Variation’s Acid Test In Asian Beau Stakes Posted on November 3, 2017 | Posted by Julio Santarelli Stephen Miller is hopeful his gun galloper Variation can halt the dominance of Bob Peters in the $150,000 Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday. With seven winners from the opening two meetings of the Ascot season, Perth’s leading owner-breeder has been an unstoppable force in the past fortnight. Peters looks well placed to make an impact for the third consecutive week with Cosmic Storm and Royal Star looming as top chances in the Asian Beau Stakes. Cosmic Storm, with the services of champion jockey, William Pike, races second up after a luckless fourth in the Group 3 Northerly Stakes (1400m) two weeks back. Royal Star, a winner of the Listed Natasha Stakes (2200m) in April, should be improved after defeating War Jeune when resuming at Bunbury on October 14. Variation emerged as Perth’s best three-year-old last season when he won the Group 2 WA Guineas (1600m) and the Listed Raconteur Stakes (1500m) at Ascot. The War Chant gelding campaigned in the winter and dominated when he took out a Listed double in the Belmont Guineas (1600m) and Strickland Stakes (2000m). On a path towards a Group 1 double, Variation continued to display promising signs with a top third to Miki Two Toes when first-up at Bunbury a fortnight back. The four-year-old, entered for the Railway Stakes (1600m) and Kingston Town Classic (1800m), raced on speed before peaking on his run 50m out. Miller said the Asian Beau Stakes, a race he won twice as a jockey when he partnered Old Fashion (2001) and Questilla (1983), will be a good test for Variation. “He has probably gone on with it a little bit since his first run,” Miller said on Tabradio. “He looks a lot better since then and hopefully he can get up to the next class. “He is pretty much prepared for the race and it’s now up to him. “Whether he is up to the class is another thing and we are going to find out a bit more on Saturday. “But he is ticking along nicely.” Variation, a winner of seven races, has only missed a top four finish once in 14 career starts. In a 10-horse line-up he has drawn barrier three and will be ridden by Brad Parnham. Miller says the biggest threat to Variation is from Bob Peters’ two entrants. “Cosmic Storm was a good run the other day and Bob’s horses are always very hard to beat and have been set for these races,” Miller said. The TAB has installed Cosmic Storm the $2.70 favourite. Tradesman and Whispering Brook are at $5. Variation is rated a $5 chance with Royal Star the only other runner under double figure odds.
Matt Young’s Monday Pinjarra Selections April 29, 2024 Race 1 CURADH (3) IDEAL INTEREST (6) MIKI SPRING STEP (8) BUNJIL MAN (2) Race 2 PRINCE OF PAIN (3) ATLAS THE TITAN (5) ICY… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Monday Greyhound Best Bets April 29, 2024 NORTHAM Race 5 No. 3 No Payout and No. 1 Apollo Fun Kicking off the Northam season with dogs that absolutely know this track. The… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Sunday Greyhound Best Bets April 28, 2024 CANNINGTON Race 4 No. 4 Trendy Miss A shame this wasn’t a 380m event. She would be a leading show. However she can play for… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Saturday Greyhound Best Bets April 27, 2024 CANNINGTON Race 1 No. 3 All Grunt and No. 7 Cherry Blue The 3 is a real good smokies play here. A little luck into… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Albany Preview April 26, 2024 RACE 1 MORGS FREEMAN has been in consistent form throughout the campaign and won a very similar race to this four starts back. That was… Read More
Weekend Tipsters April 26, 2024 Caulfield Saturday Warren Huntly Quaddie 3 9 4 5 – 8 10 – 1 5 6 – 15 2 1 9 6 3 Best Bet… Read More
Trent Cooper’s Gloucester Park Preview April 26, 2024 Race 1 MACHS BETTOR (1) battled bad draws towards the end of his last campaign but warmed up for this assignment with a good 3rd… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Saturday Caulfield Preview April 26, 2024 Race 1 BEWS caught the eye when resuming and may settle a bit closer from a favourable draw. AWAPUNI PRINCESS will settle close to last… Read More
Harry Buchanan’s Friday Greyhound Best Bets April 26, 2024 MANDURAH Race 1 No. 1 Bracton and No. 8 Nitro Ruby Steady one to start the card. The 1 on its best form wins but… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Rosehill Preview April 25, 2024 RACE 1 Racing returns to Rosehill after a hugely successful autumn carnival, no more Group & Listed racing until the spring. Although not drawn well… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview April 25, 2024 RACE 1 Tough race to open up a big day at Eagle Farm even allowing for the smallish field. I’ll lean to the consistent CONNECTICUT… Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Ascot Preview April 25, 2024 RACE 1 SIREN ASSAULT won the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes and then last weekend sat three deep the trip in the Karrakatta Plate when still… Read More