The Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes is the feature event this Saturday at Ascot. With the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic also featuring on the stunning card of racing, all roads lead to Perth! In Victoria, Caulfield host the Group 2 Zipping Classic meeting. Find out below who our experts are expecting to take home the cash!
Ascot Race 8
#15 Yorga Pride
Yorga Pride was a good thing licked at her latest outing. The Pride Of Dubai was luckless at a key stage of the race, and I suspect the camp will be out for redemption on Saturday. Her form prior is near faultless, and the services of William Pike will attract further market support. The 1400m is ideal at this stage of her preparation, and she has been hammered in most all-in markets. Hard to toss!
Bonjoy will have plenty of supporters after a consistent campaign to date. The Maschino mare is edging closer to her next victory, and she finds her pet distance here. Chris Parnham has a winning association with the enigmatic six-year-old, and the money trail speaks volumes. Her racing pattern and style always requires an element of good fortune.
Suggested Bet: Yorga Pride @ $3.50
Ascot Race 9
#2 Jokers Grin
Jokers Grin is flying at present. The Maschino gelding is chasing four victories on the bounce, and he deserves his shot at Group 1 glory. The Quokka winner seems to improve each time he steps out on the track, and a victory here would put his name up in lights. He is a 1200m specialist, and he will make his presence felt in the shadows. Watch for the big boy late!
Overpass will lead the field a merry dance. The Vancouver gelding is a speed machine, and he loves Ascot more than the locals. The interstate raider picks off a decent race in the west regularly, and his recent performance behind Ka Ying Rising in the Everest was first-class. He will look the winner as they run for the doctor, however; the final furlong is his biggest challenge.
Suggested Bet: Jokers Grin @ $2.50
#9 Let's Talk
Let’s Talk is over the odds. The I’m All The Talk gelding resumes after producing an eye-catching jump-out, and his fresh form is super impressive. The 2kg apprentice claim puts him into all winning conversations, and barrier 1 should give his key rivals sleepless nights leading into Saturday’s event. He can win first-up at a decent quote!
Lady Boss will start favourite after a solid campaign to date. The Street Boss mare savaged the line late at her recent outing, and I suspect she entered most punters little black books. She is fit as a fiddle after a lengthy preparation, and the key appointment of William Pike should raise some eyebrows. Her recent winning record is the biggest deterrent.
Suggested Bet: Let’s Talk @ $12.00
Caulfield Race 6
#6 Sketch
Sketch can run a drum at a decent quote. The Brazen Beau filly has upside for days, and she looks well placed in this company despite her limited racing experience. Her performance behind Strictly Business speaks volumes, and she is a 1400m specialist. The inside draw should give her every chance to pinch black-type, and she is a must for all broader multiples and exotics. Over the odds!
Jenni Gone Bonkers will have plenty of supporters after producing an arrogant victory at her latest outing. The Maurice filly looks progressive, and the talented three-year-old can continue on her winning ways with even-luck in transit. An inside draw is ominous, and I expect her to jump the shortest-priced favourite of the meeting. Biggest test to date, however; she could be one out of the box!
Caulfield Race 7
#3 Detonator Jack
Detonator Jack is ready to explode. The Jakkalberry gelding flew from a different suburb at his latest outing, and I suspect this event has been a long-range target from the astute camp. A middle gate will allow the big boy to slide back and find his hooves, and the large volume of money since acceptances indicates another bold and forward performance. The forever young seven-year-old comes in extremely well at the weights for this class, and a win here would be fitting. Hard to toss!
Kingswood was a resilient last-start winner at Flemington. He outclassed his rivals late, and he looks well placed in this company. He seems to be racing better than ever despite his long break from racing, and there has been a tsunami of money for the beautiful grey galloper in most all-in markets. The allocated weight and his record at the trip are among the primary concerns.
Suggested Bet: Detonator Jack @ $4.20
Caulfield Race 8
#13 Alalcance
Alalcance looks poised to strike third-up from a spell. Both performances this campaign have been building towards a victory in this race, and the form around the former French galloper is first-class. The Mastercraftsman mare was a star in Sydney during the Championships last campaign, and I suspect her best performance here would prove far too strong for her opposition. Her camp are training winners for fun at present, and she looks extremely hard to beat.
She’s A Hustler will have plenty of supporter after producing a solid last-start performance at Flemington. The Ace High mare is always around the money, and she is ready for the longer trip on Saturday. The progressive galloper deserves her shot at this level, and I suspect this is her grand final for the spring. She tends to find one or two better at the pointy end of a contest.
Suggested Bet: Alalcance @ $4.40
