Ascot will host a massive 11 races on New Year’s Day, headlined by the $1 million Group 2 Perth Cup for the stayers. Track conditions will be good, and temperatures will be around 34 degrees as the rail is out seven metres for the entire circuit.
The Group 3 La Trice Classic is the perfect support race on Perth Cup Day as Machine Gun Gracie lines up against Luvnwar and Funchal over 1800 metres.
Trent Orwin brings us his free preview and Ascot racing tips from Western Australia's metro meeting on Thursday. And don't forget to head to our racing tips page for racing coverage from all around the country!
Ascot Racing Tips: Thursday, January 1st 2026
Race 2: Ascend Trophies Handicap (1000m) – 12:28pm (3:28pm AEDT)
(3) Magnique was victorious first up at Northam over 1000m and hasn’t been far away since then in three more runs. Will be hoping to slot in somewhere and hopefully won’t get caught off the track over the five furlongs. She has won three and been runner up another five times from 10 attempts at the 1000m. Racing well enough to win here and the price of $4.20 appeals.
(5) Niccimota draws well in gate three and would love to find the lead at her return to racing. Yet to win from three fresh runs, although this does look very suitable. She won a couple of races last prep and is suited by the class here. Should go close.
(4) Amaroo Star is also first up and should get a nice run from barrier four with Willie Pike aboard. He had put together three-straight wins before a brief break. Last time in, he failed to run a place in three tries. Prefer to see what he does first up.
(3) Magnique WIN
$4.20 (1.5 Units)
Race 8: La Trice Classic (1800m) – 4:25pm (7:25pm AEDT)
(1) Machine Gun Gracie returned to the races on December 13 when she tackled the Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m), finishing in fourth place after missing the start and settling midfield. That was her first run since capturing the WA Oaks/WATC Derby double back in April. She needs to step better this time around and jockey Shaun O’Donnell should put her on the speed, which is where she does her best racing. Carries 60kg once again which is slightly concerning but her best form is clearly good enough and the extra 200m is in her favour.
(3) Luvnwar beat home Machine Gun Gracie fair and square in the Starstruck and will try to replicate that in order to take the major prize in the La Trice. She came from last in the Starstruck and maps better this time around. Giving the nod to Gracie as she should dictate the affair, but Luvnwar is a huge danger, and the current race favourite will be hard to hold out.
(8) Funchal was fourth in the Listed ATA Stakes (2200m) and has been racing well this preparation with Willie Pike in the saddle. She was runner up in the Oaks and Derby and would love to turn the tables on Machine Gun Gracie. Only one win from 12 starts is the current knock on her.
(1) Machine Gun Gracie WIN
$4.00 (1.5 Units)
Race 10: Perth Cup (2400m) – 5:40pm (8:40pm AEDT)
(2) Apulia was last at the 400m in the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m), cornered the widest, and still managed to give Hoba West a massive head start before running him down. They gapped the rest of the field. Prior to that, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained five-year-old was 10th in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m). He will be well back in the Perth Cup but has the services of Pike to weave some magic if need be. Extremely hard to beat.
(10) Forever Boy will carry 5.5kg less than Apulia and his form has been consistent, winning three starts back against Hoba West before a second behind Buckets Ridge in the Listed GA Towton Cup (2200m) and third behind Playhouse Patron in the Listed ATA Stakes (2200m).
(5) Buckets Ridge proved too good in the Towton Cup and has been building nicely this campaign as the rise in distance suits. Should run another good race.
(2) Apulia WIN
$1.90 (3 Units)
