| What | WA Oaks Day 2025 |
| Where | Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 |
| When | Saturday, April 5, 2025 |
| First Race | 12:24pm AWST |
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The Group 3 WA Oaks will headline the nine-race card at Ascot on Saturday afternoon, where the opening event is set to jump at 12:24pm AWST. Although there is rain forecast in the lead-up to the meeting, the track will remain a Good 4 throughout the day. The rail will be in the +7m position for the entire circuit, which will favour on-speed runners.
WA Oaks tip: Machine Gun Gracie
Machine Gun Gracie will go around as an odds-on commodity with BlondeBet in the WA Oaks, and the Justine Erkelens-trained filly has deserved to be so short. The daughter of Maschino was a dominant winner in the Listed Natasha Stakes, leading every step of the way en route to a 3.4-length victory. With conditions expected to favour her more on Saturday, Machine Gun Gracie will only have to maintain her form to win again.
WA Oaks
Race 8 – 
#2 Machine Gun Gracie (7)
3yo Filly | T: Justine Erkelens | J: Shaun O’Donnell (55.5kg)
Melvista Stakes tip: Play Fair
Neville and Chris Parnham will combine with Play Fair for the first time in the Listed Melvista Stakes. This son of Playing God appears to be a stayer in the making, and his last 200m in the J.C. Roberts Stakes was the best of the beaten brigade after he was held up turning for home. Parnham is expected to follow the horse racing bookmakers favourite, Sail Session, at the back of the field, and if he can follow him around the home turn, Play Fair can finish off strongly and turn the tables.
Melvista Stakes
Race 5 – 
#2 Play Fair (6)
3yo Gelding | T: Neville Parnham | J: Chris Parnham (54kg)
Old Comrade Stakes tip: Watch Me Rock
Following their clash in the Listed Grandstand Cup last start, stablemates Watch Me Rock and Fluro Neuro will meet again in the Old Comrade Stakes over 1600m. The son of Awesome Rock was made to wait for a run to appear in the home straight before bursting through late to claim a narrow victory. After drawing barrier five, Watch Me Rock can stay out of trouble, peel off the backs of the leaders, and claim another black-type victory.
Old Comrade Stakes
Race 3 – 
#2 Watch Me Rock (4)
4yo Gelding | T: Grant & Alana Williams | J: William Pike (59kg)
Best Bet at Ascot: West Star
West Star will return from a 23-week spell to compete in a 1200m contest as he seeks to make his claim for a slot in The Quokka later this month. The Simon Miller-trained gelding was an impressive winner of the Listed Belgravia Stakes last start and has returned with a nice trial victory at Belmont over 1000m in readiness for this run. The only negative for West Star is barrier one, but if Chris Parnham can navigate a path off the fence, he will prove too good.
Best Bet
Race 6 – 
#3 West Star (1)
3yo Gelding | T: Simon Miller | J: Chris Parnham (56.5kg)
Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races
Ascot quadrella selections
Saturday, April 5, 2025
- 3-4
- 1-2-4-8
- 2-3-6
- 1-3-5
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