Several debutants will be stepping out in this maiden race, while several others have been unable to win in many starts. I’ll be happy to stay out and wait for Race 2.
No Bet
Real Grace is on debut, but she could hardly have been more impressive at the trials and can make a winning start to her career. The I Am Invincible filly was settled off the pace at Lark Hill and weaved through the field late to find the post first. William Pike takes the ride from the ideal barrier 6.
2 Units Real Grace
Festival Miss will take winning form into the third on WA Oaks Day and looks well placed to make it two in a row. The Bernardini mare has continued to improve with each effort back from a spell and was rewarded for her form with a lovely win in 66+ company here at Ascot a fortnight ago. She looks to be at peak condition for this race and will take beating with on 55.5kgs in tow.
2 Units Festival Miss
Deacalda hasn’t been seen at the races for close to a year, but she looks excellent at the trials recently and can make a winning return. The Sizzling mare was a strong and consistent performer for Simon Miller last time in, recording two wins and two minors from her four starts. Pike takes the ride and I can’t find a reason why the horse won’t be in the finish.
4 Units Deacalda
Mystery Miss has improved for two starts this time and is ready to win at Ascot on Saturday. The Animal Kingdom mare needed the run but was still good to the line when fifth first-up last month and she was last seen filling the minors in a 72+ race over a mile. She can slot in behind the early pace from barrier 8 and will have the advantage of a claiming apprentice in the saddle.
2 Units Mystery Miss
Bogart has returned to the races in excellent form and the Melvista Stakes looks his race to lose. Having won when resuming, the Redoute’s Choice gelding didn’t fire in the Listed Piper but responded with another quality effort to finish a close second in the Listed JC Roberts over 1800m. The rise in trip will suit and he probably wins, but he’s too short for me at $1.60.
No Bet
Kitgum has been a model of consistency this time in and the seventh on WA Oaks Day looks another lovely race for him. The four-year-old son of Thorn Dancer hasn’t finished worse than second at his last five appearances and was an impressive winner at Pinjarra two back before just being pipped late in a tougher race here last time out. He’s rock-hard fit and drawn ideally with the benefit of Chris Parnham booked to ride.
2 Units Kitgum
This looks like being one of the more open races on WA Oaks Day and there is a case to be made for more than half of the fourteen confirmed starters.
It is fair to say that Heavenly Affair hasn’t shown her best form this time, but she’ll be fitter for two runs since resuming and I’ll be happy to have something small on each-way, at a big price ($17 at publish). The Playing God was outstanding last time in, winning four races in succession. She’s struck some strong fields so far, but this does look her best chance of winning to date.
1 Unit E/W Heavenly Affair
It’s all about Tuscan Queen in this year’s WA Oaks and it would take something going seriously wrong to see her miss out of winning. The Fastnet Rock filly has been a strong and consistent performer throughout her racing career and was last seen winning the Listed Natasha Stakes with ease, beating to the line most of these rivals. She should be winning, but is showing WA Oaks odds of $1.40 at publish, so I am happy to watch.
No Bet
This is another wide-open contest and a tough way to end the day from a betting perspective. Absolutely nothing when right for Smarty when resuming and she is far better than the $17 on offer at publish suggests, while I’m also confident she’ll improve for that first competitive hit-out. The Galah mare was a great horse for the stable last time in, ending her prep with four-consecutive wins.
1 Unit E/W Smarty