Major players set for further success

4 min read

The Western Australian juggernaut of owner Bob Peters, trainers Grant and Alana Williams and jockey William Pike looks set to continue at Ascot on Saturday.

They have enjoyed a golden feature race run and Galaxy Star (Redoute’s Choice) looks set to add to their tally when she steps out in the G2 Ted Van Heemst S.

The 6-year-old is in grand form with recent success most notably in the G1 Railway S. off the back of a victory in the G3 Asian Beau S. Last time out she finished third behind stablemate Arcadia Queen (Pierro) in the G1 Kingston Town S.

Galaxy Star steps up to 2100 metres on Saturday and as a past winner at 2000 metres the distance should pose no problem. The main dangers appear to be the Justin Warwick-trained of Material Man (Vital Equine {IRE}) and Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}).

Dream run to continue

Celebrity Dream (NZ) (Thorn Park) has been in terrific touch this preparation and looks the one to beat in the Listed Starstruck Classic at Ascot.

Trained by Adam Durrant for Peters, the mare has the outside gate to overcome but even that may not be enough to lower her colours in the skilled hands of the very much-in form Pike.

Together, they won the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic last time out and are tipped to strike again with Lucky Roar (So Secret) a potential main danger. She is up in grade but is racing well and was a smart winner in lesser company at her most recent appearance.

Fontainebleu (Alfred Nobel {IRE}) improved on her first-up effort to finish third behind Celebrity Dream last time out and the move up to 1600 metres should be ideal for her.

Gilt-edged opportunity for Nariko

In South Australia, Nariko (Not A Single Doubt) went close to major success on her last visit to Morphettville and this could be her turn to go one better.

The Mick Price-trained mare finished runner-up in the Listed City of Marion S. so victory in Saturday’s Listed Adelaide Galvanising H. looks well with her grasp. She has the tidy record of four wins from 14 appearances and can add to her resume in this.

Nariko winning at Ballarat

Go The Journey (Good Journey {USA}) hasn’t raced since the winter, but he has won twice before when fresh and deserves a second look while So You Too (So You Think {NZ}) was fifth in the City of Marion on a soft track and a better surface would help her chances.

Zalmona (Good Journey {USA}) was a last-start winner on the course and while this is a step up her she does have the services of top jockey Jamie Kah.

Firm track key to Wyndspelle

In New Zealand, the black type focus is on Awapuni where the G2 Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge S. leads the card and a good surface will suit the talented Wyndspelle (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}).

The Johno Benner and Hollie Wynyard-trained gelding returned to winning ways on the course last month ahead of a proposed tilt at the G1 Captain Cook S., but a rain-affected track forced his withdrawal.

This event looks tailor-made for him and Jason Waddell takes the reins again with Ocean Emperor (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) looking the main threat. He won the G2 Tauranga S. two runs back before he finished fourth behind the dashing Danzdanzdance (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {IRE}) in the Captain Cook.

Bisou Bisou (Shaft) won the G2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. and then ran sixth in the G2 Cal Isuzu S. after an interrupted run and should have finished closer.

Glorious run set to roll on

Glory Days (NZ) (Red Giant {USA}) is in a purple patch of form and there’s no reason it won’t continue in the G3 Hotel Coachman Manawatu Cup.

The Bill Thurlow-trained mare is unbeaten in her last four appearances, including successes in the Waverley Cup and the Listed Wanganui Cup.

Fourth in the latter event was Porcelain Princess (NZ) (Sir Percy {GB}) in her first run over ground for a while so there should be further improvement from her while Hinerangi (Fastnet Rock) is backing up after a solid display for third in the Cup Prelude.

Runner-up in the Wanganui Cup was Hunta Pence (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB}) and given he is better off in the handicap this time he obviously represents each way value.