Greg Hooper's Tips for Ascot 26th October

Greg Hooper | Metropolitan Racing | Wed 26 October, 2011

RACE 1 -WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP 1200m

No. 4 BLACK UMA. A small field of three-year-olds to start the day but it definitely has some intrigue as it contains a couple of debutantes who have trialled very nicely. I'm putting the Jimmy Taylor trained, BLACK UMA on top. He's had three recent trials and they have all been but I was particularly taken with his last effort when he wore the shades and won comfortably. The blinkers go on for his debut and I think he's the one to beat. TWO FISH HEADS was very impressive in his only trial win, leading from go to whoa and skipping clear under a hold. I think he will run a bold race. The stable mate to my top pick, LORD BALTHAZAR is a tough consistent type. He'll appreciate the drop in grade from his last start in which he tracked wide throughout but fought on well. I think the winner will come from one of those three.
Numbers 4, 6, 2, 3

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 2 - NO GUTS, NO GLORY HANDICAP 1000m

No. 2 SEATTLE BEAU. This is a very average race with little or no form to work with. I'm going for SEATTLE BEAU but not with any confidence. He beat Metallica on debut, although the mare did throw the race away that day, and he was very green last time when he was laying in the entire straight. In a race that lacks depth he should have the most of these covered. LITTLE LARRIKIN led and won well at Toodyay but the form out of that meeting is always questionable going forward. Still, if he repeats he'll give them something to catch. EASI CUMMINS has a poor strike rate but he should give this race a shake.
Numbers 2, 6, 3, 1

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 3 - YOUR PERTH GLORY HANDICAP 1200m

No. 1 PEARLESQUE. I think the top weight PEARLESQUE may have the class edge on this field. She started six times last preparation but was unable to register a win. All those efforts were though at Belmont Park and I suspect she is a mare who races much better at Ascot. Her recent barrier trial was good and I think she should get a lovely run just behind the speed and be too good. METALLICA is ticking over nicely. Her effort last week was good as she had to park three wide with no cover throughout. I think she is the main danger. AMBER DREAM ran well first up, she finished off nicely. A repeat effort sees her in the finish. William Pike goes onto CROSSELLE and she can easily improve on her first up effort. COOL CORONA with her lightweight will give them something to rundown and should be included in all novelties.
Numbers 1, 5, 3, 6

Suggested Bet - Pearlesque win and Metallica save if odds permit

RACE 4 - CALL TAB TO BET 132 369 HANDICAP 1200m

No. 3 TORBELL. There looks to be limited form to work with in this event. I'm going for TORBELL who resumes from a spell for his new trainer, Chris Stelmach. He has shown previously more than his fair share of ability and his recent barrier trial win, in which he narrowly defeated Keytomoney, was very good. He should park just behind the speed and if he gets the split at the top of the straight he will be hard to beat. AMBERSTROEM is never an easy galloper to catch but he definitely has big claims in this event. His two best efforts this preparation have been when Duncan Miller has been aboard. This is such a weak race that METRO MASTER has to be some chance as well. It's pretty hard to make a case for many of the others.
Numbers 3, 5, 6, 1

Suggested Bet- Torbell each way

RACE 5 - WESTSPEED 3YO HANDICAP

No. 1 BEAR RIO. I found it hard to split the top couple in this race but I suspect that HEAVEN TONIGHT will come up short so on a value basis I'll go for BEAR RIO. She's done nothing wrong in her two race track starts and her recent trial was very good. She should camp over the speed and be in the finish. HEAVEN TONIGHT was good on debut. She took a while to wind up but finished off nicely. The form out of that race has been strong as well. I do think she will be much more effective over further but clearly she will be hard to beat in this. STARTORIO was good at Northam, settling off the speed and finishing strongly. The barrier makes it a bit tricky but with the right run she can get into the money. Of the first starters I thought MISS MOTOWN trialled the best, followed by SHE'S A GONNA.
Numbers 1, 2, 13, 9

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 6 - playeronline.com.au HANDICAP

No. 1 KNIGHT FURY. Plenty of punters who have been backing KNIGHT FURY will have a tough decision to make here (I'm one of them!)- do you cut your losses or do you go to the well on one more occasion? I'll probably let him go around without my money on board (so he'll probably win ala New Time last week!) but he is still the on top pick and clearly. He has cost himself this preparation by refusing to settle, so last time out he was sent forward to lead but he didn't see it out after copping some mid race pressure. He drops in grade and faces what can only be described as a mediocre bunch. If he doesn't win this I dare say it will be time for a spell. Of the rest SUPERNOVA looks the main danger. His first two efforts back from a spell were solid and he didn't get the best of luck at his most recent outing when he was held up late. HACKETT'S HEART got all the favours last time out but from his good draw he should get the same run and be in the mix.
Numbers 1, 2, 4, 5

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 7 - tabtouch.mobi HANDICAP 1400m

No. 5 GRAND APPROACH. This is fairly strong midweek class of event with a few gallopers engaged who can certainly play a part in Saturday company. GRAND APPROACH has been a pretty costly galloper for punters over his career, but he displayed above average ability. He has been freshened up since his last start second to Russell Road over 1200m when he raced very dour. He was asked for nothing in a recent barrier trial and if he brings his ‘a-game' he should be a little too classy for these. NOMAD raced flat at his first run back from a let up and was sent back to the trials where he performed very well, winning comfortably. He's a galloper who lacks a ‘killer blow' in his races but is suited in this company. CHANIFY just found the class too hot last time out so the drop back to midweek grade suits. He posted two dominant wins in a line before he went up in grade and failed. The 59kg is the steadier. REALE FURY shouldn't be underestimated, he's a galloper with stacks of ability and I really liked his final 100m of his last start. Pike on and from barrier 1 he should land much closer and be around the mark.
Numbers 5, 3, 9, 1

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 8 [email protected] HANDICAP 1600m

No. 11 VIKING. A good finish to the day with a few chances. I'm going for the lightly raced four-year-old gelding, VIKING. He put in a real eye catching performance on debut over 1400m when he settled last, was ridden quietly approaching the straight and really found the line powerfully late when he saw some daylight. He is sure to derive plenty of benefit from the effort as he had not trialled since March. He does look a get back run on type so he will need some luck but if he is within striking distance I think he could motor over these. BELLABEN should really appreciate getting out to the mile. Her two efforts this preparation over the 1300m have been more than sound. JACKSON ROCKS has finally drawn a gate. Bad barriers have hampered his chance at his last couple. He should settle midfield on the fence and only needs some luck to play a part. I've put BOX'O'CHOCOLATES on my banned list after she was unable to beat Mount Marion in a maiden at Pinjarra but it would hardly be a surprise to see her feature prominently.
Numbers 11, 5, 6, 8

Suggested Bet - Viking each way