ASCOT PREVIEW AND TIPS | EXPERT TIPS | SATURDAY MARCH 15TH 2025
AIL: TRUE TRACK: Good4
Starting to gain some confidence again in the rail at the TRUE position, with it starting to play nice and fair at that spot. Some reasonable weather is hitting Perth late in the week, but I’d be surprised if it affects the deck a great deal.
Best Bets
Terry Leighton
BACK: 4. Hymns Of Eladdair (WIN) for 4 units (Rated at $1.70)
This looks a great race for Hymns Of Eladdair. Loved the trial, loved the softness of the first up win, he simply got too far back in a far better race than this, second up. This is a horribly weak assignment, Pike goes on and he only needs to hold his form to win. Something beginning with a 2 will get me. Grand Reserve won fresh last prep while Beau Talk and Chop Suey are both going OK. When it is that hard to mark a second favourite, it tells a story.
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Terry Leighton
BACK: 8. Secret Attraction (WIN) for 4 units (Rated at $3.00)
Love this race for Secret Attraction. She had no right to carry weight, circle the field, try to settle in the breeze and still be in the finish (arguably was fighting back to win before she was sandwiched), all off no trial @ the 1400m. Her only other effort in town since moving to Peter Fernie was arguably a bigger run when sitting deep the trip and coming late at Fly With Caution, where Pike half gave up at the top of the straight (he thought she was gone?). Down to the 55, the run under her belt, a barrier and Pike will be keen to make amends – reckon she can stack up to the good ones. Plenty of respect for Bonjoy but she is off another setback (no issue last time) and back to the 1400. Can win, but at the price I’ll risk. Generosity is simply over-rated by the market start after start. My very quick maths tell me she’s been a beaten favourite at 8 of her 18 starts and while she’s run some reasonable races over 1400, I don’t feel like she has been crying out for the trip? No doubt wins now, but once again, I can’t get anywhere near her at the price. Angel Undercover is flying but the map looks horrible.
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1. Elite Missile
3. Kay Tee Why
2. Shmoov Moova
5. Jackpot Bingo
Betting Strategy
BACK: 1. Elite Missile (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $4.50)
At the prices, I’m happy having something on Elite Missile. He’s a proven first up commodity (only fresh loss was on debut and it was still a cracking run from last) and his recent trial couldn’t have been any better. Clearly respect the 2 hot-pots, but think the gap to him shouldn’t be as significant. Kay Tee Why was an electric first up winner after some fairly big camp spruiking. At this point in time that from is a major query (2nd horse couldn’t beat a maiden midweek), but I respect the manner of the win. Interesting what they do tactics wise with current $1.70 fav Shmoov Moova likely to get it his own way out in front. Do they roll the dice and try land outside of him? More confidence in the map and I’d likely be betting. Shmoov Moova did what he had to a fortnight ago without being overly impressive in victory. If it wasn’t for the map, I’d suggest the market would be strongly toward KTY. Loved the trial of Jackpot Bingo.
4. Hymns Of Eladdair
3. Grand Reserve
7. Chop Suey
6. Beau Talk
Betting Strategy
BACK: 4. Hymns Of Eladdair (WIN) for 4 units (Rated at $1.70)
This looks a great race for Hymns Of Eladdair. Loved the trial, loved the softness of the first up win, he simply got too far back in a far better race than this, second up. This is a horribly weak assignment, Pike goes on and he only needs to hold his form to win. Something beginning with a 2 will get me. Grand Reserve won fresh last prep while Beau Talk and Chop Suey are both going OK. When it is that hard to mark a second favourite, it tells a story.
11. Desert Life
1. Split The Gee
2. Kings Court
14. Spicy Thang
Betting Strategy
Desert Life was an astute little purchase (10k) who should go very close to recouping costs on debut. While her trial time wasn’t electric, there appeared to be a fair bit in the locker and I thought the run of the 2nd horse on debut was actually OK a week ago (sometimes trial margins can be very deceptive). It is worth noting Chris Parnham has opted to ride Kings Court and along with the uncertainty of her finding the rail is the reason I’m not looking at getting overly involved. Split The Gee will be popular on St Paddys day and couldn’t have been any more impressive on debut. Wary that was a very weak 2yo race, but she still won well. Kings Court ran second to Capitola, beating home Strideaway on debut – it may well be the run which has seen Chris side with him. Plenty of other triallers looked the part – you can tell we aren’t far from the Karrakatta.
3. Too Dardy
5. Zing To Win
6. Keep Ita Mystery
7. Shooting Spirit
Betting Strategy
BACK: 3. Too Dardy (WIN) for 3 units (Rated at $2.60)
Too Dardy is the class runner and that’s the way I’m happy to go here. Usually trials the house down, so I like the fact they’ve gone into this first up assignment without that hitout and let him go fresh. Only caveat on him is his lack of racing at Ascot, but you back good horses into to adjust. Zing To Win is the real X factor runner. Hard to gauge exactly what that trial win means (led by a huge margin, beating Jokers Grin), but at least you know he’s returned a happy horse. Grew a leg (understatement) in Kalgoorlie and if he can replicate that form in town, he wins plenty. Keep Ita Mystery appreciates racing the older horses, while Shooting Spirit has come back nicely. Just wary he’s likely 3 back the fence and while his most recent win was aesthetically pleasing, nothing he beat home would be under $200/1 to here.
BACK: 5. Zing To Win (WIN) for 1 unit (Rated at $4.80)
Zing To Win is the real X factor runner. Hard to gauge exactly what that trial win means (led by a huge margin, beating Jokers Grin), but at least you know he’s returned a happy horse. Grew a leg (understatement) in Kalgoorlie and if he can replicate that form in town, he wins plenty.
4. Brave Strike
7. Hang Glider
5. Cessation
8. Supportive
Betting Strategy
BACK: 4. Brave Strike (WIN) for 2 units (Rated at $2.80)
Happy to be aboard Brave Strike @ $3+. Her first up effort when only beaten home by 3 very smart gallopers (at unfavourable set weight conditions) and holding off Rissoles tells me she has returned a very happy horse. Continually luckless in harder races than this last prep, she drops weight for this assignment, gets Pike aboard and it looks considerably easier than what she faced fresh – looks a great race for her, with the key being the first 100m. Presumption is Pike will be aggressive and look to breeze outside of Cessation; with the 54.5 on her back, she’s hard to beat from there. Hang Glider was a wild old win a fortnight ago. Never having won past 1000, he sat deep @ the 1200 and just kept coming. Repeats that and has to be in the finish – only query with him is he’s renowned to put in a big run fresh, can he repeat it? Cessation leads with 53 on her back and will be there for a long way while Supportive is building toward a win.
5. Warralea Lass
2. Covert Rose
3. Royal Law
8. Taranaki
Betting Strategy
BACK: 5. Warralea Lass (WIN AND PLACE) for 2 units (Rated Price $3.70)
Warralea Lass has come back a considerably better horse this prep and has probably even won out of turn a couple of times over the unsuitable sprint journey and then a surprise leader when walking in at Narrogin. Loved her staying win toward the end of last prep and she maps perfectly here.
Covert Rose will be popular. She’s no star, but there is a lot of battlers going around in this and she has the versatility to be ridden forward or back. Not really sure if she’ll make a stayer in time, but just on depth to this field she will start a clear market elect.
BACK: 5. Warralea Lass (WIN AND PLACE) for 2 units
Warralea Lass has come back a considerably better horse this prep and has probably even won out of turn a couple of times over the unsuitable sprint journey and then a surprise leader when walking in at Narrogin. Loved her staying win toward the end of last prep and she maps perfectly here.
4. Our Mate Archie
6. Trio
9. Golden Kathleen
2. SIberian Siren
Betting Strategy
Our Mate Archie picks himself here. Second to Fluro Neuro (won twice since) two starts ago (he was actually coming back at him again on the line too) he was then completely unsuited back in trip from the wide gate at his most recent. The way he hit the line suggested he’s still a very happy horse deep into a prep. Lands on the back of Our Rocky Bay/Siberian Siren here and if the gaps appear has to be very hard to get past. Trio’s been stiff this prep. Likely ends up near last off 28 days (why the gap between runs?) which makes him hard to come at with huge confidence, however. Golden Kathleen was super in the Breeders then just OK in the Challenge. Love the placement for her here and it’s worth remembering she ran second to Bustling in the WA Sires off a very similar setup to this. Archie a clear elect, but race gives me sticky vibes.
8. Secret Attraction
1. Bonjoy
2. Generosity
6. Angel Undercover
Betting Strategy
BACK: 8. Secret Attraction (WIN) for 4 units (Rated at $3.00)
Love this race for Secret Attraction. She had no right to carry weight, circle the field, try to settle in the breeze and still be in the finish (arguably was fighting back to win before she was sandwiched), all off no trial @ the 1400m. Her only other effort in town since moving to Peter Fernie was arguably a bigger run when sitting deep the trip and coming late at Fly With Caution, where Pike half gave up at the top of the straight (he thought she was gone?). Down to the 55, the run under her belt, a barrier and Pike will be keen to make amends – reckon she can stack up to the good ones. Plenty of respect for Bonjoy but she is off another setback (no issue last time) and back to the 1400. Can win, but at the price I’ll risk. Generosity is simply over-rated by the market start after start. My very quick maths tell me she’s been a beaten favourite at 8 of her 18 starts and while she’s run some reasonable races over 1400, I don’t feel like she has been crying out for the trip? No doubt wins now, but once again, I can’t get anywhere near her at the price. Angel Undercover is flying but the map looks horrible.
8. Playing Quest
10. Sail Session
2. Close At Hand
11. Forbidden Apple
Betting Strategy
BACK: 8. Playing Quest (WIN & PLACE) for 2 units (Rated at $3.50)
Playing Quest has come on leaps and bounds this prep and deserves his gloat to town. His most recent effort when deep the trip and carting eventual winner (just) Close At Hand into it, was the pick of the lot. Definitely wary about him repeating those performances away from Bunbury, but he’s from the right yard and this setup looks far more economical for him. Sail Session the other at the pointy end of my market. Wary of the slight setback a week ago when SCR from the Lex Piper, he’ll drop out the back and has the real POD form lines. 3yo v the older horses in this grade have a very good record. There is next to nothing between Gage Roads (where does he get to?), Close At Hand, Mystic Jane (going super in shades, should probably try to lead?) and even Forbidden Apple who has had two complete and utter forgives in a row.
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).
