3 minute read
Ascot will host a nine race card this Saturday with two Listed features to headline the program. The Natasha Stakes for the three year old fillies will be run over 2200m, whilst the three year old colts and geldings will contest the J.C Roberts Stakes over 1800m.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
The rail will be back in the true position and the track is currently rated a soft 5.
Our Ladbrokes preview can be found below.
RACE 1 - 2:29PM: DRUMMOND GOLF PLATE 2YO (1100 METRES)
Bustling could not have been more impressive on debut.
Over the 1200m here the son of Frosted showed good speed to take up a forward position and produced a strong kick in the straight to pull away and score by over two lengths.
With the race experience and natural improvement he looks hard to beat.
He does the the wide gate to overcome but I don't think that will prove an issue and Brad Parnham stays in the saddle for Daniel Morton
1 unit – BUSTLING
RACE 2 - 3:04PM: BISLEY WORKWEAR HANDICAP RTG72+ (1000 METRES)
Almighty Class has only had the three race starts but looks highly talented and he resumes here.
Sent to the paddock after failing on debut in heavy conditions, he resumed in the Spring to take out the 1000m 3YO Classic ahead of Ripcord, before lining up in the Listed Belgravia Stakes where he was beaten only a neck behind Super Smink.
The form around him is hard to overlook and he comes here off a very nice trial.
Allowed settle back in the four horse heat, he worked home strongly over the final part and looks ready to go.
Jared Noske will do the steering and he gets the advantage of the inside draw.
1 unit – ALMIGHTY CLASS
RACE 3 - 3:39PM: AMELIA PARK HANDICAP RTG66+ (1200 METRES)
Ice Pick Nick resumed for the new stable in good style, with an all the way win over 1200m here late last month.
After beginning his career in Victoria under the care of the Maher / Eustace team, that five year old has always shown nice ability and the form around him is solid.
Boasting a great record over 1200m, he looks well placed here with the three weeks between runs and he has won second up previously.
He does rise in the weights but drops back in grade and he's drawn to get the gun run from gate three under Brad Parnham, who retains the ride for Daniel Morton.
1 unit – ICE PICK NICK
RACE 4 - 4:19PM: GLENROY CHAFF HANDICAP 1MW (1000 METRES)
Cheeky Charlotte has won two from three and looks well placed to add to that tally.
The daughter of Winning Rupert kicked off her career with a stylish two length victory over 1000m here.
She stepped out at Belmont a fortnight later and despite the wide draw, she was able to take up the running and hold them off over 1200m.
Last start she stepped away slowly from the inside gate but railed through and was just overrun late.
Back to 1000m looks ideal, she's draw beautifully and she gets in with just 54kgs.
1 unit – CHEEKY CHARLOTTE
RACE 5 - 5:00PM: TABtouch - WESTSPEED PLATINUM HANDICAP OMW (1600 METRES)
Boab Boy has been racing in career best form and comes here hard fit.
A winner of three from his past five starts, the son of Sessions was just collared in the final stages after leading two runs back but bounced back with a determined victory last time.
He was strong through the line over 1500m last start, so the rise to the mile looks suitable.
Madi Derrick goes onboard for Brett Pope and she'll take 1.5kgs off.
1 unit – BOAB BOY
RACE 6 - 5:35PM: STUDCO - NATASHA STAKES LISTED 3YO FILLIES (2200 METRES)
Miss Skyhigh has performed well in all four raceday appearances and I think she can turn the tables on Own The Queen here.
Last start in the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas the daughter of Harry Angel settled back towards the rear and charged home late into second, taking ground off the eventual winner.
The way she's been finishing off her races suggests she's crying out for this trip and from the inside draw she can settle within striking distance under Clint Johnson-Porter, who retains the ride.
1 unit – MISS SKYHIGH
RACE 7 - 6:15PM: PETERS INVESTMENTS HANDICAP 1MW (1400 METRES)
Cerridwyn is racing in terrific form and she's sure to be in the finish again.
After beginning her career in Victoria, the American Pharoah mare has relished life in the west, figuring in the top three in seven of her eight starts.
Her only unplaced run coming when she was severely crowed over the final part and was eased to finish fourth.
She comes here off a tough run last start where she did well to claim third after racing wide without cover throughout the event.
She has drawn a touch awkward here but gets the in-form Brad Parnham back in the saddle.
1 unit – CERRIDWYN
RACE 8 - 6:50PM: SCHWEPPES - J.C. ROBERTS STAKES LISTED 3YO C&G (1800 METRES)
Unbeaten in four starts this campaign, Russian To The Bar will look to extend his winning streak.
Only lightly raced, the Russian Revolution gelding didn't show a lot in his first two raceday appearances but has taken all before him this time in.
From a maiden to a class one, he's now put together back to back stakes wins and I think he'll again prove too good.
His win last start in the Listed Lex Piper was full of merit as he found himself in a bumping dual with A Few Good Men but came out on top.
Still very new, he continues to improve and the rise to 1800m looks ideal.
He's drawn to get every chance under Chris Parnham, who has partnered him in all six of his runs.
1 unit – RUSSIAN TO THE BAR
RACE 9 - 7:25PM: MRS MAC'S HANDICAP RTG66+ (1600 METRES)
Royal Toronado comes off a very pleasing performance in the Listed Lex Piper Stakes.
After settling back in the field he had to switch across heels in the straight but let down strongly over the final part to finish three quarters of a length from the winner.
He drops back in grade and comes here at peak fitness with the three runs under his belt.
A son of Toronado, as his names suggests, he looks to have plenty of upside and gets in beautifully here on the minimum.
Clint Johnson–Porter goes onboard for Grant and Alana Williams.
1 unit – ROYAL TORONADO
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