Ascot hosts a 10-race card on Saturday with the Karrakatta Plate, The Quokka & The Joey as the feature races, with some big named horses running and several interstate big jockeys have arrived to take part. Race 1 starts at 1:19pm (AEST), while the last concludes at 7:00pm. The rail is out 3m the entirety after being in the TRUE position last week, and our selections are for a GOOD track with fine weather predicted – watch and monitor for any pattern if possible.
You can find our best bets for Ascot below, and be sure to head over to our Racing Tips page for more free tips from around the country this Saturday!
Ascot Racing Tips: Saturday, April 20th 2024
Race 6: Furphy Handicap 1200m – 4:24pm (AEST)
(6) Twain’s Angel $2.50: looks a very promising filly. She won her only two starts last prep and did so impressively. Her first-up effort last time in saw her camp OSL the entirety over 1200m before dropping the leader on straightening and putting a space in them (won by 3L / big gaps behind). She then went to 1300m and repeated the dose sitting OSL and being too strong for them (again big gaps behind / ROYAL TORONADO since won). She’s had two trials leading into this assignment, winning both. The first was a pipe opener over 400m, but the second was over 1000m and she was dominant winning easily without ever being tested (excellent work). She draws a good gate and generally shows good early speed, so I think she will lead or sit behind them. Gets in with 53kgs after the claim and Madi Derrick has a good association with her. Hard to beat.
(8) Brave Spirit $6.50: 3YO who broke maiden last start at big odds and prior to that had been running okay and around the mark. Has returned in good order and must be respected second up now.
(6) Twain’s Angel
$2.50 (3.5 Units)
Race 7: Amelia Park Karrakatta Plate – 5:03pm (AEST)
(6) Siren Assault $5.50/$2.15: another great edition of the Karrakatta Plate! Not sure why there’s such a difference in price between this girl and the current favourite BUSTLING based on exposed form. Two-back they clashed over 1100m at Ascot and SIREN ASSAULT set a strong speed in front (some 5.2L above average to the 600m mark) before holding them all off to win by 1.2L. I concede BUSTLING was 3WNC that day and meets SIREN ASSAULT 2kgs better at the weights, but I’m not sure she should be more than twice his price. She went to the Gimcrack Stakes LS and showed her versatility by sitting midfield before accelerating nicely to win by 1.5L (ties in with GOLDEN KATHLEEN). There doesn’t look to be a huge amount of speed drawn inside her so I think she can land in the first half a dozen and be one off the fence. I think she’ll have a head-start on GOLDEN KATHLEEN and will get last crack at BUSTLING (who might get taken on up front?). The extra 100m looks no issue given her strength through the line over 1100m. Overs.
(2) Bustling $2.50: 2YO gelding who is the favourite here and must be respected again. He has begun his career nicely with two nice wins. Most recent being in the Perth Stakes where he was strong to the line and won by 1.5L. Rock hard fit and worth thought again here. Watch the market.
(6) Siren Assault E/W
$5.50/$2.15 (1U/2U)
Race 8: The Kia Quokka 1200m – 5:45pm (AEST)
(10) Oscars Fortune $6.50/$2.25: what a cracking race The Quokka is this year! I think this guy represents good each-way value in the race even after being well supported in early markets. He produced a new peak performance LS when beating key rival AMELIA’S JEWEL over 1100m in the Roma Cup when he went some 11.9L above average (visually impressive and was backed up on the clock). He can potentially springboard off that run and improve further seen as he’s still only third-up. If we go back to last prep, he ran second to key rival OVERPASS in the G1 Winterbottom over this track/trip when the winner had a nice time in front while this guy was forced to race 3-wide the entirety. He maps beautifully from gate 3 to land on speed (ideally right behind MALKOVICH and OVERPASS) and The Wizard sticks with him. I’m a big fan of AMELIA’S JEWEL and I’m scared stiff of her with Damian Lane up (key jockey change) but I’m not sure where she’ll get to in the run from a wide gate. She’ll be launching late though! I think OSCAR will have a head start on her and I expect him to run well.
(8) Amelias Jewel $3.60: 4YO mare who boasts an impeccable record and only means business; however, Oscars Fortune got the better of her LS and again Amelias jewel gets a sticky gate and will have to use some luck and swoop late. She is more than capable of doing so, but as per above I think Oscars Fortune will get a nice head start.
(10) Oscars Fortune E/W
$6.50/$2.25 (1 Unit)
Race 9: The Drummond Golf Joey 1200m–6:25pm (AEST)
(9) Phanta $11/$3.60: best roughie of the day! He arrives first-up after a break but had a solid hit out in a trial behind LET’S GALAHVANT where he was never asked for an effort (it was nice work). He has a terrific record fresh and 1200m looks his pet trip. He draws a low gate for B. Parnham who has a long association with him, and he looks one of the sole leaders in the race. MOOD SWINGS will likely cross over from a wider gate, so depending on how hard they want to go, he can either hold him out or take a sit in behind. I think LACED UP HEELS is well under her true odds of winning as she likes to get back in the run (she may end up being buried away on the fence worse than midfield needing luck). He’ll give us a sight.
(16) Laced Up Heels $5.00/$2.00: early favourite of the race, but may require some luck from the low draw. If things go right she is a great chance. One for the exotics.
(9) Phanta E/W
$11/$3.60 (1 Unit)
