Races

The Ascot Feature Rankings

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

Group 3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) – November 13

1. TREASURED STAR

Grant and Alana Williams’ filly is the one they all have to beat. Created an impression fresh and then was awesome at Ascot last Wednesday. Big, strong and possesses a wicked turn of foot.

2. MRS AMERICA

Has only had the one start to date, an impressive 1300m three-year-old maiden win when she savaged the line. Expecting her to elevate as the campaign advances. Bred to get ground.

3. SEARCHIN’ ROC’S

Couldn’t have been more impressive during the winter. Is she going to be as effective on top of the ground at the pointy end of the carnival? We’re about to find out.

4. BUZZOOM

This filly won on the quickest of back-ups on the weekend just gone with 59kg and doesn’t know how to run a bad race. Chased home Spritely Star at Northam earlier this month. That is excellent form.

5. HOI AN

A winner of the Group 3 WA Sires’ Produce Stakes and Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) as a juvenile. Might pay to disregard her first-up effort last Saturday week in the Crown Perth 3YO Classic (1000m).

Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) – November 20

1. TREASURED STAR

Obviously dependent on her backing up, but the stable has done so successfully in years gone by. The boys will have a tough task seeing off her challenge.

2. DEVOTED

Prepared to give him a pass for his effort on the weekend. Was slow to step and then never really travelled over the 1200m. He’ll be better over seven and eight furlongs.

3. EX SPORT MAN

Jury is out on how well he is going. His three trials have been fair ahead of a first-up run, but disregard Steve Wolfe and Shaun McGruddy at your peril. Last season’s champion 2YO.

4. ADVANCED

Platoon’s little brother was disappointing on debut, but he is capable of bouncing back tomorrow at Northam and improving again at his next outing. His trial leading up to his initial outing was solid.

5. SEARCHIN’ ROC’S

If she elevates off what we witnessed earlier in the year, will no doubt be part of the conversation for a large portion of the spring.

Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) – November 20

1. KISSONALLFORCHEEKS

Has come back in excellent order after a high-achieving three-year-old season. Has seven wins from 13 starts and her form references are dripping in black type. Capable of toppling the all-in favourite.

2. WESTERN EMPIRE

That all-in favourite is this fellow, who has tasted defeat at the hands of Kissonallforcheeks previously. His two trials have been super and he looks a far more furnished article now. Excellent chance.

3. TOO CLOSE THE SUN

Last year’s runner-up who will likely kick off in the Lee-Steere and then progress to this year’s edition second-up. Boasts an excellent racing pattern for Ascot.

4. DANCE MUSIC

Hard not to be impressed with what this mare has done since failing in last year’s Railway. Prepped up well ahead of last weekend’s Group 3 Northerly Stakes (1400m) and will only improve off that.

5. THE VELVET KING

His racing style demands he is in excellent order every time he goes to the races. The trials ahead of his first-up run in the Lee-Steere have been sound.

Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) – November 27

1. ELITE STREET

Dan Morton’s charge proved last weekend over the 1000m of the Crawford Stakes, that he is very much the testing material. Has won four of his last five starts at Ascot. A weapon at his peak.

2. STAGEMAN

Is talented, yet can be frustrating because his get-back style is not conducive to Ascot. Loved seeing him settle a little closer in the Crawford. Proven at WFA.

3. INDIAN PACIFIC

Has to tick the WFA box, but is undeniably exciting. If the interstate raiders remain on the other side of the Nullarbor, a victory by the Neville Parnham-trained star wouldn’t surprise.

4. FLIRTINI

Like Stageman, her tendency to settle rearwards and then come with a run has conspired against her throughout her career. Does have excellent point-to-point speed. A gate in the big one would help enormously.

5. GRACEFUL GIRL

Went looking for new blood to round out the top five and settled on this girl, marginally ahead of Triple Missile. Her black-type win as a three-year-old was breathtaking and her first-up win on opening day reeked of class.

Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) – December 4 

1. TREASURED STAR

You get the picture. This filly, in the opinion of yours truly, is elite. Will she advance to the race Grant and Alana Williams have had a great record in? You can only hope so.

2. WESTERN EMPIRE

The stablemate to the Treasured Star, he will be conceding her several kilograms, but is proven at this distance and beyond. How he returns in the Asian Beau on Saturday week will have a large say on the all-in markets.

3. TOO CLOSE THE SUN

Any talented, on-speed runner prepared by Lindsey Smith must be respected . Too Close The Sun ticks all three of those boxes. Was fourth in this race last year.

4. MRS AMERICA

It could come too quickly for this daughter of American Pharoah, but the upside is significant. Three-year-olds have enjoyed an excellent record in the Kingston Town.

5. KISSONALLFORCHEEKS

She will be very much in the conversation if successful a fortnight earlier in the Railway Stakes. Did fail on a bog in the Champion Fillies Stakes at her only run at 1600m. Is out of Rosie Rocket, however.

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