3 minute read

Racing and Sports highlight their selections for the nine race card at Ascot, with the Perth Cup the feature event.

Race 1 - 12:45pm: Magic Millions Plate (1100m)

SINFUL LIVING (1) never gave anything else a chance last start when leading all the way to score by 2.7L. King rides once again and she should be able to roll to the front and control once more. Looks set to bring up back-to-back wins. STREET BAND (2) closed off strongly behind Sinful Living last start and may benefit from the slight rise in trip. Gets a nice pull in the weights thanks to the claim of Campbell and is sure to make things interesting. ALABAMA ELEGANCE (5) looks to have trialled the best of the debutants, with the booking of Brad Parnham a key booking. He strikes at 10% when riding for the Hill stable and a forward showing is anticipated. OVERDRIVE (4) should appreciate the slight rise in trip and won't be far away.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Sinful Living can go back-to-back. $1.75* with TABtouch.

Race 2 - 1:25pm: Ascend Trophies Plate (1000m)

SIBERIAN SIREN (6) looks a progressive type on the way up after scoring in good time over this track and trip 12 days ago. This looks to set up similarly and he drops in weight as he moves into Open company. This isn't an overly strong race though and he can catch a few on the hop with race fitness on his side. SHELL BELL (2) has only had 1 start since the Karrakata in August but was put away straight after that effort. Trials suggests she's getting back to form and Pike riding adds confidence. Can bounce back in a big way. ALL PLAY (3) went around favourite in both runs last campaign and looks to be in good touch judging by his latest trial. Can work into the clear on straightening and may just be too strong late. GINNIVAN (1) was superb in his opening campaign and merits plenty of respect on resumption. OUR ROCKY BAY (4) can be thereabouts on the back of a nice trial coming in.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Siberian Siren gets the nod. $4.80* with TABtouch.

Race 3 - 2:05pm: Amelia Park Handicap (1000m)

HOSTILE TALK (7) absolutely bolted in on debut and won like a horse destined for much better races. Finds himself at the bottom of the weights in this tougher assignment, but suspect he's improved from the debut performance. Can continue his rise through the grades. BAYEZID (3) was just too good at Pinjarra last time out and came through strong form races the two starts prior, including a win over this track and trip. Can make his own luck up front and is sure to take plenty of catching. SKY DUKE (2) disappointed a touch last time out after a gutsy win at Bunbury fresh. Stats say he does bounce back third-up though and getting back to his best would see him right in the finish. ART OF SABRAGE (4) will be fitter for the first-up effort and back to 1000m is his go. Include. ZOUBOLTZ (6) wasn't far away fresh and can be thereabouts once more.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Hostile Talk can go back-to-back. $2.30* with TABtouch.

Race 4 - 2:45pm: TABtouch - Westspeed Platinum Handicap (1200m)

DEAMBER (4) has been superb throughout her career, scoring another win over this track and trip last start by 0.8L. Things look to set up similarly in this event and although she rises in weight, she continues to improve with racing. Can get the job done once again. EMPRESS OF INDIA (6) was only 2.1L away in the Epona Classic last start and drops back in grade this time. Was good in this level last campaign and appears the main danger. VAMPI AT PLAY (8) is getting better with racing after a long layoff, coming through the same race as Empress Of India last start. Fitter again now and is sure to be positive from the inside draw with Steve Parnham taking the ride. May be ready now. BONJOY (5) boasts a strong fresh record and CJP has never missed the placings when riding. Can resume in good order. FALCON TRADER (1) is better than he showed first-up and is not to be discounted.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Deamber can bring up the hat-trick. $3.40* with TABtouch.

Race 5 - 3:20pm: Mumm Champagne Handicap (1800m)

SECRET ATTRACTION (6) was far too good over this course and distance last time out, winning by 1.4L. That was in the same grade that she races in today. Although she does rise in weight, she draws better this time and ratings suggests she still has more to come. Can go back-to-back. FLOWER IN THE WIND (3) ran on well from midfield over 1500m last start and indicated she's in for a good preparation. Usually improves second-up and getting out in trip benefits her. Big chance if she can improve off the first-up run. SPEAK TO ME (7) gets Pike in the saddle after a 1.3L win at Bunbury last time out over 1695m. Wide draw may be some concern, but he does race forward and make his own luck. Can take the next step as he rises in distance. SAN FABRIZIO (2) has been close as favourite his past couple and merits plenty of respect. I LOVE YOUR SMILE (4) can be running on strongly at the finish.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Secret Attraction. $3.10* with TABtouch.

Race 6 - 3:50pm: Mrs Mac's - La Trice Classic (Group 3, 1800m)

Things didn't work out for YONGA LASS (8) last start when the race was dictated from the front. She was one of the fastest finishers there though to be just 2.3L off the winner. Pike hops back on board today and she may be looking for this trip now. Leading chance. RUSTY DREAMS (2) had the better of Yonga Lass in the Starstruck, but was in a much better position there off the slow tempo and was given a great steer. Out in trip may be a slight niggle, but winning form is hard to knock and she's sure to go close once again. IHTS CLOSING INN (3) drops back to her own sex today after finishing 3.8L away in the A.T.A last start. Ticking along nicely without winning though and hits peak fitness now. Won't be far away. MEGAMI (6) produced her best run over this course and distance three starts back. Drops in weight and has to be included. FOREVER DREAMING (7) is always thereabouts and is not to be discounted.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Yonga Lass in the La Trice. $3.10* with TABtouch.

Race 7 - 4:25pm: Furphy - Summer Scorcher (Listed, 1000m)

Brilliant race. WILD BELLE (10) showed plenty of promise before heading across to Victoria where she wasn't disgraced. Back in the West and back to a track and trip she zinged around first-up last prep. Parnham rides and she looks ready to take the next step now. GEMMA'S SON (4) is a very handy horse on his day, just missing first-up at Moonee Valley last campaign. Absolutely flies fresh and a repeat of his first-up effort last campaign will go a long way to winning this. REAL DANGER (3) looks better suited back to 1000m after failing at the end of last campaign. Pike riding adds to the confidence. Set to play a major role in this event. IT'SARAYDAY (2) is one of the class horses of the race and has won 4/6 fresh previously. Drawn to get every chance and won't be far away. CUT THE TALK (6) is hard to ignore on recent efforts and gets a nice drop in weight.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Wild Belle to return to winning form. $3.40* with TABtouch.

Race 8 - 5:02pm: TABtouch - Perth Cup (Group 2, 2400m)

The feature of the day and CASINO SEVENTEEN (7) looks the one to beat. Been ticking along nicely all the way through and now gets a big drop in weight off horses he's been up against. Pike rides from a perfect alley. He ticks plenty of boxes. NUMERIAN (1) is the class runner of the race and showed that when winning the Van Heemst 9 days ago. Will meet most of his rivals worse at the weights, but does have a ratings edge at the top of the weights. Can get the job done. ZOUMON (2) would need to improve on his last start effort in the Van Heemst but has been targeted toward this the whole way through. He is 2/3 at this trip though and his best form has him right up to the mark. NEUFBOSC (12) won the Cup two years ago and is one we know can sustain a strong staying test. Must be included. TRULY INSPIRED (16) was strong late off a slow pace in the A.T.A and will appreciate a longer and stronger race. Keep safe.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Casino Seventeen in the Cup. $3.00* with TABtouch.

BEST BET: Race 9 - 5:39pm: Schweppes Handicap (1200m)

HANCHI (7) backed up his good run in the Placid Ark with a strong win over 1000m here 23 days ago. Back out in trip won't hurt and the figures from his last start win rate highly in this field. Still on the way up and can continue to work through the grades. PLAYTHATFUNKYMUSIC (2) wasn't disgraced last start when beaten 2.3L after doing plenty of work from the wide draw. Jumps from a much softer gate this time and will make his own luck up on the pace. Key player. DUCHESS OF GOSSIP (5) just missed last start in the Epona Classic and drops in weight as she rises in grade slightly. Pike hops back in the saddle, having won 3/5 when partnering with the mare. Big chance if she runs up to her last start figures. STORMCHASER (12) held on to win last start in Open company but the draw is some niggle. Improving type though and is worth including. REAR ADMIRAL (10) will appreciate going back to 1200m and won't be far away.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Siding with Hanchi in the last. $3.40* with TABtouch.

*all prices correct as of 2:15pm AEDT, December 29th.

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