EXPERT RACING TIPS: ASCOT

ASCOT PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | SATURDAY OCTOBER 11TH 2025

Betting Strategy

With the plethora of form to do for the remainder of a bumper card, I left this race to last, and it probably didn’t get the just deserts it deserved after a 15 hour form marathon. Firearm was clearly the most impressive trialler to the eye and the market tends to agree. I dare said Shaun O’Donnell could have won it by a few lengths had he pulled the trigger, but he held this Shooting To Win gelding together throughout. Likely settles rearward from the outside alley, which is always some risk on debut as a sub $3 fav, but it’s hard to ignore the aesthetics of that hit-out. There have been plenty of nice/encouraging 400m jump-outs, but backing horses off 400m trials is a quick-fire way to going broke. Expecting Firearm to go past them, but I’ll be enjoying the Ascot opener as a neutral.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 11. Linchpin (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $3.20)

The blinkers went on Linchpin in his final trial pre debut and we saw a completely different horse. The way he picked up subsequent winner Holler Nuff over the unsuitable 950, was a sign of what was to come on debut. While I do think the race shape tended to suit him on that particular day, but it still can’t be dismissed how difficult it is to win on debut, at 1400, from the widest alley. The Hoya Destroyer form has got a little bit behind it too – he was a game second to Maxwhooshtapn (ran 2nd in a 72+ since) and broke his maiden status comfortably on Wednesday. Always wary about backing one going from a maiden to a 60+, but most of these have had plenty of chances, he maps to land a lot more forward (suspect 2 back, 1 out, but could be 1-1) and this is the time of the year we see the 3yo’s dominate the older horses in these moderate races. Ideal world is $4 or near enough for a bet. Romantic Ruler has come up above my price (marked 7.5), and will likely get me too. They key for him early is to hold that forward spot, one off the fence and have the momentum on straightening. He beat subsequent 66+ winner, Decision Maker just about on merit and then was completely luckless at his most recent when Jason Whiting just continued to lose his spot in running. The third horse, Capable Angel, has come out to win his next two and suddenly this seemingly lowly C1 is becoming a reasonable little form reference. This is very winnable back to this grade. Exquisite Taste is a funny one. I thought he was only OK first and second up, then the shades were ripped off, and he seemingly improved lengths, holding out Old Mate Henry. Not sure what to do with him – may look to sit on Frappuccino here? Wembanyama has been an eye-catcher at his last two and a backmarker getting the services of W. Pike for the first time always catches the attention. Just wary about him dropping the bit and the head start he gives a couple of up and comers. Battle Commander likely breezes with 53.5 and can be there at the end on map alone.

BACK: 4. Romantic Ruler (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $7.50)

Romantic Ruler has come up above my price (marked 7.5), and will likely get me too. They key for him early is to hold that forward spot, one off the fence and have the momentum on straightening. He beat subsequent 66+ winner, Decision Maker just about on merit and then was completely luckless at his most recent when Jason Whiting just continued to lose his spot in running.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 3. Magic Whistle (WIN & PLACE) for 1 unit (Rated at $6.00)

I hope I’m not one run early here, but I am going to have 10 cents on Magic Whistle at the double figures. This bloke has always been a real tough bugger and has only got better after moving to the Misty Bazeley yard at the start of his last prep. He’s never been a wet tracker and his best work has always come at Ascot, so the return to HQ definitely suits. Last prep he won 2 of his 3 realistic efforts over 2000+ (I’m excluding the unrealistic efforts in the country cups), when only beaten by a rampant Stormageddon. Settled further back than intended at his most recent, but was really strong on the line – a big positive for a horse we associate with toughness rather than point to point sharpness. A sign he’s nearly ready. Kerman Rock & Beats Of War will likely go at each other again which means there is no soft lead, but there does look a lack of ‘secondary speed’, so hopefully Chanel Cooper can work her way forward and tuck in behind that pair (and they actually give some type of kick into the straight). Love the use of the claim as he is a horse who has gone super for the claiming apprentices in the past. Antique Star is the obvious starting point from a market POV. Going super and the stable continue to back in Amy Jo, who has ridden this horse to perfection twice this prep. First go at the trip the query, but maps to get the favours. How do the rest handle the firmer deck? Do we forgive Lombadina going back to the inside pad a fortnight ago? 7 winning hopes here, so happy to speculate with some value.

BACK: 3. Magic Whistle (PLACE) for 1 unit

I hope I’m not one run early here, but I am going to have 10 cents on Magic Whistle at the double figures. This bloke has always been a real tough bugger and has only got better after moving to the Misty Bazeley yard at the start of his last prep. He’s never been a wet tracker and his best work has always come at Ascot, so the return to HQ definitely suits. Last prep he won 2 of his 3 realistic efforts over 2000+ (I’m excluding the unrealistic efforts in the country cups), when only beaten by a rampant Stormageddon. Settled further back than intended at his most recent, but was really strong on the line – a big positive for a horse we associate with toughness rather than point to point sharpness. A sign he’s nearly ready. Kerman Rock & Beats Of War will likely go at each other again which means there is no soft lead, but there does look a lack of ‘secondary speed’, so hopefully Chanel Cooper can work her way forward and tuck in behind that pair (and they actually give some type of kick into the straight). Love the use of the claim as he is a horse who has gone super for the claiming apprentices in the past. Antique Star is the obvious starting point from a market POV. Going super and the stable continue to back in Amy Jo, who has ridden this horse to perfection twice this prep. First go at the trip the query, but maps to get the favours. How do the rest handle the firmer deck? Do we forgive Lombadina going back to the inside pad a fortnight ago? 7 winning hopes here, so happy to speculate with some value.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 12. Mohegan Ruler (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $4.80)

This race is a genuine mess. I can’t see the likes of Bartime, Uukhai, Hit The Jackpot or Gold Flakes opting out of this speed battle, so I suspect we see a 3 and maybe even 4 wide line here. None of the speed horses give me great fear factor, even if somehow left alone (Scorpion Ruler the one exception, but surely doesn’t get a soft lead?), so I suspect this might be a race which changes complexion heavily late. The two I’ve marked at the pointy end of my book have both gone up slight overs, so I’ll have a small bet on Mohegan Ruler and chop on Surfside Session. Mohegan Ruler clearly hasn’t been right for his last couple of preps, but the major positive is that the yard has continued to persist with him (would almost expect he’d have been moved on at the end of last prep?), suggesting they like the horse. The recent trials were exactly what you’d want to see. The first, he hit the line super from last, before Chloe Azzopardi was clearly given instructions to give him the quietest trial possible. He was bolting. Perhaps a sign of confidence? Love the wider draw, love the map. Would not surprise me if he wins this by 3 or runs last. Easy bet with Pike on @ $6+. Surfside Session hasn’t beaten much, but I’ve loved the aesthetics of all runs this prep. Trial was super. First up carried weight and did all the work, then second up never really got any peace, but was still strong through the line. Maps close to the speed and has upside. Kraken Time is the best horse in this race, and he is jumping a heap better for Mitch Pateman, but where does he end up; 3 or 4 back the fence with leaders stopping? If Holly packs her pogo stick, she’ll probably win this but it just screams yet another hard lucker. Cable Boy is the complete blowout. Loves Ascot, goes good fresh and this mad type of speed map and wide draw suit him. Trial was nice behind two reasonable types who were both under the stick. If he gets to $50+ (which I suspect he comfortably does), I’ll be having something on. Welcome to capacity fields @ Ascot!

BACK: 7. Surfside Session (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $5.90)

Surfside Session hasn’t beaten much, but I’ve loved the aesthetics of all runs this prep. Trial was super. First up carried weight and did all the work, then second up never really got any peace, but was still strong through the line. Maps close to the speed and has upside

BACK: 2. Cable Boy (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $16.00)

Cable Boy is the complete blowout. Loves Ascot, goes good fresh and this mad type of speed map and wide draw suit him. Trial was nice behind two reasonable types who were both under the stick. If he gets to $50+ (which I suspect he comfortably does), I’ll be having something on. Welcome to capacity fields @ Ascot!

Betting Strategy

BACK: 3. All Play (WIN) for 4 units (Rated at $2.70)

This looks a real race in 2 with All Play& Kay Tee Why dominating the market. The speed map is crucial here with Cessation/Ginnivan/Do I Feel Lucky the obvious speed horses and the very fluent All Play, likely holding their backs. Really, All Play could probably lead this if they so desired, but they are continuing to teach the horse to settle and will no doubt look to land behind the leader. Just needs to be wary about being too defensive and ending up 3 back the fence and giving up his speed map advantage on KTY. While I respect the KTY first up win, he did map perfectly on the minimum and chased down a horse with weight who was battling for form. Is closer to last here, has more weight and surely gives All Play a 2-4L head start. I’m against the market and have All Play a $2.70 favourite over KTY ($2.95). Pray for normal luck. Silver Eye and Ginnivan are clearly the next 2 in my book. Both are better horses on the rain affected however both surely find the ‘big 2’, too slick.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 11. Great Emotion (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $3.30)

Bit of a sticky map here. Who leads? Blazing Emerald, Asphalt (wide gate, early money – do they show aggression?), Miss Esprit, Diablo Lad and Ain’tsobad (feel is they ride him cold after a recent failure on speed) are all possibilities but there is no clear leader. While I don’t think Great Emotion is one of Bob’s best, I do think this is a nice grade for her if she can get some luck from that inside draw. She was stiff second up when she didn’t see any clear air until the race was over and I do like the rise to the 1400 for a horse with a bit of scope near the minimum. With a sticky map, barrier 1 could end up a blessing if she can follow a strong kicking leader, but also may end up a hindrance, so a firm $4 is required for a play with the distinct possibility of bad luck. Diablo Lad was stiff in the same race as Great Emotion. Can he lead/breeze and be strong enough late? Feel is, he’s going to be a far better horse with cover? Hymns Of Eladdair was super first up with the 60, but will need to be just as good second up against a slightly strong field, while Miss Esprit will probably try to lead. She’s only done so twice in her career – a 3.2L maiden win and a narrow second to Quokka runner Petula in a Pearl Classic @ Pinjarra. Problem is, she is probably a $5-10 chance just to lead.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 7. Rommeo (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $7.40)

I feel compelled to take on Old Mate Henry at the current quote (sub $3 at time of writing, I’ve marked him $5.2) and play the two of the runners above my price in Rommeo ($7.4) and Maxwhooshtapin ($5.2). Rommeo hasn’t exactly been a prolific winner over his career, but they don’t travel much better than he was at his most recent. Went to the line under a hold (stewards asked a few questions), in what has to be a stronger race than this. Can lose his races out of the machines, but if Shaun O’Donnell can get him to step cleanly and have him midfield-ish, he looks ready to win with the step up to 1800. The whole Cliff Green yard is humming at the moment, and the double figures is an easy bet. Maxwhooshtapin was huge after he made the ginormous leap from C1 to 69+ company. He beat home some really sharp types in that. I don’t think the weight is a huge issue for him, as he is a big unit, but the wide gate @ the 1800m start at Ascot is the reason we are seeing ~$7 instead of $3.50. Still, I think Brad Parnham can assess the situation and ride him a little colder. I’d be surprised if this race doesn’t have a 3 wide line. Pharoah Show is getting better with racing and is the best mapped horse in this, while Old Mate Henry will likely be 3 or 4 back the fence, which traditionally is not a bad spot for the Ascot 1800. I simply just can’t justify the sub $3 for a horse who has only won a weak maiden.

BACK: 1. Maxwhooshtapin (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $5.20)

Maxwhooshtapin was huge after he made the ginormous leap from C1 to 69+ company. He beat home some really sharp types in that. I don’t think the weight is a huge issue for him, as he is a big unit, but the wide gate @ the 1800m start at Ascot is the reason we are seeing ~$7 instead of $3.50. Still, I think Brad Parnham can assess the situation and ride him a little colder.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 3. Twisted Steel (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $2.60)

This is quickly becoming one of my favourite races in the WA racing season, as a quality bunch of 3yo’s begin their journey toward the Placid Ark or WA Guineas. While we have all the returning Karrakatta placegetters (Talkanco, Yes Queen, Snitzalatte) it’s the new kid on the block Twisted Steel who holds clear market favouritism. His efforts in some dreary winter 2yo sprints were soft as butter and the camp has always oozed confidence with this bloke. Pike has opted to ride him over Yes Queen and Snitzalatte, in a really strong push and he does look like having field position (should lead or perhaps let Kings Court go and tag him/pop to breeze) on most of his major dangers. The simple fact is, that lining up the winter form with the quality summer form is near on impossible and we can only set a backable price for a horse I think is the most suited to the 1000m of this event. Happy to be on, but a firm $3 is required, which means a drift from the price at the time of writing. Talkanco is a gun, but can drop the bit in his races. Very hard to win over the 1000m without the fluency in your racing, but it would not surprise me. Yes Queen was huge ridden cold later in the carnival and I suspect we see similar here en route to a Placid Ark, while Luana Miss has been cruelled by the gate. Might just need to take their medicine and snag to last? Snitzalatte maps a dream and is the runner with fitness under her belt, while Storm Away has some real X factor to him. Cracking feature race to kick off the Ascot season.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 8. Investmentstrategy (WIN & PLACE) for 3 units (Rated at $3.80)

Investmentstrategy may just be the most suited runner with the switch back to Ascot. I thought he was just OK at Belmont, but like a lot of the Neville Parnham team, we know he properly excels at Ascot. His win last prep when sitting 4 deep the trip was one of the more memorable efforts and it can be quickly forgotten he was beaten under a length in an RJ Peters (winner goes to the Railway) when Brad just went a bit slow out in front. He’s fit this time in, he maps well ahead of his major dangers who could well be the last 3 in running and he’s even dropped a few points to get him down to a really winnable 56kg’s. Anything near the best of Investmentstrategy and they will find it very hard to catch him. Clint Johnston-Porter tellingly has opted to ride First Encounter over Opportunistic. He can 100% win, but the trial was plain, he’ll be near last and at ~$2.80ish is such an easy horse to bet around. First Encounter was a nice trial but that was over the 1450. The entirety of his last prep he looked like he wanted 1600 min. Captain Pluto is one of the states best fresh horses, but his rating continues to creep up and is a difficult ride for an ever improving apprentice. Red Sun Sensation should have gone close to winning this race last year, but have the trials/build-up been the same as 12 months ago? Perhaps been kept fresh (last trial 15/9) on purpose? Happy to be with Investmentstrategy each way.

BACK: 8. Investmentstrategy (PLACE) for 3 units

Investmentstrategy may just be the most suited runner with the switch back to Ascot. I thought he was just OK at Belmont, but like a lot of the Neville Parnham team, we know he properly excels at Ascot. His win last prep when sitting 4 deep the trip was one of the more memorable efforts and it can be quickly forgotten he was beaten under a length in an RJ Peters (winner goes to the Railway) when Brad just went a bit slow out in front. He’s fit this time in, he maps well ahead of his major dangers who could well be the last 3 in running and he’s even dropped a few points to get him down to a really winnable 56kg’s. Anything near the best of Investmentstrategy and they will find it very hard to catch him. Clint Johnston-Porter tellingly has opted to ride First Encounter over Opportunistic. He can 100% win, but the trial was plain, he’ll be near last and at ~$2.80ish is such an easy horse to bet around. First Encounter was a nice trial but that was over the 1450. The entirety of his last prep he looked like he wanted 1600 min. Captain Pluto is one of the states best fresh horses, but his rating continues to creep up and is a difficult ride for an ever improving apprentice. Red Sun Sensation should have gone close to winning this race last year, but have the trials/build-up been the same as 12 months ago? Perhaps been kept fresh (last trial 15/9) on purpose? Happy to be with Investmentstrategy each way.

Betting Strategy

BACK: 7. Exceed The Planet (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $3.50)

We finish with another capacity cracker with a plethora of differing form lines converging to give us an extremely competitive market. If you like one, you should get the opportunity to be on as there is just so much depth to this. Exceed The Planet is the one for me. Seemingly came from nowhere when running a huge third to Golden Eagle bound West Star and boom youngster September Born in last years Belgravia. He was as good as either of them on the line. Proved that was no fluke with a stiff 2nd to September Born in the Fairetha a fortnight later. He only had the one run at his prep earlier this year when he strolled in, in his maiden (aesthetically as soft a win as you will see) and I loved the recent trial (without his race day shades) where Patty put him away late. There isn’t a huge amount of speed in this, so he should be showing some type of positivity early. It is a big call in a race with plenty of depth, but I just think he might have the most scope of these. Deel Her In is my second elect, mainly on map. Suspect they are far from aggressive out of the machines second up and think he can land in about 5th. On paper this doesn’t look a race you want to be getting too far back. Perhaps is looking for the 1400 now, but at near double figures is a cheap save. Sonoftheboss gets another amazing map. It’s surreal that a capacity sprint at this time of the year only has one speed horse. Should lead, should kick and the horses around him are all $50+ pops. No reason he can’t win on map again. Another I’m happy chopping on at the $15+. Plenty of respect for Mardusa and Playin’it Sweet, it’s just map and price for those two which sees me look elsewhere.

BACK: 4. Deel Her In (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $5.50)

Deel Her In is my second elect, mainly on map. Suspect they are far from aggressive out of the machines second up and think he can land in about 5th. On paper this doesn’t look a race you want to be getting too far back. Perhaps is looking for the 1400 now, but at near double figures is a cheap save.

BACK: 2. Sonoftheboss (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $8.50)

Sonoftheboss gets another amazing map. It’s surreal that a capacity sprint at this time of the year only has one speed horse. Should lead, should kick and the horses around him are all $50+ pops. No reason he can’t win on map again. Another I’m happy chopping on at the $15+.

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