Bass Strait (far left) is racing well for his new trainer, Graeme Ayres
Bass Strait did most of his racing in Australia's eastern states wearing blinkers and the decision of his new trainer, Graeme Ayres, to reapply a set of shades to the eight-year-old gelding seems to have made a positive difference to the veteran.
Frequently competitive in Group races in New South Wales and Victoria during the early part of his career - he was fifth in the 2013 Australian Guineas - Bass Strait won the 2014 RJ Peters Stakes on his second start in Western Australia. Most of Bass Strait's runs in WA, including his victory in the aforementioned Group Three contest, have been in winkers but Ayres opted for blinkers two starts ago and he ran on well behind Taxagano. Bass Strait performed similarly behind War God on his latest appearance and, on Saturday, he rates as a decent chance in the Break The Cycle Of Homelessness Handicap that wraps up the Ascot Racecourse card.
According to Punting Form, Bass Strait's two-year personal best was achieved over Ascot Racecourse's 1500 metres journey in the 2016 RJ Peters Stakes and it leaps off the linked page, plus his recent performances are similar to those of his weekend rivals. Could Bass Strait's 1,274-day winless streak end on Saturday?
Perth Racing is committed to providing punters with the best possible free data to enable them to bet with confidence on the club's races with TABtouch, the brand that funds the industry. That is why Perth Racing is partnering with Punting Form, which clocks and rates almost every performance on Australian tracks. You can download the Punting Form race reports for all eight Ascot Racecourse races on Saturday. Make your bet matter and wager on your favourites with TABtouch.