Ascot 9 January – Thoroughbreds Preview Posted on January 8, 2016January 8, 2016 | Posted by Greg Hooper Greg Hoopers’ Preview RACE 1 – BOOK YOUR FUNCTION AT ASCOT HANDICAP 1400m No. 2 NEW TIME – This is a messy race to start the day with all six runners having claims. Going for some value and selecting NEW TIME who should be able find the front from gate 1 and give a big sight. (3) CARRY THE NATION can improve sharply off his fresh run. He was a big second-up winner over this trip last preparation. (5) FLYING ROAR has been knocking on the door. If he can jump well and position up on the speed he can win. (4) HOBART JONES should appreciate the small field. Suggested Bet – New Time and Carry The Nation RACE 2 – AMELIA PARK PLATE 1000m No. 6 THE RIVER – I’m fairly keen on the debutante THE RIVER in this two-year-old sprint. He has looked sharp in both trial wins and if he gets some luck from his tricky draw he goes very close. (1) SPEEDING COMET led and found plenty on debut. He is the one to catch again. (2) NEXT GENERATION finished just behind Speeding Comet at his last start and gets a 2kg swing in the weights. (7) BURNING MAGIC is the other winning chance. Suggested Bet – The River win RACE 3 – PERTH WAITANGI DAY AT ASCOT FEB 6 HANDICAP 2350m No. 6 COUGAR EXPRESS – The Lindsay Smith trained gelding COUGAR EXPRESS hasn’t had the best of luck this campaign. The small field should ensure he either leads or breezes and from there he will give a big sight. (7) DON’TGETCAUGHT is very close to a win. Pike goes on. (5) GALAXY PRINCE was warming up nicely late in the piece last week. (2) DRAGONLEAD can improve with the rise in trip. Suggested Bet – Cougar Express save Don’tgetcaught RACE 4 – PERTH RACING TV PLATE 1400m No. 2 LITE’N IN MY VEINS – The Fred Kersley trained three-year-old LITE’N IN MY VEINS did a huge job on debut when kicking off his career with a win at Group level. He’s been freshened up since that run however he has been tuned up with a big barrier trial win on Monday. He looks to smart for these. (9) MERRIJG beat little at Pinjarra however he did it in a nice style. After the claim for Clint Johnston-Porter he carries just the 52kg. (1) FREMOND beats most of these on class alone. (5) THE BLUE NIPPER can finish in the first-four. Suggested Bet – Merrijg place RACE 5 – BECOME A MEMBER PLATE 1100m No. 7 VIKING FORREST – This is the toughest race of the day. VIKING FORREST ran well on debut and was immediately tipped out for a spell. He should be ready to go fresh after an impressive trial win. (5) MY GREEK BOY could be the blowout. He has had excuses in his last two starts. (3) I DO DE CLAIRE is racing well. (1) DIAMOND TONIQUE gets the right run from a good draw. Suggested Bet- Viking Forrest each-way RACE 6 – LUNAR RACEDAY FEB 13 HANDICAP 1200m No. 7 CHASING CHAOS – Talented Albany galloper CHASING CHAOS looks a solid each-way chance in this BM60+ sprint. He ran well first-up at Albany where he lumped 60kg and was run down late. He should improve off that effort and the 4kg weight relief is another positive. (3) WICKED HUNTER will appreciate the drop back to 1200m. He is drawn to get the run of the race. (1) FULD’S BET looks the only leader. (5) RIPPER RED will get off the speed and find the line strongly again. Suggested Bet –Chasing Chaos each-way RACE 7 – LIKE US ON FACEBOOK HANDICAP 1200m No. 5 KING CLOSET – Hopefully KING CLOSET is the second leg of a running double for the Steve Wolfe/Shaun McGruddy combination. He was powerful first-up at Albany where he lumped 60kg and ran down a horse who has been flying. He should be able to find a spot in the first couple and from there he takes a stack of running down. (4) REFLECTANCE has been flying since joining the Lindsay Smith stable. The drop back to 1200m is the query. (2) LENIENCE should get the run of the race from barrier 1. (10) SECRET NOVA is very consistent and is always a winning hope in this grade. Suggested Bet – Keen on King Closet each-way RACE 8 – 5 SATURDAYS OF SUMMER – $5 ONLY HANDICAP 1600m No. 9 SAKER – This looks a perfect race for SAKER. He returned from a seven week let-up with a terrific second to Lunar Eclipse. He should improve off that run and has drawn to get every conceivable in running. (6) DANISH DELIGHT is bursting to win another race. (2) DJANGO was ridden off the speed last start and worked home well. Harvey goes on and he is drawn to lead or box seat. (11) DENDEE was flat last week however her prior form was terrific. Suggested Bet – Keen on Saker QUADDIE RACE 5 – 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 RACE 6 – 1, 3, 5, 7 RACE 7 – 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 RACE 8 – 2, 6, 9 Bet Now
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