3 minute read
The value play comes up in the Listed Scenic Blast stakes with a competitive nine-race card on offer at Ascot.
A beautiful summer's day is forecast for Perth on Saturday, with the racing looking to match what the bureau is telling us.
Competitive is the best word to describe the nine races at Ascot, with the two and three-year-old's showing kicking the programme off with a look to the future.
Race two is an Open event for the three-year-old's and that's where my Best Bet is engaged, ROCKET JUICE.
I was keen on this son of Bondi a fortnight ago before the meeting was abandoned due to heat protocols, but he lines up in essentially the same race against a similar field.
His form looks to have much more substance behind it compared to his competitors, with the current favourite (at the time of writing) Snippy Which a beaten favourite in just a Class 3 at Pinjarra.
Many though the rise to 1400m last start was the key for Rocket Juice, but looking at his previous starts, it may have more to do with his tactics than the distance he races over.
His best performances have all come when settling in the first half of the field, which he'll be able to do under Steve Parnham from barrier four.
Rocket Juice looks to map perfectly in the run whereas his opponents may be needing some luck at the top of the straight. He's only won a maiden from 8 starts, but gets his chance to add to the tally this weekend.
Just quickly touch on what is probably the "Next Best" on the card, AUTUMN REBEL in race 5.
No surprise to see him come up so short having won his last two in good style at Pinjarra.
Analysis of the sectionals from his latest effort showed he wasn't stopping late in the race last start, hinting that the rise to 1800m shouldn't pose an issue.
He looks a nice colt on the way through, but with the barrier a slight niggle on Saturday, hopefully he will drift late in betting.
The Listed Scenic Blast Stakes is the feature event on the day and comes up in Race 8 at 8:35pm AEDT.
The early market will suggest it's an open event, and it's these types of races where value can be found.
I'm hoping I've done just than in the form of Simon Miller's five-year-old IT'SARAYDAY.
He was solid on resumption when a long way back in the Summer Scorcher and didn't have the best of luck last start in the Miss Andretti Stakes, only seeing daylight once the race was over.
It was good to see the son of Winning Rupert improve second-up, as he has been known to dip in his ratings in previous campaigns with his second-up record showing that.
He's won 2/3 third-up and drawing away from the inside this time should suit, and he drops slightly in weight with Troy Turner hopping on board.
Figures suggest he still has more to come, and as he hits peak fitness third-up he's the one that appeals most, especially at a double figure price.
The bet365 Best From The West
Best Bet: Race 2 Number 5 ROCKET JUICE @ $4.40* with bet365.
Next Best: Race 5 Number 10 AUTUMN REBEL @ $2* with bet 365.
Value Play: Race 8 Number 5 IT'SARAYDAY @ $15 and $3.90* with bet365.
*Prices correct as of 1pm, January 25th.
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