| What | Damien Oliver Gold Rush Day |
| Where | Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 |
| When | Saturday, December 16, 2023 |
| First Race | 12:29pm AWST |
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The Group 3 Damien Oliver Gold Rush will headline the final day of The Pinnacles at Ascot this Saturday afternoon. With warm weather forecast across the weekend, the track should remain in the Good range for the whole nine-race program. The rail will be moved from the +8m position from last Saturday to the +4m position for the entire circuit, with racing to get underway at 12:29pm AWST.
Starstruck Classic Tip: Rusty Dreams
Last start, Rusty Dreams made up a lot of ground from the back of the field to finish second behind Baby Paris in the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic. This daughter of Universal Ruler has shown versatility in her racing, as she can go forward and sit on-speed or settle last and run on strongly. With little speed engaged in this race, Damien Lane should be able to push forward and settle just ahead of the main dangers, which could prove pivotal.
Starstruck Classic
Race 4 – 
#2 Rusty Dreams (6)
4yo Mare | T: Michael Lane | J: Damien Lane (56.5kg)
+240 with Picklebet
Best Bet at Ascot: Billy Ray
Last weekend, Billy Ray dropped back from Group 3 level to a 1600m Benchmark 78+ and was very good behind the in-form Starry Heights. Backing up seven days later, the son of Sebring steps down in grade again to a Benchmark 72 but will only rise 1kg in the weights. With Michael Poy retaining the ride and jumping barrier four, this gelding should be able to settle midfield off the rails and work his way into the race around the home turn.
Best Bet
Race 3 – 
#2 Billy Ray (4)
6yo Gelding | T: Luke Fernie | J: Michael Poy (59.5kg)
+220 with Neds
Next Best at Ascot: Devine Belief
David Harrison-trained Devine Belief was a dominant winner over 1000m on December 2, running away from his rivals to record a two-length victory over Baalbek. This four-year-old mare won her only prior second-up start and will enjoy the rise in trip to 1100m in a slightly stronger race. Damien Oliver jumps in the saddle, and from barrier seven he will push forward and settle in the one-one position before peeling off the leader’s back to take control in the final 200m.
Next Best
Race 7 – 
#7 Devine Belief (1)
4yo Mare | T: David Harrision | J: Damien Oliver (56.5kg)
+320 with Boombet
Best Value at Ascot: Full Of Merit
Full Of Merit finally broke her maiden on December 3 in Pinjarra, where she sat outside the leader before taking over at the top of the home straight to win by 1.3 lengths over 1500m. This weekend, jockey Holly Watson will look to push forward from barrier one, take a solo lead and run the race to suit her mount. If Full Of Merit can get away with some cheap sectionals through the middle of the race, she will prove very hard to run down.
Best Value
Race 2 – 
#11 Full Of Merit (13)
4yo Mare | T: Dion Luciani | J: Holly Watson (54kg)
+1500 with Dabble
Saturday quaddie tips for Damien Oliver Gold Rush Day
Ascot quadrella selections
Saturday, December 16, 2023
- 5-9-10
- 7-9-11
- 1-5-13
- 2-4-5-16-18
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