Ascot Weekend Review with Adam McGrath 2nd March

 

Ascot R1. Westspeed 2YO Plate
Review

Adam McGrath | Sat 2 March, 2013

1100m | 1.04PM

The money came hard before the race for Moonsearch which was ridden by T.Turner. The opening favourite Isola Blue drifted on track, but would still start favourite after its last run in the Magic Millions.

Isola Blue had a very nice start but dropped back quickly to be third last as it couldn’t go with the early speed. Moonsearch jumped fairly but was eased back to last by Turner. Magnus Missile and Vital to be Welsh worked hard early and cornered for the straight first. Candour worked up to be three wide on the corner, and went extremely wide and intervened with Moonsearch. Moonsearch was able to kick again from a wide position on the straight and fought out a tight finish with Black Queen who came home well. Magnus Missile who tried to hold on after leading the entire race was also in the photo finish. The horse the punters put their money on, Moonsearch, was given the photo finish.

Results

1. 1 MOONSEARCH                        $3.60/$2.40

2. 7 BLACK QUEEN                        $3.10

3. 6 MAGNUS MISSILE

Horse to follow:

Black Queen – Obviously Moonsearch was impressive and is definitely one to follow. However, this horse Black Queen had just as good of a run. It was back second last on the inside of Moonsearch coming to the corner. They both sprinted to the finish line side by side and Moonsearch won it in a photo finish. In a similar grade race over the same distance it won’t be long before Black Queen gets a win.

 


 

Ascot R2. Vivid Group Handicap
Review

Adam McGrath | Sat 2 March, 2013

1000m | 1.44PM

With Dueton being scratched the money came for Dawn’s Flyer who had good backing before being scratched last start. Culprit was also fancied by the punters.

Wahkeena and Culprit jumped excellently from the gates, with Cheri Amour sitting third on the rail and Dawn’s Flyer in a great position on the outside of Cheri Amour. Dawn’s Flyer pulled out three wide and looked good at the start of the straight, but Wahkeena was able to continue fighting and Cherie Amour finished off strongly on the rail to get the win. 

Results

1. 2 CHERIE AMOUR          $8.40/$3.60

2. 9 WAHKEENA                 $2.90

3. 4 DAWN’S FLYER

Horse to follow:

Oneofus – This horse was last on the rails around the turn. It had to come wide and ended up being 5 wide on the straight when Pike managed to get it into a gap in the last 100m. It took ground off Dawn’s Flyer to finish fourth. One to keep an eye on and might just want a little more distance.


 

Ascot R3. Lab Trends Handicap
Review

Adam McGrath | Sat 2 March, 2013

1200m | 2.26PM

Kalahaar with the blinkers on, received a lot of support before the race. Modello was hit very hard by punters just before this race to go from $5’s into $3.40 on track.

Dino Mac almost anticipated the start as it jumped away quickly and was joined early by Modello. Kalahaar was able to sneak up just behind the pace on the rails. On the bend Dino Mac still held the lead, but Modello who had never been on the track was pushing up four wide. Kalahaar had a nice position on the rails and was just looking for a run. New Time started a run from last and was the widest of the field. Military Secret also started a nice run through the middle. Kalahaar had to be pulled around Dino Mac as it got caught on heels, it managed to get out and fought the finish out with New Time raced home hard from last position. New Time won at big odds as it raced past the favourite.

Results

1. 7 NEW TIME         $24.30/$4.90

2. 2 KALAHAAR                  $1.30

3. 10 MILITARY SECRET   $2.60

Horse to follow:

Modello – This horse had a lot of late support on track and for good reason. It had no luck at all in this race. It was never on the track and had to come four wide on the bend. It was never going to feature in the finish after the work it had done, however, the run as a whole wasn’t that bad considering its position. It will be one to watch next start.


 

Ascot R4. Episerver Handicap
Review

Adam McGrath | Sat 2 March, 2013

1800m | 3.05PM

After its last start win, Black Tycoon was the warm favourite coming into this race. Quickie had some late backing as it met Black Tycoon better at the weights compared to last start. Destroy had also received some late money from the punters.  

Black Tycoon and Kim Classic both got out the gates slowly. California Valley jumped nicely and took the early lead from Quickie who was over racing. At the 1200m mark Black Tycoon was 10 lengths off the leader and Quickie continued to over race. California Valley snuck away and had a 2 length lead with 700m to go. Around the bend Last Curtain made its move around the field and Black Tycoon tracked onto its back. Black Tycoon raced up to take the lead over California Valley, who held on well for second and Kim Classic finished well to get third.

Results

1. 4 BLACK TYCOON                     $2.00/$1.10

2. 6 CALIFORNIA VALLEY          $2.60

3. 2 KIM CLASSIC                           $4.70

Horse to follow:

Black Tycoon – I’ve been on this horse for its last two starts and it has impressed me with both runs. It just knows how to get the job done and with Harvey on board I will be happy to keep following it.


 

Ascot R5. Fergus Maximus Handicap
Review

Adam McGrath | Sat 2 March, 2013

1500m | 3.40PM

Black Uma was the favourite for this race and paraded very well. The Tenby Friar received some late money and would put in a nice run.

Disco Bling had the blinkers on for this start and worked hard to get the lead early. Black Uma set itself up nicely in fourth spot outside of Verdello Blue. At the 600m Black Uma pulled out three wide to hit the front at the top of the straight. Rebelson was last at the straight, but Whiting timed its run perfectly as it swooped the field to win the race from The Tenby Friar who rocketed home late to grab second position.

Results

1. 3 REBELSON                                $4.20/$1.70

2. 8 THE TENBY FRIAR                  $2.90

3. 7 NOVEMBER RED                     $3.50

Horse to follow:

Rebelson – This horse continues to impress. It was dead last coming into the straight, but once Whiting asked it to kick, it raced home to get the win. This horse will be incredibly hard to beat in any race that it competes in this campaign. It is definitely one for your black book if you don’t already have it in there.


 

Ascot R6. Budget Rent A Car
Handicap Review

Adam McGrath | Sat 2 March, 2013

1000m | 4.20PM

Ready Raider was the only one that the punters wanted. It had been backed all week and was all the rage on track.

Bar Dreaming and Its A Merc jumped very well from wide gates and burnt across the field to have the early lead. Thunderluv’n worked itself up around Its A Merc on the bend to hit the lead at the top of the straight. It was able to continue fighting to show punters that it was back in form. Bar dreaming fought home late to grab second position while Its A Merc held on for third.

Results

1. 1 THUNDERLUV’N         $13.70/$3.20

2. 10 BAR DREAMING       $9.20

3. 8 ITS A MERC                   $6.70

Horse to follow:

Bar Dreaming – This horse was at big odds coming into this race. It jumped away very nicely and showed that it had pace to burn. It managed to get across the field and get to the rail early. It settled down to be in a good position just behind Its A Merc on its outside. A few horses went around it on the bend and it was in fifth position at the top of the straight, but it showed the ability to kick again after doing a lot of work early. It had to change its path again when it came up the rear of Thunderluv’n and fought hard again to the line. Keep an eye on this horse to see if it can back this run up.


 

Ascot R7. Kevin Guhl Handicap
Review

Adam McGrath | Sat 2 March, 2013

1400m | 5.00PM

Young Lionel would start favourite for this 1400m race, as favourite punters would watch nervously to see if it could finally win while being backed in.

Dare to Doubt got out nicely from the barriers and led early from Stompin and I’m Called Earl. Young Lionel set up in a beautiful spot fourth on the outside. It was only a moderate pace early so Heart Play took off four wide at the 800m mark. Around the bend Dare to Doubt managed to sneak away and established a lead of about 4 lengths on the straight. Young Lionel managed to work home late for second and I’m Called Early was able to grab third spot.

Results

1. 6 DARE TO DOUBT         $10.70/$3.10

2. 8 YOUNG LIONEL          $1.60

3. 5 I’M CALLED EARL      $4.20

Horse to follow:

Dare To Doubt – This horse was given a very nice run, however, it was still very impressive. It showed nice pace out of the barrier and then was able to kick on the bend and continue to fight to the line. It will be interesting to see how it goes in a race where it doesn’t get everything its own way. Definitely one to keep an eye on in the next few weeks.


 

Ascot R8. Ian Willey’s 60th Handicap
Review

Adam McGrath | Sat 2 March, 2013

1400m | 5.35PM

A wide open market for the last race and this would reflect the result with some horses at big odds getting up to see the first four pay over $55,000.

It’sastar, Ron’s Gem and Pure Heaven jumped away extremely fast from the barriers to have the race run at a hot pace. Ron’s Gem was able to lead with 800m to go from Pure Heaven, It’sastar and Louisiana lady who had worked up to fourth position. On the straight Ron’s Gem was able to jump clear from the field, while Artic Ocean who had a nice inside run chased it home to make it go to a photo finish. Even Astar who didn’t have the best start, flew home wide from last position to get third.

Results

1. 3 RON’S GEM                   $48.70/$10.50

2. 6 ARTIC OCEAN              $4.60

3. 5 EVEN ASTAR                $2.80

Horses to follow:

Even Astar – This horse was expected to show early pace, however it crawled out of the barriers to be last. It moved up around the bend, but was still the widest runner. It was a mile back at the top of the straight, but kicked well to speed past the rest of the field and managed to get into third. Forget the start and definitely keep this horse in your black books

Black Magic Miss – This horse was in the middle of horses its entire run. It tried to get to the opening a few times on the straight but couldn’t. It finally got out in the last 150m and its turn of pace was very impressive. If this horse can get clear earlier in a similar grade race it will definitely win a few races.

 

For more follow @AdamMcGrath89 on twitter and view www.peoplessportstalk.com.au

The next review will be on Perth Turf Talk on Thursday.