With the big races over in the east of the country now finished up, all eyes turn to Western Australia for their Spring racing carnival at Ascot. The Group One Winterbottom Stakes highlights the card today.There are some cracking fields assembled with some exciting up and coming local horses all on show.
We should expect fine racing conditions with the sun shining over in Perth. A good 4 track should see every horse get their chance today
Billy Bestford is back once again to bring you his best bets and race previews for all the key races.
Ascot Racing Tips: Saturday November 26th
Race 2
Keen to get involved early in the program here with (2) Bitofmerit who looks well placed in a race like this. He resumes today having won three from four career starts, with all those wins coming first up off a break. Looked good winning a recent Lark Hill trial and should see every chance from the good gate. He is a progressive type and most of these have probably reached their ceiling.
(11) Rumour Says drops out of some strong listed races and is much better suited back in this sort of grade. Has had nothing go right at either run this prep sp Parnham jumping in the saddle is a big tick.
(1 Moi Choux bolted in first up and couldn’t have done much more. Looks as if he has come back in top order and loves the 1000m. He has the strongest exposed form of this lot.
(7) Tadweer would be next best off the back of a good trial. Showed a bit of promise last prep.
(2) Bitofmerit
$2.80 (2 units)
Race 6
(2) Saintorio looks to bring the strongest formlines into this off a 3rd in the WA Guineas to the flying quinella of Amelia’s Jewel and Bustler. Saintorio arguably should have finished closer there, caught wide for most of the race but kept coming. If he can hold his form into this race off the quick back up then he should be too good.
(6) China Spirit is the big query runner, on the quick backup here from a dominant midweek win on debut. Had trialled up super leading into that race. The fact they have thrown him straight into the deep end at his second start tells me they might have a bit of an opinion on him.
(3) All The King’s Men ran 4th in that WA Guineas and was very solid once again. He puts himself up on the speed and generally takes luck out of the equation. Back to 1400m probably suits him.
(4) Swear To God has struggled a little at his last two runs but prior to that his form was very good. Damien Oliver jumps on board today and this horse might be ready to show something now.
Value: (6) China Spirit - $16 (0.25 units)
(2) Saintorio
$3.00 (1.5 units)
Race 7
(14) Pure Devotion has been desperate to get out to a trip like this all prep and 3rd up now she should be ready to let rip. Was only getting warm late on over 1800m and Pikey stays on her from the gun draw. Expect to see her get a nice trail in running before peeling to the outside and I think she has the turn of foot to run past these. Looks the best bet on the card today.
(1) Marocchino led them up in the Railway last week but was outgunned late on. Wasn’t a bad run in fairness and his Northam Cup win prior to that was strong. He’s a two-time winner over this trip so you know he will be there in the finish.
(4) Utgard Loki is also a winner over this trip and you feel he is ready to show something now 3rd up from a spell. He’s much better suited in a race like this and can be a big improver into the placings.
(8) All Man could be a decent roughie chance. The race really drops away from the top few but this horse is in strong winning form and down in the weights can run well.
(14) Pure Devotion
$2.30 (3 units)
Race 8
Here’s the feature race of the day with The Winterbottom Stakes taking centre stage.
*SCRATCHED* I’m siding with the Godolphin visitor (2) Vilana who is airborne this prep and comes into this off a big win in The Hunter. Prior to that he was a forgive run in the Golden Eagle before he bolted in winning the Silver Eagle. Draws wide with Jamie Kah flying over to ride him I just think he will sit back and launch late off the back of a hot speed. Doubt we have seen the best of him just yet.
(4) Elite Street didn’t have much go right first up and he generally always improves with a run. He is unbeaten from three 2nd up performances and up to 1200m will suit. Draws much kinder today and has proven his best form is well up to any of the Eastern visitors. With Vilana scratched, Elite Street goes on top.
(13) Miss Conteki looks suited rising to 1200m after storming home to run 5th last start. Her wins prior to that were incredible and I expect her to be tracking Vilana the whole way home.
(1 Rothfire maps for the gun run from gate three and we know he is probably the best credentialled sprinter in this race. Has mixed his form a little of late but if he puts it all together I’d be surprised if anyone beats him.
(16) My Bella Mae could be anything! As a 3yo filly she tackles this race with just 51.5kg and brings with it an unbeaten record. She’s been dominant in all three wins to date and very excited to see how she measures up. Might be a year too early?
Also Backing: (4) Elite Street - $6.50 (1 unit)
