3 minute read

The Colin Webster trained Crystal Valley is airborne this preparation and appears well placed to break through at Ascot on Saturday.

Having raced with little luck this time in, Crystal Valley continues to race well and while her racing pattern is low percentage, she should get things run to suit on Saturday.

While only a winner of three of her 14 starts, she has placed on a further four occasions, including her last three starts.

A sectional star all the way through, Crystal Valley was only narrowly edged out at this track last start over 1800m.

Successful in returning a new career peak, she now appears set to relish the step up to 2100m.

When assessing Timeform weight adjusted ratings, Crystal Valley sits clear and only looks to have to hold her form to be right in the finish again.

From the inside draw, hoping Turner can settle her a touch closer and with even luck, she should prove very hard to beat.

Star mare Mikimoto is set to make her long awaited return on Saturday, now under the care of Adam Durrant.

Formerly trained by Team Williams, Mikimoto displayed well above average ability, winning three of her four starts, her only blemish coming when finishing a narrow third in the 2017 WA Champion Fillies Stakes [1600m].

On that occasion she went down as the 4-6 favourite and certainly lost no admirers.

Off the scene for 427 days, she looked sharp in her sole public trial, coasting to the line under Pike.

Without question she is the best horse in this race, by a long way.

However from the wide draw, she is expected to be dragged back to last and spotting them all a start on straightening.

It screams they will probably just be giving her a hit-out and wanting to see her hit the line, however at the price, happy to take the gamble, though I do expect her to continue to drift.

Her biggest SP to date has been $2.75 and we could be staring down the barrel of getting better than 3-1 on Saturday.

Case and point, if she is close to her top, she will blow these away – fingers crossed she is ready!

Best From The West

BET OF THE DAY (1): Race 4 #6 Crystal Valley @ $3.50

BET OF THE DAY (2): Race 8 #7 Mikimoto @ $4.00