Ascot Racing Tips: Wednesday, February 24th

Odds Last Updated: February 25, 2021, 11:21am (AEDT)

The obvious selection here is (8) Real Charisma, who comes into this off consecutive placings behind Hot Zed and Hell’s Belle, where she ran the fastest final 400m of the entire meeting despite sitting a touch wide throughout. You can leave me out of backing her at $1.65 though.

Tip: (8) Real Charisma $1.60 Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: No bet

Odds Last Updated: February 25, 2021, 11:21am (AEDT)

Another shortie in the cerise and white here with (8) Antique Jewel who has placed in her past three starts at $2.50, $1.95 and $1.80. I thought she was only plain last start when pipped late along the inside. She had every conceivable chance to get there but didn’t show much turn of foot. With that in mind, I’m actually keen to be against her here.

(1) Surveillance has had nine starts for six placings. He drops big time in grade today from the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy (won by Gemma’s Son) to a midweek maiden. He’s run 2^nd in both second up runs of his career and from barrier 9 I suspect they’ll be coming across in search of the lead. IOf he can kick at the top of the straight with the rail out 14m, he might be tricky to run down.

Tip: (1) Suveillance $3.80 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 1 unit WIN Surveillance

Odds Last Updated: February 25, 2021, 11:21am (AEDT)

(4) She’s Enchanted started odds on first up but was given absolutely no hope. She had 3kg apprentice Madi Derrick on board and she just got caught in traffic back in the field. I’d be forgiving her off that and respecting her starting price against horses like Grand Design, who she meets again today. She’s Enchanted started $1.95 while grand Design started $10, yet today they are $3.60 and $3.50 respectively. Senior jockey goes on today and we’re getting a better price, so happy to play.

(8) Shackleton was absolutely legless before improving significantly at his first start for the new stable last time out. The form out of that meeting is very trappy because the track was an absolute bog, but it was a good effort by the horse given he’d never done anything from five previous starts on rain-affected ground. His record over the track and distance is good and if he is able to reproduce a similar performance at his second start for this trainer, he’ll give this a good shake at double figure odds.

(6) Bosnipp should kick through to get a good run from the inside gate. Was only run down late by Vane Tempest last start, which is a very good form line for this.

(5) Excelestial is capable, while (2) Kennedy has his first run for the new stable (same stable as Shackleton) and could improve, but there might not have been enough time between runs for that to happen yet.

Tip: (4) She’s Enchanted $3.60 Ladbrokes

Value: (8) Shackleton $11 Ladbrokes

Betting Strategy: 1.5 units WIN She's Enchanted, 0.5 units WIN Shackleton

Odds Last Updated: February 25, 2021, 11:21am (AEDT)

Buttering up again on (6) Born To Try, who I’ve been with in her past two starts, but surely today is the day! She was good two starts ago at Pinjarra when things didn’t quite go right, and she just found one a touch too strong at Bunbury last start. Chiclett was the horse that beat her and she goes pretty good, and they put 2.5L on the rest of the field. Third run now for the Lindsey Smiths table, Chris Parnham sticks with, and barrier 8 will likely see her go back and loop the field, which actually isn’t the worst thing with the rail so far out (momentum can be key).

(3) Hip Wiggle comes here on the three-day back up after racing at Pinjarra on Sunday. She didn’t really get the clearest run in the straight but finished off OK when she eventually got clear running and was put under pressure. She’s undefeated at this distance. A stronger jockey booking would have had me keener but in any case, she looks a good chance today.

The blinkers go on (1) Sheikh It for the first time and second up at the mile should suit. He started $4.40 first up behind Downforce and he has to be respected in this.

(8) Scintillating next best.

Tip: (6) Born To Try $3.00 Sportsbet

Saver: (3) Hip Wiggle $6.50 Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: 2 units WIN Born To Try, 0.5 units WIN Hip Wiggle

Odds Last Updated: February 25, 2021, 11:21am (AEDT)

Gee this looks a good race for (1) Indominus, who drops back to a Class 1 after racing in Class 3, No Metro Wins and Graduation Handicaps for his past five starts. He has been running well in those races but this looks his easiest assignment for quite some time. He should get a decent run from barrier 3 and with even luck, I’m confident he’s the horse to beat.

(5) Reveuse should come across from barrier 12 to lead or sit outside the leader and he’ll take some running down.

Tip: (1) Indominus $2.50 Bet365

Betting Strategy: 2 units WIN Indominus

Odds Last Updated: February 25, 2021, 11:21am (AEDT)

With even luck, (4) Triple Missile should be winning this. He was impressive on debut back in September and returned with another good effort when winning first up here over 1000m two weeks ago. He defeated Fish Hook and Secret Plan on that occasion, which might turn out to be decent form, despite Fish Hook failing at its next start. The step up to 1200m should suit this horse better than the 1000m and provided he gets a decent run from the wide gate, I suspect he’ll continue his winning run.

Tip: (4) Triple Missile $1.55 Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: No bet

Odds Last Updated: February 25, 2021, 11:21am (AEDT)

(9) Regal Poyse looks ready to win and she should appreciate the drop back in grade to a No metro Wins race. She was only 2.4L off the winner in the Pearl Classic at Pinjarra last start, and prior to that was narrowly beaten in a Graduation Handicap over this track and distance. Barrier 11 is a bit tricky but Chris Parnham retains the ride and she should be fighting out the finish.

(3) Pablo’s Poem didn’t get a whole lot of luck first up in a 66+ race. He was well backed in that race and he will find this significantly easier. The query is he hasn’t won in a long time now (since September 2018) so you really have to take him on trust at that price.

Tip: Regal Poyse $5.00 Sportsbet

Betting Strategy: 1 unit WIN Regal Poyse

Odds Last Updated: February 25, 2021, 11:21am (AEDT)

(2) Lording was one of the bigger runs you’ll see in defeat last start. He was under the stick at about the 600m and looked gone, before flying home to be beaten the barest of margins on the line. He’s third up from a spell now and has the ability to win a race like this. The issue is where he gets to in the run from barrier 12, especially with the rail out 14m.

(6) General Grant won on debut at Bunbury, defeating Antique Jewel. There is some decent depth to this race so he’ll need to improve to win again, but can do so.

(9) Calag and (12) Daring Soleil come off good first up runs, while (11) Pure Dynamite started favourite last start and should be respected, even though he’s only won once from 21 starts now.

Tip: (2) Lording E/W $6.10 Sportsbetting

Betting Strategy: 1 unit E/W Lording