Ascot Racing Tips for Saturday, December 10th

The TABtouch Masters series is over after a controversial Kingston Town Classic, but we still have a few weeks left of good racing in Perth which culminates with the Perth Cup on New Years Eve.

We have betting tips for all 8 races on the card today, which includes the Group 3 Scahill Stakes.

Race 1

A number of first starters here but very keen to go with William Pike's mount FIVE DEGREES. This horse has had one trial which was a comfortable win over 950 meters, and the booking of Pike suggests this is clearly the top chance from the stable's two runners. The stable's other runner is Art Series, which beat Chantilly Giant in its most recent trial, so with all that in mind, everything points to Five Degrees being very hard to beat here. I think it will start shorter than the $2.20 fixed currently available. 

Tip: Five Degrees

Race 2

Very, very hard to look past RAGAZZO D'ORO here who comes out of two very strong form races. Two starts back he finished 5th beaten 1 length behind the likes of Saul's Special and Lusaha. Lusaha came out and won a stakes race last week. Last start Ragazzo D'oro finished 3rd in the Group 2 WA Guineas behind Variation and Elllicazoom. With 8 of the 9 runners carrying level weights and the other just 1kg less, he is extremely hard to beat here at $1.70.

Tip: Ragazzo D'oro

Race 3

This is a really good race with many chances. Happy to give OUTLAW PETE one more chance. His form behind the likes of Tradesman, Pounamu and Star Exhibit is very good and he has a good record over the 1600m. The sticky part is barrier 9 with the apprentice on but if he can find cover he could get home late. DENDEE is the one I'm wary of. She backs up for the third week in a row after winning first up and then being blocked at the 100m last start. They were jumping out of trees to back her last start and I wouldn't be surprised to see her well-backed once again. ASTRONOMITE is the favourite and gets the gun run from barrier 4.

Tip: Outlaw Pete

Race 4

Another really nice race and I am very, very keen on FIRST AMONG EQUALS here after a huge run in the Winterbottom Stakes. That was the first time he'd had any luck all prep and I think he'll eat up the 1400m here, whereas I have doubts over the likes of Vega Magic running a strong 1400m. Lite'n In My Veins is talented but struggling lately. CHOCOLATE HOLIC looks to be the biggest danger after bouncing back to win the Carbine Club. He's proven at the distance, as is Lusaha who won over 1400m last week and carries just 54kg (5kg less than anything else) under weight-for-age conditions. I have doubts over his ability against these top-level horses though. First Among Equals a clear top pick at $3 fixed.

Tip: First Among Equals (best bet)

Race 5

Listed race for the sprinters here over the 1000m and I'm with BOURNE SUPREMACY who has only finished outside the top 2 once from 9 starts at this distance. Two starts back he was blocked the majority of the straight when finishing 1.5L behind Rock Magic, and last start he ran 3rd behind Vega Magic and Rock Magic. That form is good enough to win this and from barrier 6 he should sit just off the speed and come home late.

Tip: Bourne Supremacy

Race 6

Two I'm keen to play on here at the odds. The first is PRESELECTION who has been consistent in recent starts without breaking through. Form behind Astronomite and Jaspara is good and from barrier 4 he will get every chance here. The second is FIRST AFFAIR who has been winning at Northam but did finish 3rd at Ascot two starts ago behind Jaspara and Preselection. The step up to 1800m suits him and I'll be backing both at the $7 mark. Caralabek is the obvious danger with Pike on board.

Tip: Preselection / First Affair

Race 7
Happy to stick with DARK ALERT today after going down by a pimple last start over 2100m. Pike sticks with him over the stablemate Star Exhibit who he rode to victory at its last start, and from barrier 4 should get every chance to win. The query with Star Exhibit is the step up to 2200m from 1600m which is enough to put me off. The value in the race will be TONTO and DARK MUSKET. Happy to take on Kia Ora Koutou who needs 4000m.

Tip: Dark Alert

Race 8

A few I don't mind here. I'll be taking on Big Caroline despite her big win at Bunbury last start. She's got a horrible record at this track with 0 wins from 11 starts. It might be giving LENIENCE another go after disappointing last start. he drops a kilogram, draws perfectly in barrier 4 and comes up a nice price at $6. His form prior behind State Solicitor and Coming Back is very solid. BRISANTO might be the value in the race first up from a spell. She's undefeated at the track and distance. CANDLELIGHT STAR and RED PUBLISHER other chances at odds.

Tip: Lenience