Races

Ascot 28 November – Thoroughbreds Preview

Posted on | Posted by Greg Hooper

Greg Hooper’s Tips

RACE 1 – LINLEY VALLEY FREE RANGE PORK HANDICAP 1400m

No. 1 SHARKMOUTH – There is very limited form to work with in this opening race of the day. SHARKMOUTH is in form and has won two of his last three starts. He’s proven at the distance and will get a nice run close to the speed from gate 3.

(7) MIXED MESSAGES finished off nicely on debut. The increase in distance will suit.

(5) LIGHT UP THE SKY is in the easiest race she has contested all campaign.

(2) FREMOND is a chance if he can reproduce the effort he displayed two starts back.

Suggested Bet – Sharkmouth 1 win / 2 places

RACE 2 – KINGSTON TOWN CLASSIC DECEMBER 5 HANDICAP 1600m

No. 3 PROPERANTES –Classy four-year-old PROPERANTES should take care of this field and post a deserved win. He was good first-up and then should have arguably beaten Neverland with clear room. From gate 3 he should get all the favours and win.

(9) STOCKS is flying. He is up in class however gets in with a luxury weight.

(5) DARKMUSKET is close to a win.

(7) PALACE INTRUDER is building his way back into form.

Suggested Bet – Keen on Properantes

RACE 3 – TALLOMAN PLATE 1100m

No. 10 BY DECREE – This is a another very moderate three-year-old sprint and for that reason I’m happy to team up with the debutante BY DECREE. She trialled in a magnificent order, leading and coming clear under a firm hold. Pike goes on and the fact they are starting her in a Saturday race suggests she is loaded with ability.

(8) I DO DE CLAIRE broke her maiden nicely. She gets all the favours from her good draw and can win.

(3) AIRLIE SUN showed plenty of ability last campaign.

(2) SNACK PACK can run a big race fresh.

Suggested Bet – Like By Decree

RACE 4 – JADE TIGER ABALONE HANDICAP 2200m

No. 2 TONTO – This looks another perfect assignment for the talented four-year-old TONTO. He broke a long drought with a powerful win last start. Pike gets the best out of him and he repeats he should be too strong again.

(12) THE FORGOTTEN ONE couldn’t sprint with Tonto at their last clash however he was far from disgraced. He looks the danger again.

(5) COUGAR EXPRESS ran well at York. He’s a tough stayer when right.

(1) OPERATIONAL is hard to catch however he did finish strongly last week and can work home into the first-four at odds.

Suggested Bet – Tonto win

RACE 5 – $100,000 CRAIG MOSTYN GROUP CRYSTAL SLIPPER STAKES 1100m

No. 11 SPEEDY LADIDI – Trevor Andrews has a top track record at producing nice two-year-olds and he appears to have another one here with SPEEDY LADIDI. The blinkers went on in her last trial win and she powered clear of her rivals late producing a very impressive win. She should get the favours from barrier 2 and be hard to hold out.

(8) SPANGLED IMPACT was very impressive on debut. She raced greenly but still produced a lovely turn of foot, coming clear late for a big win.

(7) OUR TIME WILL COME is very professional and has the race experience on her side. She well weighted under the set weights.

(9) NOBEL IMAGE was well supported on debut but raced a little flat. She can improve.

Suggested Bet- Keen on Speedy Ladidi

RACE 6 – $250,000 GROUP III A.J. SCAHILL STAKES 1400m

No. 1 WATERMANS BAY – It is hard to go past WATERMANS BAY in this Group III feature. He won last year’s edition after running second in the Winterbottom. He did the same last week behind the champ, Buffering. He will sit off them and Pike can decide when he pulls the trigger to launch. He looks very hard to beat.

(7) MAGNIFISIO is the danger. Have to forget her run in the Winterbottom where she drew the car park and was never a hope. Her prior run in the Lee-Steere (same weight conditions/distance) was terrific.

(6) BATTLE HERO will sit on the speed and has place claims.

(4) ROMMEL was solid in the Winterbottom. He should appreciate the rise in trip.

Suggested Bet – Watermans Bay win

RACE 7 – $75,000 TABTOUCH PROVINCIAL STAYERS’ FINAL 2200m

No. 2 OUR MATE AL – This should be run at a frenetic tempo with a few noted freewheeling types engaged. Hopefully this will set it up nicely for OUR MATE AL. He has hit the line with gusto in all three runs and he’ll love a genuinely run race. He also meets the main danger Planets Align 1.5kg better at the weights.

(1) PLANETS ALIGN is a quality type. He’s undefeated and Pike takes the mount. He is clearly the danger.

(12) SHINTA MANI is the other main chance. She is another who enjoy a strong top end speed.

(7) THE CONJURER over raced at Bunbury and did a good job to finish in the placings. If he settles he has claims.

Suggested Bet – Our Mate Al save Planets Align

RACE 8 – $75,000 TABTOUCH PROVINCIAL SPRINT FINAL 1200m

No. 7 QUALITY FAIR – This is a terrific finish to the day with these sprinters coming from state wide to have a crack at the $75k purse. QUALITY FAIR has been luckless in both starts this preparation. She’ll get a soft run from gate 1 and just need to find some clear running to zoom home late.

(14) RIPPER RED had no luck fresh at Northam. He attacked the line with gusto. He’ll settle out the back and rush home.

(10) FURIOUS DAME has claims if she can settle closer to the speed than she did at Northam.

(5) REAL ICON has found form and gets the favours from a good draw.

Suggested Bet – Quality Fair and Ripper Red

QUADDIE

RACE 5 – 7, 8, 11

RACE 6 – 1, 7

RACE 7 – 1, 2, 12

RACE 8 – 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17




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