Ascot G2 TAB-Touch Perth Cup $500,000 2400 metres
As has become customary in Western Australia’s premier events, the stable of Grant and Alana Williams look to hold the key to a staying feature at Ascot on Saturday.
They have a quartet of in-form chances in this contest, including the last-start winner Mississippi Delta (High Chaparral {IRE}) who accounted for barn mare and race rival again Action (Pierro) in the Listed ATA S.
The tables may well be turned this time with Action meeting the mare better off in the weights and the 4-year-old will enjoy the distance, a trip he won last season’s G2 Western Australian Derby over.
Stablemates Perfect Jewel (Redoute’s Choice) and Queen Bey (Blackfriars) can’t be dismissed with the former a last-start in the G2 Ted Van Heemst S.while Queen Bey is progressive and beat Mississippi Delta over 2200 metres two runs back.
Speedster set to impress
Ascot Listed Furphy-Summer Scorcher $100,000 1000 metres
Misty Metal (Oratorio) has been freshened by trainers Robert and Todd Harvey since last racing and a recent trial win showed she was ready to match motors again.
The genuine 4-year-old triumphed in the Listed Jungle Mist Classic in the spring and followed up with a second placing in the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic. She has drawn ideally in gate three and will again be ridden by Shaun McGruddy.
In Love With Paris (Rogano) is a reliable character and there was merit in his last-start fourth while Snow Lord (Universal Ruler) won well enough at his most recent appearance to be in the mix again.
Ambiente (Trade Fair {GB}) is a progressive type and was twice successful during a winter preparation before a spell. He came back in a blaze of glory to keep his winning streak going last month and can be competitive at stakes level.
Dream mare in hot touch
Ascot G3 Mrs Mac’s-La Trice Classic $150,000 1800 metres
Celebrity Dream (NZ) (Thorn Park) is in fine touch and the 6-year-old promises to be major threat again.
She added the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic to her tidy record two runs back before she finished fourth in the Listed Starstruck Classic. The mare is racing as though the extra distance will suit her ideally.
Fontainebleau (Alfred Nobel {GB}) can’t be faulted and from an inside barrier he looks sure to be in the mix while Lucky Roar (So Secret) has given excellent accounts of herself in her last two appearances and she offers each-way value again.
The distance will certainly aid the chances of the Adam Durrant-trained First Affair (Saxon). She has been competitive in similar line-ups in her last two starts and has appeal at longer odds.
Prince to star in Cup
Awapuni Listed Gallagher Marton Cup NZ$55,000 2200 metres
Group 1 performer Alinko Prince (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) was sound on his return to racing when he finished runner-up following a break over 1550 metres.
The Auckland Cup placegetter moves up to a much more suitable distance here and a true pace will suit the 7-year-old, who possesses deep reserves on stamina.
Senior rider Chris Johnson takes over the reins from stable apprentice Madan Singh, who will partner Porcelain Princess (NZ) (Sir Percy {GBN}). She is not without a chance from the foot of the handicap. Disappointing last time out, her effort for fourth in the Listed Wanganui Cup two runs back may be a better guide.
Another lightweight with strong claims is Mental Telepathy (NZ) (Shocking) from the powerful Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable. He was sixth after a wide run in the G3 New Zealand Cup and didn’t get the best of runs when fourth last time out in the Taupo Cup.
