The Group 1 Northerly Stakes is the feature event this Saturday at Ascot. With the Listed G.A. Towton Cup also featuring on the stunning card of racing, all roads lead to the wild west! In Victoria, we head to the Central Highlands for the Listed Ballarat Cup meeting. Find out below who our experts are expecting to take home the cash!
Ascot Race 7
#3 Redback Flyer
Redback Flyer resumes after an impressive winter preparation. The Playing God gelding performed seriously well in some hot form races, and he looks well placed in this company. His recent jump-outs have been first-class, and I suspect he is ready to produce a career defining campaign. The 1400m suits fresh, and the big boy maps perfectly to make his presence felt late. Over the odds!
Our Paladin Al will have supporters after climbing through his grades successfully during the previous racing season. Steven Parnham has a winning association with the talented four-year-old, and I suspect he is cherry ripe for a first-up tilt. The money trail tells a story, and I expect him to figure in the finish. His racing pattern and style always requires an element of good fortune.
Ascot Race 8
#2 Captain Pluto
Captain Pluto is a model of consistency. The Savabeel gelding rarely missing a podium finish, and I suspect he has the fitness edge on the majority of his rivals after a lengthy and fruitful preparation. The William Pike factor must be respected, and the step out in trip is ideal at this stage of his campaign. The one to beat, however; he tends to get too far out of his ground during the middle stages of an event.
Demolish is over the odds. The Rich Enuff gelding is edging towards his next victory, and both of his performances this campaign have looked ominous. He traditionally performs well third-up from a spell, and his record at the trip speaks volumes. He unfortunately has the ability of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Suggested Bet: Captain Pluto @ $3.70
#15 King Of Light
King Of Light is ready for Group 1 glory! The undefeated Earthlight gelding oozes class, and the exciting three-year-old doesn’t look out of place in the sensational line-up, The pilot knows him better them himself, and he is perfectly weighted under the scale. The step out to 1800m could prove decisive, and I suspect he is one serious customer out of the box. Hard to toss!
Apulia can run a drum a decent price. The Fiorente entire remains undefeated for the current campaign, and he seems to be racing in career best form despite a long layoff. The camp are training winners for fun at present, and I suspect he has been trained to the minute for his third-up assignment. He may need some luck in-transit from the visitors draw.
Suggested Bet: King Of Light @ $2.35
Ballarat Race 7
#9 Carbonados
Carbonados looks the good thing on a tricky and competitive program. The Belardo gelding won from an impossible position at latest outing, and I suspect he is ready to announce himself on Saturday. The handicapper has missed him with the featherweight, and the progressive five-year-old could have fences and panels on his key rivals. The appointment of Craig Williams should raise eyebrows, and I expect him to prove too strong for his rivals inside the final furlong. Push the chips in!
Major Share will have plenty of supporters after producing a consistent campaign to date. The Overshare gelding boasts strong form lines, and he finds a very winnable third-up assignment. His opening quote disappeared quicker than an English opening batsmen, and he finds his pet distance on Saturday. With even luck in-transit, I expect him to make his presence felt late. Dismiss at your own peril.
Suggested Bet: Carbonados @ $3.10
Ballarat Race 8
#9 Party Crasher
Party Crasher is the one to beat. The Ocean Park gelding was a dominant winner at Flemington at his latest outing, and he meets similar opposition on Saturday. The exciting four-year-old loves the trip more than an uber driver, and I suspect he can string several victories together at this stage of the racing season. The early money has been significant, and his stable are notching up wins for fun. Yes please!
Howlin’ Rain can run a big race at a decent quote. The Fiorente gelding is performing consistently well this campaign, and he finds easier opposition here. The form around him has stood up time and again, and the 2kg apprentice claim puts him into all winning calculations and broader multiples and exotics. The longer trip suits, and the ideal inside draw will give his supporters extra confidence. Over the odds!
Suggested Bet: Party Crasher @ $4.50
Ballarat Race 9
#6 Saint George
Saint George is poised to strike. Both performances this campaign have been good without winning, and I suspect he has been set to explode third-up from a spell. The Roaring Lion gelding will thrive over the longer trip, and he has been hammered since acceptances. The Craig Williams and Ciaron Maher combination will attract further late market support, and the flashy grey handles all conditions. Jumping from another suburb is the biggest deterrent.
Kingswood got the better of Saint George at Flemington at his latest outing. He fought the favourite off in the shadows, and he kept his victory after a serious challenge behind closed doors. The lightly raced six-year-old looks ready for the 2000m at this stage of his campaign, and I suspect he has the fitness and class edge on the majority of his rivals. He can win again, however; I fear he is poorly weighted against several of his key rivals.
Suggested Bet: Saint George @ $4.60
