Ascot hosts a nine-race card on Saturday with the WA Stakes, WA Guineas and the Railway Stakes as the features. The first race commences at 3:34pm AEDT and the last concludes at 8:37pm AEDT. The rail is out 5m for the entirety and conditions are set to be GOOD. Shannon Buckley brings you his best bets for the day below!
Ascot Racing Tips: Saturday, November 23rd 2024
Race 4: MCA Polytrack BM72+ - 1400m - 5:28pm (AEDT)
(3) Ginger Green $10.00/$3.00: It was an excellent return over the unsuited 1000m behind the very promising JOKER’S GRIN when he was run off his legs early before really warming up late to hit the line hard with 60kgs on his back (second fastest L200m split of the race / fifth fastest L200m split of the meeting / JOKER’S GRIN since won again / THE BOSS LADY was very good last week). He drops 2kgs today and gets out in trip which looks ideal. Maps nicely for this and has already been well supported as they put up $16 on Wednesday.
(5) Russian To The Bar $4.60: He looks well placed today after two forgive runs this time in. He looked to be jog trotting in behind them first-up over this track/trip, but he never saw daylight down the straight (should’ve been in the finish / arguably could’ve won / ties in with KESHI BOOM and FAST FLICKER). He then went to 1500m LS in the G3 Peters Stakes and absolutely pulled his head off due to the incredibly slow tempo (forgive). Should go well on the quick back up and looks a main danger.
(7) Keshi Boomv$3.20: Improving each run and looks a main danger again over this trip and third up. Pike sticks on and she must be respected.
Also Backing: (5) Russian To The Bar $4.60 (1.5 Units)
(3) Ginger Green E/W
$10/$3.00 (0.5U/1.5U)
Race 6: WA STAKES 1400m - 6:47pm (AEDT)
(9) Investmentstrategy $10.00/$2.70: 4YO we tipped last week and he was picked up late. Only finished half a length off them though. Drops back to 1400m which suits and will only be fitter. Each way chance.
(11) Yonga Lass $3.00: One of the best bets of the day in WA! She was well backed first-up (SP’d $3.25) over this track/trip, but she just didn’t ping when the gaps came down on the fence after turning for home (inferior going? / SUPER SMINK swooped down the outside). She went to 1500m LS and was a real eye-catcher as she rattled home down the middle of the track to just miss MOJO RHYTHM who had a head start on her entering the straight. She had race shape completely against her as they crawled in front (14.2L slower than average to the 600m mark) so she’s gone enormous to get as close as she did. She meets all of her rivals out of that race better at the weights, she’s third-up and hitting peak fitness, she draws a lovely gate and maps to settle midfield or better, and there looks to be a more genuine speed on paper. Keen.
(12) Pompey $20.00/$4.30: Roughie of the field who is rock hard fit and also gets a drop in trip which suits. Goes well over this trip and gets a nice booking of Declan BATES. Roughie of the field.
(11) Yonga Lass
$3.00 (3 Units)
Race 8: The Railway Stakes – 7:56pm (AEDT)
(1) Belclare $4.60: Backed her last start and she won sensationally leading from start to finish as she likes to do. The rise to the mile now is the only concern, but has previously won over the mile on 3 occasions. Nash Rawiller gets into the saddle too which boosts confidence. Another top hope.
(5) Light Infantry Man $4.60: The all-conquering Maher stable brings him over West with J-Mac flying in to ride him which suggests to me they’re confident he’ll run well. He was a total forgive two-back when he cruised up behind them over the mile at Moonee Valley before going for an inside run that closed up on him and knocked him down (nearly lost the rider / looked to have plenty to give / should’ve finished closer). He stayed at the mile LS at Flemington in the G3 Chester Manifold when J-Mac gave him a peach from a good gate before getting to the middle of the track and destroying them (won by 2.2L / big gaps behind / fastest L200m split of the race). He draws an ideal gate again today, so I have him mapped better than midfield down on the fence. He drops 3kgs to offset the rise in grade, BELCLARE needs to give him weight as a mare, and he loves the trip. He’ll likely need some luck at a key stage, but I’ll back one of the best in the world to get that part right. Major bet his way
(9) Searchin’ Roc’s $23.00/$6.50: I’m absolutely convinced the horse is flying, she’s just been dreadfully unlucky all preparation. She comes through one of the key form races behind CASINO SEVENTEEN over 1400m LS in the Lee Steere Stakes when she jumped well, rolled forward, and ended up getting caught 3WNC the entirety after COMFORT ME and LETS GALAHVANT kicked up inside her. She was well backed that day ($4.50>$3.50), so the market was with her too. I liked the way she stuck on to only go under by 1.3L when the swoopers got to her. Both of her runs prior to that resulted in her racing 3WNC the entirety too as she had no luck from wide gates but still went super. She draws barrier 7 today, but there are likely 2 scratching’s drawn inside her, so she can potentially bounce from barrier 5. There’s little to no speed inside her, so I’m confident she can land right behind the leaders today, one off the fence. If the map works out for her, she can run much better than a $23 chance. Going to save on her
Also Backing: (9) Searchin’ Roc’s E/W $23/$6.50 (0.5U/1U)
(5) Light Infantry Man
$4.60 (2.5 Units)
