Ascot Tips 9th December

Matt Rigby | Metropolitan Racing | Sat 10 December, 2011

Race 1:

The two year old's give us a bit of exposed form, especially through the trials. Top Stuff was unlucky to go down a nose after being heavily backed second up. Before that, she was close up behind Tempestuous Strike, a race out of which the form has held up pretty well. Keep Fath had every chance and disappointed a little in the same race, but these two year olds can improve sharply for the experience. The three McAuliffe runners all trialed well. El Rijes has form around Miss Solis befroe winning his latest with ease. Rebelson trialed well on Monday, running on like an experienced older horse. A really tough race to start but we'll go Top Stuff, Keep Fath and Rebelson.

No Bet.

Race 2:

Impatient Times returned to some decent form last week, leading and hanging on, on a day that was biased a little towards leaders. Theres no reason he doesnt get the front again in this. General Confusion has run two decent races since returning from almost two years away from the track. He can figure prominently with a little more improvement. Kerrific has a good first up record, but will need some luck and a bit of up front pressure to get right into this. Away Ye Go is over the odds at $18 and goes pretty well on the fresh side aswell. Noname City will probably over race, up the the unsuitable 1200m trip. Dino Mak is back in class but hasnt returned any good. The big specky is Crosswise. Forget his first up run, it was no more than a trial for Angela Smith. Last campaign this old bloke improved markedly second up and then had city form behind better horses than these. He won't know himself with the 52kg and can give a massive show here at $81. Impatient Times, Crosswise, Away Ye Go.

Suggested Bet: have a decent go at Crosswise at the $81 or $101.

Race 3:

Theres a bit of pace in this, the likes of Lady Lavenham, Southern Comfort and Mavromata. Forget the former went around first up, she might even kick up here to lead and is much better in front. Mavromata will most likely sit outside her. El Yong has been impressive at Gero, but has rarely brought that form to town. I'll be banking on the same here and at the price, she's a bit risk. Verscene takes a substantial drop in grade and ran a fair race in the Jungle Dawn. There's no way she sould be double figures. Sky Magic ran on well behind Romp to Fame last start, laying in at the cricial time and costing her the race. Before that she was given no hope when the crawled in front. Despite the drop back to 1200m, shes a massive hope given the pace. Pearlesque has had her chances, but Harvey has stuck, which earns her a little respect. Sky Magic, Verscene, Mavromata.

Suggested Bet: Sky Magic each way, save on Verscene.

Race 4:

Solsay will skip over her with the one proviso, that Kim Coin hands up. Im not so sure that will definitely happen as Kim Coin does like to get along in front and his best runs are first up. French President ran and excellent race on a day they were not making ground from behind last start. He'll have to go back again, but Glenn Smith is riding in good form and can find a way through. Uma Park's trial was average, Military Secret is too hard to catch and Classy Nugget is too old. Copper Reign has a ton of ability and changes trainer. He does need the pace on however. Iconoclast won well at Northam, but I'd prefer to see him in this company. Manahara is the class down the bottom. It just depends on how fit Neville has him as he does tend to race them into fitness. Solsay, Manahara, Copper Reign.

No Bet.

Race 5:

The market has this a race in two, Watermans Bay and Night War. They ran 1/2 at their last outing, with Watermans Bay too strong. Night War could have led that day but decided to hand up and then come to the breeze, a tactic which definitely cost her some ground. Both have to tackle the 1400m here and while Night War "could have" won that race, she still leaves a doubt with me over the 1400m. Born To Excel was impressive in the midweeks at his second start. He does tend to be a bit of a speed horse and must be a doubt at the 1400m aswell. Pure Heaven over raced badly at his last two after leading and running good races the two prior. They may just let him lead and run here, which would see 50/1 over the odds about him. The big each way chance here is Almachino. She faced the breeze and put a gap on them turning for home in the Guineas. She did stop late, but that was a mile and she's back to 1400m here. If she hasnt had enough, her form stacks up strongly in this. Almachino, Waterman's Bay, Night War.

Suggested Bet: Almachino each way

Race 6:

The Country Challenge is a great race and a great concept for bush horses to run for city stakes. King Point jumped in front last time out and was restrained back to second last and held up badly. Grantham will ride more positively here, although the weight is a concern. Chong Nonsi was dominant at her first two runs back this campaign. Whiting sticks and she'll be very hard to beat in this with clear running. Soldier's Salute got back to last behind Raucous Laughter at Albany and was also unlucky not to have rakced up his third win. Flashforward has had every chance at her last two, but brings two wins in a row, similar to Raucuous Laughter with three in a row. Devilish Intent and Supernova will need luck from their draws, but both have the class to win this. A great contest. Chong Nonsi, Soldiers Salute, King Point.

No Bet.

Race 7:

A brilliant race for a 74+ race. The only downside is that if they ride Pin Rouge as they have his last few, there may not be much pace. I believe this horse is much better suited rolling along. Rosie Rocket with the blinkers added (first time ever) will probably sit outside Pin Rouge. The Tenby Friar should possie up just behind the speed. He wasnt suited last time out in a slowly run race, copping bumps and becoming unbalanced, he was entitled to get rolled, but he pushed through it and won. I believe he has turned the corner (even though there was nothing wrong with his form prior). The big wraps are about Maschino. No doubt he is a special horse but I believe they have been riding him too cute. His best wins were "yanked" to the outside and wound up. If he's as good as we think he is, they should drop him back and wide, pull him out and let him go. The Underworld is a little one paced. He will get back on the rail here and may need some luck. Prefer him at 1600m or further. When he gets there, we'll see another more than handy galloper. Romp to Fame can also possie up nicely here. If he gets out early enough, Maschino and The Underworld will have a time catching him. Ill tip against the two boom horses here: (Romp to Fame and The Tenby Friar), Maschino.

No Bet but a great race to watch.

Race 8:

The Miller team has really worked out the strengths of Senhor Da Gama. He's a horse that needs to be wound up early and he'll outstay most of our Perth stayers. Paddy got ambushed a little two starts back when Mr Moet dashed around him. He held his ground to the line, but couldnt get back past him. Volcanic Causeway was destroyed in front last start, walking them to a 1.54.24 finishing time. He's on his last chance for me, but if they let him lead and run along a little, he can figure at 50/1. Smart Twister and Galiletto may ensure a faster clip and may even want to lead. Dancin on the Wind didnt have the best of luck at his first try at the trip. He took off early, was pushed four wide and was paddling on the line after sustaining that type of run. He would have taken a lot from that in fitness. Pontiff on......respect. Come Flirt With Me gets Whiting and wasnt disgraced in the same slowly run 1800m race as Volcanic Causeway. Senhor Da Gama, Dancin on the Wind, Come Flirt With Me.

No Bet.