Races

Digby Beacham’s Ascot Feature Rankings

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

WA GUINEAS (1600m) – November 19

1. AMELIA’S JEWEL

It seems most are Team Amelia’s Jewel or Team Bustler. And you can most definitely see why. They appear the stand-outs, albeit this is a race that contains some talented three-year-olds. Amelia’s Jewel has tasted defeat just once, but has come up with the perfect gate to bounce back. Third-up here and now at her peak.

2. BUSTLER

I feel awkward relegating this gelding from No.1 to second. He has done nothing wrong at any stage in his four-start career and is coming off a last-start Fairetha Stakes victory which was full of merit. His ideal barrier draw only enhances his prospects. Would love to see him progress to the Northerly Stakes.

3. LINDEN LADY

Somewhat of a bolter this filly. Went around at a big price in last Saturday’s Champion Fillies Stakes and rattled home into third against the pattern. William Pike sticks and Grant and Alana Williams apply a near-side blinker. Don’t be surprised if she’s powerful late.

4. ALL THE KING’S MEN

Because of Linden Lady’s eye-catcher, Trevor Andrews’ charge slides to four. Disrespectful? Probably. Like Amelia’s Jewel and Bustler, came up with an ideal gate to stake a strong claim. Has looked like a miler for some time. Gets it this weekend.

5. SAINTORIO

Lobs into the Guineas off a three-week break following a gutsy win against the older horses at a mile. Was dealt a blow at the barrier draw, but possesses good gate speed should they wish to push forward. Will need luck but likely to be in the mix.

RAILWAY STAKES (1600m) – November 19

1. ALASKAN GOD

D-Day has arrived. Is Alaskan God about to produce a performance that underlines his undeniable talent? I sure hope so. And if his slashing Asian Beau Stakes run is an indicator, a Group 1 triumph this weekend wouldn’t be a shock. Watch for him building into the race in a three-deep line.

2. TRIX OF THE TRADE

Alaskan God and Karli’s Karma came up with barrier draws that will suit their racing patterns, but you could argue Trix Of The Trade’s gate is even more beneficial to his hopes. Troy Turner will allow the Trade Fair gelding to find his feet and then push the button. Few horses in this field have his turn of foot. Live hope.

3. KARLI’S KARMA

Now this would be a story. Summer Dickson has done a mighty job to get Karli’s Karma into the Railway Stakes. And she isn’t there just to make up the numbers. Fresh off her gallant Lee-Steere Stakes placing behind Massimo, the strapping mare returns to handicap conditions on the minimum.

4. YONKERS

He doesn’t jump off the page at us here in the west, but that might be a mistake. Boasts form behind some high-class individuals, including Zaaki and Cascadian, this preparation. The switch back from 2000m to 1600m is not an impediment. Good ground would help him.

5. SEARCHIN’ ROC’S

Clinched her spot in the Railway with a fighting win in last Saturday’s Peters Stakes. Jim Taylor has done a terrific job to improve her manners and the low draw helps. Likely to stalk Buster Bash well into the straight.

WINTERBOTTOM STAKES (1200m) – November 26

1. ROTHFIRE

Arrived safe and sound with the fellow Eastern States raiders and is going to prove popular with Damien Oliver aboard. Proven weight-for-age performer and the prospect of a firm track only enhances his prospects. Robert Heathcote knows exactly what is required to win the Winterbottom.

2. PAULELE

Am prepared to forgive his Manikato Stakes effort and his unplaced run the Flemington straight. The fact that Godolphin are likely to bypass the sprint with Vilana is another tick. His best will be good enough to fight out the finish.

3. ELITE STREET

This could be an overreaction, but I thought his effort last Saturday in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves was so-so. Am an unashamed admirer of Elite Street and fingers crossed that run was simply a case of ring rust and we can see the beast return on grand final day.

4. MISS CONTEKI

Not sure she could be going any better. That said, if she is to win the Winterbottom, needs some good fortune at the barrier draw. Was finding the line better than Elite Street late, but was too far off them after coming up with a high draw.

5. THIS’LL TESTYA

Mitch Pateman is immensely proud of his mare and so he should be. He also should be proud of the job he has done with her. Now a Group 3 winner, This’ll Testya is about to face up to her biggest test to date. Can she absorb the pressure that is coming in a week’s time?

NORTHERLY STAKES (1800m) – December 3

1. ALASKAN GOD

The superlatives for this bloke’s first-up run have been flowing freely. They could be surpassed should he step up to the plate in the Railway Stakes. That will ensure he is the horse to beat in the Group 1 weight-for-age Northerly.

2. CASCADIAN

The evergreen gelding lobbed in Perth on Monday night and settled in to Ascot like you would expect from such an experienced traveller. Will trial at Belmont next week and looms as Alaskan God’s biggest obstacle.

3. AMELIA’S JEWEL

Whether this filly remains at three next week will depend on how she fares in the Group 2 WA Guineas. If she performs up to expectations, she will be a tough nut to crack in the Northerly with only 50kg on her back.

4. BUSTLER

Whether this gelding remains at four next week will depend on how he fares in the Group 2 WA Guineas. If he performs up to expectations, he will be a tough nut to crack in the Northerly with only 52kg on his back.

5. TRIX OF THE TRADE

Much like Alaskan God, needs to tick the WFA box. Hasn’t won beyond 1600m, but was runner-up in both the Roberts Stakes and Melvista Stakes over 1800m and 2200m as a three-year-old. Proper horse with a wonderful strike-rate.

THE GOLD RUSH (1400m) – December 10

1. KISSONALLFORCHEEKS

Have been with this mare to win the inaugural running of The Gold Rush for a few weeks and was buoyed midweek by Dan Morton’s report on how she had settled back into his stable after a searching Eastern States campaign. Can match motors with the very best of them.

2. VILANA

A new entry and has been heavily supported in the market after it was revealed by Godolphin that he was heading west. The win in last Saturday’s The Hunter was superb and though he is lightly raced, is untapped. A genuine hope.

3. KEMENTARI

Isn’t getting any younger but is racing as well now as he ever has. Arrived safely and is sure to make his presence felt. Proven at the Ascot 1400m and boasts outstanding formlines of late.

4. ROTHFIRE

Has had to make way from the pointy end of the rankings due to the injection of Vilana. In saying that, he remains very much in the thought process provided he emerges from the Winterbottom unscathed. Ran third behind Alligator Blood in the Group 1 Stradbroke earlier this year.

5. MASSIMO

Like Kissonallforcheeks and Rothfire, will need to get through next Saturday’s Group 1 Winterbottom without any issues before being targeted at The Gold Rush. Off what we have seen, the 1400m is his sweet spot. Respect.

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