3 minute read

Before 'Quokka fever' hits us like a tonne of bricks, the 3YO's will race for Derby spoils.

We're a week away from the $5 million The Quokka at Ascot, with the WATC Derby the main event on a big card of racing.

While the feature has taken a hit somewhat with star attraction Zipaway scratched on Thursday, it opens the race right up to plenty of opinions.

Buckets Ridge and Own The Queen are joint favourites at the time of writing, with Buckets Ridge slightly ahead of the Oaks winner on Racing and Sports ratings heading into the Derby.

The Grant & Alana Williams-trained gelding sprinted the quickest off what was a farcically run Melvista Stakes, which turned into a zip home rather than a staying test.

While he jumped a $16 chance there, the booking of William Pike suggested the stable thought he was the one in the Melvista, and Pike remains in the irons on Saturday.

The highest rating coming into the race comes from A Lot Of Good Men for his impressive fifth in The Northerly Stakes last year.

It's been a while since Trevor Andrews charge has run to that level, but he did show glimpses last start when closing off well from the back of the pack.

Own The Queen was a good winner of the Oaks a fortnight ago, but historical ratings suggest she'll have to improve again to beat the boys in the Derby on Saturday.

While the Derby is the main attraction at Ascot on Saturday, it's not the only feature on the card.

Race 3 is the Marjorie Charlseon Classic over the 1200m journey for fillies and mares.

Baby Paris has opened up favourite after a nice trial coming in, but she'll have to be at her best to hold off the Dan Morton-trained REAL DANGER.

Although well beaten last start, stepping back up to 1200m looks ideal and she has the pace to sit there and stalk a (possibly) vulnerable Baby Paris first-up.

Chris Parnham is striking at a whopping 20% from his last 50 runners and he's guided the daughter of I Am Invincible to her last two wins at Ascot and Bunbury.

Baby Paris boasts a strong first-up record of 3 wins from five fresh runs, but those two defeats have come at her last two first-up efforts.

If she's vulnerable first-up, Real Danger is fit and firing and will be poised to strike when the whips are cracking.

We'll head toward the back end of the card for the Next Best of the day, and that's HEMLOCK STONE in race 8.

Team Williams and Pike combine with this son of Dalghar who rattled hom in eye-catching fashion over this course and distrance last time out.

While he is expected to get back in the running once more from a wide alley, the stable have booked William Pike for Saturday's effort which is a big push for the four-year-old's chances.

He already rates right up to his rivals and with further improvement expected on Saturday, he'll prove hard to hold out.

The bet365 Best From The West

Best Bet: Race 3 Number 2 REAL DANGER @ $2.80 with bet365.

Next Best: Race 8 Number 7 HEMLOCK STONE @ $5.50 with bet365.

*Prices correct as of 3:15pm, April 11.

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