| What | Ascot races |
| Where | Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 |
| When | Saturday, March 22, 2025 |
| First Race | 12:29pm AWST |
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The Listed J.C. Roberts Stakes, Natasha Stakes and Grandstand Cup will headline the massive nine-race card at Ascot on Saturday afternoon. The track is expected to remain in the Good 4 rating that was posted at the time of acceptances, with perfect weather forecast in the lead-up to the meeting. The rail will be in the +3m position for the entire circuit, with racing scheduled to kick off at 12:29pm AWST.
J.C. Roberts Stakes tip: Superfluous
Simon Miller and William Pike will combine with Superfluous for the second straight start, as they seek to go two better in the J.C. Roberts Stakes. The daughter of Needs Further jumped sharply in grade from her maiden win to Listed company in the Lex Piper Stakes, where she finished third over 1600m. With little to no speed expected in this contest, Pike can push forward and settle behind the leaders on Superfluous, peel off their backs on the home corner, and let him finish off strongly.
J.C. Roberts Stakes
Race 8 – 
#9 Superfluous (9)
3yo Gelding | T: Simon Miller | J: William Pike (54kg)
Natasha Stakes tip: Machine Gun Gracie
Machine Gun Gracie has finished in the top two in each of her three career starts, and she was very good in the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas. The Justine Erkelens-trained filly looked as though she was beaten at the 300m mark, but she kicked back late to finish half a length behind Glasgow Lass, indicating that a rise in trip will suit her. Shaun O’Donnell will get an uncontested lead on Machine Gun Gracie, and if she gives a strong kick turning for home, she will give her rivals something to chase.
Natasha Stakes
Race 7 – 
#6 Machine Gun Gracie (4)
3yo Filly | T: Justine Erkelens | J: Shaun O’Donnell (54kg)
Grandstand Cup tip: Fluro Neuro
Fluro Neuro brought up a hat-trick of wins with a dominant performance as a heavily-backed favourite with horse racing bookmakers, where he won by a length over 1400m at Bunbury. The Grant & Alana Williams-prepared gelding has been racing on speed of late, which has seen a turn around in his form. Clint Johnston-Porter will retain the ride in the Grandstand Cup, and if he can replicate his steer from last start, Fluro Neuro will win again.
Grandstand Cup
Race 6 – 
#4 Fluro Neuro (3)
5yo Gelding | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (59kg)
Best Bet at Ascot: Jaz Session
Jaz Session bounced back from a close runner-up finish first-up with a narrow but convincing victory second-up, when the Justine Erkelens-trained mare held off her rivals over 1000m at this track. This daughter of Sessions will be better for her first two runs and should be going into this race at peak fitness. If O’Donnell can settle in the one-one position from barrier six, Jaz Session’s turn of foot will give her every chance to go back-to-back.
Best Bet
Race 1 – #2 Jaz Session (6)
4yo Mare | T: Justine Erkelens | J: Shaun O’Donnell (56.5kg)
Next Best at Ascot: Success Play
Neville and Chris Parnham sprung somewhat of a surprise with Success Play by leading all the way over 1690m at Bunbury on March 8. The son of Playing God was never challenged throughout the run, and after Parnham lifted the tempo, his mount responded and kicked away from his rivals in the concluding stages. With no other speed influence engaged in this race, the +500 with PlayUp is a great bet for Success Play to record another frontrunning victory.
Next Best
Race 3 – 
#2 Success Play (7)
6yo Gelding | T: Neville Parnham | J: Chris Parnham (58.5kg)
Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races
Ascot quadrella selections
Saturday, March 22, 2025
- 3-4-5
- 1-4-6-7-9
- 1-2-9
- 1-5-8-9
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