3 minute read

Best Bets for Ascot's first meeting of the season.

An exciting card has been assembled as racing returns to Ascot to open their season for 2024.

After a couple of hot days in Perth, Saturday's weather looks perfect with the track currently rated a Good 4 with the rail out 2m the entire on Thursday morning.

We see the next generation in the opener, with the two-year-olds lining up for their debut performance and we'll get some 'Pinnacles Pointers' later through the card with big fields and competitive racing on offer.

The feature of the day is for the three-year-old's over 1000m, the Max Simmonds Stakes.

West Star comes up the early favourite for Chris Parnham and Simon Miller following an impressive campaign where he went two-for-two, winning by a combined 7.75L at Belmont.

He hit the line nicely in his recent trial and while barrier 14 is a slight niggle, he ticks plenty of other boxes away from that. He has plenty of untapped potential and can pick up where he left off.

West Star will be giving away race fitness to Sinful Living who brought up back-to-back wins last start, winning a BM66+ at Belmont. Pike remaining in the saddle is a big tick and she's drawn better than West Star today. She can roll to the front and take some catching. 

It's a very intriguing race, but one worth sitting back and learning something for the future.

One we're not sitting back and learning from is race seven on the card where ESPRIT GARCON lines up as my Best Bet of the day.

He was very impressive in his last campaign, including a dominant win at this course and distance as a $1.90 chance.

His recent trial was super when running on from the back against some smart types and a lot of the rivals he faces on Saturday are looking for further, whereas Esprit Garcon is sharp and effective over this trip.

While he'll be back in the run, there should be a genuine tempo and Noske can drag him to the outside for the big grey to fly down the outside and get the job done.

He'd be a much shorter price had he drawn a better gate.

Waiting until the last of the day for my Next Best of the card with the resuming ALMIGHTY CLASS the one to beat.

He was very unlucky not to win first-up last campaign as a $1.55 chance when held up in the straight and flashing late to just miss.

He's now a $2.90 chance and while there is some depth to this race, his ceiling remains high and the best may still be yet to come from this four-year-old with just six starts to his name.

Almighty Class will be fitter for two trials entering this event, winning both in fine style. Drawing off the inside looks a big key to his chances being a rather large galloper and he can get back to winning ways on resumption.

The Best From The West

Best Bet: Race 7 $5 ESPRIT GARCON @ $3.40*

Next Best: Race 9 #6 ALMIGHTY CLASS @ $2.90*

*Prices correct as of 4pm, October 10th.