All eyes turn to the West for the big double at Ascot headlined by the G1 Winterbottom Stakes.
It's been a fascinating race in the last decade with an honour roll that includes the likes of Miss Andretti, Marasco, Takeover Target, Ortensia (twice) and Buffering.
The other feature is the G1 Railway Stakes for the handicappers over the mile plus we also have the running of the G2 W.A. Guineas.
The other feature is the G1 Railway Stakes for the handicappers over the mile plus we also have the running of the G2 W.A. Guineas.
Who's Hot?
Grant Williams is the man to follow in W.A. at the moment because so far this season one of every three of his runners wins and six out of every ten are placed. He's had eight winners across the last four Ascot Saturday meetings.
His best chances tomorrow look to be Neverland (Ascot Race 4 No. 8), Celebrity Dream (Ascot Race 5 No. 10), Arcadia Dream (Ascot Race 6 No. 15) and Delicacy (Ascot Race 8 No. 3).
ASCOT
*** At time of publication the track was rated a Good 4. The forecast is for a mostly sunny day.***
Winterbottom Stakes (Group 1, 1200m, w-f-a)
*** Sheidel is an early scratching ***
"The Scriptures" say - Fast 'n' Rocking: Only one horse in the last decade returned a winning dividend greater than $9 and since the race achieved G1 status in 2011 no winner has paid more than $7.50. All bar two of them drew barrier eight or inside which is not surprising given the sharp turn and short run home at Ascot.
Buffering won this race two years ago at his only appearance here to date. The scratching sees him come into barrier nine and he should have the early speed to cross and lead. His last start fourth (below) in the G1 Darley Classic is good enough to win here. He is the horse best placed at the w-f-a scale and the obvious one to beat.
Lucky Street is a promising looking 3-y-o on an upward spiral. He has five wins and a second from eight career starts but this is a big step up from his win a fortnight ago in a BM78+. Having said that the last four winners of this race were coming off a last start win but no 3-y-o has won since 2002.
Magnifisio has a tremendous record at this track and distance with three wins and three placings including a victory (below) in this very race last year. She has to overcome the extreme outside barrier but jockey Jason Brown has won two of the last three renewals of this race. One of the few who gets a weight advantage from the favourite.
Waterman's Bay was third in this race two years ago and a luckless second last year (below) so if the natural progression continues he should win here. His last run at this track and distance was a second to Black Heart Bart in the Listed Cyril Flower Stakes when conceding him 5kg. The wide draw makes it tough.
Buffering won this race two years ago at his only appearance here to date. The scratching sees him come into barrier nine and he should have the early speed to cross and lead. His last start fourth (below) in the G1 Darley Classic is good enough to win here. He is the horse best placed at the w-f-a scale and the obvious one to beat.
Lucky Street is a promising looking 3-y-o on an upward spiral. He has five wins and a second from eight career starts but this is a big step up from his win a fortnight ago in a BM78+. Having said that the last four winners of this race were coming off a last start win but no 3-y-o has won since 2002.
Magnifisio has a tremendous record at this track and distance with three wins and three placings including a victory (below) in this very race last year. She has to overcome the extreme outside barrier but jockey Jason Brown has won two of the last three renewals of this race. One of the few who gets a weight advantage from the favourite.
Waterman's Bay was third in this race two years ago and a luckless second last year (below) so if the natural progression continues he should win here. His last run at this track and distance was a second to Black Heart Bart in the Listed Cyril Flower Stakes when conceding him 5kg. The wide draw makes it tough.
Fast 'n' Rocking should get a good run from the inside draw and if he can weave through or find a gap he will be charging late. He'll be hoping for a fast run race because that's when he's at his best. The stable has had a good run of success lately with Almoonqith, Extra Choice, Sacred Eye, Keen Array, Stay With Me, Sovereign Nation and Criterion.
Everything else is $12 or better but there are a few who look like they will get soft runs in transit.
Liberty's Gem will be up on the pace making his own luck. He's only missed a place three times and that was at the end of last prep when they tried to stretch him out to 1400m-1600m. He has four wins and a third from five runs here at Ascot including two from two at this trip.
Rock Magic beat a couple of his aforementioned rivals in the G3 Colonel Reeves last start. That was his first win at Ascot in four attempts and he has missed a place at five of his seven 1200m runs. The good barrier helps his chances too but like so many others he is really poorly weighted here.
Silverstream sneaks into the field with the scratching. G1 genius Damien Oliver takes the ride for the previously mentioned Grant Williams stable. He's won his last three in a row since resuming from a spell - all of them here at Ascot - but this looks harder. From the handy gate I expect he'll be closer to the lead now he's stepping up to 1200m.
Rommel won the G2 W.A. Guineas on this day last year (above) and left Disposition and Delicacy in his wake. He's been placed in three of four first-up runs and won the G3 Zeditave Stakes at Caulfield during the Autumn. At a quote of $41 he could be a good roughie for trifectas and other exotic bets.
Liberty's Gem will be up on the pace making his own luck. He's only missed a place three times and that was at the end of last prep when they tried to stretch him out to 1400m-1600m. He has four wins and a third from five runs here at Ascot including two from two at this trip.
Rock Magic beat a couple of his aforementioned rivals in the G3 Colonel Reeves last start. That was his first win at Ascot in four attempts and he has missed a place at five of his seven 1200m runs. The good barrier helps his chances too but like so many others he is really poorly weighted here.
Silverstream sneaks into the field with the scratching. G1 genius Damien Oliver takes the ride for the previously mentioned Grant Williams stable. He's won his last three in a row since resuming from a spell - all of them here at Ascot - but this looks harder. From the handy gate I expect he'll be closer to the lead now he's stepping up to 1200m.
Rommel won the G2 W.A. Guineas on this day last year (above) and left Disposition and Delicacy in his wake. He's been placed in three of four first-up runs and won the G3 Zeditave Stakes at Caulfield during the Autumn. At a quote of $41 he could be a good roughie for trifectas and other exotic bets.
Good punting!
Locky's Selections
1. Buffering
2. Fast 'n' Rocking
3. Waterman's Bay
6. Rommel
3. Waterman's Bay
6. Rommel
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