Ascot 13/03/2021

Conditions

Rail – 5m
Track – Good 4
Forecast – Max 27 degrees, sunny

Race 1 – Morley Growers Market Plate – 1200m – 11:59pm

10 – Ginger Locks
5 – Luke’s Pierro
9 – War Gem
3 – Secret Lair

Comment: Ginger Locks won at her maiden start and should only improve here with one run under her belt. Bruce never brings his horses to the city just for the fun of it. Luke’s Pierro finished second behind Ginger Look and has a worst barrier than her here. He does have a turn of foot to help him overcome it though. War Gem looks to have ability, winning the one trial, but may fall victim to the wide barrier. Secret Lair isn’t without his chances.

Suggested bet: Ginger Locks, Luke’s Pierro and War Gem – each way

Race 2 – Glenroy Chaff Handicap – 1000m – 12:39pm

4 – Savage One
7 – Divine Pair
3 – Sassy Trader
8 – Spicy Dancer

Comment: Savage One looks to be a horse with ability (3:2-1-0) and I like his form around Sheikh It. He’s up in class but does only carry 53kg with Laqdar’s claim. Divine Pair is knocking on the door (3:0-1-2), while Sassy Trader has the experience and class.

Suggested bet: Savage One – each way

Race 3 – Westspeed Platinum TABtouch – Better Your Bet Handicap – 1400m – 1:19pm

7 – Petite La Femme
4 – Double Spice
3 – Bruce Almighty
2 – Wild Fusion

Comment: Petite La Femme is always there but can’t quite get the chocolates (14:0-3-4). She didn’t finish far off the winner last start and gets one more chance here. Double Spice had excuses last start and can definitely bounce back here. While Bruce Almighty is a threat.

Suggested bet: Petite La Femme – place

Race 4 – Crown Perth Handicap – 1200m – 2:04pm

9 – Secret Plan
8 – Universal Pleasure
1 – Sir Mambo
3 – Grand Design

Comments: Secret Plan looks to be an up and coming cerise and white horse. He faces his toughest race yet, with Universal Pleasure looking to make it 4 wins in a row. Universal Pleasure is yet to place outside of the top 3 (9:3-3-3) but does jump from a wide barrier for the first time this preparation.

Suggest her: Secret Plan and Universal Pleasure – each way

Race 5 – Natasha Stakes – 2200m – 2:44pm

1 – Solaia
3 – Reliable Star
2 – Brave Angel
5 – Pure Devotion

Comment: Solaia has the class and consistency but is up in distance. Reliable Star is clearly a horse on the way up but is backing up for the third week in a row. Brave Angel beat Solaia last start, but didn’t show much before that run. Pure Devotion finished third behind Brave Angel and Solaia last start, which looks to be the form to follow. She’s yet to place outside of the top three (3:1-1-1) but may end up in a sticky position from barrier 7.

Suggested bet: Solaia, Reliable Star, Brave Angel and Pure Devotion – each way

Race 6 – Happy 60th Patricia Patten Handicap – 1600m – 3:20pm

2 – Sowar
5 – Secret Pearl
4 – Beret
1 – Wine Night

Comment: Sowar found two better last start but drops back in distance here and should bounce back. Secret Pearl has shown great ability over 1800-2200m. She’s down in distance and this might be a bit too short for her, but she’s great value. Beret is consistent and up in distance here, which may help her turn the tables. Wine Night is coming off a win but isn’t very consistent.

Suggested bet: Sowar – each way

Race 7 – Schweppes – J.C. Roberts Stakes – 1800m – 3:55pm

1 – Western Empire
5 – Tambora
4 – Holy Enchantment
6 – Castillo Del Lago

Comment: Western Empire is up in distance but is a proven, classy horse. Tambora seemed to have tired out last start over 1800m, but that was his first time out of the top three (4:1-2-0). He’ll be giving them something to run down. Holy Enchantment probably could have won last start had things gone a bit more to plan. Castillo Del Lago finished third to Western Empire last start and had excuses, but I think it’s going to be hard for him to turn the tables here.

Suggested bet: Western Empire – win

Race 8 – Gail Panton 20 Years @ Perth Racing Handicap – 1000m – 4:35pm

2 – Cuballing
4 – River Beau
5 – Mood Swings
8 – City Circle

Comment: Cuballing won in a lovely fashion last start, showing a good turn of foot in the process. This race looks to be a little bit harder but conditions should suit him once again. River Beau is second up after getting too far back last start. I certainly wouldn’t rule him out. Mood Swings is in good form, while City Circle isn’t in the best form but does have a great track/distance record (4:1-1-2).

Suggested bet: Cuballing – each way and River Beau – place

Race 9 – Mrs Mac’s Handicap – 1400m – 5:15pm

8 – Phoneme
2 – Not To Be Mist
1 – Lorentinio
11 – Cockyjoy

Comment: Phoneme was disappointing last start, with the poor performance put down to the rise in distance. He’s down in distance here and was scratched from last week in favour of this race. I’m hoping he can return to his old self. Not To Be Mist looks to have gotten too far back at her two starts this preparation. With the blinkers on for the first time, we could see an improved performance. With not a lot of speed in the race, Lorentinio should easily find the front and give them something to run down. His job will be made easier as he only has to carry 58kg with Laqdar’s claim (2kg more than last start though). Cockyjoy is coming off a win.

Suggested bet: Phoneme – place

Best Bet

Race 7 – Western Empire

Confidence rating

My confidence isn’t the best today and it’s mostly put down to just how even these fields are. It’s going to make for a great day of racing though! Races 3, 5 and 9 all look like a nightmare, while races 1 and 2 look even and race 4 is a battle between my top two tips.

Last Week’s Results

R6 – trifecta
Winners in top 4- 7/10
Top picks: -, 1st, -, 3rd, 1st, 1st, 2nd, -, 2nd, 1st
Best bet: 2nd
Profit: +4.9