Gold Coast Race 2 Tip #12 Skins $3.40
A dual acceptor for trainer David Vandyke, who has elected to run in this Class 6 and looks very well suited first-up getting in with only 54.5kg.
He has an excellent record to date with 3 wins from 5 starts and was placed in his other two runs.
First-up is no concern for this lightly raced Sepoy gelding, as he has a win and a second placing from two fresh attempts.
He kicked off last preparation finishing hard to run 2.25 lengths second to the speedy mare Sugar Boom.
That looks a good form reference here, as she is a short priced favourite in the Open handicap sprint in the following race.
They will go hard early, which will play into the gelding's hands and enable him to demonstrate his acceleration to run them down late.
Moonee Valley Race 5 Tip #2 Cherry Tortoni $1.90
It was a flashing light run last start in the Australian Guineas, where he couldn't quite reeling in the $301 winner Lunar Fox.
As expected that day, he was snagged back from barrier 15 and charged home from out wide to miss by 0.5 length.
That run suggested the step up in trip to the Cox Plate distance of 2040m is ideal.
He'll once again settle back in the pack, but has the quality to overcome his rivals.
The 20mm of rain forecast for Saturday will further help his cause. He enjoys the sting out of the ground and any rain should advantage those peeling wide on the turn.
Moonee Valley Race 4 Tip #3 Ancestry $2.80
Brilliant short course sprinter who should be able to dominate this race from the outset.
He'll find a lot less pressure than when he led and tired in the Oakleigh Plate.
He's won seven of his last nine starts and he loves the Valley with four wins from seven attempts.
He relishes the wet, so any rain increases his chances.
Gosford Race 1 Tip #3 Hasalake $2.80
She looked to be a nice filly in her first preparation but failed to put a win on the board.
Given time to mature, I expect her to win very soon and measure up in some stronger races.
I think she will be better over further but she has the ability to go forward and make this a strongly run race and prove too good.
Rosehill Race 1 Tip #4 Great House $2.10
Can’t believe they are offering up black odds about this lightly raced, Chris Waller trained import.
His Australian debut was strong, when running third behind High N Dry and Hassletoff where he was simply outsprinted.
Waller brought him back to Sydney, putting him in a harder race with a light weight and he did the rest scoring an impressive victory over the 2000m at Rosehill.
Last start, he was a month in between runs and looked to die on his run late, after recording the fastest 400-200m split of the race (11.06s).
He presents here with the blinkers on for the first-time, as well as bubble cheekers and earmuffs. He meets a midweek BM78 field, gets the in-form Tommy Berry onboard and draws a great gate to sit further forward.
Looks a great bet to kick off the day!
Ascot Race 3 Tip #4 Double Spice $4.20
Forget Double Spice went around last start. He drew 13/13 that day and had to go back to last, which is against his racing pattern and he was no better than 3 and 4 wide working the trip.
Double Spice did beat Castillo Del Lago first-up, who has since placed in a Listed race and he ran second to Scooter's Machine who is racing well this time in.
The 4.8-length margin to Bruce Almighty last time they met can easily be turned around with a more favourable run, and he gets a 2kg weight swing to boot.
He's normally a horse who has two weeks between runs and he has had a 3 week break this time, which should help keep him slightly fresher.
Bruce Almighty will lead from barrier 1 and from barrier 3, McGruddy will have Double Spice comfortably in the first four, ideally in the 1x1.
From there, he'll do no work and McGruddy can get him out and moving from the 600m.
Expect him to knuckle down late and he looks a good thing.