| What | W.A.T.C. Derby Day |
| Where | Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 |
| When | Saturday, April 19, 2025 |
| First Race | 11:54am AWST |
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Visit Dabble |
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The Group 2 W.A.T.C. Derby will headline the nine-race card at Ascot this Saturday afternoon, where the opening event is scheduled to jump at 11:54am AEST. The track is expected to remain in the Good 4 range with no rain and perfect weather forecast in the lead-up to the meeting. The rail will move back into its true position for the entire circuit.
W.A.T.C. Derby tip: Machine Gun Gracie
Machine Gun Gracie recorded another dominant three-length victory in the Group 3 WA Oaks, where the Justine Erkelens-trained filly was ridden confidently on speed before running away from her rivals late. The daughter of Maschino has beaten up on her fellow fillies throughout this campaign and now she will clash with the geldings in the W.A.T.C. Derby. Given there is no speed expected in this race, Machine Gun Gracie can dominate from the front and win again.
W.A.T.C. Derby
Race 6 – 
#4 Machine Gun Gracie (3)
3yo Filly | T: Justine Erkelens | J: Shaun O’Donnell (55kg)
Best Bet at Ascot: Jaz Session
Jaz Session is a galloper who is in career-best form, following a hat trick of wins in as many starts over 1000m and 1200m at this track. Justine Erkelens and Shaun O’Donnell will combine with this daughter of Sessions for the fifth straight start, seeking their fourth win this preparation. From barrier six, Jaz Session will need to find a back to follow, and if she does, another win will be on the cards.
Best Bet
Race 9 – #7 Jaz Session (6)
4yo Mare | T: Justine Erkelens | J: Shaun O’Donnell (56.5kg)
Next Best at Ascot: Black Ora
After returning with an arrogant victory at Pinjarra when first-up off a 13-week spell, Adam Durrant brings Black Ora to Ascot for the third time in her career. The daughter of Playing God settled behind the speed and received a great run in transit before peeling off the leaders heels to run away from her rivals and record a 2.2-length win. William Pike has retained the ride on Black Ora, and from barrier four, a similar run and result is expected in the opening race.
Next Best
Race 1 – 
#4 Black Ora (4)
3yo Filly | T: Adam Durrant | J: William Pike (54.5kg)
Best Value at Ascot: Pull The Trigger
Pull The Trigger returns from 21-week spell with the benefit of a nice barrier trial over 1000m at Pinjarra on April 7. The Daniel & Ben Pearce-trained gelding settled at the back of the field and ran on strongly in the final 300m under no riding to finish fourth. An in-form Lucy Fiore hops in the saddle for the first time, and if Pull The Trigger can get to the outside of runners on the home turn, the +2000 with horse racing bookmakers will turn out to be a great each-way bet.
Best Value
Race 4 – 
#5 Pull The Trigger (8)
4yo Gelding | T: Daniel & Ben Pearce | J: Lucy Fiore (57kg)
Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races
Ascot quadrella selections
Saturday, April 19, 2025
- 1-4
- 1-2-3-7-9
- 1-3-7
- 1-4-7
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