Race 1 - 12:42PM HEINEKEN 3 HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
After jumping cleanly and failing to go with Roman Fighter early, Bells Tower and jockey Joseph Azzopardi managed to hold a position just off the race favourite and run him down in the straight. The first win of the David Harrison-trained gelding for this preparation was well-deserved.
THE GOOD
After charging in running, leader and eventual runner-up Roman Fighter still fought well to the line and was only beaten by ¾ of a length.
THE BAD
Lenience was slightly tardy away and seemed to be run off his legs early. The six-year-old was chased along most of the 1000m trip but he will be right second up and over 1200m.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Bells Tower & Gomer Wipple – 34.29
Race 2 - 1:17PM SALINGER HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
THE WINNER
Mizlecki was one of the more impressive winners of the day after being heavily backed into favouritism at $2.30. William Pike jumped the filly well out of barrier 10 and took up a forward position out three-wide with cover. She settled beautifully on the back of other fancied runner Bronze Idol before letting go with a brilliant turn of foot to win by 3¼ lengths.
THE GOOD
After sitting three-wide and without cover, Bronze Idol held on gamely for second. Watch for the son of Rogano at his next start.
THE BAD
The Nicconian stopped at around the 150m mark and may have just felt the ground in his shins. He is a well-bred type with plenty of wins to come.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Mizlecki – 34.53
Race 3 - 1:52PM QUINNS ROCK BOWLS CLUB MAIDEN (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
Slick Mover led from start to finish in an impressive all of the way performance after using up a lot of petrol in the early part of the race. He was well-rated by Jarrad Noske out in front and can hopefully go on with his winning ways for his connections.
THE GOOD
Allume Le Feu made up significant ground after settling third from last in running. She ran on impressively to claim second and is knocking on the door of a maiden win.
THE BAD
First starter Athamans will get better with racing but can’t afford to miss the start as badly as he did on this occasion.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Allume Le Feu – 35.88
Race 4 - 2:27PM GET THE TABTOUCH MAIDEN (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
Jupiter Rising jumped nicely from barrier 12 but jockey Brad Parnham found himself shuffled back to worse than midfield on settling. Never mind that though, Parnham made his move on rounding the turn and, in doing so, came six horses wide to swoop home down the outside to claim the maiden event.
THE GOOD
The first five past the line are all worth following, as well as the winner, they include: Del Sur, Just Elated, Inimitable and Impressive Star. Turbo Tyson was also an enormous run from last to finish midfield.
THE BAD
Outstretch led but also compounded very quickly in the straight. On times, he may have gone too hard out in front.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Jupiter Rising – 36.44
Race 5 - 3:05PM OPENING DAY AT BELMONT - 27 MAY HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
Rising Sea was heavily backed from $3.70 into $2.70 before leading all of the way under dual Perth Cup-winning hoop Jarrad Noske. Since being gelded, the son of Sebring has now trialled exceptionally well and can now boast a second career win on his CV.
THE GOOD
Roughead returned to the races for the first time since have corrective throat surgery which seems to have been a success after running on nicely into third. On that effort, he should be able to go through his classes and win a few more races for connections.
THE BAD
Humanity was disappointing after drifting significantly in betting. He sat outside of Rising Sea but the eventual winner left him for dead as the son of Al Maher ended up finishing seventh and beaten 5¼ lengths. Look for him to bounce back next start.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Friarandice – 35.42
Race 6 - 3:40PM EVENTS AT ASCOT HANDICAP (1400 METRES)
THE WINNER
Checkers was given a perfect ride by Steven Parnham. The eldest of the Parnham kids got the son of Stratum into the box seat (one out and one back) before peeling out in the straight and running past Sharkmouth and Hinchinbeel. It was only the gelding’s third career win.
THE GOOD
Sharkmouth stayed on valiantly after sitting second, outside of the leader, in running and finished just a long neck away from the winner. The Director ran on gamely for third and should improve out in distance.
THE BAD
The well-backed Hodge Podge was ridden by Randy Tan and he was forced to go back to last which didn’t suit as the race was dominated by those near the speed. You’re A Rum’in seemingly had every conceivable hope in the run but simply may not handle the Ascot track. Watch for him when we get back to Belmont.
FASTEST LAST 600M
The Director – 35.33
Race 7 - 4:15PM AMELIA PARK HANDICAP (2200 METRES)
THE WINNER
Patrick Carbery put on a clinic when riding Hot Bresa to an emphatic victory. The moves were being made all around him when straightening down the riverside of the course and, once Carbery let the mid-race moves go, he made his own move at the 900m mark to put his galloper into the race. Carbery caught the other hoops napping and rode his mount ($2.50 favourite) as though it was the best horse in the race – which it proved to be.
THE GOOD
$26 chance Captain Jack was shuffled back to last after apprentice Randy Tan was forced check off heels at about the 1200m mark. The gelding by Vital Equine picked up the bit strongly when rounding the turn and finished off powerfully for a fifth place result. He is one to follow.
THE BAD
Saxophonist followed Akka Singa and didn’t exactly get the dream tow into the race. Watch for him next start and with a few runs under his belt.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Hot Bresa – 36.55
Race 8 - 4:55PM ITALIAN DAY AT ASCOT THIS SATURDAY HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
THE WINNER
Young apprentice Fred W Kersley put in a performance worthy of ride of the day. Carrying only 52kg, Little Miss Mak took up the running and was rated superbly well by the 3kg-claiming apprentice. There was no pressure whatsoever applied to Little Miss Mak and she ran the first 1000m in the very slow time of approximately 63 seconds. She drew clear in the straight and won by an soft 2½ length marign.
THE GOOD
Plain Vital ran on strongly into third after settling in the second half of the field. Kim Dynamite flashed home late into a nice fifth. That Cliff Green-trained runner will get better out to staying trips at Belmont. And Press The Petal hit the line very well first up over 1800m for eighth.
THE BAD
Tucky’s Lad failed to make an impression on the race. Dark Devotion reared as the gates opened and was slow to latch on to the field in the early stages. Jockey Joseph Azzopardi hit his head on the top of the barrier partition which would have put him in a momentary daze. Not ideal in any race.
FASTEST LAST 600M
Press The Petal – 36.17
PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY
Considering the ease of which Rising Sea won with today, the recently gelded son of Sebring is a Saturday horse in the making. He jumped and led with consummate ease. Put this one in your black book.
RIDE OF THE DAY
Apprentice Fred W Kersley stacked them and racked them in the final race of the day on Little Miss Mak. The grandson of Hall Of Fame trainer Fred Kersley managed to pinch cheap sectionals throughout the race and was not for catching in the straight. A bright future looms for the young gun.
#AscotGoodTimes
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