Races

Digby Beacham’s Ascot Feature Rankings

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

PLACID ARK STAKES (1200m) – November 12

1. BABY PARIS

She was the No.1 seed last week and she remains on top after her brilliant win in the Placid Ark Prelude over 1000m. Was pulling away from her opposition late and is primed to get back to 1200m of the feature. High-class filly.

2. RUMOUR SAYS

Elevates to second despite not appearing anywhere over the weekend just gone. Luckless in the Belgravia Stakes (1200m) after an encouraging first-up third in the Crown Perth 3YO Classic. Looks like she has a good race in her.

3. ALL SHOW

Beaten but not disgraced in the Placid Ark Prelude. Hasn’t really put a foot wrong in her career and there’s nothing to suggest she is about too either. Needs a good gate and a strong tempo to prevail. The latter appears a given.

4. WILD BELLE

It might come around a bit soon for this filly. Then again, it may well not. She has stacks of natural talent, as evidenced by her slashing fresh victory at Northam followed by Tuesday’s dominant win at Ascot. You’re a harsh judge if you don’t like the way she’s tracking.

5. AZTEC RULER

Drops from second to fifth after confirmation of another minor setback which prevented him from having a trial at Lark Hill this week. Will be hitting the Placid Ark first-up against rivals who have encountered no such problems.

WA GUINEAS (1600m) – November 19

1. BUSTLER

If this gelding does what most anticipate tomorrow in the Listed Fairetha Stakes (1400m), he could move to the head of the all-in WA Guineas market. And that is because we know he is heading to the Group 2 feature, while Amelia’s Jewel is not a lock to start there. Love this bloke’s turn of acceleration.

2. AMELIA’S JEWEL

Lost her unbeaten status on Tuesday in the Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m), but remains front and centre in a host of all-in markets due to her body of work. And understandably so. Will she contest the Guineas? That is not a given, however if she gets there she will make her presence felt.

3. ALL THE KING’S MEN

If there is to be an upset in the Fairetha tomorrow, it could come in the form of All The King’s Men. Led throughout at his most recent start over 1400m, a race which has proven an excellent form reference. The mile poses no issue.

4. SAINTORIO

Took on the older horses last Saturday and handled the assignment with aplomb, doing it at both ends to win in style over 1600m. Has proven a reliable conveyance, both as a juvenile and also in his three-year-old season. Disregard at your peril.

5. SNOWDOME

It is difficult to have the WA Sires’ Produce Stakes winner so low. Outstanding fresh and still very good in defeat at his most recent outing, the Belgravia Stakes. It wouldn’t be a shock if he led throughout to claim the Fairetha. If he does, he will be higher than five next week.

RAILWAY STAKES (1600m) – November 19

1. AYRTON

Whether this prediction is on the money or not could be determined by tomorrow afternoon when Ayrton steps out in the Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill. If the track is firm, he will be hard to toss. And if Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr then confirm they are heading to Perth, it’s game on.

2. ALASKAN GOD

Not guaranteed of a start in the Railway given Dan Morton has flagged his intention to bypass the Peters Stakes (1500m) next Saturday. Off what we witnessed in the Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) last weekend, he is going to be a force to be reckoned with throughout The Pinnacles.

3. DEVOTED

Devoid of any good fortune in the Asian Beau. Now has to win the Peters Stakes to be assured of a Railway spot. If Alaskan God doesn’t go there, it shapes as an intriguing tussle between Devoted and Trix Of The Trade, among others.

4. TRIX OF THE TRADE

It appears slightly unfair this gelding isn’t higher. There are probably multiple punters who believe he is the horse to beat in the Group 1 handicap. The first-up victory under 61kg was awesome and his effort in the Asian Beau equally impressive. Airborne.

5. GOD HAS CHOSEN

His first-up run was better than it looked. Builds into his campaigns and while he is going to concede weight to most of his rivals, his class is undeniable. Will get a really good guide on how well is tracking in tomorrow’s Lee Steere Stakes (1400m).

WINTERBOTTOM STAKES (1200m) – November 26

1. ELITE STREET

We are yet to see this imposing sprinter this time in. Fingers crossed he starts in the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) next weekend to tune him up for the Winterbottom. Extremely difficult to topple if he’s anywhere near his peak.

2. ROTHFIRE

For the sake of The Pinnacles, would love to see the Robert Heathcote-trained gelding run well tomorrow in the Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington. Off what we have witnessed since he returned from injury, it would be a shock if he didn’t.

3. MISS CONTEKI

Comes up one in the seedings after turning in another sizzling sprinting display last weekend in the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m). Her ability to chill and then zap her opposition is rare. Clocked a jaw-dropping 32.55 for her final 600m last weekend.

4. PAULELE

Also features in the Champions Sprint tomorrow after an underwhelming display in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley. His best is well and truly capable of measuring up here in WA.

5. RED CAN MAN

Last seen running eighth behind Callsign Mav in the Group 1 Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 13. Has arrived back in WA and been ticking over well behind the scenes. Slated to trial at Albany today. Has matched motors with Elite Street previously.

NORTHERLY STAKES (1800m) – December 3

1. ALASKAN GOD

Ran the fastest last 1000m, 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m in the Asian Beau. You get the impression everything is being geared around this enormously exciting four-year-old peaking in the weight-for-age feature. The testing material.

2. AMELIA’S JEWEL

We’re still not sure whether this filly hits the Northerly Stakes after this week’s Burgess Queen defeat. If she does, she is going to be an attractive betting proposition with just 50kg on her back.

3. BUSTLER

Another three-year-old who is causing a stir. Gets his first look at black-type company tomorrow in the Listed Fairetha and the market is bullish he will step up. The mile and beyond doesn’t look like any impediment either.

4. CASCADIAN

His appearance in Perth could well depend on how he performs in tomorrow’s Group 1 Champions Mile. His last two wins at weight-for-age mean he must be considered a live hope if he lands here. Best form has come on softer tracks.

5. DEVOTED

Expecting this four-year-old to be popular with punters should William Pike link up with him as expected. Has been luckless in his two runs this time in. The gut feel is his best is well and truly capable of measuring up.

THE GOLD RUSH (1400m) – December 10

1. KISSONALLFORCHEEKS

Will return to the stables of Dan Morton and have a crack at the Winterbottom Stakes before targeting the 1400m of the inaugural Gold Rush. Has been in work a long time, but if she thrives being back in her home state, is capable of making a splash.

2. ROTHFIRE

Proven at 1400m and enjoying a solid campaign down in Melbourne to this point. Just needs to emerge unscathed tomorrow before journeying over. The fact Tommy Berry has been sounded out to partner Rothfire in WA is encouraging.

3. ELITE STREET

Hard to pot him over 1400m given he’s only had one crack at the distance. Is he more effective at 1000m and 1200m? Yes. Would it be silly to say he cannot win a weight-for-age 1400m race on home soil? Absolutely. Deserves respect.

4. KEMENTARI

Seventh in The Everest and third last weekend behind Private Eye and Mazu over 1300m at Rosehill. Private Eye is airborne and has been backed accordingly to claim the Champions Mile. Has an affinity with 1400m weight-for-age features in Perth.

5. SNOWDOME

If Neville Parnham is confident Snowdome will stretch out to 1600m with no problems, who are we to question the Hall of Fame trainer? That said, what is the best option for this colt if he runs well in the WA Guineas? Maybe a freshen and back to 1400m of The Gold Rush is suitable.

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