Another weekend, another cracking meeting in Western Australia! The Northerly Stakes is the feature event at Ascot this Saturday on a program that features some of Australia’s best horses. Will the locals take a stranglehold on the meeting, or will the interstate stars come away with the bragging rights?
Ascot Race 6
#1 HOLY GHOST
Holy Ghost looks well placed here on the quick back up. He wasn’t disgraced at his latest run, and the significant drop in grade is a huge advantage. He races well at Ascot, he is drawn well in barrier 4, and I expect him to be in the finish.
Tri For Us has been knocking on the door! He was unlucky not to win last start, and the apprentice claim puts him in the mix here. He is very consistent.
Crescent City has had early market support. I thought he was only ok last start, but he did have excuses. The William Pike factor must be taken into consideration.
Suggested Bet: Holy Ghost @ $11.00
Ascot RACE 7
#4 Sentimental Queen
Sentimental Queen can win here first up from a spell in a relatively small field. She always races well fresh and has tasted success at Ascot on five occasions! From barrier 1, she will get every chance to record her sixth victory at the track.
Real Grace can bounce back after a disappointing last-start performance. She put two victories together earlier in the campaign before losing form. If she can put her best hoof forward, she will be competitive.
Pat’s Got Sass looks over the odds after savaging the line last start. She can peak here third up from a spell and put herself into a winning position with the right run.
Suggested Bet: Sentimental Queen @ $5.50
Ascot Race 8
#16 Amelia's Jewel
Despite only lining up for her seventh career start, Amelia’s Jewel gets her chance to claim a Group 1. She arguably should be undefeated, the 1800m is ideal, and she perfectly weighted under the weight-for-age scale with 50kg. I am pleased to be with her.
At Group 1 level, Cascadian is a proven performer. Barrier 12 makes this assignment difficult, and I fear they have gone back to the well too many times this campaign.
Alaskan God must be considered with his track record. He can bounce back after a rare last-start failure.
Suggested Bet: Amelia’s Jewel @ $3.10
Ascot Race 9
#10 Burnya To Survive
Cash Away has a sense of timing. He has had an ultra-consistent preparation to date and gets his chance to take out a decent race here. The rise in distance is ideal for this stage of his preparation, and he is mapped to get the perfect run.
Ginger Green showed a fantastic turn of foot to claim victory last start. He has an outstanding record at Ascot and should get a soft trip throughout.
Burnya To Survive will be competitively fresh. His trials coming into this have been great, and he could round these up late if they burn the turf on speed. Watch for him and William Pike late!
Suggested Bet: Burnya To Survive @ $4.00
