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EXPERT RACING TIPS: ASCOT

Ascot Overview

Rail Position: +4m | Expected Track Condition: Good 4

PLEASE NOTE: Terry’s rated prices appear in brackets next to each horse being assessed.

Best Bets

Terry Leighton

Best Bet

Betting Strategy

Expand Betting Strategy

BACK: #10 Count The Sessions to WIN

Count The Sessions deserves a win. If Clint can navigate a trouble-free path, she’ll be awfully hard to beat.

RACE 1 | SELECTIONS

1. Blue Lagoon
7. Brave Strike
4. Stormchaser
3. Odinaka

TERRY LEIGHTON’S PREVIEW

Not the deepest 3yo event with two runners standing out in my book. Blue Lagoon ($2.90) has gone from strength to strength this time in. After falling in against Molly Magee in a C1 (Molly is still a maiden) five starts ago, I thought that’ll probably be his last win. Since then he’s been super in a quality 3yo event (1.8L off Zipaway), unlucky in the Fairetha (2.6L off Investmentstrategy) and ran out of his skin in the Guineas (2.1L off Zipaway). The form stands out, love the booking of CJP and with some luck from the inside alley is over them late. Brave Strike ($3.60) was a tough watch a fortnight ago. Was super keen at the $25+ when just didn’t get into her work until it was all over. Momentum at the top of the straight and I think she wins – needs that 50-100m to pick up and find top speed. Will be hoping Blue Lagoon finds some trouble and can be the one with momentum down the outside. Don’t want to lose on her. Stormchaser ($5.50) breezes and is the one they need to run down. Big jockey booking. Odinaka ($25) the wild one. Best is good enough, but still looking for that level.

Betting Strategy

BACK: #1 Blue Lagoon to WIN

Blue Lagoon is flying and should be hard to hold out. Love the booking of CJP.

BACK: #7 Brave Strike to WIN

Brave Strike the clear danger to Blue Lagoon. Don’t want to lose on her.

RACE 2 | SELECTIONS

4. Manhattan Strip
3. Eee Pee Cee
5. Thorogood
2. San Fabrizio

TERRY LEIGHTON’S PREVIEW

Full Of Merit, Material Witness and Nod And Smile will ensure this is run at a good clip and give those with cover the chance to finish over the top of them. The script says San Fabrizio wins for Ollie and the family connections involved in the horse, but on face value how can he turn the tables on Eee Pee Cee ($3.00)? While the trial was sensational, the market didn’t share the same confidence we’d see a repeat performance first up. He travelled well and it was all over on straightening. There was a big boom on this bloke pre-debut and he might just be now, putting it all together. Unless you’re expecting a flat one second up, there aren’t many boxes he doesn’t tick. Manhattan Strip ($4.70) might provide the value. Is no star but looks to have come back a more professional galloper (jumping and travelling nearer the speed). Just racing without luck and at the prices might make him the result. Should have field position on EPC. Thorogood ($7.70) is another who’s returned happy. Huge first up and then not suited under horses second up. I thought when he finally got balanced up at his most recent, he hit the line brilliantly. Like the wide draw. They are the three for me.

Betting Strategy

BACK: #4 Manhattan Strip to WIN

Manhattan Strip should present the most value. Maps brilliantly and has been luckless at his last two.

BACK: #3 Eee Pee Cee to WIN

Eee Pee Cee has to be favourite on his first up run. A repeat performance and he’s awfully hard to beat.

RACE 3 | SELECTIONS

2. Billy Ray
10. Megami
1. Big Bada Boom
5. Speed Dream

TERRY LEIGHTON’S PREVIEW

It’s another race with enough speed (and at this level, questionable speed) to look for one to finish over them. Thought the effort of Billy Ray ($3.10) was anything off a setback behind a very smart Starry Heights and he can only come on from that. His racing pattern dictates that he’ll always need luck, but it looks the right setup. Megami ($4.70) has a very similar profile. Was a month between runs, so clearly had a small hiccup but was still brilliant behind a couple of sharp ones. Will be rearward with Billy. Big Bada Boom ($13) a big watch second up. Roy Rogers will be desperate to send his good mate Damien Oliver off with a winner and his first up run was super over the unsuitable 1200. Will try and work to the breeze and be too tough. I’ll lose if it wins, but it’ll warm what is a very cold red headed heart. Classic Rogue ($11) was a nice run on stable debut for Steele Casey. Maps better and CJP aboard, few boxes ticked, while Speed Dream ($13) is going far better than numerical form suggests. Just can’t draw a hole, or he’d be on top.

Betting Strategy

BACK: #2 Billy Ray to WIN

Billy Ray has been a revelation for the Fernie’s. Hard to hold out if the gaps appear.

BACK: #10 Megami to WIN

Went super off a month’s break and the tempo of this race should suit. Main danger to Billy.

RACE 4 | SELECTIONS

2. Rusty Dreams
7. Super Smink
5. Yonga Lass
3. Amber Glide

TERRY LEIGHTON’S PREVIEW

Hard to go to in depth here with Super Smink not a guaranteed starter. It looks a race without any true tempo (I can’t imagine Ross Price instructing Michael Poy to roll them along too aggressively on Fine Touch) and a very sticky betting affair for those 2 reasons. The analysis comes down to class – IF she runs, is Super Smink simply too well in to be beaten, despite the mile query. Or is a fit and firing Yonga Lass or Rusty Dreams going to be to tough over the 8 furlongs? Rusty Dreams is my lean, but has to be ridden ice cold from the gate or will be forced outside the speed. If Damien Lane can time his run around them, Yonga Lass may well be pocketed. Fascinating tactical affair.

Betting Strategy

No bets.

RACE 5 | SELECTIONS

8. Ace Command
6. Roch Legacy
12. Secret Attraction
2. Captain Pluto

TERRY LEIGHTON’S SELECTIONS

Only had to look at the fields for ~20 seconds to know I’d finally be on Ace Command ($4.60). The placement by Magic Mike this prep has been a query (64 rater went around in a 75+ last start), but every run has had huge merit. Prefer him over 1600+ (tick) and this map allows him to have a head start in a race with a plethora of backmarkers (tick). Needs to stay off the fence and let rip pre-bend (strength is toughness, not turn of foot) and will be super hard to run down. Roch Legacy ($6.60) has been huge at 3 of his 4 runs for Justine Erkelens. Gate the leveller. Captain Pluto ($7.70) gets back, but will be suited with the rise in trip. Oliver wins at least one, surely. Secret Attraction ($7.70) was a near auto bet second up, after a flashing lights run fresh. While the steer was ordinary, I still wanted to see more late. Like the shades and Chris Parnham going on and her best probably wins. All of those bar Ace Command are backmarkers, making the each way play very easy at the price.

Betting Strategy

BACK: #8 Ace Command WIN

This bloke finally gets a race setup which looks really suitable. Off fence and rolling pre-bend, he’ll be super hard to catch.

BACK: #8 Ace Command PLACE

This bloke finally gets a race setup which looks really suitable. Off fence and rolling pre-bend, he’ll be super hard to catch.

RACE 6 | SELECTIONS

10. Count The Sessions
2. Written Matter
12. Mama Tembu
5. Belgrano Belle

TERRY LEIGHTON’S SELECTIONS

Count The Sessions ($3.50) looks to have found her race. It’s been a serious training effort to get this Albany free-wheeler to settle and be competitive at this level and not many deserve Saturday success more. Likely ends up three the fence, so will need some CJP magic, but he isn’t far behind Pike from that spot. There are a couple out wide that may represent value here. Written Matter ($10) was reasonably well spec’d last time out but didn’t get much luck. Like the way he went to the line and the three-wide train might be how CTS is beaten. 78+ to a weak looking 66+ is a huge drop in grade. Mama Tembu ($10) was as good a run as Belgrano Belle ($5.00) at their most recent but likely goes around 3 or 4 times the price. Aussie Galati is better than a country jockey and can announce himself here. Pending late prices could make all three a result, but Count The Sessions the standout.

Betting Strategy

BACK: #10 Count The Sessions to WIN

Count The Sessions deserves a win. If Clint can navigate a trouble-free path, she’ll be awfully hard to beat.

RACE 7 | SELECTIONS

7. Devine Belief
3. Goddess Of Giving
11. Costazita
9. Rear Admiral

TERRY LEIGHTON’S SELECTIONS

This is the hardest race of the day. Had Devine Belief ($5.50) been more likely to find the breeze (worried Sockoff and Art Of Sabrage both kick up), I’d just about label her as Ollie’s farewell winner. While she goes on top, I just have those map concerns. With the speed engaged, something can run over them. Goddess Of Giving ($6.80) is a sharp dropper in trip which should suit and the map looks ideal. Costazita ($6.80) will likely be popular and while he has the most upside, the month gap between trial and race won’t be missed by punters. Not sure what to make of him. Could name 10 more runners, but a bit like that awkward ‘thankyou’ speech where you leave someone out (usually the missus), I’ll leave it there.

Betting Strategy

No bets.

RACE 8 | SELECTIONS

8. Street Parade
13. Upper Limits
10. Cobbanco
1. Magnificent Andy

TERRY LEIGHTON’S SELECTIONS

Another tough race to decipher with there being more questions than answers. Big Screen ensures they go quick and coming off a setback, you’d presume he stops. Can Street Parade ($7.50) run out a strong 1400? The race was all over a fortnight ago before he ducked in badly in the final 100. Rise to 1400 a complete unknown, but if Big Screen were to be a late out again, almost backs himself on map and jockey booking (and fact he wouldn’t duck in, knowing he holds the rail throughout and doesn’t potentially have to pop off to the breeze). Magnificent Andy ($9.00) gets the grandstand, but has earnt it. Another great ride for Ollie, but he’ll need to give it a ten with the 61.5. Vast Art ($7.50) will be last, but could this be a race where patience is rewarded? Upper Limits ($4.50) is my market elect and makes most sense. Draws soft, rise in trip suits and should be there or thereabouts. Cobbanco ($13) a huge rise in grade, but the step up to 1400 and soft draw are in his favour. Brings weaker, but alternate form lines and won’t know himself with the 54

Betting Strategy

No bets.

RACE 9 | SELECTIONS

7. Comfort Me
16. Ripcord
1. Dom To Shoot
4. Munhamek

TERRY LEIGHTON’S SELECTIONS

We say goodbye to the champion that is Damien Oliver and he will need to be every bit of that champion from the draw he’s been dealt with Munhamek ($10). Is the script written? A lesser but well worth noting script, is the good draw for Comfort Me ($7.00). Not many have run the races he has run over an extended period of time without success, but this is his chance. His run in last years Gold Rush just about wins this from the softer draw and I love the booking of Shaun McGruddy. You’d want to see him off and going on the bend. Where to from there? Ayrton ($8.00) is an unknown at his first outing in the West, but a middle draw should suit. Dom To Shoot ($14) drops from the 1800 to 1400 off 7 days, but is simply going too well to ignore. Ripcord ($7.50) is the only 3yo to get a run (awkward) and that form line has proven to be strong. Will he run out a strong 1400m? Fantastic end to a gripping Pinnacles where you’ll get each way the field.

Betting Strategy

BACK: #7 Comfort Me to WIN

Comfort Me FINALLY draws a gate. Has the tactical speed to put himself in position A and break the elusive feature race duck.

BACK: #7 Comfort Me to PLACE

Comfort Me FINALLY draws a gate. Has the tactical speed to put himself in position A and break the elusive feature race duck.

Ascot Racecource WA Overview

SUMMARY

Ascot Racecourse is located on the banks of the Swan River on the outskirts of the city of Perth, and has been the home of the Western Australian Turf Club (now operating as Perth Racing) since it hosted its first race meeting back in 1852. Perth Racing is the only metropolitan race club in WA and also operates the city’s other racecourse at Belmont Park, with the two venues hosting a combined 90 meetings per season. A trio of Group 1 races in summer are the headline acts, culminating in the Kingston Town Classic named in honour of the champion racehorse who won 14 times at racing’s highest level, including three Cox Plates in a row from 1980-82. For Ascot race tips on the Kingston Town Classic and all meetings during Perth’s summer and winter carnivals, make sure you bookmark the Betfair Hub.

FAST FACTS

A notable feature of Ascot racecourse is its imposing statue of local hero Northerly, the two-time Cox Plate winner who became known as the ‘Fighting Tiger’ due to his tenacity in races.

KEY EVENTS

The Perth Summer Racing Carnival is the highlight of the year-round action at Ascot. Featuring a trio of Group 1 contests – the Winterbottom Stakes, Railway Stakes and Kingston Town Classic – the eight-week carnival opens with the Group 3 Northerly Stakes in mid-October, and closes with the Group 2 Perth Cup which is traditionally held on New Year’s Day. Ascot hosts every meeting during the summer carnival and also stages all eight fixtures which form the winter carnival, opening with the Group 3 WA Oaks for fillies. Whether it’s a Group race or a regular Saturday metro meeting, you can trust our team of tipsters to deliver their Ascot race tips on the Betfair Hub.

COURSE PROFILE

The circumference of Ascot racecourse is 2022m with a relatively short home straight measuring just 300m, but due to its steep incline it presents a true test of a horse’s stamina particularly in staying races. The triangular course has three distinct turns, including a sweeping curve from the 1600m to the 1000m mark. Depending on the strength and direction of the wind coming in off the river, leaders can be advantaged at Ascot. Betfair’s team of experts stay across the track conditions as they bring you their Ascot best bets throughout the year.

HISTORY

Regarded as the grand old lady of Australian racing, Ascot (originally called Perth Racecourse) has been hosting meetings since the formation of the West Australian Turf Club in 1852. The inaugural edition of the Perth Cup was run in 1887, when it was run over two miles (the race distance was changed to 2400m in 2009).

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