It wasn’t the result many punters were expecting but second favourite SNOW LORD managed to lead and hold off the hot pot Floyd.
For a galloper coming to Ascot after failing last start at Mount Barker, MISS SOMEBODY held her ground well to finish third, beaten only 1.25 lengths.
$1.65 favourite FLOYD sat outside of the leader and eventual winner but failed to get past him. The gelding pulled up shin sore after his first career run at Northam so watch stewards’ reports closely as he may have pulled up poorly again.
Race 2 - 2:40PM YELLOWGLEN PLATE (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
Part-owned by Amelia Park, PURE GEM looked to be one of the better bets on the card after an eye-catching second at his start prior. The $120,000 yearling purchase is nominated for the Group Two Amelia Park-Karrakatta Plate.
THE GOOD
MONEY MAHER and ZON ZOL were both snagged back to second last and last respectively. With thanks to the strong tempo in the race, they both ran on strongly to claim second and third.
THE BAD
PATROCITY and COGNAC went too fast out in front and finished last and third last.
FASTEST LAST 600M
MONEY MAHER – 35.72
Race 3 - 3:10PM HEINEKEN 3 MAIDEN (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
A brilliant debut effort from NIGHT BEAT saw him blitz the maiden field at $17. The luck of the Irish shone through as Shaun O’Donnell settled the gelding midfield and on the rail before producing a scintillating burst in the straight to run down Victorious Lad.
THE GOOD
VICTORIOUS LAD was game in defeat after jumping from barrier 15 and covering extra ground. MULTIVERSE was enormous from back in the field to run fourth at $101.
THE BAD
Favourites TALITA and IMAGINARY were both only plain. The more distance the better for those two.
FASTEST LAST 600M
NIGHT BEAT – 34.34
Race 4 - 3:40PM LAVAZZA HANDICAP (2100 METRES)
THE WINNER
The natural leader TRAP FOR FOOLS was rated beautifully out in front by Lucy Warwick and just managed to hold off the late challenge from Vintrusive.
THE GOOD
VINTRUSIVE was well-backed from $26 into $14 and ran right up to the late betting support when running on to only miss by a nose.
THE BAD
KHAWAJA failed to back-up the win from his previous start. He seems to need a hot speed, luck in running and everything to go his way to be any chance. Keeping in mind he is only a three-year-old, there is a bright staying future ahead.
FASTEST LAST 600M
VINTRUSIVE – 35.73
Race 5 - 4:10PM FASHIONS ON THE FIELD - 1 APRIL HANDICAP (2200 METRES)
THE WINNER
ROSEWOOD HILL came from last to win impressively under Jarrad Noske for Ben Pearce. For a 2200m race, her last 600m was exceptional.
THE GOOD
BON SIGNORE was good again but just found one better on the day (as he can do).
THE BAD
COMPELLING was desperately unlucky at her last start over 1705m and she did find traffic in the straight on this occasion too. But she will be fitter for the run so follow her to her next start.
FASTEST LAST 600M
ROSEWOOD HILL – 36.00
Race 6 - 4:40PM SERVTECH GLOBAL HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
THE WINNER
Patrimonio proved to punters that he isn’t just a fresh horse after winning for the first time outside of being first up. The son of Heritage produced an outstanding late burst to win impressively over the top of Le Patron.
THE GOOD
LE PATRON looked the winner on turning but Patrimonio ambushed her when getting a split towards her inside. It was still a good run by the Street Boss mare. Maiden CROWDER (also by Street Boss) was huge after settling second last and steaming home for third at $41.
THE BAD
RECOILED was fired forward from the widest barrier and had to work overtime in the first half of the race. Stick with the Jim Taylor-trained gelding.
FASTEST LAST 600M
CROWDER – 35.07
Race 7 - 5:10PM SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
TOUCH OF SILVER has a bit more than a touch of class after winning excitingly for the third time in his four-start career. The ability of this horse to be able to sprint off a standing start is unbelievable.
THE GOOD
SECRET DOUBT and stable mate WATIJADOO were forced to make all out in front but were both good to the line, finishing second and third respectively.
THE BAD
Punters not getting on TOUCH OF SILVER after Adam McGrath spoke with co-trainer Geoff Durrant before the race. “Just wins,” Durrant told McGrath three times in his pre-race comments.
FASTEST LAST 600M
TOUCH OF SILVER – 34.77
Race 8 - 5:40PM AMELIA PARK HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
THE WINNER
A plum ride on SCORELINE from Steven Parnham saw Chris and Jerry Stelmach register a much deserved win in town after a string of bad luck. After settling behind the leader, Compass Point, Parnham found an inside run along the rail to boot through and grab the win.
THE GOOD
HARPOON was well supported in betting and ran accordingly, finishing off nicely for third. She’s not far from winning. PLAIN VITAL also flashed home late to run fourth.
THE BAD
OUTSPOKEN DUKE opened at $61 with TABtouch in early betting markets. He started at $6 and got a lovely run in transit but couldn’t manage better than seventh.
FASTEST LAST 600M
PLAIN VITAL – 36.10
PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY
TOUCH OF SILVER is a serious horse and will be contesting much better races in the future. The race was run at a stop-start tempo but once he got clear, and was asked to accelerate by Clint Johnston-Porter, the son of Saxon put his rivals away with ease.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Steven Parnham’s ride on $14 chance SCORELINE was a positive one which saw the gelding bustled along early to take up a spot behind the leader from barrier six. From there, the hard work was done and he just waited for an out at the top of the straight. The opening came and the four-year-old scooted through to hold off Song Of War and Harpoon.
#AscotGoodTimes
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