Races

Ascot 30 January – Thoroughbreds Preview

Posted on | Posted by Greg Hooper

Greg Hooper’s Preview

RACE 1 – LUNAR RACEDAY ON FEB 13 PLATE 1000m

No. 1 GUEST EXPRESS – Race experience goes a long way in these juvenile events and for that reason GUEST EXPRESS looks very hard to beat in this opening event. Both his runs have been more than solid and from gate 1 he should hop straight to the front and prove very hard to catch.

(4) ROCK RIVER looked to be jogging in a recent 400m trial.

(2) EQUINE QIZ showed enough on debut to suggest he can run a race.

(5) WRINKLY comes off a 400m trial win.

Suggested Bet – Guest Express win

RACE 2 – WAITANGI DAY NEXT SATURDAY AT ASCOT PLATE 1000m

No. 1 HOT GOOD – Explosive filly HOT GOODS should be keeper unbeaten record intact in this three-year-old sprint. She’s been tuned up with a big a trial win and she should jump straight to the front and be too sharp for these.

(4) LE PATRON looks the clear second pick on the strength of his impressive first-up win.

(6) BRISANTO can finish in the money again.

(3) IT’S DYNAMITE gets the services of W Pike.

Suggested Bet – First Four 1 / 4 / 2, 3, 6 / 2, 3, 5, 6, 7

RACE 3 – FLYING COLOURS MADFISH PROMOTION PLATE 1500m

No. 1 BLACKWOOD – Classy filly BLACKWOOD should account for this moderate bunch of three-year-olds. She has raced exclusively at Group and Listed level since resuming from a spell in October. She’s thrown in under the set weights and penalties nature of this race and if anywhere near best she will win.

(4) GREAT SHOT has impressed in all three starts.

(3) THE BLUE NIPPER was a tough winner last week with 59kg.

(2) FREMOND can fill a hole for the first four.

Suggested Bet – Blackwood win

RACE 4 – HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY RAY COLLINS HANDICAP 2100m

No. 5 DARK ALERT – Promising stayer DARK ALERT looks a terrific chance to make it a winning hat-trick. He was a big winner on Cup Day and then was able to drop back to 1800m and win well a fortnight back. The step up to 2100m should be ideal and with normal racing luck he should be too strong.

(4) COUGAR EXPRESS is the main danger. He posted a deserving win last week. He drops 1kg on that win and Harvey retains the mount.

(7) SAXY GRACE can improve with the rise in distance.

(1) FULGAR has claims.

Suggested Bet – Dark Alert win

RACE 5 – VALE JEREMY HAYES HANDICAP 1100m

No. 4 CLASSICAL PRINCE – Five-year-old gelding CLASSICAL PRINCE was enormous first-up sitting wide throughout and going down by a narrow margin to a smart filly in Kennocha. If he repeats that effort with a softer run in transit he goes very close.

(5) PERNELLA MISS has trialled in terrific order. She was big first-up winner last preparation defeating Red Ora.

(7) UNIVERSAL MOON should get a soft run from a good draw and has claims.

(1) SCERET NOVA is very honest and can win again.

Suggested Bet –Classical Prince and Pernella Miss         

RACE 6 – $100,000 LISTED SCENIC BLAST STAKES 1200m

No. 2 FIRST AMONG EQUALS – Talented sprinter FIRST AMONG EQUALS looks perfectly placed to taste his first stakes success in this feature sprint. Both his runs have been outstanding and he should be cherry ripe at his third run back from a spell.

(5) RED ORA is all class and resumes without a trial. 54.5kg is a luxury weight for him.

(4) REBEL KING will give a big sight on top of the speed.

(7) SILVERSTREAM next best.

Suggested Bet –First Among Equals win

RACE 7 – RACEDAY HOSPITALITY AT ASCOT HANDICAP 1600m

No. 9 PARIS DREAM – Happy to be on the lightly weighted mare PARIS DREAM. She drops 2.5kg on from her last start where she was narrowly edged out. From gate 1 she should get the favours and go very close.

(10) SILVER ROMANCE is a nice type. He put in an eye-catching performance at his most recent start.

(1) MUSKETS AT DAWN held the above two last time out and consequently broke a long run of outs. He can lead and give plenty of cheek again.

(6) WARBROOK was luckless in the same race.

Suggested Bet – Paris Dream win

RACE 8 – IN MEMORY OF MAX SIMMONDS OAM 1400m

No. 5 BARAKI BEATS – A lot will be hinging on the racing pattern of the day in this final event. If leaders are suited then BARAKI BEATS will give a big sight on the speed. He’s tough freewheeling type and when he gets conditions to suit he’s hard to get past.

(3) TONTO resumes from a spell without a trial. He can sprint well fresh.

(4) ZARANTZ is another handy stayer who is resuming.

(11) PASEO DEL PRADO is hard to catch but is always around the mark.

Suggested Bet – Baraki Beats and Tonto

QUADDIE

RACE  5 – 1, 2, 4, 5, 7

RACE  6 – 2, 4, 5

RACE 7 – 1, 5, 6, 9, 10

RACE 8 – 3, 4, 5, 11

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