There’s a quality nine-race card at Ascot to begin the new year, with the feature being the Group 2 Perth Cup. The rail is back to the TRUE position after being out 5m on 23 December 2023 – selections are for a GOOD track – watch and monitor for any pattern if possible. The first race is set to jump at 3:45pm AEDT and the last at 8:39pm AEDT.
Find our best bets for Ascot below and makes sure to head over to our Racing Tips page for more free tips from around the country on New Year’s Day!
Ascot Racing Tips: Monday, January 1st 2023
Race 2: Ascend Trophies Plate 1000m at 4:25pm AEDT
(3) ALL PLAY ($3.40) – this looks a hot 3YO race with a few genuine winning chances. He produced two very good performances during his first campaign that suggest he has a bit of talent. First-up he raced 3WWC the entirety before being very green down the straight and still packing too much for his opposition to win. He then went to 3YO Open grade and raced 3WNC throughout before just going down to GENEROSITY (ties in with SHELL BELL and GINNIVAN) and RIPCORD (since won the Placid Ark and ran third in the G1 Winterbottom). I think GINNIVAN and SHELL BELL will ping to the front while this guy camps right behind them to have last crack. He had a short trial over 400m to sharpen him up for this. Looks a nice type.
(3) ALL PLAY
$3.40 (2 Units)
Race 3: Amelia Park RS1MW 100m at 5:05pm AEDT
(3) BAYEZID ($6.50 / $2.05) – he looks a great e/w play here. He’s only missed the top 2 once this preparation and makes his own luck by rolling forward in his races. He was a strong winner three-back when beating home LEADING TADDY (since won) and DREAMERS NEVER DIE (since run second after SP’ing a $1.80 chance) when leading from barrier to post. He then went to Bunbury and beat all-bar STORMCHASER (has since won again) who nailed him right on the stick with big gaps to third. LS seen him go to the 1000m straight at Pinjarra where he again led them up and was too strong late (loved the fight). If we go back to his second start this prep he made KESHI BOOM produce an excellent finale to knock him over in the last few strides (again beat the rest easily). I think he’ll go forward from the wide gate to lead or sit OSL and then give us a nice kick on straightening. If he gets a soft time in front, he’ll be awfully hard to get past. HOSTILE TALK was a dominant winner in Maiden grade LS but the price difference is too great. Happy his way.
(3) BAYEZID E/W
$6.50/$2.05 (1 Unit)
Race 5: Mumm Champagne RS1MW 1800m at 6:20pm AEDT
(6) SECRET ATTRACTION ($3.00) – one of the bets of the day! A progressive 4YO mare who arrives fourth-up and peaking with her fitness. She draws a lovely gate for Parnham, who retains the ride, to sit handy to the speed similar to her last run where she was a dominant winner beating home ROYAL GAP and I LOVE YOUR SMILE (also here). If we go back to last prep she was an eye-catcher in the WA Oaks when she finished third behind IHTS CLOSING INN beaten 1.2L (ties in with key rivals / arguably could have finished closer). If she can improve on her LS performance I think she’s awfully hard to beat based on her profile, gate and race map. Keen.
(6) SECRET ATTRACTION
$3.00 (3 Units)
Race 9: Schweppes BM72+ 1200m at 8:39pm AEDT
(7) HANCHI ($2.80) – save the best until last! We were with him LS and he duly saluted over the 1000m when held-up at a key stage before bursting through and winning comfortably (he beat CUT THE TALK who is a live hope in a Listed race earlier in the card). He clearly brings the best form into this and the current price looks generous. He made OSCAR’S FORTUNE dig really deep to beat him first-up over 1000m (that horse has since run second to OVERPASS in the G1 Winterbottom). He then went to the Placid Ark Stakes and was in a terrible position near the rear of the field turning for home before a nice finale to finish within 2.5L of RIPCORD who was a sensational winner (since ran third in the G1 Winterbottom – form well and truly franked). He gets back out to the 1200m today (no knock), draws an ideal gate to sit midfield / behind the speed, arrives fourth-up, C. Parnham sticks, and he still has plenty of scope for improvement. Great bet.
(7) HANCHI
$2.80 (3.5 Units)
