Ascot hosts a nine-race program on Saturday, headlined by the Group 3 WA Oaks for the three-year-old fillies. The opening race kicks off at 12:24pm local time (3:24pm AEDT) and the track is currently listed as a Good 4. Here are my best bets for the Western Australian meeting!
Ascot Racing Tips: Saturday, April 5th 2025
Race 1: TABTOUCH - WESTSPEED PLATINUM HANDICAP (1200 METRES) – 12:24pm (3:24pm AEDT)
(1) Sky Duke was a winner first up before a pair of minor placings, the latest beaten a length by Jaz Session over 1000m. The five-year-old gelding breezed outside the leader with Jaz Session sitting on his back and running past him in the straight. Can turn the tables.
(2) Jaz Session chases a hat-trick of wins and the four-year-old mare trained by Justine Erkelens looks cherry ripe to achieve that feat with Shaun O’Donnell in the saddle. Barrier five looks ideal if they can slot in just behind the speed and look to run them down late; the risk is getting caught outside Sky Duke or Blitzem Babe.
(4) My Lovely Pet finished sixth of seven last time out. There’s nothing wrong with his form, which includes back-to-back wins before his sixth behind Jaz Session. The map is against him here though but looms as an each-way prospect.
(2) Jaz Session WIN
$2.40 (3 Units)
Race 7: CIVIL AND GENERAL HAPPY 20TH BIRTHDAY HANDICAP (1200 METRES) – 4:15pm (7:15pm AEDT)
(2) Objectify resumes from a spell for trainer Daniel Morton. The four-year-old mare has won three of six career starts, including a perfect two from two to begin a prep. She is unbeaten from three tries at the distance. A recent trial saw her sit last and work home nicely. Goes on top here.
(4) Princess In Red is a last-start winner who dashed home smartly over the 1200m at Belmont. Looks a strong chance again.
(7) Nobellity looks the leader from barrier two and has been racing consistently with a fourth and a third at her last two starts. She can give them something to catch at around the $10 mark which is worth a punt.
Also Backing: (7) Nobellity WIN $10 (1 Unit)
(2) Objectify WIN
$3.90 (2 Units)
Race 8: DRUMMOND GOLF - WA OAKS (2400 METRES) – 4:50pm (7:50pm AEDT)
A field of nine lines up in the 2025 edition of the WA Oaks where we see six of the nine coming through the Listed Natasha Stakes (2200m).
(2) Machine Gun Gracie led throughout in the Natasha Stakes to score by an impressive 3.44 lengths to defeat Twilight Tale and Funchal. She is a deserved favourite who will try and take them all the way again.
(3) Twilight Tale is a winner of two from four, just like Machine Gun Gracie. She sprinted home well once finding clear galloping room in the Natasha Stakes. Prior to that, she was third in the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) behind Glasgow Lass and Machine Gun Gracie. Expect her to close strongly in the Oaks and she is my top pick in the race.
(6) Funchal has the services of ‘The Wizard’ and she will need to give the top two picks a head start in the run from the outside barrier. She is the other key winning chance.
(3) Twilight Tale WIN
$3.60 (2 Units)
