Ascot midweek tips with Hoops

Greg Hooper | Metropolitan Racing | Wed 19 October, 2011

RACE 1 -WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP

No. 3 MR MAGIC. I think we can kick off the day with a winner. I was really taken with the debut of MR MAGIC at Northam. He did get the charmed run just behind the speed but he showed a real nice acceleration at top of the straight to put the race beyond any doubt in a few strides. The filly who ran third, Flaming Magic, has since won at her next start so the form has been franked to a degree. He should be able to settle in the first four and be a bit too good for this line-up. JAVELIN JACK looks a consistent type. He run well at both of his racetrack starts. The blinkers go on and he looks the main opposition to MR MAGIC. ARETE was luckless on debut and he did finish off nicely in the race won by FLAMING MAGIC. He's probably already looking for further than the 1400m but I expect him to be strong late. SCIDO was ridden cold at his most recent outing and he did find the line nicely. The interesting runner is the Peters/Williams/Pike debutante, Total Secret. On face value his trials have been fair only, but if there is a strong push for him you would be mad to discount.
Numbers 3, 2, 4, 7

Suggested Bet - Mr Magic win

RACE 2 - PERTHRACING.COM.AU HANDICAP

No. 6 MAVROMATA. A mares' race which appears to have limited winning chances. I'm going for MAVROMATA, I'm still kicking myself that she wasn't the on top pick first up! I won't be making the same mistake twice. Her trials leading up to her first up victory were very good and she was very tough in that race track win. She parked right on top of the speed and continually kept her rivals at bay. From barrier 2 she'll be in the firing line again and if she repeats her first up effort she will take a stack of beating. I think the danger is the topweight, LIKE WILDFIRE. She ran well in the feature race at Northam where she was beaten 2 and ½ lengths but she finished off nicely. This is a nice drop in grade and with the claim for Ben Kennedy she only rises 0.5kg from her last start. DARK HUMOUR is in career best form and looks another lock for the multiples. She has been placed at both her runs this preparation after settling right over the speed. AHOY CALYPSO trialled really nicely and she showed last preparation that she has ability.
Numbers 6, 1, 4, 7

Suggested Bet - Mavromata win and Like Wildfire save if odds permit

RACE 3 - PLAYERONLINE.COM.AU HANDICAP

No. 1 PRIVATE CITY. This is a fairly average race. I'm going for PRIVATE CITY but I'm not that keen to get involved in any short quote. He is though racing well and has the benefit of William Pike steering him. Plenty of the opposition are out of form so he gets the nod on default. SUCCESS PARK tackles the older horses but he certainly has claims. I thought his first up effort was solid and he should beat the majority of these on talent alone. STEAM ON is still on the banned list until he breaks through, he'll win one of these races one day! BENDIT is still a maiden but he has claims in this type of event. EDDIE'S FURY and GREY JABIRU aren't impossible either.
Numbers 1, 8, 9, 6

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 4 - OZBET.COM.AU HANDICAP

No. 10 YSMAEL. There looks to be good speed in this race with DONNYONETIME and BREAK SEA both pressing forward and hopefully YSMAEL can tuck in a few lengths off it and let rip like he did last start behind Lisetta. If he does, than I think he will break his maiden tag. That effort was enormous as he burst from the ruck and almost caught a genuine speed machine over 1000m. We saw Lisetta go very close on Saturday over 1200m. Hopefully the field will spread out a bit and he can stay out of trouble and storm over them. No knock on BREAK SEA, he has been a model of consistency this campaign. He ran well in a better class of race last start. He looks the danger. DONNYONETIME will burn forward and is always some chance in these events, he looks a strong top four contender. EDADI never wins but is always around the placings.
Numbers 10, 2, 3, 9

Suggested Bet- Ysmael win and multiples with 10 & 2 upfront

RACE 5 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP

No. 2 IRMA LA DANE. Probably the race of day with some very nice three-year-old fillies engaged. Almost a bracket selection with IRMA LA DANE and FOO FOO THE SNOO. Putting IRMA LA DANE on top just on the basis she's had a couple of runs under her belt this preparation. Both those efforts have been good and she was beaten by a smart one in Ron's Call last start. She is screaming out for the 1400m and I think she will be very hard to beat. No knock on FOO FOO THE SNOO I think she is a smart filly. She is first up over 1400m but her recent trial was a beauty and Paul Harvey goes on. I suspect these two have this field covered. I think there are genuine question marks regarding RED HOT SAX running a strong 1400m but I think she needs to be included in the multiples on class alone. FLAMING MAGIC got the job done at Northam but she'd have to improve. Not sure what to make if NINGALOO BLITZ. I thought her trial was fairly ordinary but she might just be a filly who saves her best for race day.
Numbers 2, 3, 1, 8

Suggested Bet - Back both Irma La Dane and Foo Foo The Snoo for a result if odds permit

RACE 6 - CALL TAB TO BET 132 369 HANDICAP

No. 13 VOLUMINOUS. This looks a fairly even type of race and I'm happy to be on VOLUMINOUS on an each way basis. He's a lightly raced four-year-old who is yet to salute but he has shown more than his fair share of ability and his first up effort over 1200m was a real eye catcher. He drew the outside gate, was restrained to last, was blocked at the top of straight but found the line nicely between runners late in the piece. I think that he will be ridden much closer from his good draw, he has led previously, and he looks to be screaming out for the 1400m. Not sure what to do with NEW TIME I couldn't possibly be on him though after his last start. Yes, he found trouble but he could be just that type of horse. If he switches on and finds his best then he probably just wins.... KABAM BOY broke through at his most recent outing after settling back and finishing powerfully. He looks a galloper who could go on with it.
Numbers 13, 8, 5, 7

Suggested Bet - Voluminous each way

RACE 7 - RACINGJOBS.COM.AU HANDICAP

No. 5 FOREVER SPECIAL. I'm sticking with the undefeated filly, FOREVER SPECIAL. Her two wins in March were solid and her recent trial efforts have been OK. This is a moderate line-up of fillies and mares and she should get a gun run from her gate and she looks the one to beat. COUTURE CHIK has had a freshen up and she will appreciate the nice drop in grade. From barrier 1 she either leads or box seats. Paul Harvey goes onto METALLICA and she has definite claims. TUDOR ROYAL was run off her legs first up, she'll appreciate the step up to 1200m and from her good draw she should be in the mix.
Numbers 5, 1, 6, 4

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 8 -TABTOUCH.MOBI HANDICAP

No. 5 DEVILISH INTENT. This looks an open race to finish the day. I'm going for DEVILISH INTENT but I'd be wary of taking a shortish quote. He has been sparingly raced in WA suggesting he may have had some issues but from what we have seen of him we know he has ability. He goes well fresh and his recent barrier trial win over 1450m was very good. William Pike may have given punters a lead by taking this mount instead of COME FLIRT WITH ME who he has steered to consecutive wins. COME FLIRT WITH ME is in career best form, he loses nothing in the jockey stakes as Paul Harvey goes aboard. He should get a gun run from his gate. DANCIN ON THE WIND could be the value runner, he didn't get the best of luck last time out and he was good right on the line. I think BIG JOSH will appreciate drawing a wide gate as he a horse that needs to be wound up. Getting stuck on the fence at his last start was of no assistance.
Numbers - 5, 4, 9, 8

Suggested Bet - None recommended