3 minute read

The stage is set for a big day of feature racing with the Karrakatta Plate and The Quokka only a fortnight away.

With one of WA's biggest days only a fortnight away, the racing has hit top gear at Ascot this Saturday.

The Karrakatta Plate will begin to take shape as the Perth Stakes for the boys and Gimcrack for the girls will aim to provide a clearer picture of WA's juvenile racing scene.

As for The Quokka, which takes place on the same day as the Karrakatta, half of the selected field will run in the Roma Cup (Race 8), and those five are the top of the market,

WA"s star mare Amelia's Jewel returns for the first time since November and looked impressive in a recent trial. She's opened up an odds-on favourite, though it is easy to see why.

She was disappointing in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield, but never got a chance in the Golden Eagle when flattened at the top of the straight.

Amelia's Jewel won this race comfortably last year off a similar set up, but she looks to have good competition in the form of the three-year-old's.

Placid Ark winner Ripcord is a very intersting runner fronting up on Saturday, beginning his campaign without a public trial since his narrow defeat in the Gold Rush last year.

He and Oscar's Fortune were joined at the hip through The Pinnacles, with Oscar running a gallant second in the Bluff Knoll to kickstart his campaign.

Neither of those two have gone to the heights of Amelia's Jewel, but we'll get a good guage on just how competittive the youngsters will be in The Quokka.

She stepped out to the mile last campaign, but connections have decided to take Super Smink sprinting this campaign, which saw her so dominant in the Karrakatta a year ago.

After having so much promise at the end of her debut campaign, the filly can deliver now in the lead-up to the $5 million The Quokka.

Time for the Best Bets and while it'll be a long wait, hopefully it'll all be worth it with MALKAR PINDARI in the last.

The four-year-old mare worked ehr way through the grades last campaign, finishing off with a good win at this track which saw her produce a new peak rating.

She looked very impressive when wionning a recent trial, and she did that without the blinkers on which she will wear on race day.

A daughter of Gingerbread Man, Malkar Pindari can resume a winner and continue her way through the grades.

I'm not usually one to tip one up in the two-year-old races, but I thought the current price about GOLDEN KATHLEEN was far too big in the Gimcrack.

A dominant winner on debut over this course and distance, a look at the sectionals suggest she was strong through the line as well.

The second and third horse out of Golden Kathleen's debut improved their rating, and I'm expecting her to do the same with race experience on her side.

The bet365 Best From The West

Best Bet: Race 9 Number 5 MALKAR PINDARI @ $3.00* with bet365

Next Best: Race 6 Number 6 GOLDEN KATHLEEN @ $4.60* with bet365

*Prices correct as of 3pm, April 4th.

You win some. You lose more. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.