Ascot Saturday Perth Racing Preview BY JOSH RODDER

Track is a Good (3) as of Friday morning. Penetrometer is 6.2 (Perth measurements are different from those in the Eastern States, because of a different sand-based track). The rail moves back to the true for the first time since Perth Cup day on January 1 – we only race in the true on the big days, and this usually means that barrier draws play a big part. According to track manager Gordon Menzies there have been 24mm of rain this week. The inside four-metre pad is untouched and there was no damage at 6m last week. Saturday forecast: Sunny. Min 13, max 26.

Race 1 – Carbon Sports Bar Hcp [3YO] [61-74] 1000m, 2:30pm [EST] (1) TRUSTEE BROWN: Gifted three-year-old resuming and there will be no horse finishing stronger. The Daniel Morton-trained galloper created a good impression in his first campaign during the spring and summer months at Ascot, winning two of his five starts and displaying a classy turn of speed. Watch betting, but I’m expecting him to go off like a bomb fresh. PLUS: Save (2) Black Nijinsky is another handy young galloper resuming and is drawn to get the pie run behind the front-end pressure. In good hands, and the early fixed odds betting suggests he is ready to fire fresh. FOR EXOTICS: (7) Peach Tree, (9) School Rumble, (6) Gotham City and (4) Master Tenby.

Race 2 – Moet & Chandon Handicap [3YO+] [68-80] 2200m, 3:10pm (1) BRIDGESTONE: Exciting three-year-old expected to start favourite in next week’s Group 1 Schweppes WATC Derby

at Ascot. Following a stone bruise leading into the traditional Derby lead-up last weekend, the Melvista, Neville Parnham was forced to get the injury right to have his classy colt back on track for the Derby. For this reason he has chosen to run Bridgestone against older horses seven days out from his grand final. Does have 58kg, but deservedly so. He is very good and should confirm his reputation as the state’s best distance three-year-old. Derby here we come!

PLUS: (12) La Soeur Noir looks value in the race on her honest effort at weight-for-age in the Group 3 Strickland last start behind Marasco. Down in the weights and looking for the journey, she will be competitive. FOR EXOTICS: (7) Brandy Lane, (10) Eden Park, (11) Eternal Advice, (6) Volcanic Causeway and (9) Bodgie Business.

Race 3 – Carvers Buffet Handicap [3YO+] [68-80] 1200m, 3:50pm (11) MR NICOFFSKI: Has returned to racing in great order, impressing first-up at Pinjarra with a dominating win before a strong second behind the flying Werd last time, where he didn’t shirk his task in the run to the line. He is in for a big campaign and third-up here looks set for victory.

PLUS: (2) Icy Maiden is the saving bet. Gifted sprinting mare who has had to overcome her fair share of issues to create the good race record she holds. Impressive in slick Lark Hill trial win and she has the dash to overcome the wide draw.

FOR EXOTICS: (12) Proud Falcon, (4) General Albert, (10) Go Buster, (3) Mega Steel, (5) Wolfe Dreams, (6) Secret Courier, (1) Group Memory and (7) Catcorp.

Race 4 – Winning Edge Presentations Grandstand Cup [3YO+] [Listed] [Open 94+] 1400m, 4:30pm Early scratchings: (4) Colour Correct and (10) Ripped. (1) MEGATIC: Group 1 winner returning as the Grandstand Cup titleholder. Has an excellent fresh record and drawn to get a beautiful run behind a keenly contested lead position. Winner of the Northerly with 60kg at this track/distance last spring and will look the winner in the straight.

PLUS: (2) Tarzi is hard to fault on his last two starts behind the mighty Marasco. Back from the 1800 metres of the Strickland he will be flashing at Megatic late. It is a race in two, so I’m happy to back both.

FOR EXOTICS: (3) Revolition, (5) Comic Hero and (11) Superscenic.

QUADDIE FIRST LEG Race 5 – Myer Fashions On The Field Trophy [3YO+] [74-86] 1500m, 5:10pm (6) VAIN STRIKE: Slashing run first-up here, when still last on the corner and ran Lexicon Gold to 1.5 lengths at the finish. There is a handy 1.5kg weight turnaround between the pair and with added fitness second-up, you would think Vain Strike could turn the tables. The predicted fast tempo will also suit. Keen!

PLUS: (2) Rocky Range does not know how to run a bad race and, again, with a little break between runs he looks the danger. Ran on well against a slow front-end tempo last start and despite the impost of 57.5kg will be thereabouts.

FOR EXOTICS: (1) Lexicon Gold, (4) Striken, (7) Euclassy Thing, (10) Pearler, (11) Seize Control and (12) Trafalgar Square.

QUADDIE SECOND LEG Race 6 – Burswood Entertainment Complex WA Oaks [3YO Fillies] [Group 3] 2400m, 5:45pm (2) IMPRESSIVE JEUNEY: Bold front-running staying filly cherry ripe for her grand final. Has been racing like a stayer all campaign and showed last start in the Natasha that when leading and rolling she is just about unbeatable. The horse they all have to get past.

PLUS: (1) For Your Eyes Only possesses an electric turn of foot and was very brave last start in the JC Roberts when that turn of foot was used early in the straight. Her chances are dictated by the race tempo and, with the predicted pressure Impressive Jeuney will place on her rivals in the run, this could nullify her turn of speed at the finish.

FOR EXOTICS: (5) Heavenly Divine, (4) Tropical Fury and (6) Not A Single Mak.

QUADDIE THIRD LEG Race 7 – Go For 2 & 5 Karrakatta Plate [2YO] [Group 2] 1200m, 6:20pm (12) MISS GAI FLYER: Victorian filly who lands in the west with top credentials. The Peter Moody-prepared 2YO has won two of her three starts, showing her versatility, which is a key to winning these feature juvenile scampers. On debut at Bendigo, led for a dominant win; then sat back and quickly put paid to her rivals at Moonee Valley over 1200m, running faster time than the older horses. Her two wins were split by an honest fifth in the Sweet Embrace behind subsequent Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily, when they covered the Randwick 1200 metres in a tick over 1:09. Her A-game wins this!

PLUS: (10) Absolute Pleasure and (8) Miss Condition are the best local chances and are worth a save if the visiting filly does not fire. Absolute Pleasure finally has drawn a gate and she put the writing on the wall in the Gimcrack behind Miss Condition, whose chances have been dented by a river draw of 16. There will be no horse stronger than Miss Condition if she can find cover.

FOR EXOTICS: (9) Motion Pictures, (7) Cristiano, (4) Big Josh, (13) Celebration Girl, (15) Magnificent Pair, (14) Game Muja and (1) Riosand.

QUADDIE FOURTH LEG Race 8 – Club Burswood Handicap [62-74] [3YO+] 1200m, 6:55pm Early scratchings: (7) Nomunnofun, (10) Canardly Miss, (18) Costly Call.

(6) HIGHEST HONOUR: Promising mare ready to win at her fourth run back from a spell. Won two in a line at the Ascot 1400 metres last spring and her run earlier in the month here was eye-catching. She gets in well after a 2kg claim for Ben Kennedy. One of the better bets on the card.

PLUS: (13) Gold Commodity has gone bang, bang with two impressive wins at Kalgoorlie to start the season and he deserves his chance here. Drawn to lead or position right up behind the speed and from there he will be very competitive.

FOR EXOTICS: (5) On The Warpath, (4) Escape Velocity, (1) Black George, (17) French President, (3) Naku Penda, (14) Irish Wood and (2) La Forza.

BEST BETS Race 5 – No. 6 Vain Strike Race 8 – No. 6 Highest Honour

QUADDIE 1,2,4,6,7,10,11/1,2/4,7,8,9,10,12,13/ 4,5,6,13 ($392) 1,2,4,6/1,2/Field/6,13 ($256) 1,2,4,6/2/7,8,9,10,12/4,5,6,13 ($80) 1,2,4,6/2/8,10,12/6 ($12)

Good luck and good punting! Tune in to all the racing action from the West with the Pr.com Get access to all Western Australia’s metropolitan and country race and trial

replays, Perth Racing preview show, trial reports and much more. Log on to www.perthracing.com.au for more details. Josh Rodder