The inaugural running of the Quokka is the feature event on a healthy racing card at Ascot this Saturday. With the interstate raiders chasing big money on offer, who will stand up amongst the locals on a very competitive racing program?
Ascot Race 7
#6 Live To Tell
Live To Tell looks to have a mortgage on this event. The Territories filly has won her two outings this preparation, and she looks ready to produce a peak run third-up from a spell. The 1200m is advantageous at this campaign stage, and she meets similar opposition. If she can find a spot in the running line from barrier nine, I expect her to be too strong for her rivals late.
Super Smink has made an impressive start to her career. The Super One filly is climbing through her grades nicely and deserves her shot at this level. If Chris Parnham can have her within reach of the leaders on straightening, I expect her to figure in the finish.
Ripcord was too good on debut in the Perth Stakes. Despite being green as grass, the Written By gelding put his rivals to the sword in the concluding stages. He oozes class, has plenty of natural improvement to come, and will eat up every inch of the 1200m. The class rise is the primary concern.
Suggested Bet: Live To Tell @ $1.75
Ascot RACE 8
#4 Uncommon James
Uncommon James comes to Western Australia as a Group 1 winner. His victory second-up in the Oakleigh Plate was breathtaking, and he finished a luckless second in The Group 1 Galaxy. If the Cable Bay gelding can jump positively from the awkward draw, I expect him to box seat before unleashing his brilliant turn of foot at the 300m. Coming to the end of his preparation is the primary concern.
Amelia’s Jewel will start favourite despite drawing barrier fourteen in the farcical redraw. She has only tasted defeat once in her career, and she has the potential to be in the top echelon of sprinter-milers in the country. Already a Group 1 winner, the Siyouni filly could be one out of the box, and nothing seems to faze the versatile three-year-old. A flat second-up run is a primary concern.
Bella Nipotina looks poised to strike after a cracking run in the Group 1 Willam Reid Stakes. The Pride Of Dubai mare is ready to explode and looks ideally placed jumping from a middle gate. She could blow these away in the shadows if she is within striking distance at the furlong.
Suggested Bet: Uncommon James @ $6.50
Ascot Race 9
#12 Revitup
Revitup visually looked a run short first-up from a spell. The Demerit filly will strip fitter here, and she is a winner second-up in a previous campaign. Her record at the track and distance is exceptional, and she looks well-weighted in this grade with 54.5kg. There has already been a nibble for her in early betting, and I expect the money to continue with William ‘The Wizard’ Pike aboard. The awkward barrier is the primary concern.
Dom To Shoot is too classy to dismiss. The Shooting To Win gelding will be better over further and deeper into his campaign, however, I expect a bold showing fresh at a reasonable price. His record at the track and distance must be respected, and the services of Brad Rawiller could prove a winning move. His first-up record is the biggest concern.
Startrade looks over the odds! He got too far out of his ground first-up, however, the middle gate on Saturday should have the Trade Fair gelding positioned just behind the leaders. The six-year-old traditionally runs well second-up, 1200m is his pet distance, and he has already been specked at the inflated odds.
Suggested Bet: Revitup @ $6.00
Ascot Race 10
#6 Knot Secret
Knot Secret savaged the line at his latest outing. He is knocking on the door and gets his chance on Saturday to break through from the perfect inside draw. The So Secret gelding will appreciate the step out to 1400m, and if he sees daylight when they straighten, he will be hard to hold out. His winning record is the primary concern.
Advanced can win first-up debuting for a new stable. The Playing God gelding has an excellent fresh record, and his trials leading into this event have been impressive. 1400m is his pet distance, and if he can roll forward from the wide barrier, he may look the winner inside the final furlong.
Top Of The Pops is ready to explode third-up from a spell. The Spirit Of Boom gelding put the writing on the wall last start, and he should get the gun run in transit from barrier six. 1400m is perfect for this stage of his preparation, and only bad luck in running will stop him from figuring. Watch for any significant market support.
Suggested Bet: Knot Secret @ $4.00
