The Wednesday Wrap: Ascot - Wednesday 15 February

Race 1 - 12:42PM SALINGER HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

THE WINNER

SUMMER’S DREAM was not meant to lead but Chris Parnham’s hand was forced after the filly jumped well and put herself in the race. Once the daughter of Denman crossed, she wasn’t for catching. Another two-year-old race on a Wednesday - another roughie!

THE GOOD

ZING BANG WOP was three-wide for the majority of the trip and stuck on well, for third, for trainer Sarah Miller - the wife of Jason Miller. GOLDEN TRIGGER was not fully wound up and needed the run. He was good for second despite starting as favourite.

THE BAD

UNCLE CON was a rough chance in betting but was afforded every possible chance in the run. He failed to sprint and finished third last.


Race 2 - 1:17PM GET THE TABTOUCH MAIDEN (1000 METRES)

THE WINNER

YEAH DARDY won the race on protest after Conical Peak was first past the post. The latter shifted out abruptly in the concluding stages and bumped the eventual winner before the line. The margin was only a nose and stewards amended judge’s numbers.

THE GOOD

CONICAL PEAK was brilliant out in front but just has a few issues in the head that need to be rectified. RECKLESS ROBBO hit the line strongly from last.

THE BAD

First starter for Jim Taylor COOL CULTURE was bitterly disappointing and went backwards after straightening.

 

Race 3 - 1:52PM PERTH RACING YOUNG MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP (2200 METRES)

THE WINNER

AT THE READY delivered William Pike his first winner on return to racing after a 19-day suspension. Pike went back to last and finished off along the cutaway strongly on the up and coming three-year-old.

THE GOOD

Despite racing slightly green in the run, TOMMI TOOCAN ran on well from back in the field under apprentice Kate Witten, who is riding in fantastic form.

THE BAD

CRAFTY RED was afforded every possible chance in the run but was disappointing to the line. He might be better suited to the bigger tracks with longer straights.

 

Race 4 - 2:32PM PENFOLDS HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

THE WINNER

BOUNCE DOWN looked to be one of the better bets on the card, especially considering the first two winners of the day led all of the way. This galloper did the same and was never in any danger after turning with plenty left in the tank.

THE GOOD

At $101, MONACO ROSE ran on strongly from last to run a slashing late sectional.

THE BAD

BOLD SUCCESS sprouted wings late but could only manage second as beaten favourite.

 

Race 5 - 3:10PM KIRIN MEGUMI HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

THE WINNER

PREMIUM REWARD was given a perfectly thought out ride by Chris Parnham. Parnham bounced the galloper out of the machine and sat outside of Fair Nikita, in the lead, and booted clear in the straight for trainer Dan Morton.

THE GOOD

LUNA ROSSA ran a sharp late 600m sectional. The full brother to Testamezzo will win a nice race soon, potentially over further.

THE BAD

FAIR NIKITA was beaten only less than a length but had every possible chance in the lead, which was the place to be.

 

Race 6 - 3:45PM PERTH RACING CLUB MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

THE WINNER

DISCO RIFFIC sat three-wide under Ben Paterson but still fought on strongly to the line to claim a tough win. Well done if you found the $20 winner.

THE GOOD

Even with 60kg, STAR GLITTER ran on well for second while MAXIMUS MAK ran the fastest last 600m sectional of the race in 33.35, for sixth.

THE BAD

BANGALORE led and looked to travel well but did not let down at all in the straight. The previous 1200m run may have taken more out of him than first thought and he might have had enough this preparation.

 

Race 7 - 4:25PM DEVIL'S LAIR HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

THE WINNER

Chris Parnham and FREMOND stalked the hot speed the whole way and pounced on turning.

THE GOOD

$91 shot ELECTION ran on strongly for fifth after settling 10th in the run. On that effort, there’s a nice race for him this preparation.

THE BAD

Chris Parnham can thank zealous apprentices Randy Tan (LONG OVER DUE) and Brodie Kirby (HELMS GATE) for setting a cracking speed out in front, allowing his mount to finish off over the top.

 

Race 8 - 5:05PM LAVAZZA HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

THE WINNER

TOUCH OF SILVER got the charmed run through the field after settling just behind the short priced favourite AWAKEN. This grey son of Saxon might just be a very good horse.

THE GOOD

TUCKY’S LAD worked home well late and should be able to pick off one of these midweek races this preparation. The Justine Erkelens-trained galloper just needs a bit of luck!

THE BAD

$1.40 favourite AWAKEN got too far back and stuck behind some slow rivals. Pike got runs along the cutaway but it was too late and the inside was not the place to be.

Race 9 - 5:40PM TABTOUCH RACE REPLAYS HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

THE WINNER

Despite carrying the top weight of 60kg, ATLANTA BLUE just had enough left in the tank to run down Western Temple, which was a surprise leader.

THE GOOD

HARPOON came from second last to run the fastest last 600m sectional in 35 seconds. The daughter of High Chaparral is in for a great preparation with the hot Dan Morton stable.

THE BAD

Not many expected Pike to lead on favourite WESTERN TEMPLE but the three-year-old put in a gutsy performance. He was just grabbed in the final stages which left punters and Pike lamenting.



PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY

Chris Parnham is seemingly back in Western Australia for good and stamped himself as one of the top jocks in the state after riding four winners.


RIDE OF THE DAY

Chris Parnham summed conditions up perfectly on Premium Reward, in race five. He jumped the daughter of Reward For Effort out positively and found a forward position after on-pace runners had won three of the first four races. The youngest Parnham is one to watch out for in the upcoming autumn.



#AscotGoodTimes


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