Best Bet Ascot r7 Maria Lucia ; Seven weeks between runs , drawn wide , thought she went enormous sitting outside Aurum Belle last start and chasing her all the way to the line. Drawn inside her this time , it’s hard to see them letting the fav cross , especially with the stablemate and undefeated colt Beatty drawn 1 with Pike booked .
SRM 1 & 8 Top 3. With blinkers going on both first time , I think Maria Lucia leads and Beatty sits on her back. If Beatty leads then Aurum Belle most likely breezes and Maria finds her back. In either situation or even if a roughie upsets the apple cart , both should get ideal runs and finish top 3.
Ascot r8 (Quokka) Novelties ; Box 1 2 3 5 6 : I’m a proud West Australian in all things sport but the Eastern State raiders bring far superior form to this years slot race. In racebook order ;
Jigsaw ; 7yo on pace warrior who is remarkably going for his 7th straight win , 2 /6 of which were at group 1 level over 1200m . Wide barrier wont stop him landing somewhere close to the top.
Caballus ; Last start Newmarket winner no less ! before that ran 2nd to Joliestar . Wont get it on his own terms this time but still outstanding form.
Rey Magnerio ; His two runs at Ascot were a fantastic 3rd in the Winterbottom over 1200m where the race wasn’t run to suit and a win over 1400 in the Goldrush. Only beaten 1.27 lengths behind Jigsaw first up . Expect Pike to settle him behind the expected hot tempo and give him his chance.
Jedibeel ; 4th in the Oakleigh Plate and 2nd in the Galaxy where although it was a bunched finish , he was very unlucky and should of won. Not as suited at WFA as the others but adds value at $15 , should be flashing home late.
Spywire ; His recent wins were against slightly easier opposition but he has drawn 1 and can sit leaders back / 3 back and follow the rail into the placings , adding value to the exotics.
Happy to be proven wrong but I just can’t fit any of the locals into the first 4 in a betting perspective.
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