There’s a great program at Ascot on Easter Saturday and Shannon Buckley is here to bring you his best betting tips. The rail is in the True position after being out 13m the entirety on Good Friday, and my selections are for a Good track. Monitor for any leader bias given the rail position.
Ascot Racing Tips – Saturday April 8th 2023
Race 5
(9) RUSTY DREAMS is undefeated filly who looks to be a nice type. Her first two career runs have been very good and the step to 1400m looks ideal to my eye. She was impressive winning her first start over 1100m beating EX SPORT GIRL (has since won three times) by 2.3L before they sent her straight back to the paddock. She made a winning return this prep at Scarpside over 1200m when she was challenged inside the furlong before giving a nice kick to win by a length (strong through the line, best work late). Gets in on the minimum and LENIENCY needs to give her 6.5kgs. Happy her way. If they can run-on from the back / there’s no savage on-speed bias then we’ll save on KINGS SICARIO (beat home ANOTHER CHINO last prep who has since won 4 times including two Listed races and is a $3.80 chance in the WA Derby) who was very impressive to the eye winning first-up beating UNDER INFLUENCE (has won since).
(9) Rusty Dreams - Win
$2.90
Race 6
(5) SHE’S FIT looks like a great edition of the WA Derby and this filly is up to her eyeballs in it. She comes out of a slowly run Oaks when she took over down the back straight, lead them up and was too strong. Gets weight relief at WFA conditions and draws the pole for Parnham who can sit third the fence in transit and then pop out on the corner for the run home. She’s already ticked the 2400m box, albeit at a slow tempo (as referenced), but her run two back over 2200m in the Natasha Stakes was very good (big gaps behind). I think PLAYHOUSE PATRON is over the odds at $11 and worth a saver (meets ANOTHER CHINO and DEMOLISH worse at the weights for having been beaten by them in the Melvista Stakes, but you swap the run with ANOTHER CHINO and he probably wins / he’ll eat every bit of 2400m). Keen!
(5) She's Fit - Win
$3.40
Race 7
(5) MAGNIFICENT ANDY is the best bet of the day! His last three runs have been very good and I think he maps well again today from gate 5. Three back he drew the car park and was forced to go back to the tail of the field before hooking widest down the middle of the track to run second by half a length behind ROMANCING THE ROCK. Two back he sat OSL, gave a big kick after turning for home and was beaten in the last few hops by CLASSIC ROGUE who had the drop on him (1.5L to third). LS he had a charmed run behind the leaders, popped out and spanked them by 3L. He stays in the same grade but gets a mini weight swing in his favour. He has a nice TOF and should be hard to beat again!
(5) Magnificent Andy - Win
$2.25
Race 9
(2) STARRING KNIGHT is next best bet of the day! Building a picket fence and I think he’s well placed to make it four in a row. All three of his wins leading into this race have had nice gaps in behind him. Three back (over 1200m) he had a nice run in transit, popped out 3WNC on the corner and put a hole in them down the straight winning running away from them. Two back (over 1300m) he sat just worse than midfield, came 3&4WNC on the corner, got to the outside and showed a great TOF inside the last 300m to win by 2.5L. LS (over 1400m) he sat fifth in the run before moving out 3WNC soon after the 600m mark, worked into the race, hit the front inside the last 250m and was too strong for them late. He maps to get a beautiful run again from gate 1, but he’ll need some luck at a key stage. If he can be saved for one run inside the last two furlongs, he can win again. Great chance.
(2) Starring Knight - Win
$3.40
