Hoops' Wednesday Ascot Preview

| Metropolitan Racing | Wed 22 February, 2012

RACE 1 - WESTSPEED PLATE 1000m

No. 11 LISICKI - I'm fairly happy to speculate on the Jim Taylor first starter, (11) LISICKI. Her trials have been good, particularly her last outing when she led and ran a nice second to The Danehill Rose who trounced her rivals on Saturday. The barrier makes it a little tricky but if she can get over without burning to much early fuel then she should be hard to beat. (1) ANGRY SQUATTER has had a few chances now and I did think he was entitled to win last start. If he jumps well then he should lead and give them something to catch. (12) SECRET SCANDAL hails from a strong stable with W Pike to ride. She was pushed out in her trial win but was still impressive enough. She has to be some chance. It's very hard to line up the rest, particularly the ones who come from 400m trials.

Numbers - 11, 1, 12, 6
Suggested Bet - Lisicki each way if odds permit

RACE 2 - FLYING COLOURS HANDICAP 1800m

No. 1 HEAD FOR HEIGHTS - A small field but a tough race to line up. I'll go for (1) HEAD FOR HEIGHTS who is ticking over nicely this preparation. You can completely forgive him for his last start effort when he finished down the track as he settled at the rear on a day with a major leader/rail bias. Back to midweek company suits and he I'll give him the nod. (2) STOMPIN was in a similar boat to Head For Heights at his last start. Settling at the rear and unable to make any ground. He also has very good claims. (4) AVEC MON AMI is very honest and from her good draw she should box seat. The question will be the final 100m. (3) THE PURPLE PARROT did his best work late first up and he could be the one with the last crack at them. They look the four clear cut winning chances.

Numbers - 1, 2, 4, 3
Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 3 - WESTSPEED HANDICAP 1400m

No. 1 DARK MISS - For a midweek fillies event this field has certainly attracted some talented types. I've come back to the classy filly, (1) DARK MISS. In her first preparation she ran second to Rons Call on debut and then proceeded to run very good races in all the top three-year-old fillies events over the Summer carnival. She looks well in for the claims and she will take some holding out. (3) THE SOCIAL NETWORK also resumes from a spell. If she could reproduce her winning performance in a maiden company from her first preparation I certainly give her strong each way claims. (2) NINGALOO BLITZ was luckless first up getting skittled in the rough house 3 year old Magic Millions event. W Pike back on (her only career win came when he was aboard) and if he can hold a spot with her from her good gate she can win. (13) RANTORINI is going to be a very nice filly. I liked her trial and I really liked her debut performance. However from the outside gate her task is going to be difficult. There are definitely other winning chances as well.

Numbers - 1, 4, 2, 13
Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 4 - WESTSPEED INCENTIVE SCHEME HANDICAP 1400m

No. 3 ANOTHER LYRICAL - Similar to the fillies event this race contains some depth. (3) ANOTHER LYRICAL could not have been more impressive in his victory last start, going to the front and giving his rivals a galloping exhibition. This race contains more depth but if he can cross over and control the speed he should be hard to beat, particularly with the rail out 15m. I really like (7) YOUNG LIONEL I think he's a horse going places. The key to his chances will be whether he can settle within striking distance of the leader. (9) BAYFIELD should improve sharply. He had a torrid run first up but still stuck on bravely. With a softer run he will be in the finish. (1) RIOBRESA has been up for an eternity but is some chance despite the wide draw.

Numbers - 3, 7, 9, 1
Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 5 - tabozbet.com.au HANDICAP 1600m

No. 5 CIRCLE OF STARS - This looks a fairly tricky start to the quaddie. I'm going for (5) CIRCLE OF STARS who I thought put in a big performance at his last outing, tramping deep for the duration and finishing on the heels of the placegetters. If William Pike can bustle him over from his wide gate and he can trail the likely leader, (2) FIRST LOT then I think he is the one to beat. The blinkers have been added to (9) DOMINICUS which should sharpen her up a tad. Her maiden win was dominant and she wasn't beaten far last start in Saturday company. (4) MOSSROY gets his chance to breakthrough for an overdue victory. All his efforts this preparation have been sound and back to mid week company suits. (6) KILAT is a tricky horse to catch but on current form he certainly has winning claims.

Numbers - 5, 9, 4, 6
Suggested bet - Circle of Stars each way

RACE 6 - perthracing.com.au HANDICAP 1000m

No. 10 STRALETA. This is a pretty weak 1000m sprint and I think if (10) STRALETA can repeat her first up effort she will be winning this race. Her trial leading up to her first up run was superb and she was then heavily backed but was nutted late after tramping wide over the speed throughout. From her good draw Paul Harvey should have her camped over the speed and I think she should take care of this mediocre bunch. Trying to put a finger on the dangers is tricky. Maybe (7) ALDANTAE GIRL who should be suited dropping back to 1000m and (4) ESTRALLA did beat Straleta at their last outing but from the draw she'll find it tough. (12) MILTON'S GIFT is always a chance to rattle into a placing late.

Numbers - 10, 7, 4, 12
Suggested Bet - Straleta Win

RACE 7 - playeronline.com.au HANDICAP 1400m

No. 9 ROSALIE PAKR. I didn't find this race an easier assignment as there does look to be a host of chances. I'll go for (9) ROSALIE PARK on an each way basis. I thought her first up run over 1000m was solid and the step up to 1400m should suit. (7) COUNTESS PANETTI got the soft lead last start, gave a good kick but was nailed late. If she can find the front again she can go one better. (1) PRIME KNOCKOUT went terribly last start but she is better than that. She goes into my numbers on trust. (15) ALOHA SPIRIT was another who went very poorly at her recent outing but she did pull up showing signs of heat stress. On her previous effort when pushing Uncle George she would have winning claims.

Numbers - 9, 7, 1, 15
Suggested bet - None recommended

RACE 8 - MIDWEEK ROAST HANDICAP 1400m

No. 7 LUNAR IMAGE - I'm happy to play here and I think we can head home a winner. (7) LUNAR IMAGE is a smart type who resumes from a spell. Last campaign he saluted in his first up run and then didn't get the best of luck through the remainder of his preparation when racing in Saturday company. He was asked for nothing in a recent trial and I think if William Pike can make use of his good gate he'll be a little too good for these. (15) GRAND BEAU was a terrific trialler, settling off the speed and really picking up strongly over the concluding stage. Watch the betting with him. (9) CAPRICIOUS LAD is bursting to win a race and from his inside draw he should get all the favours. He'll be in the finish again. (8) MCBLITZAM is two from two at the provincials. The wins were almost identical with the grey hitting a flat spot early in the straight but finding plenty late. With the right run he can make it a winning hat-trick.

Numbers - 7, 15, 9, 8
Numbers - Lunar Image Win