Races

Digby Beacham’s Ascot Feature Rankings

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

PLACID ARK STAKES (1200m) – November 12 

1. BABY PARIS

Have been with this girl from day dot and am sticking, despite the horrible barrier draw. There is speed inside her, but she is electric out of the gates and if there are a couple who want to take hold early doors, she could find herself outside the lead. From there, she’ll be hard to run down.

2. MY BELLA MAE

What is her ceiling? It could be extremely high. Her win last Saturday was not only dominant, but arrogant. She ran time and did it even though it appears the penny hasn’t yet fully dropped. If she handles the back up, she can most definitely win.

3. RUMOUR SAYS

Has she got out from the Belgravia Stakes yet? Low draws at Ascot haven’t been Clint Johnston-Porter’s best friend in recent weeks. The ability to tag the speed will help this gifted daughter of Deep Field. No shock to see her salute.

4. ALL SHOW

Looked to have her chance in the Placid Ark Prelude behind Baby Paris. Though beaten, she wasn’t disgraced. Has again come up with a lovely marble and if she can jump cleanly, should be suited by an expected hot tempo.

5. WILD BELLE

A dominant maiden win at Northam to a class one event over 1100m at Ascot on Melbourne Cup day to a $500,000 feature on day one of The Pinnacles. It is a fair progression, but Wild Belle appears well and truly capable of measuring up.

WA GUINEAS (1600m) – November 19

1. BUSTLER

Hard to go away from having this Neville Parnham-trained gelding on top. He was there last week and then he went and produced a fighting display to get over All The King’s Men in a thrilling finale to the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m). Lovely horse.

2. AMELIA’S JEWEL

Actually think the decision to bypass tomorrow’s Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot works in the Karrakatta Plate winner’s favour. Will meet the boys third-up and has a 2kg pull in the weights. She’s beaten the boys as a two-year-old and also this campaign.

3. ALL THE KING’S MEN

Continues to get better each and every run. Was ridden to perfection by Paul Harvey and could quite easily have been crowned the Fairetha Stakes winner. The mile looks perfect for him and maybe the 1800m of the Northerly Stakes isn’t beyond him either.

4. SAINTORIO

Was chilling in his stable last Saturday as many of his Guineas rivals locked horns. Has form around All The King’s Men and was a last-start winner over the mile against the older horses. Talented and tough.

5. VAMPI AT PLAY

I’ve replaced Snowdome with her stablemate at No.5. It could be ridiculous considering she needs to negotiate the Champion Fillies tomorrow first and Snowdome has been aimed at the Group 2 feature all along by Neville Parnham. But she is very good.

RAILWAY STAKES (1600m) – November 19

1. ALASKAN GOD

Thanks to my speculative selection in Ayrton getting a flat tyre upon straightening last week and being ruled out, the WA Derby winner goes on top. The return in the Asian Beau was enormous and he hits the Railway three weeks between runs. Perfect.

2. DEVOTED

Needs to win tomorrow’s Peters Stakes (1500m) to be assured of a start. Does he win the Peters Stakes? Most believe that to be the case. Should he salute, the all-in Railway market will be intriguing.

3. KARLI’S KARMA

Just wow. How well is this girl going? To eyeball Massimo in the straight and only go under by a head in the weight-for-age Lee-Steere Stakes last week was outstanding. Boasts a great racing pattern and most definitely a live hope back in handicap conditions.

4. TRIX OF THE TRADE

Like Alaskan God’s trainer Dan Morton, Colin Webster elected to bypass the Peters Stakes to ensure Trix Of The Trade hits the Railway fresh. Off his two runs this time in, you would be foolish to overlook him. Flying.

5. TREASURED STAR

The WA Guineas and Asian Beau Stakes winner sneaks in. Had all the favours last start and saluted. She is probably going to need a good barrier to give Adam Durrant another Railway title.

WINTERBOTTOM STAKES (1200m) – November 26

1. ELITE STREET

We finally get to see this lightly-raced star back at the races. A brief two-run campaign in the winter went off without a hitch and if Dan Morton has got it right and has no bad luck, the 2020 Winterbottom champ will run tomorrow, in a fortnight’s time in the Winterbottom and then The Gold Rush.

2. MISS CONTEKI

This mare has forged a well-deserved reputation as a 1000m specialist, as evidenced by her two victories this preparation. But she is also unbeaten over 1100m, the distance of tomorrow’s Colonel Reeves Stakes where she meets Elite Street. If she performs well tomorrow, she’s in the mix.

3. ROTHFIRE

Tommy Berry was in the sights of Robert Heathcote to ride Rothfire here in Perth. We learnt earlier this week that Damien Oliver will now be in the saddle. That in itself is a huge confidence boost to those thinking he can win.

4. PAULELE

Might not have been suited down the straight at Flemington last Saturday and if you overlook his Manikato Stakes effort, his previous form is good enough to be competitive in WA.

5. RED CAN MAN

Remains at No.5 ahead of his first-up run tomorrow. Smashed inferior opposition in an Albany trial last Friday and Steve Wolfe is very satisfied with how his stable star is tracking. Proven WFA performer.

NORTHERLY STAKES (1800m) – December 3

1. ALASKAN GOD

Everyone cannot wait to see Alaskan God at the races again. He was stunning fresh, will be back out at Ascot next weekend — in either the Railway Stakes or Carbine Club — and then presents third-up in the Northerly. Could be one out of the box if he isn’t already.

2. CASCADIAN

The fifth-placed effort last Saturday in the Champions Mile convinced me to elevate the eight-year-old. His previous form suggested he was flying. He then launched late down the extreme outside to be beaten less than two lengths. The biggest threat to Alaskan God now.

3. AMELIA’S JEWEL

Her chances of winning this race possibly increase by her absence from the Champion Fillies, but I’ve dropped her from three to two in the seedings. Yes, you’re right. It doesn’t make any sense. Blame it on Cascadian. Can she win the Northerly? My oath she can.

4. BUSTLER

Neville Parnham and Steven Parnham know what horse you require to win a Group 1 weight-for-age event at 1800m at Ascot. Enough said.

5. DEVOTED

If things go to plan tomorrow, Devoted will be fourth-up in the Railway Stakes. A decision will then be made on what the best way forward is. The Northerly a fortnight after the Railway or three weeks to a weight-for-age Gold Rush.

THE GOLD RUSH (1400m) – December 10

1. KISSONALLFORCHEEKS

Will be right at the tail-end of her preparation should she reach this feature, but she loves Ascot, she loves firm tracks and she’s proven at WFA. Tick. Tick. Tick.

2. ROTHFIRE

Finished eighth last Saturday in the Champions Sprint down the Flemington straight, but was only just over a length behind Roch ‘N’ Horse and a length off Nature Strip, who was runner-up. There is petrol in his tank.

3. KEMENTARI

Much like Cascadian, this grand old performer has discovered the fountain of youth. Going extremely well and would add a little bit of wow factor if Godolphin send him west once again.

4. ELITE STREET

Dan Morton knows Elite Street inside and out. That is he is aware of the need to keep him fresh and limit him to short, sharp campaigns. If he thinks the gelding is good to go third-up in a WFA 1400m event, that’s good enough for me.

5. MASSIMO

A new entry and a deserved entry. Terrific fresh in a fast-run Eurythmic Stakes, Massimo once again showcased his WFA credentials last weekend in the Lee-Steere Stakes. Makes his own luck and will get back to the 1400m after running in the Winterbottom.

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