Ascot hosts a 9-race card on Saturday with the Luckygray Stakes, Seacorp-fairetha Stakes and Lee Steere Stakes as the features. The first race commences at 3:34pm AEDT and the last concludes at 8:45pm AEDT. The rail is in its True position for the entirety. Conditions at Ascot are set to be Good/Soft, and we have you covered with our best bets below!
Ascot Racing Tips: Saturday, November 9th 2024
Race 1: Glenroy Chaff BM66 2200m - 3:34pm (AEDT)
(1) Simply $2.70: 4YO gelding who is in super form and is chasing four wins in a row. Pike jumps off, but appears they are wanting to claim with Gaerth in the saddle. With the claim it puts him in this as a top hope again.
(2) Hemlock Stone $5.50: happy to have something on at the price compared with the $2.70 being shopped around for SIMPLY. They clashed a few weeks ago when he went back to last from a wide gate and raced keenly off a farcical tempo (they went 14.6L slower than average to the 600m mark) before finding clear air and hitting the line hard to go within 1.8L of SIMPLY who had the run of the race (fastest L200m split of the race / was very good with race shape against / pulled up with respiratory issues). He had a more genuine tempo the start prior to that and he was a dominant winner beating home I LOVE YOUR SMILE (ties in) by 1.6L with big gaps behind. We saw KERMAN ROCK set a good tempo last week when he won, so I expect they’ll do the same today which will give those midfield their chance (likely where HEMLOCK STONE will land). He meets SIMPLY 2.5kgs better at the weights, CJP sticks with him, he goes best on good ground, and he’s had a 4-week freshen between runs. Good value bet
(5) Affluential $7.50/$2.30: Value pick of the field, but has had no money at all in the early market. Pike jumps on and he gets a handy draw. Has been terrific up until last start. Blow out hope.
(2) Hemlock Stone
$5.50 (1.5 Units)
Race 6: Luckygray Stakes 1800m - 6:50pm (AEDT)
(3) Buckets Ridge $3.80: 4YO gelding who has been terrific winning his last two. Draws a sticky gate, but with some luck and can get a nice spot in transit. Prefer him on the dry ground. Chance again.
(9) Diamond Scene $4.40: major bet on this fella who comes through the other key form race behind SUPER SMINK over 1400m when he jumped on terms and then got shuffled right back to the rear of the field before warming up nicely late (cheeky good run / fastest L200m split of the race). Prior to that he was a sensational winner over 1400m first-up when he snagged back from a wide gate before hooking to the outside and launching late to beat ROPE THEM IN et al (fastest 6-400m, 4-200m, and L200m splits of the race). I think he can settle closer in the run from a good gate today and have a head start on some key rivals BUCKETS RIDGE and STARRY HEIGHTS. He’s crying out for the extra trip, he’s got a great record at Ascot, he goes best on good ground, and he’s won previously on the quick back up. Great chance
(4) Currimundi $11.00: He comes through the other key form race in the Northam Cup behind BUCKETS RIDGE when he was badly held-up for large portions of the straight before finally seeing clear air inside the furlong to just miss on the line (beaten less than half a length / BUCKETS RIDGE had momentum). He’ll also appreciate getting out over more ground, he can settle a little closer in transit from a good gate, he has a very good record at the track, he handles all conditions, and I can’t believe he’s three times the price of the favourite. Good roughie
Also Backing: (4) Currimundi $11.00 (1 Unit)
(9) Diamond Scene
$4.40 (2 Units)
Race 8: Lee Steere Stakes 1400m – 8:10pm (AEDT)
(4) Comfort Me $3.60: 8YO who led all the way first up and was impressive to watch. Capable to back it up. Well supported.
(5) Casino Seventeen $23.00/$5.00: 7YO who returns with 2 x trials under his belt. He has been classy previously and can play a sneaky role at a big price.
(11) Searchin’ Roc’s $4.20: She’s returned in terrific shape and is going much better than the form guide suggests. She was a nice winner first-up beating home VALOUR ROAD et al over 1300m at Belmont on a heavy track. She dropped back to 1200m second-up, was caught 3WNC the entirety, and still hit the line hard to finish within 1.4L of MOOD SWINGS who had the run of the race (loved her late work / second fastest L200m split of the race). She went to this track/trip LS and was again caught out on a limb racing no better than 3&4WNC throughout, yet she had the audacity to attack the line and finish within 2.2L of COMFORT ME who was first out, first home (3rd fastest L200m split of the race / was very good in defeat). She’s had 3 weeks between runs, she meets COMFORT ME 2.5kgs better at the weights, and this race looks devoid of much speed on paper, so I think they’ll roll forward and sit OSL. I think she’s flying and she can turn the tables today
(11) Searchin’ Roc’s
$4.20 (2 Units)
