It’s Group 1 Northerly Stakes Day at Ascot on Saturday to headline racing in WA. The rail is out 2m after being out 8m last week with no savage pattern evident – watch and monitor for any inside bias with protected ground against the fence. First race is set to jump at 3:05pm AEDT, and our selections are for a GOOD track.
Find Shannon Buckley’s four best bets for Ascot below and make sure to head over to our Racing Tips page for more free tips from around the country!
Ascot Racing Tips: Saturday, December 9th 2023
Race 2: Amelia Park 3YO 1000m at 3:45pm AEDT
(4) PETULA ($3.60) – she’s been well found since markets opened and looks to be closer to the right price now (the $5.50 with TAB was very generous). She’s going along nicely this prep without winning but finds a much easier assignment here today. First-up she was well supported in the market (SP’d $3.75) before being held up at a key stage down the straight to finish 3L behind ALMIGHTY CLASS (ties in with KRYSANOVA). She then went to 1200m two-back and sat no better than 4WNC the entirety yet still hit the line nicely to finish 2.5L behind SUPER SMINK (ties in with RIPCORD). LS, she went to the Placid Ark Stakes and finished 2.4L behind RIPCORD and OSCAR’S FORTUNE who since filled the top three placings in the G1 Winterbottom (high class form). She draws gate 1, maps to sit closer to the speed, and only goes up 1.5kgs at the weights. Keen she runs well
(4) PETULA – Win
$3.60 (2 Units)
Race 3: Scenic Shot BM66+ 2200m at 4:25pm AEDT
(2) DEMOLISH ($3.00) – I concede he’s been a bit of a bridesmaid of late / doesn’t win out of turn, but this looks an ideal set up for him. He’s been beaten by small margins behind YONGA LASS and DESENNEA this preparation and that looks to be the right form. LS he went from 1400m to 1800m and sat 3WWC the entirety, hit the front inside the furlong, but was beaten by DESENNEA who he towed into the race / had the drop on him. He beat the rest nicely. Draws the pole in a race devoid of much speed, so I think he will sit handy in the run and give them something to try and get past. He’s fourth up and will be peaking fitness wise. Hard to beat.
(2) DEMOLISH – Win
$3 (2.5 Units)
Race 7: Furphy BM72+ 1000m at 7:05pm AEDT
(10) HANCHI ($3.30) – one of the best bets of the day! He’s another who has G1 Winterbottom form all around him this prep. First-up he arguably could have beaten OSCAR’S FORTUNE if he wasn’t held-up at a crucial stage (loved the way he hit the line). He then went to the Placid Ark Stakes and was forced to settle toward the rear of the field from a wide draw before picking his way through the pack to finish off nicely (RIPCORD, AUGMENT, OSCAR’S FORTUNE all ran well since – PETULA ran earlier today). Comes back to RTG72+ grade and gets in well at the weights. Draws gate 1 so he can settle closer to the speed and hopefully be too strong for them late. Great chance
(10) HANCHI – Win
$3.30 (2.5 Units)
Race 8: Drummond Golf Northerly Stakes (GROUP 1) 1800m at 7:45pm AEDT
(5) DOM TO SHOOT ($15/$4.20) – best roughie of the day! ZAAKI clearly the horse to beat under WFA conditions (I note J-Mac is booked for the ride too) but I think this guy has been overlooked by the market early doors. He was very good first-up over 1400m when he sat 3WNC the entirety and still hit the line to just miss VALOUR ROAD (beat home BUSTLER that day). He then went to the G1 Railway (key form race) and was buried away last on the fence turning for home before angling off heels to hit the line nicely (ties in with BUSTLER and ALSEPHINA who he was taking ground off late). Gets to 1800m third-up today and draws the pole, so he’ll be fitter and can hopefully settle closer to the speed. He’ll need some luck down the straight, but if the gaps come, I think he can win. Overs.
(11) ALSEPHINA ($7.50/$2.50) – 5YO mare who boasts an impressive record and she had been banging on the door every race this prep. The win is not far away and she deserves a group 1 win. Pike remains in the saddle and will be worth thought again at an each way price.
(5) DOM TO SHOOT – E/W
$15/$4.20 (1 Unit)
