The Perth Summer Racing Carnival continues this Saturday at Ascot with the running of the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes between the stayers.
Our best bets for the entire 10-race program are available below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 3:07pm – TBWA Westspeed Platinum Plate (1000m)
Revitup hasn’t put a foot wrong in three starts to date and is very tough to knock as a dominant favourite.
The two-year-old filly by Demerit debuted a comfortable winner over this track and trip back in October, and was unlucky not to make it a double when a narrow second to Man Crush in the Crystal Slipper.
She quickly bounced back from that a 4.5L winner two weeks ago, and it’s doubtful she finds this any tougher.
Race 2 – 3:47pm – Amelia Park Handicap (1400m)
Big Screen is a proven commodity over this distance with two wins and a place to his name from three starts.
The son of Sessions is dropping back from the mile on Saturday, which looks ideal considering he was chased down at the turn after leading for most of the way a few weeks ago.
Barrier 1 looks ideal and he won’t know himself getting in with a few kg’s off.
Race 3 – 4:32pm – Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m)
Regal Power has opened a dominant favourite in Ted Van Heemst betting and it’s not hard to see why.
The Grant and Alana Williams-trained gelding has a huge class advantage over most of these having just won the Kingston Town Classic a fortnight earlier over stablemate Western Empire.
He gets a big tick over this distance, and I can’t find any reason why he won’t be winning.
Race 4 – 5:05pm – Westspeed Platinum Sires Stakes (1200m)
The Velvet Queen hasn’t put a foot wrong in three starts to date, and this appears the next logical step for her in the rise through he grades.
The daughter of Universal Ruler debuted at Belmont during the winter for third before quickly being sent back to the paddock in time for the Summer Carnival.
She resumed to break her maiden at Belmont a few weeks ago over the same journey, and proved it was no fluke a week ago when she punched clear to make it a double over 1200m here at Ascot.
She’s clearly a filly of ability, and with fitness now on her side, she should be finishing over the top of most of these.
Race 5 – 5:40pm – TBWA Stallion Tender Scheme Trophy (1200m)
All Day Session has been up for a while, but his recent form reads well for this.
The son of Sessions was a winner at Belmont three-back over 1200m prior to a forgivable run in a Group 3 at Ascot.
He came close to atoning with a narrow runner-up three weeks ago behind Triple Missile, a race he deserved to win after doing plenty of work late.
This looks easier, and there’s no question he can improve with Chris Parnham steering.
Race 6 – 6:17pm – Epona Classic (1200m)
Gunmetal Grey loves 1200m and looks well-placed to add to her record over the trip.
The Ross Price-trained mare turned in a couple of game performances in the Listed Jungle Mist and Jungle Dawn, and is likely to find this a touch easier back in class.
She’s struggled at Ascot on the occasion, but down in the weights and from an ideal draw, she’s every chance to run well.
Race 7 – 6:55pm – Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m)
Sticking with Dance Music to defend her crown in the Starstruck Classic.
Simon Miller’s mare won this race last year by a length, and her recent form suggests she’s capable of putting a similar margin between herself and her rivals.
The six-year-old is coming off two impressive performances in the Railway and Kingston Town Classic, the latter being a two-length fifth to Regal Power.
This is much easier now, and if Brad Parnham pushes forward from out wide, she’ll likely go all the way.
Race 8 – 7:25pm – Own the Dream 2022 Handicap (1200m)
Resortman brings an unbeaten 2-0 record to the races second-up from a spell.
He was game in defeat when fresh over the same track and trip last month for fourth, a performance he can only improve on after punching clear late.
As a four-time winner, 1200m is definitely his go, and he should be afforded a lovely run in behind the speed.
Race 9 – 8:02pm – Better Your Bet Handicap (2100m)
Just about D-Day for Poulton Le Sands, but I’m happy to have one last roll of the dice on him as he drops back in grade.
The son of Camelot was good behind Midnight Blue two back in the Listed Gold Cup, but he never really got going in his latest assignment when last over further.
Still, this is easier, and there’s no question he can handle the trip with wins to his name over further.
Race 10 – 8:35pm – Crown Sports Bar Handicap (2100m)
The Roan Ranger has been making real headway towards another win, and he does appear well-placed to finally breakthrough.
While he doesn’t win out of turn, the Paul Roberts-trained six-year-old has found the money in two of his four starts this time in work.
He was seen doing his best work late for third last time out over a touch further, and the step back in trip should see him out nicely.