TABtouch-Melbourne Cup Day: Ascot And Geraldton
Follow along all of the action at Ascot and Geraldton today, as Digby Beacham brings you his summary of each of the 10 races.
Race 9 is the feature event, the TABtouch-Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m). Snickerdoodledandy, above, took out last year’s edition of the feature.
ASCOT RACE 1 – Get Vaccinated Cup
A rails-hugging ride by Clint Johnston-Porter has enabled Sparkling Blue to win the first event of the day at Ascot, the Get Vaccinated Cup (1100m).
The Foxwedge filly, prepared by Adam Durrant, settled fifth in the field of seven three-year-olds and darted up on the inside of Written Exceed inside the final 150m to win by three-quarters of a length from Astrape.
Magic To Exceed, who breezed outside Written Exceed on his resumption, held on to finish third.
ASCOT RACE 2 – Amelia Park Maiden
The Brian Carey-prepared Mombasa has caused an upset to take out the Amelia Park Maiden (1200m), the second race at Ascot this afternoon.
Now a four-year-old, Mombasa ($19) finished powerfully for Joseph Azzopardi at his first run since April last year to edge out Hart Trader.
Acting God found the line strongly to grab third.
Trainer David Harrison shares his thoughts on Searchin’ Roc’s chances in the @TAB_touch Burgess Queen Stakes later today.
@OfficialRWWA @TABradio @PerthRacing pic.twitter.com/3rb8uvpP4Z
— The Races WA (@TheRacesWA) November 2, 2021
GERALDTON RACE 1 – GWN MAIDEN
Three Sessions led all the way to claim the opening event on Cup day at Geraldton, the GWN Maiden (1200m).
Nicole Hopwood fired the four-year-old gelding out of the gates and absorbed pressure before dashing clear in the straight to beat Be Seated by two lengths.
Debutant Galactic Star rattled home from near last to finish third, just ahead of the luckless Colour Me Quick.
ASCOT RACE 3 – Devil’s Lair Handicap
Golden Bonney proved age was just a number when she upstaged her younger rivals to win the Devil’s Lair Handicap (1600m) at Ascot.
The eight-year-old mare sat outside leader Zadar Rock and fought on under a vigorous Peter Knuckey ride over the concluding stages to nose out race favourite Pambella.
Last-start winner Kentucky Blue, a stablemate of the runner-up, ran well to fill third.
GERALDTON RACE 2 – Geraldton Guardian Handicap
Billy Jack has become the second all-the-way winner at Geraldton, with Natasha Faithfull and Rhona MacPhilomey combining to take out the Geraldton Guardian Handicap (1600m).
The flashy five-year-old found the top soon after the gates opened and was then rated to perfection by Faithfull en route to a comfortable victory, his second from 12 starts.
The Chaser did as his name suggests to finish second, with Cinnamon Run defying his big price to claim third.
ASCOT RACE 4 – Heineken 3 Handicap
Requisition chalked up his first 1100m victory in four attempts, showing a good turn of foot and genuine tenacity to score narrowly in the Heineken 3 Handicap at Ascot.
Lucy Warwick extracted everything she could over the concluding stages of race four to nose out Laqdar Ramoly aboard Bedouin Belle, who has now finished either second or third in 18 of her 39 starts.
Tovarich raced outside the speed that was set by Stable Secret and didn’t surrender in the straight, running third, while Mantelli caught the eye running into fourth.
GERALDTON RACE 3 – TABtouch Handicap
Black Trumpet appreciated a key gear change when causing a boilover in the TABtouch Handicap (1600m) at Geraldton.
Beaten more than eight lengths when last of 10 runners at his most recent outing late last month, Black Trumpet had blinkers fitted today and powered to the line to beat Playing Up and make a mockery of his starting price of $61.
It was the first time Black Trumpet had finished in the money in eight starts. In what was an even race, six of the 10 runners started in single figures.
Buzzoom will be looking to give.trainer Dan Morton back to back wins in the @TAB_Touch Burgess Queen Stakes later today. We got the latest from the in-form trainer.
@OfficialRWWA @TABRadio @PerthRacing @TimW1995 pic.twitter.com/Zjow5dy0UG
— The Races WA (@TheRacesWA) November 2, 2021
ASCOT RACE 5 – Drummond Golf Handicap
Go Forward looks like becoming yet another successful Eastern States purchase for Chris and Michael Gangemi after obliterating his rivals to win the Drummond Golf Handicap (1100m) at Ascot.
A solid third behind Triple Missile on debut in WA midway through last month, the gelding stormed down the centre of the track to win by more than three lengths for Clint Johnston-Porter.
It was only the four-year-old Go Forward’s ninth career start.
Double Jeopardy made speed mare Crypto Queen work for the lead and stuck on well to grab second, with Grand Design nailing down third ahead of Crypto Queen.
GERALDTON RACE 4 – Geraldton Toyota Handicap
Veteran gelding Megadon has chalked up back-to-back Geraldton victories following a sweet ride by teenage apprentice Jett Stanley.
Megadon, who had the services of Brad Rawiller at his most recent start, was ridden patiently after jumping well for Stanley and gunned down the leader Red Epic in the final 50m to snare the Geraldton Toyota Handicap (1600m).
It was Megadon’s seventh win from 54 starts and continues trainer Ashley Maley’s excellent strike rate when travelling horses to Geraldton from his Gingin base.
ASCOT RACE 6 – Seppelt Wines Handicap
Heavily-supported favourite Flicka’s Chance has scrambled home to win the Seppelt Wines Handicap (1400m), his third victory from four starts this campaign.
A beneficiary of Arcadia Grace’s race-morning scratching, Flicka’s Chance ($2.40) had the towball of the leading pair Inflation and Trisuem. He worked hard to rein them in upon turning for home and then withstood the late surge of Rhythm Star to salute by a nose.
Flicka’s Chance’s only blemish this time in was at his latest start, a third to Apple Schnapps on a Saturday.
GERALDTON RACE 5 – Red Dust Holdings Handicap
Apprentice jockey Jett Stanley and trainer Ashley Maley notched a race-to-race double when Warm ‘N’ Fuzzy led throughout to win the Red Dust Holdings Handicap (1100m).
The effortless victory followed consecutive runner-up placings behind Savage One at Geraldton for Warm ‘N’ Fuzzy and came a race after they combined to taste success with Megadon.
A four-year-old son of I’m All The Talk, Warm ‘N’ Fuzzy has now won three of his 11 starts for more than $45,000 in prizemoney.
Passport and Sans Le Sou finished second and third respectively.
ASCOT RACE 7 – Mrs Mac’s Handicap
Mrs America all but assured herself of a start in the Group 3 WA Champion Fillies Stakes (1400m) on Saturday week with a last-gasp triumph in the Mrs Mac’s Handicap (1400m).
A 10-out-of-10 ride by William Pike enabled the three-year-old daughter of American Pharoah to edge out Jay Dee on the line. It was her second win from only three starts and came after she failed at Northam last month over an unsuitable 1100m.
Fellow three-year-old filly Patchwork handled the class rise from a Geraldton maiden win on debut last month very well, finishing third.
Today is Treasured Star’s biggest test to date. Hear from owner and breeder Bob Peters on her prospects in the @TAB_touch Burgess Queen Stakes as well as Real Danger and Mystery Monent.
@OfficialRWWA @PerthRacing @TABradio pic.twitter.com/UAV5VlLdRv
— The Races WA (@TheRacesWA) November 2, 2021
GERALDTON RACE 6 – Byron Bay Here Saturday November 13 Handicap
Ultra-consistent galloper Startrade proved he was up to a tilt in town after yet another impressive performance on his home track.
The five-year-old odds-on favourite burst through the field inside the final 150m to win the Byron Bay Here Saturday November 13th Handicap (1400m) for jockey Kate Southam and trainer Kim Anderson.
It followed his dominant one-length win over Dance Cockey last month and improves his record to six wins and six placings from only 19 starts for more than $100,000 in stake earnings.
Skinnen Tins, who is a multiple metropolitan winner, ran second ahead of Listed Melvista Stakes placegetter Off Wego.
ASCOT RACE 8 – Crown Perth Handicap
Kate Kersley brought a smile to the face of her legendary father Fred after producing a wonderful training performance to guide Light Up The Moon to victory in the Crown Perth Handicap (1800m).
Light Up The Moon was back at the races for the first time since winning a 2000m maiden event at Pinjarra in early January and was far too strong despite covering ground in the run.
The six-year-old mare, having just her sixth career start, beat Buckeye Bullet and The Roan Ranger, who flooded home from last down the centre of the track in an encouraging second-up effort.
GERALDTON RACE 7 – Country Comfort Perth Handicap
Fandazzle has staved off a late surge from Red Cadillac to claim the Country Comfort Perth Handicap (1400m).
Despite rising in grade after placing fourth first-up in a class one event just under a fortnight ago, Fandazzle was able to overhaul the pacemakers Balranto and Rio Rogue and hit the lead in the shadows of the post.
She then had to see off a withering finishing burst from smart last-start maiden winner Red Cadillac to score by a nose.
American Queen was solid in betting and given every hope from Victoria Corver, but could manage only third.
ASCOT RACE 9 – TABtouch-Burgess Queen Stakes
Buzzoom showcased her undeniable quality to win an incident-packed Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m).
The Safeguard filly launched from near last shortly after straightening and her turn of foot allowed jockey Chris Parnham to deny favourite Treasured Star a run at a key moment about 150m from home.
She then burst through to dismiss Belgravia Stakes winner Searchin’ Roc’s and quality filly Flying Missile, who filled second and third respectively.
Buzzoom might not have the profile of some other WA Champion Fillies Stakes-bound fillies, but the Dan Morton-prepared charge has won four of her nine starts and been placed in the other five. She is an equine ATM.
My Fury was fourth, just ahead of fifth-placed Treasured Star.
GERALDTON RACE 8 – Abrolhos Adventures Handicap
Significant Hero has produced a whirlwind last-to-first display to take out the final race of the day at Geraldton, the Abrolhos Adventures Handicap (1200m).
Ridden by Chris Nicoll for experienced horseman Tony Scally, Significant Hero stormed down the outside to record his third first-up victory from six starts. He presented today fresh off no trial, having last run on April 29.
Outsiders Rebellionaire and Delago Dehero filled the minor placings.
ASCOT RACE 10 – TABtouch-Better Your Bet Handicap
Mercanto has always flashed ability and it appears now that he is about to realise his full potential.
Aided by a measured ride from Clint Johnston-Porter, Mercanto surged with intent over the concluding stages to nab Trevern on the line in the TABtouch — Better Your Bet Handicap (1200m), the final event on a massive day’s racing at Ascot.
The four-year-old, an eye-catching first-up winner in class one company fresh, handled the step up to class three grade with a minimum of fuss.
Trevern produced a terrific display off the back of two wins in easier class at Northam, while Safety Bay ran third to continue her good form for trainer Fred Kersley.
Digby Beacham