perth racing preview

Ascot Saturday Perth Racing Preview

BY JOSH RODDER Track is a Good (2) as of Friday lunchtime, with a penetrometer of 6.2. (Perth measurements are different to those in the Eastern States, because of a different sand based track.)

The rail moves back to the true position after racing at 15 metres midweek and three metres last Saturday on Winterbottom Stakes Day. It was true on Railway Stakes and the track raced fairly.

Track manager Gordon Menzies said a lot of water would be poured on the track because of the predicted high temperatures, including after track work on Saturday, to bring the track to a Good (3) FORECAST FOR SATURDAY HOT, PARTLY CLOUDY. MIN 21, MAX 37

Race 1 – City of Perth Plate [2YO] [Open] 1000m 3:30pm [EDST] Early scratching: Rock Moves (10). This is a tricky race with so many unknowns from the debutant(e) pack. With lots of predicted natural speed engaged, I expect this 1000m scamper to be a high-pressure test. Rupert The Brave (6), Lost Opera (8) and Flying Heritage (3) look to have the most speed, with Ohiyas (5) and Remember (9) handy to pressure.

On spec, I’m leaning the way of Aylesford (2), who picked himself up and found the line after being knocked out of his debut trial at Belmont late in November. The colt is bred to run – by the prolific sire of winners and former ace juvenile Canny Lad, from an excellent dam-side family (grand dam Leggings was a multiple Stakes winner).

With the speed on, if he can gain some cover, he will be attacking the line.

Race experienced is valuable and Nediyms Ruler (1) loomed like the winner on debut over 1200m on Railway Stakes day, but was unable to repel the finishing burst of

Margaret Street. The effort was admirable and he is another who will be strong on the line.

The best of the debutant(e)s in my mind is Snowshoes (11), who trialled exceptionally well in good time on Monday at Lark Hill.

The son of Blackfriars was not pressured to pick up his speedy stablemate on the line.

I did not mind the trials of When We Were Kings (7) – he was run off his feet in his initial trial over 600m, before coming with rush to finish a narrow second over 1000m.

He has drawn the rails, an asset on debut.

VERDICT I’m not keen to get too involved, but suggest you have something small on (2) Aylesford and (1) Nediyms Ruler to provide a winning result. I have healthy respect for first starters (11) Snowshoes and (7) When We Were Kings. Include the speedy (3) Flying Heritage and well-bred (9) Remember, and (6) Rupert The Brave in wider multiples.

Race 2 – Verscreen Roller Blinds Handicap [3YO+] [62-74] 1200m 4:10pm [EDST] The natural speed goes missing with the early scratching of Most Secretive (7).

There’s minimum front-end pressure on paper, so this could easily be on-pace dominated. Dane Smile (3) pings the gates and can lead, with Golden Act (4) quickly outside speed and See A Victory (5) stalking the pair in the box seat.

How can you go pass bonny little mare Dane Smile, who is unbeaten this time in?

Trainer Paula Wagg has placed her to perfection and she has swept through the grades. She has drawn wide, as she did last start when it posed no problems – she began quickly and is expected to do so again this time. After cruising outside the speed in her dominant victory last start, she let rip with a classy turn of speed and left subsequent winners Kim Trader and Radiant Prince in her wake. She should control this race on the pace and hard to beat.

The past two runs of Golden Act have been excellent. Wide with no cover, she was brave two starts back, then she got back and lacked the zip to compete over 1000m. The rise to 1200m and a spot outside the speed

makes her a winning chance. See A Victory is ultra-consistent and what she lacks in class she makes up for with a will to compete. Should get the box seat and be very competitive.

Ace In The Pak (6) is another consistent galloper and is well placed back to 1200m after having every possible chance at the 1400m last start. With a quick back-up will be strong on line.

Xaar Boom (1) has found it hard to win after winning out of her grade earlier in the year. Back from the Jungle mares’ series, she is drawn well, but the race tempo will be against her pattern. Her touch of class will take her a long way.

VERDICT Back (3) Dane Smile with confidence and have something small (4) Golden Act as a saver. (5) See A Victory, (6) Ace In The Pak and (1) Xaar Boom go in everything.

Include (12) Kender and (8) Steel The Empire in multiples.

Race 3 – Go For 2 & 5 Handicap [3YO] [Open 57+] 1100m 4:50pm [EDST] The natural speed and pressure engaged should ensure a slick time, and this will be the survival of the fittest/hardest. Impatient Times (6) has too much speed for his rivals and, if Peter Hall chooses to, he can lead.

Ginsberg (5) will be prominent from an inside draw, and there will be pressure wide out from Arcaxaar (4) and Master Tenby (7). The Entourage (1) and Romida (3) should be next in running.

I’m keen to get involved here in early fixed odds betting with Impatient Times ($3.70 in Player Sportsbet markets), a talented maiden sprinter with fantastic form references through the brilliant For Your Eyes Only, the high-class Thorn Dancer, gifted Zentrate and the handy Black Nijinsky. He ran some terrific races during the Belmont season, placing behind those mentioned. He has natural toe and, when tackled, fights. Looks too sharp for his rivals.

Lady Doll (9) was taken for a kill at Bunbury last month and won with something in hand. She should have a nice

run off the speed and will be running on late.

Solitary Hero (10) did a good job first-up down the Pinjarra straight 1000m. He is fitter and Cheri Cheval has confirmed that form with a strong midweek win.

The best roughie is Enriching (11) – tongue tie goes on; has not had the best of luck in three starts; suited with speed on.

VERDICT Bet-up on (6) Impatient Times. (9) Lady Doll (10), Solitary Hero and (11) Enriching are on the next line ahead of (3) Romida, (5) Ginsberg, (2) Demonic Age and (1) The Entourage.

Race 4 – Lord Mayor’s Cup [3YO+] [Open 83+] 1500m 5:30pm [EDST] Kens Double (4) can dominate this race from the front if Brad Parnham chooses. There is very little exposed front-end pressure. Turn of foot is vital.

The win of Inarticulate (3) was outstanding on Railway Stakes day – what a price! Alan Kennedy will need to be at his best from an awkward draw again, but he really clicks with this horse and knows its ability. He will try to find a three-wide cover position and if he has any luck his point-to-point speed will blow his rivals away. He is a genuine top-grade animal if Adam Durrant can keep him at the top of his game.

Kens Double has been oh so brave this time in, running some fantastic races against topclass opposition without winning. He worked overtime, wide with no cover in a race-record Winterbottom last week. Gets his chance to dictate terms from the front and from that spot will give the chasing pack some cheek.

Lambton Castle (8) can improve back to this level after being run off his feet in the Railway. His first two runs this time around hold him in good stead.

Spirited One (1) is a classy mare not badly treated after the 3kg claim for promising apprentice Ben Kennedy. She has a tricky draw, but will go back and come with a rush late. She was solid in the Railway and is another who will appreciate the drop in grade.

VERDICT Bet with confidence on (3) Inarticulate; he is a good horse! (4) Kens Double will give cheek. Look for fast finishing efforts from (8) Lambton Castle and (1) Spirited One. (6)

Proart is a genuine chance with his ability to roll forward. Include (2) Oroya Gold, last-start Sandown winner (5) Greatwall Of China and (7) Geyser Peak in multiples.

Race 5 – Queen’s Cup [3YO+] [Group 3] [Open 86+] 2400m 6:05pm [EDST] This time-honoured race alternates between states. It’s a strong edition, with Esroh (9) to take up the running and dictate terms to suit himself as he did last week with success. With no exposed pressure, the key will be settling, then a sharp turn of speed.

Ma Chienne (4) has been outstanding this time in. She is a one-dimensional “get back and come with a rush” mare, who ran on powerfully to score last start in the Tatt’s Cup when she seemed in an impossible position back in a muddling run race. Peter Hall returns to the saddle and he is one of the best distance jockeys around, so nothing is lost in replacing the in-form Alan Kennedy. Her exciting acceleration at the end of a distance race makes her the horse to beat.

Gondorff (3) strips fitter for an even performance in the Tatt’s Cup. He raced a touch keen and was flushed out early and did not finish off. Drawn well and if can be tucked away, he will be powering to the line.

Veteran Marine Drive (11) was terrific when wide throughout in the Tatt’s Cup before working to the line admirably for third.

Tough, seasoned and racing in career best form so has to be considered a winning chance. He does have a nice weight turnaround on Ma Chienne for his past two defeats.

Ten-year-old Daka’s Gem (2) returns home after racing well on the Victorian provincial cup circuit. Loved the way he hit the line last start in the Ballarat Cup. One of his biggest wins was a dead-heat with Scenic Shot at weight for age in the 2006 Cox Stakes at this track/distance.

VERDICT I’m happy to keep backing the form mare, (4) Ma Chienne. (3) Gondorff is a realistic danger. (11) Marine Drive is the best value.

Include (2) Daka's Gem, (6) Sentenza, (1) Hadabeclorka, (7) Biara Rose, (5) Mikaldico, (12) Tearinupthecountry, (8) Dante's Dash and (9) Esroh in wide exotic bets.

QUADDIE FIRST LEG

Race 6 – Go for 2 & 5 Kingston Town Classic [3yo +] [Group 1] [Open] 1800m, 6:45pm [EDST] One of three Group 1 races held in WA and deserves its ranking with an outstanding line-up. The speed maps have a lot of variables. Will they let Dante’s Banquet (8) run/roll? Will Sniper’s Bullet (2) try to dominate from the front, or sit ? Megatic (4) will be more positive! Will Jason Brown be attacking on Scenic Shot (1)? He will want a tough 1800m. Will they be more positive on Grand Nirvana (11)? One thing we know is, this will be genuinely run at weight for age.

The cream usually rises to the top in these races, so I believe Scenic Shot and Sniper’s Bullet can settle in for a ding-dong battle for supremacy. Scenic Shot is a hometown hero.

He has been a wonderful racehorse for connections, earning in excess of $2 million with 15 wins He has run in feature races all the way through his career, including the WATC Derby, Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Doomben Cup, Railway Stakes and this race, in which he finished second to Niconero in 2006. He does have a tricky draw to contend with – gate one after the early scratching of first emergency Sentenza. He has won Group 1s in Queensland and Victoria this year. His past four runs have been at Group 1 level: a massive third in the Turnbull to Efficient; a brave fifth in the second fastest Cox Plate ever run behind So You Think (freak!); a dominant win in the Mackinnon Stakes on Derby day; absolutely no luck in the Sandown Classic when fourth behind Zipping. He is a genuine Group 1 horse with outstanding stats at the track/distance.

With any luck, he is the winner.

Sniper’s Bullet was amazing in the Railway.

He began well, outside strong speed, made a move for home early and was strong at the end of the 1600m. There is a query on him at a strong 1800m after finishing third in last year’s edition behind Niconero and Gilded Venom. But it must be remembered he is probably in better form this year. He has “ drawn the river” but, with Damien Oliver on board and with gate speed, he can overcome the draw and quickly be on the speed in a stalking position. He is another proven wfa galloper who meets all his Railway rivals better at the weights for beating them comprehensively.

Three-year-old Thorn Dancer (16) is the wildcard. He is a young galloper with oodles of potential. The age group has a good record in the race, he is drawn well

and has a nice weight advantage. There was a lot to like about his last win and he is the smokey.

Lords Ransom (10) was eye-catching firstup in the Railway. He is not suited under these conditions, nevertheless he is quality with a capital Q and will be strong in a fastrun 1800m.

VERDICT Back (1) Scenic Shot and save on (2) Sniper’s Bullet. Have something small at odds on (16) Thorn Dancer. Include (10) Lords Ransom, (15) God Has Spoken, (8) Dante’s Banquet, (3) Tarzi, (5) Largo Lad, (11) Grand Nirvana, (14) Delta Gee and (12) Star Encounter in multiple bet types.

QUADDIE SECOND LEG

Race 7 – Sun Block Blinds Handicap [3YO+] [74-86] 1200m, 7:20pm [EDST] Casanova Jack (7) and Stratazoa (3) will decide the lead position. The speed is genuine and there will be front-end pressure, giving every horse a winning chance.

In an even race, I’m going with Follow The Road (12), who is down in class from the Winterbottom. He was back and wide last week at weight for age and was not disgraced. His previous form is right for this, he is down in the weights and he should get a nice trailing position in a pressure race.

His record shows you always get a good run out of this fellow. Eachway all day.

Classy mare Royal Devotion (2) made a mess of the start and was left at the barriers last week in the Jungle Dawn. She was sent back to trials Monday Lark Hill, and followed them around. Paul Harvey sticks – she will look the winner in straight.

Oldtimer Stratazoa is fitter for three runs back and is racing well. In his past two campaigns his fourth run back has produced a second to Foxy Boy (Belmont 1200m, track record) and a second to Dante’s Volonte (lightning fast Ascot 1200m).

Well-bred entire Formal Attire (5) resumed for a new stable on WA Guineas day and, after falling out of the gates, attacked the line in 32.93 for final 600m. He will go back and be strong on line again.

Casanova Jack is racing well and, after a 3kg claim for Damian Lane, will give cheek from the top.

VERDICT Eachway (12) Follow The Road. (2) Royal Devotion is the obvious danger. Include (3) Stratazoa, (5) Formal Attire, (7) Casanova Jack, (9) Key Biscuit, (11) Ballroom

Crown and (1) Sheenasaidgrey in quaddies.

Include (10) Eagle Rock, (6) Given Vision and (8) Dance Works in wide multiples.

QUADDIE THIRD LEG

Race 8 – Sir Ernest Lee-Steer Classic [Group 3] [Open] [3YO] 1400m, 7:57pm [EDST] Expecting Wizards Point (2) should roll forward, Dawinner (11) is the possible speed and Mission Achieved (10) should put himself in the race early. I’m expecting a truly-run race with pressure.

I like The Corporation (1), who is back in distance after struggling at the 1800m of the Aquanita last Saturday. Paul Harvey takes over, will go back from wide draw and does have a touch of class going on his WA Guineas and Fairetha performances. He is suited under set-weights conditions in this race.

Trustee Brown (4) is a smart horse in the making and is doing a marvellous job in his first campaign. He is drawn well and will look the winner in the straight.

Keshaar (7) is talented and drawn to get a cushy run. I liked the way he finished his race off last time and the 1400m is ideal at this stage.

Maiden Mission Achieved has blinkers off and winkers on after running a ripper last time behind two highly talented young horses Thorn Dancer and Ranger. He did not lose ground on the quinella pair and looks a handy type in the making.

VERDICT Back (1) The Corporation and save on (4) Trustee Brown. (7) Keshaar and (10) Mission Achieved are on the next line.

Include (13) Test Case, (12) Impressive Jeuney, (11) Dawinner, (5) Bizet, (8) Stormish and (2) Wizards Point in wide exotic bets.

own thing in front. He should find the front again and, from there, he is clearly the horse to beat.

Found And Kept (6) had no luck two starts back and was doing his best work late behind Coconut Grove last start. He finally has drawn a gate. He has won here at 1600m in very fast time – he is the blow-out!

Truckin Tobie (13) is under-rated and fought hard after sitting on a slow speed last Saturday. He was placed in a Bunbury Cup behind Lords Ransom and Guyno when firing two preparations back. He looks to be back in good form, so keep safe again on the speed.

Sky Marshall (10) is near to winning form after a closing ninth, beaten two lengths last week. His back-up record is good, including an 1800m win at Ascot last time in work. I would like to see the “Ike” (rider Takahide Ikenushi) more positive; if so Sky Marshall will be thereabouts again.

VERDICT Back (3) Coconut Grove with a small saver on (6) Found And Kept. Include (13) Truckin Tobie, (10) Sky Marshall, (12) Ten Aces, (14) Urlay Nook, (5) Beyond Dispute, (4) Brunello, (7) Glen Erin Lad, (2) Brave Knight, (1) Hawkeye Mort, (11) Sunrange and (8) Bentonian in wide multiples.

BEST BETS Race 2 – No. 3 Dane Smile Race 3 – No. 6 Impatient Times

BEST VALUE Race 7 – No. 12 Follow The Road eachway

QUADDIE ($1 UNIT) 1,2,8,10,16/1,2,3,5,7,9,10,11,12/1,4,7,10/ 3,6 ($360) 1,2,16/Field/1,4,7/3,6 ($216) 1,2/2,3,5,7,12/1,4/3,6 $40

QUADDIE FOURTH LEG

Race 9 – Aluminium Venetian Handicap [74-86] [3YO+] 1800m 8:35pm [EDST] I expect Coconut Grove (3) to lead, Hawkeye Mort (1) to keep him honest. This will be truly run with pressure on throughout.

Coconut Grove made a one-act affair of his WA debut, leading all the way to take out the last on Railway Stakes day. This wellbred entire looks to be best when doing his

Good luck and good punting!

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Josh Rodder