Ascot 19 March – Thoroughbreds Preview
Greg Hooper’s Preview
RACE 1 – VALE BRENDAN THOMPSON HANDICAP 1600m
No. 1 CARRY THE NATION – This looks the perfect race for CARRY THE NATION. He has been terrific in defeat at his last three starts. There looks to be strong speed and he should be able to camp off it and go get over the top of them.
(2) WESTERN BLAZE was edged out in a similar race two starts back and then was huge in the Esperance Cup with 61.5kg.
(5) DANISH DELIGHT can lead or box seat and with Harvey riding on 54kg she has claims again.
(4) TERROR FORCE raced flat last start. He beat a similar field prior to that.
Suggested Bet –Carry The Nation win
RACE 2 – VALE PETER LYNCH HANDICAP 1400m
No. 3 REGAL COMMANDER – This is as close as a match race as you’ll find. The early prices have swayed me to REGAL COMMANDER. The genuine tempo and small field will suit his racing pattern.
(9) POUNAMU gets a 4kg weight pull and is the big danger.
(7) I’M FEELING LUCKY has changed stables and did look much sharper in a recent trial win.
(1) CORPORATE LARRIKIN leads and can fill a place.
Suggested Bet – Regal Commander win
RACE 3 – $100,000 LISTED NATASHA STAKES 2200m
No. 1 DREAMTIME DANCER – This is the first of four consecutive feature races. DREAMTIME DANCER led and beat almost an identical field in the 1000 Guineas and there is no reason she won’t do the same again. The way she fought off her rivals suggests the 2200m will suit and she is drawn to either lead or box seat.
(7) FIRST IMPRESSIONS finished off nicely in the 1000 Guineas. She is another who appreciate the rise in trip.
(3) ARCADIA DREAM is very honest and finishes in the money again.
(4) SPIRIT BIRD has claims.
Suggested Bet – Keen on Dreamtime Dancer 1 win / 2 places
RACE 4 – $150,000 LISTED GRANT THORNTON PERTH STAKES 1100m
No. 4 ATACAMA SKY – Very keen on the chances of ATACAMA SKY. He led and blitzed his rivals on debut and from gate 3 he should find the fence again and be too sharp.
(1) THE RIVER is a quality type. He’ll be giving the favourite a head start however if they over cook it up front then he is the one that could blow them away.
(3) SPEEDING COMET has form around The River from his last preparation.
(6) LUSAHA was very flat on debut after being well backed.
Suggested Bet – Atacama Sky win
RACE 5 – $150,000 GROUP III GIMCRACK STAKES 1100m
No. 4 STORED ENERGY – Super race. Very hard to line-up all the form lines so it is guess work to a degree. STORED ENERGY has impressed in all three starts including a big second to The River in the Magic Millions. She tucks in behind what should be a very strong tempo and will be finishing off very strongly.
(2) WHISPERING BROOK made a super return first-up when leading and smashing her rivals. She will run well again.
(1) SPANGLED IMPACT has looked very good in her two wins.
(11) ELLICAZOOM has trialled very nicely over 400m and she is out of the former gun mare Ellicorsam.
Suggested Bet – Stored Energy each-way
RACE 6 – $100,000 LISTED J.C. ROBERTS STAKES 1800m
No. 3 HEART STARTER – This is a very thin race with only three legitimate winning chances. HEART STARTER led and was too strong in the Lex Piper. He can lead again if Pike chooses to and is the one to beat.
(3) WHO DAT SINGA was outstanding in defeat behind Heart Starter. He gets a 1.5kg weight pull for a neck and is the danger.
(1) KIA ORA KOUTOU was ridden close to the speed first-up and battled. Expect him to improve being ridden quiet.
(6) BIG RED COSTA box seats and has claims for the fourth position.
Suggested Bet – Heart Starter win
RACE 7 – KEY BROS. GROUP HANDICAP 1200m
No. 5 ROGER THE ROMAN – This looks a fairly even race. ROGER THE ROMAN strung together consecutive wins at the provincials before just being knocked off at his last start. He did protest against the winner. From gate 4 he settles closer and can make amends.
(2) TRAVELLIN’ didn’t get the best of luck in the same race. He’s drawn to get a sweet run.
(9) BACHE endured a torrid run first-up. She has the speed to cross and play a big part.
(11) RIPPER RED has claims if off speed horses are making ground.
Suggested Bet – Roger The Roman and Travellin’
RACE 8 – BROOME INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT HANDICAP 1100m
No. 13 SENSO – Very competitive finish to the day. SENSO raced well below his best last preparation. His two prior campaigns were super including placings behind Lucky Street at stakes level and beating the smart Chantski. His recent trial suggested he might be back on track and at each-way prices happy to have something on.
(12) MISSISSIPPIAN came of ages last preparation producing some very impressive wins. His trial looked sharp and if they can make ground he’ll give it a shake.
(4) CLASSICAL PRINCE is flying and can win again.
(5) VOLKOFF is in career best form.
