Wednesday racing heads to Ascot with the A.T.A Stakes the feature event.
The A.T.A Stakes is a key lead up to the Perth Cup and a competitive field has been assembled with plenty of converging formlines.
The supporting card also boasts plenty worth keeping an eye on, so don't miss a moment of the action from Ascot, with coverage live and free on 7Plus and Racing WA!
Race 1: QUAYCLEAN MAIDEN (1,000m)
SHMOOV MOOVA (3) hit the line full of running in a recent trial after going down only narrowly in his only start. He maps for a nice run from a good alley and Lucy Fiore hops aboard in a very nice race first-up. Looks open to plenty of improvement and will be storming home hard. GOD SHE'S SASSY (9) was strong on debut before bumping into September Born and failing at Belmont back in July. No trials coming into this but she showed good pace and ability in her debut campaign. Can sit on the speed and prove tough to run down. NICCIMOTA (10) is hard to ignore following an impressive trial in a small field at Belmont recently. The form from her debut campaign reads well and she can put her best foot forward from a good barrier. RULESQUE (2) won a recent trial coming into this and can run up to the talent she's shown at the trials. ALOT OF ROSES (6) is first-up for a year but moved well in a recent outing. Won't be far away.
Race 2: PRO WATER GROUP HANDICAP (1,200m)
SUNSHINE TAFE (5) is building into the campaign nicely after a 0.9L defeat at Belmont most recently. She showed good improvement from her fresh run to her latest effort, and now with the winkers going on she can improve again. Needs a touch of luck from the barrier, but she'll take plenty of beating. PINGERS (9) got the job done impressively first-up and went to another level last start at Belmont when getting into a good race. Should be prominent in the run and can land the knockout blow. HOUSEWIFE (7) wasn't at her best last start at Bunbury but had run better figures prior to that. Manoel Nunes comes across to ride at Ascot today for Team Williams and he's been very successful riding in SA. Nice filly on the way through and can be in the finish. GREAT EDITION (3) bolted in at Bunbury last start and can go on with the job.
Race 3: MORLEY GROWERS MARKET HANDICAP (1,400m)
SIDE SHOW (5) has been racing well without winning, flashing late last start to be beaten 1.1L at Bunbury. He was off a 57-day break there and should be fitter for that run. While he is likely to get back from the draw, he can improve on the recent run and land the knockout blow this time. OISIN (4) was a very impressive winner on debut when running over the top to score by 0.5L at Pinjarra. The rise in trip won't be an issue and he looks to have plenty of class about him. Can go to another level now and remain unbeaten. ROMMEL'S GODDESS (8) got into a good race at Belmont last start though she may not have run out the extra trip. The form out of that race has been strong and she's drawn perfectly coming back in trip. Looks well placed and should be right in the finish. CEILI (6) has gone to another level this time in work, bolting in to score at Bunbury most recently. Can repeat the dose without surprising. I'M CRAFTY (1) scored a nice win last start and won't be far away.
Race 4: MCA POLYTRACK HANDICAP (1,000m)
LIFEISBUTADREAM (4) dipped at the end of last campaign after working through the grades nicely prior. She's turned in a very nice trial behind a horse who has since won in Saturday grade. CJP sticks from the trial and she can return in winning form. CLOSE AT HAND (1) had a good hit out at the trials recently where he got the job done. Nunes rides this gelding too and he was a good run first-up last campaign behind Jokers Grin. Maps for a cosy run and can be getting the job done. ROCKING GEM (8) is another who worked through the grades nicely last campaign and she showed plenty of class in a recent trial. She was a dominant maiden winner prior to the end of last campaign and she should be up front from the draw. Sure to take plenty of catching. HOME JAMES (7) will be fitter for three trials coming into this and won't be far away.
Race 5: RELIABLE ASSET MAINTENANCE HANDICAP (2,200m)
SANTA BRAE (1) dropped back to 1650m last start and wasn't disgraced there following some strong efforts over further prior to that. He can continue to build on those efforts and he is a winner at this track and trip before. Maps beautifully and can return to winning ways. LORD RANDOLPH (3) disappointed last start at Bunbury but he was a good winner in similar company at Belmont two back. Getting back out to this trip looks ideal and he did jump favourite in that midweek event. Should be running on strongly at the finish. QUEEN NARDI (4) steps out to this trip for the first time but it does look to suit. She closed off strongly as favourite at Albany and she has versatility in her racing pattern. Looks nicely placed and won't be far away. BLAISZEN CAZAH (6) is racing well of late though the wide draw is a bit of a niggle. Will go close with some luck. VIRIKAH (7) has plenty of upside and is worth plenty of thought.
Race 6: A.T.A. STAKES (2,200m)
A key Perth Cup lead-up race and ROYAL TORONADO (12) looks to get his chance again. He was very good from a long way back over 1800m last time out following a narrow defeat here two back. Stepping out to 2200m isn't an issue and the form last start has worked out well. Can show his Cup credentials. DIAMOND SCENE (1) was 28-days between runs last start and looked to just hit the wall late when he looked the winner. He did clock some good splits running home there and he'll be better for that effort. Tricky draw, but can go one better this time. IN GOOD ORDER (7) was strong behind Diamond Scene in the Towton Cup when he too was running on strongly. Nicely placed in this event and he shouldn't be far away if he runs to form. DEMOLISH (9) was back to form last start in the Towton Cup and is beginning to show signs of life again. Not willing to dismiss him in this event. SENTIMENTAL HERO (2) bolted in to win the Scahill when dominating from the front and he has to be included.
Race 7: GLENROY CHAFF HANDICAP (1,200m)
SHOOTING SPIRIT (7) won well fresh and ran up to that effort last start albeit in defeat over 1200m at Ascot. He'll need a touch of luck from the draw, though Brad Parnham replaces the apprentice hoop. Building nicely and can go to another level now third-up. CAPRICORN MAN (1) has shown plenty at the trials coming into this and he is a fresh winner in the past. He'll find this easier than what he was racing in last campaign. The 3kg claim comes in handy and if he can find the front, he'll be hard to run down. LONSDALEITE (4) can improve again third-up into the campaign and stepping out in trip looks ideal for him. He's had plenty to do in his first two runs this time in, but he's finishing off strongly and he should be going close if he runs to form. NOBELLITY (9) got the job done as a 25-1 chance last start but she ran strong figures there and she's won 3/6 third-up. Live chance once again. RAPID ROCK (11) won't be far away dropping back to midweek company.
