| What | Kingston Town Classic Day 2021 |
| Where | Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 |
| When | Saturday, December 4, 2021 |
| First Race | 12:05pm AWST |
| Feature Race | Kingston Town Classic – Race 8 |
| Watch Live | |
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Streaming Live at Sportsbet |
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The final Group 1 of 2021, the Kingston Town Classic, takes top billing on Ascot’s nine-race card on Saturday afternoon. HorseBetting’s Western Australian form analyst presents his race-by-race preview and best bets for the day, with odds from Australia’s best bookmakers. The track is rated a Good 4, with the rail out 8m, for the meeting commencing at 12:05pm AWST (3:05pm AEDT).
Race 1: 2YO Plate (1000m)
We were with the Dion Luciani-trained Revitup on November 20 in the Crystal Slipper Stakes, but despite looking like she had the race shot to bits, she found one better late on. She is a two-year-old filly who seemingly loves to dictate terms out in front and make it a genuinely run affair. Considering she is the one with the most race-day experience in the field, with eight of her rivals making their debut, we anticipate a forward showing. If she brings the form of her first two starts, she may just prove too speedy over 1000m.
Selections: 1-6-11-5
Race 2: Graduation Handicap (1200m)
Daniel Morton and Brad Parnham are set to combine with Miss Vasari, who has begun her campaign with consecutive fourth-place finishes. Having been trapped three wide with no cover last time out over the 1000m at Ascot on November 21, she did well to go down by just three lengths. The four-year-old Rogano mare will appreciate stepping out the extra 200m here, and if she can replicate her form from this time last year, there is no reason why Miss Vasari cannot figure in the finish. The key will be getting cover from barrier eight, but if Parnham can achieve that, then we expect a bold showing at a nice price.
Selections: 9-1-4-6
Race 3: RTG 72+ Handicap (1100m)
Our best bet of the day comes up in the RTG 72+ when the Chris & Michael Gangemi-trained Written Matter steps out over 1100m. The four-year-old son of Written Tycoon has three wins from four career starts and returned in fine style over this track and distance on November 13 on the back of a five-month spell. He has form behind last week’s Winterbottom Stakes winner, Graceful Girl, and from barrier five, with Clint Johnston-Porter on board, we expect to see him settled in the one-one with a nice cart into the race.
Selections: 4-1-9-2
Race 4: RTG66+ Handicap (2200m)
Jim Taylor and Laqdar Ramoly combine with Black Shadow, who managed to finish within a length of the smart Pure Devotion on November 20. The field he meets here is no stronger than the one he faced last time out, while Ramoly’s claim brings the weight down to 57kg once again. He seemingly struck traffic at a crucial point on that day, and considering he will need to get back in the field from barrier 10, congestion should not be an issue here. He loves the Ascot 2200m (5: 1-1-2), and the $5.50 on offer looks to be a steal if he delivers anything like his best.
Selections: 2-4-5-7
Race 5: A.J. Scahill Stakes (1400m)
In the Group 3 A.J. Scahill Stakes, we are hoping the Rhys Radford-trained Comfort Me can build on his second-place finish behind Western Empire in the Railway Stakes on November 20. With that horse set to go around as a short-priced favourite in the Kingston Town Classic later in the day, the four-length defeat looks to be one of the better form references going around on Saturday. This five-year-old son of Playing God brings in proven Group 1 form, and if he is anywhere near his best on Saturday, he should get the job done.
Selections: 6-5-4-3
Race 6: Sir Ernest Lee – Steere Classic (1400m)
In the opening leg of the quaddie, we are hoping the Simon Miller-trained Stay Safe will be looking to go one better than his second-place finish in the WA Guineas on November 20. The three-year-old son of Safeguard has three runner-up efforts and a win from four starts this campaign, so he is clearly running in strong enough form to take out a race like this. From barrier five, look for Brad Parnham to Stay Safe him in the one-one before unleashing his sharp turn of foot towards the end of the 1400m.
Selections: 3-2-1-8
Race 7:Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m)
Following her impressive first-up win from a two-month spell, the Michael Lane-trained La Farola looks well placed to bring up consecutive victories here when she steps out in the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic. With the runner-up in her last race, God Has Chosen, subsequently winning last week, the form has been franked. From barrier one, she will need a touch of luck at a crucial point, as she will get back in the field and will need some gaps. If those spaces do arrive, the Deep Field mare will take some beating at a nice price despite the step up in grade.
Selections: 8-9-10-4
Race 8: Kingston Town Classic (1800m)
The 2021 Kingston Town Classic is the final Group 1 of the year in Australia, and many a punter will be hoping William Pike can send them out a winner. The ‘Wizard of the West’ teams up with $1.40 favourite Western Empire for the Grant & Alana Williams stable, with the only danger looking to come from All-Star Mile winner Regal Power.
See our runner-by-runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2021 Kingston Town Classic
Race 9: Graduation Handicap (1600m)
We will be hoping we can round out the day with “Pikey in the last” when WA’s top jockey teams up with the Adam Durrant-trained Expressionist. Having hit the line with great intent over 1800m, the drop back to 1600m is a bit of a concern, but he clearly has above-average ability. From barrier three, we expect William Pike to have this son of Pierro settled in the moving line with cover, and when asked for an effort at the top of the straight, he should prove too hard to hold out over the mile.
Selections: 2-9-7-8
Saturday quaddie tips for Kingston Town Classic Day 2021
| Ascot quadrella selections | |
|---|---|
| Leg 1: | 1-2-3-4-8 |
| Leg 2: | 4-8-9-10 |
| Leg 3: | 7 |
| Leg 4: | 2-7-8-9 |
| Investment: | $80 for 100% |
