Nine races will be run and won at Ascot on Saturday with the feature event, the Listed Belgravia Stakes set to headline a great day of racing. The $125k black-type race for three-year-olds has been won by some of Western Australia’s best early in their careers including Amelia’s Jewel, Perfect Jewel and Disposition.
The rail is out 6m the entire course and with fine weather forecast, racing will take place on a Good 4 surface.
We've cast our eye over the form and provided our top selections below.
RACE 1 - 3:29PM 2YO Open Plate (1000 METRES)
Hold My Wine (4) makes his debut here following two impressive trial wins.
The Daniel & Ben Pearce-trained son of Safeguard won over 400m in his first trial.
However, it was his most recent piece of work over 1000m at Belmont where he worked strongly through the line that suggested he was ready to fire fresh.
William Pike who was aboard in his last trial remains for the race ride and should give him every chance from barrier 3.
1 Unit – Hold My Wine (4)
RACE 2 - 4:04PM: One Metro Win Handicap (1000 METRES)
Real Deluxe (6) loves 1000m and is undefeated in two races over the distance.
The Dion Luciani-trained filly was brilliant first-up when putting her rivals to the sword over 1000m at Northam by 3.8 lengths.
She came to town last start for a 1000m contest and showed she had a tremendous will to win to fight back after being headed and go on to claim the race by half a length.
She's been freshened since then and maps to get a great run on speed for 'The Wiz'.
1 Unit – Real Deluxe (6)
RACE 3 - 4:49PM: No Metro Wins Last Year Handicap (1200 METRES)
Let's Talk (7) looks like a horse with a fair amount of upside after running well in his first two race starts.
The four-year-old gelding started his career in fine style with a strong win over 1000m at Northam.
Last star he found the line powerfully to finish third over 1100m here by a length with that run suggested that he was looking for further.
He gets that here with the rise to 1200m and with winkers being applied for the first time, I expect him to settle closer in the run.
1 Unit – Let's Talk (7)
RACE 4 - 5:34PM: BM66+ Handicap (2200 METRES)
Simply (1) has been low flying this preparation and is looking to win his third race in a row.
The Grant & Alana Williams-trained Domesday gelding proved too strong two starts back when winning over 2200m at Belmont.
He then easily put away many of the same horses he faces here when winning by 1.8 lengths last start over this course and distance.
He rises 2kg but it's hard to see them turning the tables given he maps to get an economical run from barrier 2, much like he did last start.
2 Units – Simply (1)
RACE 5 - 6:14PM: One Metro Win Handicap (1400 METRES)
Olympic Park (12) was ultra impressive when making his debut over 1400m at Bunbury last start.
The Michael Grantham-trained son of Ocean Park settled back and was last entering the straight but savaged the line late like he was fired out of a cannon to win by just under a length.
He's been nominated for such races as the WA Guineas and Northerly Stakes so his connections obviously have an opinion of him and it's easy to see why.
The outside barrier isn't ideal, but he will get back in the run anyway so if 'The Hyphenator' can get him clear air in the straight then he'll take some holding out.
2 Units – Olympic Park (12)
RACE 6 - 6:45PM: BM66+ Handicap (1600 METRES)
Secret Attraction (4) warrants a return visit to town after winning three in a row at Kalgoorlie in dominant fashion.
The daughter of Savabeel charged home like a wounded bull to win over 1600m three starts back before gapping her rivals by 5.8 lengths when stepping up to 1760m.
Last start she produced a powerful turn of foot at the end of a mile to win by 2.3 lengths like the $1.30 favourite she was.
William Pike has built a great association with the mare and will give her every chance.
1 Unit – Secret Attraction (4)
RACE 7 - 7:21PM: BM78+ Handicap (1200 METRES)
Almighty Class (3) proved he was named correctly with an ultra-impressive return to racing last start.
The Mitchell Pateman-trained gelding sat three-wide outside the speed over 1000m here, but still had the audacity to put his rivals away easily and win by 1.3 lengths.
That followed some excellent trial form, so he looks like he is now ready to deliver on the promise that saw him considered good enough to contest The Quokka last preparation.
He'll strip fitter second-up and should settle just off what looks a strong speed.
1 Unit – Almighty Class (3)
RACE 8 - 7:56PM: LISTED BELGRAVIA STAKES (1200 METRES)
West Star (5) returned in magnificent last start in the Max Simmonds Stakes over 1000m here.
The Simon Miller-trained gelding was forced to settle at the tail after drawing the outside barrier but produced a super turn of foot to charge home and finish a neck third.
He looked like a horse with some class when winning both his starts last preparation including a five-length length romp when second-up.
From barrier 1 he will enjoy the run of the race for Chris Parnham.
2 Units – West Star (5)
RACE 9 - 8:35PM: BM72+ Handicap (1400 METRES)
Keshi Boom (7) was one of the stars of the Ascot Carnival this time last year with wins in the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes and the G3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes.
Unfortunately, the Grant & Alana Williams-trained mare didn't come up last preparation and was spelled after just one race where she finished two lengths sixth over 1200m at Belmont.
She has a touch of a class and I'm banking on her bouncing back after a solid recent trial.
She won her only previous start over this course and distance and if Pikey gets her clear air in the straight, then she may prove awfully hard to beat.
1 Unit – Keshi Boom (7)
