catching second from the back of the field. Watch for the rig next start.
THE BAD
Delicate Miss was a beaten favourite and was suggested to be one of the best bets of the day. The half-sister to dual black type winner Dawn Approach failed to find in the concluding stages after doing too much work early. Brackets sat on the speed and unfortunately was found to have bled after the race.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Border Scot – 35.23
Race 4 - 2:32PM ITALO-AUSTRALIAN WELFARE & CULTURAL CENTRE HCP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
First past the post was Meteoriod but the real winner of the race was Aaron Mitchell who outrode is claim for his biggest supporter, trainer Simon Miller. Mitchell positioned the filly perfectly behind the leader before taking a gap in the straight to win.
THE GOOD
Captivated Point stuck on gamely after sitting second in running to finish runner-up. Jetoomy was the eye-catcher under Brad Parnham and there is no doubt that he will be winning races at Belmont. Quality Fair was backed from $61 into $21 before running a game fourth for Albany-based trainer Paul Hunter.
THE BAD
Well-backed favourite Ragnar’s Saga found himself at the tail of the field after jumping away slowly. William Pike found bother in running on the $2.40 chance which saw him finish a luckless seventh.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Jetoomy – 35.59
Race 5 - 3:08PM JOHN "JJ" MILLER HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE HANDICAP (2100 METRES)
THE WINNER
Push To Pass was given a superb ride by Shaun McGruddy from barrier three. McGruddy got the grey into lovely spot on the fence behind the leader. In the straight, the Ash Maley-trained gelding had plenty of dash left in him to run away a comfortable 1½-length winner.
THE GOOD
Bergio ran home gamely late to finish second. Preselection returned to form with a brilliant third after settling last. According to Alan Mathews, she is going well but just not having much luck.
THE BAD
Couleur Bizarre was caught wide but still ran admirably and was beaten only 4½ lengths. Saker finished second last and has not fired a shot this preparation.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Preselection – 36.70
Race 6 - 3:44PM LEE-STEERE FAMILY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
Just Act Natural is a serious galloper with a very mobile stride. He settles so well in the lead and accelerates as though he has done no work in transit. It was another gun ride by Glenn Smith.
THE GOOD
Profit Street is in for a big preparation after running another eye-catcher for second. Special Delivery, Danefin and Flytego all caught the eye also.
THE BAD
With the noseband coming off, Candlelight Star jumped almost too well and found himself three-wide without cover. He is a better horse when his runs are spaced.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Flytego – 35.28
Race 7 - 4:19PM D'ORSOGNA-ROMA CUP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
The best horse won the feature event. Rock Magic looks to have come through his eastern states campaign supremely well after putting away a D’Orsogna-Roma Cup field with plenty of depth. Jockey Jarrad Noske got into a three-wide position with cover before asking the gelding to accelerate at the 400m mark. He responded instantly and the response was one full of class. The son of Redoute’s Choice lengthened past rivals to claim his third Group success.
THE GOOD
After dynamic two and three-year-old seasons, Military Reign ran her best race so far as a mare. The tough daughter of Universal Ruler rolled to the front, to sit outside of favourite Caipirinha, and battled away so honestly to hold on for second. She clearly loves the rain-affected surfaces as her soft track record now reads four starts for three wins and one second placing. Durendal was given a dream run and finished off accordingly into third. Pounamu sprouted wings and flashed home into second. Watch for the grey as he will be right on the mark for a crack at the Group Three Belmont Sprint (1400m).
THE BAD
Caiprinha was so brave in defeat after leading up the older horses and finishing sixth. Her effort was more than respectable but punters got it wrong when sending her out as $3.40 favourite. Watch for her next spring as a Winterbottom campaign looms.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Rock Magic – 35.82
Race 8 - 4:54PM WESTERN RACEPIX ASCOT HORSE OF THE YEAR HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
THE WINNER
Tonkatuff drew barrier two and that, in the end, was the defining factor. Ryan Hill jumped the son of Therock out well before balancing up on the leader’s back. He travelled into the race sweetly before pushing Dr Sykes out of the way and running past By Decree in the straight. An easy two-length win.
THE GOOD
Stayer Magic Rocket flew home like one for second under apprentice Fred W Kersley. A bright campaign is ahead of him at Belmont. By Decree ran good sectionals out in front and tired late but still held on to third. She is going very well and a win is not far away.
THE BAD
Dr Sykes knocked up to finish last after trying to go with By Decree throughout.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Lone Sailor – 37.50
PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY
The performance of the day goes to Rock Magic after his D’Orsogna-Roma Cup win. The horse came to the Group Three after a tough run on a heavy track at Randwick behind Chautauqua in the Group One TJ Smith Stakes. But there were no ill effects to come out of the hard run and long travel and the horse was clearly a very happy one. The Roma Cup victory would have to be one of Chris Gangemi’s finest achievements as a trainer.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Push to Pass was given a plum ride by Shaun McGruddy to win the John “JJ” Miller Hall Of Fame Inductee Handicap (2100m). McGruddy got the grey to jump well from barrier seven and pushed to up towards the front knowing that natural leaders Woodsville and Verdello Blue will lead at all costs. He ended up slotting into third position behind Woodsville and settled on the fence. On straightening, McGruddy switched over the leaders’ heels to get out into clear running and win comfortably. Gun ride.
#AscotGoodTimes
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