Perth’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting is a nine-race card at Ascot on a Good 4 track, headlined by the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1400m. Racing starts at 11:25am local time (2:25pm AEDT). Prices were captured on Monday afternoon.
Our best bet is Official Business in the opener, a horse that has not missed a placing this campaign. Pucker Up in Race 5 is the most likely winner on the card but is very short, so that one suits multis more than a stand-alone bet. Spanish Armada in Race 7 is our value play.
Race 1 - Schweppes Handicap (1100m)
Selection: Official Business Current odds: $2.00
Official Business has won twice and placed at every other start this campaign, and drew barrier 1 here after a solid third at Belmont. The quick back-up is a small query, but this is the most reliable horse in the race and our best bet of the day. Juniper has also placed in all three runs this preparation and is the main danger. Twilight Star improves from a debut fourth at Belmont and has a good gate. Clobberconi is the debutant to watch in the market.
Selections:
- Official Business - $2.00
- Juniper - $6.50
- Twilight Star - $5.00
- Clobberconi - $7.00
Race 2 - Mc Equine Surfaces Handicap (1000m)
Selection: Ace Queen Suited Current odds: $5.00
Ace Queen Suited resumes after 17 weeks and was beaten only half a length at Belmont last start on a soft track. Back to 1000m fresh, Ace Queen Suited looks well placed. Flying Swagman is the favourite after a first-up win this preparation, but faded last time at Ascot and drops in class here. Gabex returns from a 51-week spell off a maiden win at Northam. Scenic George has placed in a trial during his break.
Selections:
- Ace Queen Suited - $5.00
- Flying Swagman - $1.95
- Gabex - $7.00
- Scenic George - $9.00
Race 3 - Bisley Workwear Maiden (1200m)
Selection: Brave Move Current odds: $7.00
Brave Move resumes after 20 weeks, trialled during the break and was third at Belmont before the spell. This is an easier field and should settle handy. Mystic Smile is the favourite after a second at Belmont first-up and comes from an astute stable. Morikawa was just beaten when heavily backed at Northam, and Badger Bob is the roughie from a good draw.
Selections:
- Brave Move - $7.00
- Mystic Smile - $3.40
- Morikawa - $5.25
- Badger Bob - $15.00
Race 4 - Choices By Dallimores Handicap (1800m)
Selection: Razmas Current odds: $3.70
Razmas was fifth last start at Ascot and steps up in distance for the first time while dropping back to a more suitable class, and has early speed, which should help over the 1800m. More Heroic won here last start and is a big danger. Mistress Of War ran sixth at Belmont but can bounce back with an on-pace run. Seindeel draws barrier 1 and should get a soft trip.
Selections:
- Razmas - $3.70
- More Heroic - $6.00
- Mistress Of War - $5.50
- Seindeel - $13.00
Race 5 - Swan Draught Handicap (1400m)
Selection: Pucker Up Current odds: $1.70
Pucker Up was just beaten first-up at Ascot last start and has made a strong start to its career. The clear winner on paper, but at $1.70 this is a multi leg rather than a bet on her own. Secret Planet has placed at both runs this preparation, including a second at Belmont. Noahquintilly finishes well and drops in class. Rising Fame led all the way to win at York and has placed twice at Ascot before.
Selections:
- Pucker Up - $1.70
- Secret Planet - $8.00
- Noahquintilly - $7.00
- Rising Fame - $10.00
Race 6 - Consilium Corporate Handicap (1600m)
Selection: Bourbonontherocks Current odds: $2.15
Bourbonontherocks broke through for a maiden win at Belmont last start and has placed at all three career runs. The most progressive horse in the race. Dixie Doo comes from an astute stable and returns to the city. Pincer Movement is our each-way roughie, resuming after 18 weeks having won first-up last preparation, and drawn well. Bella Violetta has early speed and should be handy.
Selections:
- Bourbonontherocks - $2.15
- Dixie Doo - $3.00
- Pincer Movement - $11.00
- Bella Violetta - $7.50
Race 7 - Hunter Manning Recruitment Handicap (1200m)
Selection: Spanish Armada Current odds: $8.50
Spanish Armada has two wins from six runs this campaign and won last start at York. The price is fair here and our value play of the day, best backed each way. Wiluna Lass has won twice this campaign and drew well. The Nun is the favourite, back in trip after finishing well at Belmont. Catch Carter has improved recently and should go forward.
Selections:
- Spanish Armada - $8.50
- Wiluna Lass - $8.00
- The Nun - $4.20
- Catch Carter - $13.00
Race 8 - Tabtouch Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m)
Selection: Treasured Legacy Current odds: $4.00
The Listed feature for three-year-old fillies looks open. Treasured Legacy was second last start at Ascot, has a good record so far and teams up with Chris Parnham for Michael Grantham. Profit Motive is the favourite after breaking her maiden first-up at Belmont, but she steps up in class. Lady Torque placed as favourite when resuming and has placed in three of four runs at Ascot. Royal Reflection has placed at every start this campaign and is a big price.
Selections:
- Treasured Legacy - $4.00
- Profit Motive - $2.60
- Lady Torque - $14.00
- Royal Reflection - $14.00
Race 9 - Brooks Hire Handicap (1500m)
Selection: Please Mizter Current odds: $5.00
Please Mizter has won three in a row, most recently by over a length at Kalgoorlie. The opposition is tougher here, but Please Mizter should be up near the speed and is in career-best form. Dug Another Hole was second here last time and drops in grade. Playing Solo comes from a strong stable and won at Bunbury earlier this preparation. Miss Billie Jean is the each-way roughie.
Selections:
- Please Mizter - $5.00
- Dug Another Hole - $4.60
- Playing Solo - $5.50
- Miss Billie Jean - $11.00
