Races

Karrakatta Plate Day At Ascot

Posted on | Posted by Greg Hooper

Greg Hooper’s Preview

RACE 1 – AMELIA PARK WINES HANDICAP 1800m

No. 3 NORTH RIDGE – Opening race looks almost a match race between REGAL COMMANDER and NORTH RIDGE. I’m leaning towards NORTH RIDGE on the basis he proven himself over the trip.

(2) REGAL COMMANDER is flying and is a big chance.

(4) UNCLE GEORGE leads with the blinkers going on can give some cheek.

(5) NEXT CONTESTANT is hard to catch but has place claims.

Suggested Bet – North Ridge win

RACE 2 – $100,000 LISTED MAJORIE CHARLESON CLASSIC 1200m

No. 1 MAGNIFISIO – This is a match race between the two class mares MAGNIFISIO and WINK AND A NOD. Leaning towards Magnifisio on the basis she would have been pencilled to attack this set weights and penalties mares’ race since being tipped out for a spell. The 1200m may also be in her favour.

(2) WINK AND A NOD genuine danger and clear second pick.

(6) MILITARY REIGN can sit on the speed and run a place with her lightweight.

(3) CADENZA next best.

Suggested Bet – Magnifisio win

RACE 3 – AMELIA PARK BEEF HANDICAP 1500m

No. 1 WOODBINE – The early prices have swayed me to WOODBINE in this event. He had been gradually getting better all preparation and he should either lead or box seat in this event.

(4) ALL GEE is simply flying. If handles the seven day back off a slow track he probably just wins.

(3) I’M FEELING LUCKY improved sharply at her most recent start for a new stable. She has each-way claims.

(9) TOP SHOW has raced well below her best all preparation. Pike goes on so expect some improvement.

Suggested Bet –  Woodbine save All Gee

RACE 4 – $100,000 LISTED SCHWEPPES MELVISTA STAKES 2200m

No. 2 KIA ORA KOUTOU – This looks KIA ORA KOUTOU’S race. He improved sharply when stepping up to the 1800m of the JC Roberts and produced a real eye-catcher when making good late ground. He should improve off that run, relish the step up in trip and he gets a 1.5kg weight pull on his main danger Heart Starter.

(1) HEART STARTER is smart and is the clear danger. He is flying.

(4) CAPPO D’ORO can provide some value for the multiples. He can stay all day and poorly ridden at his most recent start.

(2) WHO DAT SINGA is a query at the trip but beats most on class alone.

Suggested Bet – Kia Ora Koutou win

RACE 5 – $250,000 GROUP III KIRIN MEGUMI W.A. OAKS 2400m

No. 2 ARCADIA DREAM – Six of the last eight Oaks winners were last victors in the Natasha Stakes. I think Arcadia Dream makes that seven of the last nine in this years’ edition. She trounced them in that race using her superior turn of foot and Pike appeared to have a lap full of horse left underneath at the winning post.

(5) CULVERIN ran well in the Natasha making late ground. She was jumping from 1600m to a 2200m so she should improve off that run.

(4) DREAMTIME DANCER put in a shocker in the Natasha however the run was probably too bad too be true. Connections have indicated she may have chocked down in running and the tongue tie goes on.

(9) PRESS THE PETAL is a lightly raced maiden however she can stay all day and has place claims at odds.

Suggested Bet – Arcadia Dream win

RACE 6 – AUSTRALIAN RELIANCE HANDICAP 1100m

No. 9 CELEBRITY DREAM – This looks another top ride for the state’s leading rider William Pike. In his first preparation CELEBRITY DREAM showed a stack of ability winning his first two starts well and then starting odds on in the Placid Ark but effectively taking no part after being blocked the entire straight. He’s been spelled since that effort and trialled well recently. He should be too classy for this lot on the minimum weight.

(1) LONG KNIFE was terrific in the feature sprint at Albany last Sunday. He worked hard from a wide gate and battled on strongly. He can give a sight again even with the 60kg impost.

(4) RULE TO WYN is a handy mare who can sprint well fresh.

(6) AUNTY ZELMA can fill a hole for the first four.

Suggested Bet – Celebrity Dream win

RACE 7 – $500,000 GROUP II AMELIA PARK KARRAKATTA PLATE 1200m

No. 6 SAUL’S SPECIAL – This is a terrific edition of the Karrakatta Plate with most runners having some genuine claims. I was really taken with the debut win of SAUL’ SPECIAL. He drew wide, restrained early and then launched down the middle of the track and posted a big win despite meeting interference. He showed speed in his trial so from gate 3 I expect he will be ridden much closer to the speed and he should relish the 1200m.

(13) CAIPIRINHA was outstanding on debut in the Gimcrack. She is another who should really appreciate the rise to 1200m.

(1) THE RIVER showed his class in the Perth Stakes. Nothing from that race could beat him off that win.

(10) WHISPERING BROOK may need to do some early work from her wide gate but she is tough and has gears.

Suggested Bet – Saul’s Special and Caipirinha

RACE 8 – AMELIA PARK LAMB SPRINT 1200m

No. 4 GIGANTE – Wide open finish to the program. GIGANTE attacks this race off a six week freshen-up. If he can jump well and make use of gate 1 he should be able to get the spot behind the leader. From there he has strong each-way claims.

(7) SENSO leads and goes close.

(9) MISSISSIPPIAN should improve substantially off his first-up run.

(3) WAR PRINCE has raced without luck all campaign.

Suggested Bet – Gigante and Senso

QUADDIE

RACE  5 – 2

RACE  6 –  9

RACE 7 – 1, 4, 6, 10, 11, 13

RACE 8 – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9

Bet Now!



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