Saturday Racing Tips - Ascot Racecourse 02/12/23

Racing returns to Ascot this Saturday for a very solid card as the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes is our feature race of the day, a WFA race run over the 1200m for a share of $1.5 million prize money. It is supported by two listed races just before it and I am keen to get stuck into things so follow me below as I outline my best bets for Ascot on Saturday!

(Note: Odds provided by Playup)

Selections:
#3 - Stormchaser (NEXT BEST) - $4.40
#1 - Investmentstrategy - $5.00
#5 - Augment - $3.10
#8 - Miss Rockjoy - $11.00

BEST BET - #3 - Stormchaser (NEXT BEST)
Have to stick with Stormchaser for the Fernie stable here after the way that he won at Bunbury a couple weeks ago over the 1000m where he sat behind them and absolutely throttled them to the line when winning very very well for a first up run. Pike aboard, plenty of upside, likes this trip, hard to knock.

THE DANGER - #1 - Investmentstrategy
Turned around quickly for Neville Parnham is a winning recipe I have seen before and Investmentstrategy comes off the back of a run in the Guineas last saturday where he just couldn’t bridge the gap albeit trying very hard where his stablemate won. I think back from the mile to this distance is much better for him and the way the stable is going you can’t discount him here.

VALUE BET  - #8 - Miss Rockjoy 
One I am happy to entertain at a longer price is Miss Rockjoy for the Olive camp who is just so consistent and I find it hard to get away from at least giving her a chance here. She won four back at Northam and since then just keeps finding a way to place despite having had to overcome some tough challenges in running in her past few. An economical run in transit here should see her go close again.

Selections:
#7 - Duchess Of Gossip (BEST BET) - $2.20
#4 - Rusty Dreams - $4.40
#5 - Amber Glide - $10.00
#6 - Valency - $19.20

BEST BET - #7 - Duchess Of Gossip (BEST BET)
I am happy to be in the corner of Duchess Of Gossip here even though back to 1400m is a bit of s trange move from the stable. She ran in the Jungle Mist two weeks back at this track where she wasn’t ridden with much vigour at all, letting them get a way in front and then coming on but very late. I think the stable clearly wanted her to have a run like that for a reason, the market is onto it as well which adds confidence for me and I think she will come out flying now. 

THE DANGER - #4 - Rusty Dreams
Rusty Dreams is also one that the market is giving another chance to after not being all that in the Jungle Mist that Duchess Of Gossip comes out of but she should probably have finished closer with a different steer that day. I think now she will be stronger late ridden a bit quieter in the run and she has a very good record at this track and trip. Not an overly strong race either.

VALUE BET  - #6 - Valency
Valency comes up at a huge price here even after showing she is up to the steps up in competition in her last run. She recorded a few handy wins on the bounce before taking a six week break from racing then needing the run when resuming. She then stepped out two weeks ago in a strong race here over the 1200m where she clocked some awesome late splits and was powering home down the outside to finish runner up. I think with some luck she can run well above her price tag.

Selections:
#16 - Oscar's Fortune (ROUGHIE OF THE DAY) - $9.00
#1 - Overpass - $3.00
#4 - Hot Zed - $11.00
#15 - Ripcord - $7.50

BEST BET - #16 - Oscar's Fortune (ROUGHIE OF THE DAY)
I am playing Oscar’s Fortune partially due to Pike being aboard at Ascot, partially just due to his skill and partially banking on the fact that the favourite, Overpass, has just been so poor recently. Anyway, Oscar’s Fortune has won four of his five career starts to date and last time out, the race he didn’t win, he was just beaten on the line by a very very promising horse after he laid out a bit early in the run. He’s still learning, but the sky seems to be the limit right now for this horse.

THE DANGER - #1 - Overpass
Overpass is the best horse in this race but only at his best, which he really hasn’t been bringing lately. His run in the Everest saw him have every chance from out front where he just did nothing with it. He has put in some very sharp trials since however and he is clearly better than these at his best but there’s no way I am betting him at this price.

VALUE BET - #4 - Hot Zed
I am a big fan of Hot Zed and I think that his Colonel Reeves win was incredibly sharp when he was wide without cover the trip but just refused to give up and found more late to win in a very strong manner. He should get a very good run here with the way he maps to be just behind the speed, as long as the tempo is on, he’s in the race.

Plan on betting on the races this Saturday? Betting online is surprisingly simple these days, and our Best Bookmakers area is the simplest way to discover the best online betting sites to follow our expert’s tips.

Playup is my top selection for Racing this week as they are providing some of the best overall fixed odds amongst the Australian bookies at the moment for racing. They are also very generous, often offering a number of racing promotions such as money back in bonus bets for 2nd and 3rd for a selected runner in a race of your choosing. They cover all Australian thoroughbred racing and are quite comprehensive in their international racing markets.

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William Pike, the wizard in the West, one of the best jockeys of all time is consistently picking up winners and applying his magic touch to rides till this day and this year he has proven he still has the touch, riding over 1 in 5 rides to victory and almost one in two to place. I have outlined his whole list of bookings for tomorrow’s racing at Ascot below:

R1 - #2 - Pot Shot - $5.00
R6 - #8 - Rusty Spirit - $8.10
R7 - #9 - Wiley Girl - $7.00
R8 - #9 - Western Knight - $46.00
R9 - #12 - Revitup - $7.50
R10 - #8 - Romancing The Rock - $9.00

Ascot is a pretty tricky track and as such I have chosen runners that suit this track, generally being those close to the rail for the sprint distances and those that can settle just off the speed for the mid distance races. Follow me below for a fun bet to track over race day!

Ascot R8 - #7 - Duchess Of Gossip - PLC $1.60
Ascot R7 - #3 - Stormchaser - PLC $1.30
Ascot R9 - #16 - Oscar's Fortune- PLC $2.80

Total Odds = $6.00
$50 Stake = $300.00 Return!

Odds provided by PlayUp, sign up for a new account here to get started.

Our experts have curated a bet type information page which delves into all the different types of exotics betting, check it out for clarification on the different types of exotics betting or just to brush up on your knowledge.

Ascot Racecourse Trifecta Tip (R8)
1st: 4, 5, 6, 7
2nd: 4, 5, 6, 7
3rd: 4, 5, 6, 7

$50 stake = 208% flexi

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If you are looking for the best promotions this week for Wednesday's racing I wouldn’t look past Unibet, often they offer odds boosts in addition to the money back promotions. Don’t forget to check your account as well for personal offers. 

Promotions often change so make sure you sign up at unibet.com.au to see what promotions are applicable to you and you may even be surprised to find some promotions that weren’t mentioned here!