| What | Ascot Races |
| Where | Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 |
| When | Saturday, April 9, 2022 |
| First Race | 12:04pm AWST |
| Feature Race | Race 8: Group 2 W.A.T.C. Derby (2400m) |
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It is W.A.T.C. Derby Day at Ascot, where nine races are set to be run and won on Saturday afternoon. The track has come up as a Good 4, whilst the rail is in the true position, meaning we are set fair for a perfect day of racing. Recent history shows it has paid to be up on speed at Ascot when the rail is in the true, but as the track has played evenly throughout recent weeks, we expect every runner to get their chance if they’re good enough. Racing is set to commence at 12:04pm AWST.
W.A.T.C. Derby Top Tip – Trix Of The Trade
The Group 2 W.A.T.C. Derby over 2400m is the feature event on Ascot’s nine-race card this Saturday and the Adam Durrant-trained Trix Of The Trade looks the one to beat. Despite being rolled by Saturday’s favourite Alaskan God when they met in the Listed Melvista Stakes on March 26, our guy was giving his rival a 3kg advantage. At set weights on Saturday, it brings Trix Of The Trade right back into calculations and considering he has seven wins and three runner-up efforts in 10 career starts, he is one of the most consistent three-year-old’s going around. From barrier eight, look for Troy Turner to have Trix Of The Trade settled midfield one off the rail. If he is anywhere near his best, then the $2.70 on offer from PlayUp looks to be a steal.
Ascot Best Bet – Harmika
The formidable combination of Adam Durrant and Clint Johnston-Porter are set to combine with three-year-old filly Harmika. The Rogano filly was held up at a crucial time when going down narrowly to Metallon over 1100m, when the leader/winner was able to boot clear in the home straight. Once our filly saw clear air, she hit the line with great intent and arguably was a good thing licked and screamed out as one to follow at her next start. She is yet to miss the top three in six career starts and despite drawing out in barrier nine, we expect that impressive record to stay intact. Look for Johnston-Porter to have her settled midfield in the moving line and when asked for an effort she should be putting away a field like this.
Ascot Next Best – Sniparoochy
Having finished under a length off Harmika and Metallon last time out, the Stephen Miller-trained Sniparoochy clearly looks one of the best bets of the day on Saturday. Having been ridden up on speed last campaign, they opted to ride him quieter last time out and managed to hit the line nicely when resuming from an 11-week spell. Whether they opt to adapt similar tactics on Saturday or use barrier one to their advantage is another thing, but we’re confident Brad Parnham will have the Snippetson filly in a winning position when it counts. She showed a sharp turn of foot last time out and a similar effort from Sniparoochy should prove too good for a field of this calibre.
Ascot Best Value – Soviet Spy
Having not missed the top four in his last seven starts, we are willing to give the Adam Durrant-trained Soviet Spy a push at a double figure quote. He simply found the 1925m a touch too sharp against his rivals, so the step up to 2400m this deep into a campaign looks set to suit him perfectly. He put close to four-lengths on his rivals over the Geraldton 2200m on February 25 and a repeat effort of that run should see him prove too hard to hold out. Soviet Spy hardly knows how to run a poor race and we are more than happy to take the $15 on offer with online betting sites.
Saturday quaddie picks for Ascot
| Ascot quadrella selections | |
|---|---|
| Leg 1: | 5-7 |
| Leg 2: | 2-3-10 |
| Leg 3: | 1-3 |
| Leg 4: | 1-2-3-4-10 |
| Investment: | $60 for 100% |
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