Jaike Altieri's Ascot selections - 20th April, 2024

Racing and Sports form analyst Jaike Altieri provides his selections for all 10 races at Ascot, with the Karrakatta and The Quokka the showpieces.

AMELIA'S JEWEL winning the Drummond Golf - Northerly Stakes
AMELIA'S JEWEL winning the Drummond Golf - Northerly Stakes

 

Race 1 - 11:19AM: TABtouch - Westspeed Platinum Handicap (1600m)

FORTUNE'S LUCK (5) rattled home over 1500m last time out to just miss at this track. She now rises to the mile for the first time which should suit and she's drawn for a nice run in transit. Racing well without winning of late but strikes a suitable race this time. Can go one better. SHAKA ZULU (2) just missed at Pinjarra before a 1.5L defeat at Geraldton most recently. Out to the mile for the first time now, but there's nothing to suggest he won't relish the rise in distance. Noske replaces the apprentice hoop and while this is tougher, he'll make his presence felt. TRULY AWESOME (9) has found one better her past couple, going under as favourite over 1400m here most recently. She now drops in weight and rises in trip as Steve Parnham hops in the irons. Still has plenty of upside and she's sure to go close. GOLD MERITS (6) is racing well of late and merits plenty of respect. MACK MACK (1) usually improves with racing and this looks like a great set up for him. Live chance.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Fortune's Luck can win the first @ $3.40* with TABtouch.

 

Race 2 - 11:54AM: Schweppes Handicap (1600m)

YARRALEA (3) finally got over the top to score last time out, winning by 0.3L over 1500m. Now out to the mile where here record isn't flash, but the latest win suggests she's in career best form right now. Should get every chance from the draw and can go back-to-back. ONLY EYES FOR HIM (5) was far too good when shedding the maiden tag in impressive fashion over 1500m a fortnight ago. Thrown into the deep end again today, but he has contested strong races in his career previously. Still has plenty of upside and CJP riding is a good push. Main danger. ROGUES POINT (2) was effective out to this trip through last winter an he's running right up to his best of late. Altieri's striking at 16% of late and this gelding will give a bold sight from the front. SWIM THROUGH (1) is better than he showed last start and steps right out in trip now. Intriguing runner. JUSTAMIDDY (8) has showed glimpses his past few starts and is not to be discounted.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Yarralea can make it two wins in-a-row @ $2.80* with TABtouch.

 

Race 3 - 12:29PM: Amelia Park Lamb Handicap (1400m)

CERRIDWYN (8) is a lightly raced mare who has plenty going for her today. She's built a handy record and has been freshened since her 3.3L defeat in March. She never got into the race that day, but with Damian Lane and gate 1 this time, she should be much handier. She ticks plenty of boxes. COUNT THE SESSIONS (4) rattled home first-up over 1200m and he's placed 4/6 second-up throughout his career. Craig Williams takes the ride from a handy draw. Returned on a good note a fortnight ago and he can build on that effort. HESKET (6) was too strong over this track and trip most recently, getting right back to his best when winning by 0.7L. Maps for a beautiful run once more and can put his best foot forward. BLEECKER STREET (7) will find this tougher than recent events but rates highly on his latest win as favourite. Right in the mix. KNOT SECRET (2) can bounce back after a disappointing effort last time out.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Cerridwyn @ $5.50* with TABtouch.

 

Race 4 - 1:06PM: Amelia Park Beef Handicap (1800m)

BONDI'S FUTURE (8) made it three in-a-row when winning by 0.4L over this track and trip 21 days ago. This looks a similar event and the 3YO doesn't appear to have hit his ceiling just yet. Still improving with every run and if he can do so again, he'll take plenty of beating. ODINAKA (10) may not have handled the quick turnaround last time out when well beaten. His form prior to that was very good, including a placing at Listed level. Wide draw is a concern but he can be finishing off strongly at the finish. SANTA BRAE (6) just missed behind an in-form galloper most recently but is some query coming back to this trip. He has very strong formlines from throughout the campaign and Chris Parnham riding is a positive sign. Can play a major role. SOWAR (7) is racing well without winning and can't be discounted from a favourable alley. MEDIA BARON (2) has shown glimpses this campaign and getting out to this trip suits. Worth keeping safe.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Bondi's Future @ $4* with TABtouch.

 

NEXT BEST: Race 5 - 1:46PM: V&V Walsh Handicap (1000m)

GENEROSITY (2) is a lightly-raced filly who absolutely bolted in at the trials recently. She was stretched to a mile last campaign but her sole win has come over this distance. Worth noting Josh Parr has taken the ride and the outside alley is no issue. Can storm right over the top of these. BARNEY'S WORLD (8) ran on well first-up in Open 3YO grade and drops in weight off that effort. Has plenty of upside and the first-up effort laid the platform for a promising campaign. Nicely drawn and rates the testing material. KRYSANOVA (4) just missed in a blanket finish last time out after a narrow win first-up. Maps to be prominent from the inside alley as she hits her peak third-up. Only swamped late last start and now strips fitter. CLOSE TALKER (10) just missed in the same race as Krysanova and looks to have good upside. Improving type with winning credentials. STAR POWER (9) will face her toughest test to date but winning form is good form. Not out of this.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Generosity is the one to beat @ $2.10* with TABtouch

 

Race 6 - 2:24PM: Furphy Handicap (1200m)

TWAIN'S ANGEL (6) looks a very impressive type for the Casey barn. She's undefeated through two starts and looked well above average in her recent trials coming into this. Nicely placed at the bottom of the weights and while she comes up against some handy ones here, she looks a horse on the rise. PLAYING GAMES (5) just missed first-up over 1000m and we'll get a line on that form in Race 5. The wide draw is a slight concern as she'll be back in the run, but she's a second-up winner previously. Strips fitter and can go a couple better this time. PLEASURE CRUISE (3) was in the trial behind Twain's Angel and hit the line nicely at the finish. May want further in time, but he's a classy type who looks to have plenty of strength about him. Big tick with Pike sticking from the trial. BLUE LAGOON (1) resumes here first-up and without a public trial. Creates interest with CJP booked to ride. RUN PATTIE RUN (11) can get back to her best dropping back to the sprint trip.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Twain's Angel can resume a winner @ $2.80* with TABtouch.

 

Race 7 - 3:03PM: Amelia Park - Karrakatta Plate (Group 2, 1200m)

WA's premier 2YO race, the Karrakatta Plate. BUSTLING (2) has been brilliant so far in his debut campaign, winning well and running fast time last start in the Perth Stakes over 1100m here. Barrier 1 and Shinn are both massive ticks. Hard to see anything turning the tables on him from a fortnight ago. GOLDEN KATHLEEN (7) was dominant on debut but settled too far back in the Gimcrack to threaten, finishing 1.5L off the winner. She gets Pike in the saddle this time though and 1200m looks right up her alley. She can put her best foot forward. SIREN ASSAULT (6) is the only horse to beat Bustling and did so just two starts ago. Strong in the Gimcrack a fortnight ago and while the time was slower than the boys, she did it in good style. Promising horse who'll get her chance. SIR DREAMALOT (3) stuck on well in the Perth Stakes and is not to be discounted. HEAVY METAL (11) draws the softest barrier of her career to date and is an improving type. One for multiples.

SUGGESTED PLAY: With Bustling in the Karrakatta @ $2.60* with TABtouch.

 

Race 8 - 3:45PM: The Kia Quokka (1200m)

The $5 million Quokka and WA's star AMELIA'S JEWEL (8) looks the one to beat. She was only narrowly beaten in this last year off a similar set up and now we might get a better price. Nothing went right in the Golden Eagle but her run in the Roma Cup said she was back on track. Can go one better this year. OVERPASS (1) is a rock and that's what makes him so good. He'll bounce right to the front and run the same rating that saw him win this first-up last year. He's becoming the king of the west and he should go very close to keeping his crown. OSCAR'S FORTUNE (10) is the big unknown. Huge run in the Roma Cup when running a new peak rating and he's expected to be better again third-up. Keeps Pike in the saddle and he's sure to be right there when the whips are cracking. BELLA NIPOTINA (7) brings the best form from the east and was great in the TJ. Wide draw is a big niggle though. KING OF SPARTA (2) can be swooping down the outside at the finish.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Amelia's Jewel gets the nod @ $3.40* with TABtouch.

 

Race 9 - 4:25PM: The Drummond Gold Joey (1200m)

Time for The Joey now and LACED UP HEELS (16) goes on top after a narrow victory against Quokka runners 21 days ago. She drops in weight off that win and while this is a tougher event, I don't think we've seen the best of her yet. Nicely drawn and can go back-to-back. WESTERN EMPIRE (2) is a very interesting horse resuming. Back with Team Williams after a stint in Victoria. He was once the most promising horse in the country, and his recent trial suggests he might be back to something like his best. Big watch on how he's returned. SEARCHIN' ROC'S (15) is a two-time winner third-up and gets Damian Lane in the saddle as she drops back to 1200m. Her best is good enough for a race like this and she has the pace to offset the wide draw. Won't be far away. AZTEC RULER (13) won the Bunbury Stakes in good style and appears a horse on the way up. Can run over the top of them again. HOT ZED (5) is better than he showed last start and loves this track and trip. Old warrior who must be included.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Backing Laced Up Heels in The Joey @ $4.60* with TABtouch.

 

BEST BET: Race 10 - 5:00PM: TABtouch - Have You Got The Touch Handicap (1100m)

An 1100m dash to finish and THE BOSS LADY (7) is the one who appeals most. She's building an impressive record and her first-up win was enormous from last in the run. Looks to have above average ability and she gets Damian Lane in the saddle to bring the best out of her. She can win again. THOMAS MAGNUM (2) was too good over 1000m last time out when running on from midfield. CJP hops back in the saddle this time as he drops back in grade. Sure to threaten again with the aid of an inside alley. SNOW PRINCE (1) is looking for the hat-trick after a 0.2L victory most recently. Back to 1100m doesn't seem an issue and Dhurun takes 1.5kg off. Can sit midfield and pounce late in the race. POT SHOT (6) gets Pike in the saddle first-up which always creates intrigue. Nicely placed and her best form is good enough to feature. RUPERT'S EMPIRE (3) has won his past two in good style and warrants plenty of respect.

SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on The Boss Lady to round out the day @ $3.10* with TABtouch.

 

*All prices correct as of 7:30pm AEST, April 17.


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