| What | Detonator Stakes Day |
| Where | Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 |
| When | Saturday, February 24, 2024 |
| First Race | 12:28pm AWST |
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Visit Dabble |
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The Listed Detonator Stakes will headline a nine-race card at Ascot Racecourse this Saturday afternoon. With warm weather forecast in Perth this week, the track will stay in the Good range for the whole meeting. After racing with the rail in the +12m position on Wednesday, it now moves into the +6m position for the entire circuit. The opening race on Detonator Stakes Day will jump at 12:28pm AWST.
Detonator Stakes Tip: Black Fantasy
The feature race of the day is easily the toughest contest to dissect, with many of the runners returning from a short break after competing in the Group 2 Perth Cup on New Year’s Day. Therefore, we are siding with Black Fantasy from the Daniel & Ben Pearce yard after he won a 1450m barrier trial. This son of Blackfriars ended last preparation with a fifth-place finish in the Perth Cup after a run of three starts where he didn’t miss a place. From barrier 12, Clint Johnston-Porter will follow Marrochino across the field to the lead, settle outside him, and control the race from the front.
Detonator Stakes
Race 8 – 
#4 Black Fantasy (12)
5yo Gelding | T: Daniel & Ben Pearce | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (57.5kg)
+750 with Playup
Best Bet at Ascot: Bonjoy
Jason Miller and Clint Johnston-Porter will combine once again with Bonjoy, who is seeking a hat-trick of wins. The four-year-old mare has been ultra-impressive when recording dominant wins at Pinjarra over 1500m and Bunbury over 1675m. Last time out, this daughter of Maschino settled near the rear of the field before rounding up her rivals by the 200m mark and kicking clear to win eased down on the line. With six of the 10 runners expected to push forward and attempt to lead, Bonjoy will enjoy a strong tempo that will allow her to unleash her impressive turn of foot.
Best Bet
Race 7 – 
#6 Bonjoy (10)
4yo Mare | T: Jason Miller | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (56.5kg)
+160 with Picklebet
Next Best at Ascot: Ruler Rocket
We were with Ruler Rocket when he was a narrow winner over 1000m second-up, and we see no reason to jump off the Bruce Watkins-trained gelding in a similar race. The four-year-old gelding settled behind the speed, and once he got off the leader’s heels, he let down with a strong finishing burst to nab Bayezid in the shadows of the post. After drawing barrier five, this son of Universal Ruler will appreciate another strong tempo and should be able to build momentum around the home turn before finishing strongly down the outside.
Next Best
Race 6 – 
#1 Ruler Rocket (5)
4yo Gelding | T: Bruce Watkins | J: Troy Turner (60kg)
+450 with Neds
Best Value at Ascot: Playing Rio
Playing Rio just held on over the Pinjarra 1413m last time out to record his second straight win. This son of Playing God won by a slightly bigger margin second-up at Ascot over 1400m, when he burst through a gap at the 300m mark and careered away for a strong win. With Jason Whiting retaining the ride from barrier three, the four-year-old gelding should find a similar spot upon settling, and if Playing Rio kicks away with 300m to go, he will prove hard to run down again.
Best Value
Race 9 – 
#9 Playing Rio (3)
4yo Gelding | T: Paul Hunter | J: Jason Whiting (56.5kg)
+1500 with Dabble
Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races
Ascot quadrella selections
Saturday, February 24, 2024
- 1-2-4-8
- 2-6
- 1-2-4-7
- 3-4-6-8-9-11
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