There’s Saturday racing at Ascot once again this weekend! The rail is out 5m the entirety after being out 4m last week with no major pattern evident. The feature race is Race 6 with the Ted Van Heemst Stakes being run over 2100m with some classy horses going round. Selections are for a GOOD track – watch and monitor if possible. The first race will jump at 3:29pm AEDT and the last at 8:35pm AEDT.
Find Shannon Buckley’s best bets for Ascot below, and make sure to head over to our Racing Tips page for more best bets from around the country this Saturday!
Ascot Racing Tips: Saturday, December 23rd 2023
Race 4: Westspeed Platinum Mile BM66+ 1600m at 5:26pm AEDT
(8) HERE FOR CHEQUES ($9.00/$2.80) – 4YO who only narrowly missed behind PLAYZ WITH FIRE last start. Gets fourth up now and should be peaking with fitness. Gets 1.5kg swing on PLAYZ WITH FIRE now which puts him as a key chance at a nice price here. Draws wide, but hopefully he can get a sit in behind PLAYZ WITH FIRE who draws next to him and give him windburn down the straight. Over the odds.
(9) PLAYZ WITH FIRE ($5.00) – Consistent type who hasn’t missed the quinella this prep. She looks as though she will relish this rise in trip now and is worth thought again. She will be there abouts once again now.
ALSO BACKING: (9) PLAYZ WITH FIRE - $5 (1 UNIT)
(8) HERE FOR CHEQUES E/W
$9/$2.80 (1 Unit)
Race 6: Ted Van Heemst Stakes 2100m at 6:43pm AEDT
(5) CASINO SEVENTEEN ($4.00) – 6YO who had some hard luck of late. Too far back last start and was never given a chance. He gets back to a suitable grade now and is due a change of luck. Draws well and with some luck he will be the one to beat.
(2) ZOUMON ($3.40) – Sydney Galloper who takes on her second outing here in WA after finishing 9th in the Northerly two weeks back. Rises in trip now and has been well supported early on. Rachel KING to ride and this looks a touch easier. Goes well and watch the market.
(5) CASINO SEVENTEEN
$4 (1 Unit)
Race 8: Epona Classic BM66+ 1200m at 7:59pm AEDT
(8) IMA SINGLE GAL ($19.00/$4.40) – 4YO mare who looks to be the roughie of the day in Perth. Unbeaten from two attempts at this range. She was far from disgraced last start over 1400m too. Drops back to 1200m where she is a chance of keeping her unbeaten 1200m status. Expect her to push for the leader early and dictate the race. She will take catching here.
(1) DUCHESS OF GOSSIP ($2.90) – 4YO mare who finished last prep with three wins in a row. She has returned in order again and competing in tough races. This looks much easier here and she will be very hard to beat.
ALSO BACKING: (1) DUCHESS OF GOSSIP - $2.90 (4 UNITS)
(8) IMA SINGLE GAL E/W
$19/$4.40 (1 Unit)
Race 9: Tbwa Stallion Tender Scheme Trophy BM66+ 1200m at 8:35pm AEDT
(2) PLAYTHATFUNKYMUSIC ($6.50/$2.40) – 4YO who won four consecutive races before dropping to 1000m and meeting some better company. Back to his suited distance now and back in class. Gets a 2kg claim on board, which makes him the one to beat once again. Goes well.
(2) PLAYTHATFUNKYMUSIC E/W
$6.50/$2.40 (1 Unit)