Hoops tips for Ascot 29th Feb

Greg Hooper | Metropolitan Racing | Wed 29 February, 2012

RACE 1 - WELDLOK INDUSTRIES SHARKS PLATE 1100m

No. 1 EXPRESS SERVICE - Going by what we saw from Jestpatim on Saturday, the Magic Millions form should hold up and that makes (1) EXPRESS SERVICE clearly the one to beat. He was finding the line very strongly over the concluding stages of that event and provided he still has another run left in him this preparation he will be very hard to beat back to midweek company. I liked the trial of (6) TOTES AMAZE and it appears Troy Turner has selected him in front of a couple of other potential mounts. (2) ANOTHER HOLDUP was solid on debut and from barrier 1 will either lead or box seat. (5) OUR MAXY BOY represents the combination of Dan Morton/William Pike which always needs to be respected in these juvenile events.
Numbers - 1, 6, 2, 5

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 2 - EMCO BUILDING (CLAREMONT TIGERS) HANDICAP 1800m

No. 5 ROHAN - Although only a three-year-old, (5) ROHAN is the class runner of this field and has been placed to perfection by trainer Vaughan Sigley. His previous two efforts in top three-year-old company have been very encouraging on days when back markers were finding it very hard to win. Although track conditions may not suit this is a significant drop in class and I think that class should see him prevail. (1) DEPORTMENT has not put a foot wrong this preparation winning both her starts at Bunbury after settling at the tail of the field. This is a harder assignment but she is racing well and is in the mix. (6) CLASSIQUE IVORY was a good maiden winner last start over the 1600m at Pinjarra and is bred to go further, she should finish strongly. (3) FINNEGANS GOLD looks the likely leader and may give a bit of cheek with the track conditions to suit.
Numbers -5, 1, 6, 3

Suggested Bet -Rohan Win

RACE 3 - THUNDER AIR ROOFING CO HANDICAP 1100m

No. 5 PININCI - There does looks to be plenty of exposed top end speed in this event and provided run on horses are playing a part I think that (5) PININCI will be hard to hold out. He was super impressive up the Pinjarra straight, making some handy gallopers look second rate. If he can get a drag into the race on the turn I think he's the one to beat. (7) AMUSEMENT PARK won on debut for the Simon Miller/Paul Harvey combination and Paul Harvey has elected to ride her again over (5) PININCI. From barrier 1 she is drawn to lead or box seat, both scenarios should suit and she should be in the finish again. (4) CLASSITHEATRE ran well in Saturday company last start after recording a couple of easy kills at Esperance at the beginning of the year. She will find this assignment much easier and possess natural gate speed which will allow her to settle in a prominent position. (1) IZJALU drops in grade and should get a nice run from his draw.
Numbers - 5, 7, 4,1

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 4 - PRESSURE VAC HANDICAP

No. 10 SECRET RULER - He's a very hard horse to catch but this does looks a perfect assignment for (10) SECRET RULER. From barrier 4 he should be able to find the lead and if he can then control the tempo he will get a very good opportunity to break his metropolitan duck. In similar company last time out he was caught in speed dual and battled on OK. His previous effort in Saturday company was very good when getting taken on from the 600m and finishing third. This is his last chance! (3) RED MERCEDES has been a model of consistency this preparation and again hit line very hard last time out. The conditions today may not suit but he will be coming home like a train. (11) GIFT OF FURY does not win often but he always gives a ton of cheek in his races. If he could get across and lead he may just pinch it. However from his wide draw he is a more realistic place chance as it is likely he will only be able to settle outside the leader. (5) NEW TIME returns from a let up and although he doesn't win often is always a chance in this type of race.
Numbers -10, 3, 11, 5

Suggested Bet -Secret Ruler each way

RACE 5 - AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS GROUP (AHG) HANDICAP 1000m

No. 5 BEACH EXPRESS - This looks a fairly open midweek sprint. (5) BEACH EXPRESS has been racing in a purple patch of form for new trainer Adam Durrant and he looks ready to return to the winner's circle. Last start he settled over the speed and ran a very good second to the talented Rouge Dior and there was a space to third indicating it should be a strong form reference. Although drawn poorly he has plenty of early toe and he should be able to cross and settle outside the leader, from there he is the one to beat.(2) BREAK SEA, although his effort first up can only be described as mediocre his performances last preparation warrant giving this horse another opportunity. Another that can show early speed, he should be prominent and hopefully has improved since his first up effort. (3) EARL OF VASSE, returned to racing in good fashion and is always a chance in this type of race. Conditions however may be against him but he is not without some chance. (8) KIDDY CAT, although disappointing in his last 2 starts he has excelled over the short course in the past and can add value to the novelties.
Numbers - 5, 2, 3, 8

Suggested Bet - Beach Express each way

RACE 6 - FALCONS HANDICAP 1600m

No. 4 ROCK BAND - This looks a wide open race with plenty of form lines all clashing. I'll go for (4) ROCK BAND who has finished runner up in his last two outings over the 1600m trip and looks ready to break his maiden status for Dan Morton and William Pike. He ran good second to the talented Stay Lady Stay two starts back and last time out he was caught wide in running and was narrowly edged out late when starting favourite. From his draw he should be take a spot just behind the speed and go close to breaking his duck. (9) DARK ROCK has been consistent this preparation and is nearing another win, she has also drawn well and will be in the firing line throughout. (3) LETHAL JONES made a good return to racing when sitting wide throughout when recoding her maiden victory at Bunbury. She will be running home late. (6) KIRKY was a solid effort last time out when posted wide and narrowly beaten. He is the potential leader and can give a lot of cheek at odds. This race is a very even affair and the likes of (1) QUADROPLEX, (5) CALIFORNIA DUDE and (10) FLAMING MAGIC could win without surprising.
Numbers - 4, 9, 3, 6

Suggested Bet - None recommended

RACE 7 - PERTH DEMONS HANDICAP

No. 4 THE CAVALIERI - I'm happy to play here. (4) The Cavalieri was a strong maiden winner on debut at Bunbury and the margin could have been much greater if had been able to obtain clear running at the top of the straight. From barrier 1 Craig Staples should be either able to lead and dictate terms or sit in the box seat and be poised to strike on straightening. Either way he looks a big chance to make it two wins from as many starts. (1) MONZERO has been racing well this preparation and a win here would not surprise although the conditions are unlikely to suit as he is a get back run on horse. Still he looks the main danger. (6) THINKING THUNDER is a free running on pace horse and should be able to make the most of the expected conditions. His form is not great but he can play a part in this without surprising. (11) DO YA BEST was doing his best work late at Pinjarra and he could be the knockout chance late.
Numbers -4, 1, 6, 11

Suggested Bet -The Cavalieri win

RACE 8 AAMI HANDICAP

No. 7 PLATINUM ROCKER. Hopefully we go - BANG - BANG late in the day. (7) PLATINUM ROCKER recorded an effortless maiden win on debut and there is no reason why she can't make it two from two. She should settle in a forward position, take the lead on straightening and hopefully have enough in the tank to hold them at bay. (13) KIM ASHLEE is still a maiden but both of her runs this preparation have been full of merit. If she were able to find the front then she will be hard to rundown after showing good fighting qualities last start when caught three deep for the duration. (1) ARCTIC OCEAN has been in good form this preparation and drawn well enough to be able to sit in a forward position which will be crucial to her chances. (2) ALOHA SPIRIT went terribly last start but she did race in an unfamiliar position over the speed and reportedly pulled up with heat stress. It may pay to forgive her for that one poor run.
Numbers -7, 13, 1, 2

Suggested Bet -Platinum Rocker Win