Group 2 racing returns to the nation’s west on Saturday for an exciting edition of Ted Van Heemst Stakes Day at Ascot. We’ve so far been treated to an outstanding and lucrative edition of the Perth Summer Carnival and there’s plenty more to be taken in on Saturday’s card. The feature race has drawn a quality field including Group 1 winner Galaxy Star and consistent performer Gatting.
Seven runners have been confirmed in the field for the first and I am happy to jump on the Market Ruler ($3.50) train following her impressive last-start performance. The Universal Ruler filly clearly needed a couple of runs and was slightly outclassed at Listed level upon resuming, but she was an easy winner over 1000m here at Ascot a fortnight ago and is rock-hard fit for this assignment.
Nine horses remain in contention for the second on Ted Van Heemst Stakes Day but it really does look like Nordic King’s race to lose. Nordic King ($1.60) has recorded two easy wins from as many starts this time and will only improve third-up. With William Pike in the saddle and at a mile, he can settle in a nice position and will be tough to hold out. He’s far too short for me at his current price and I am happy to stay out.
Eight have been confirmed in the field for the third and betting suggests that it will be a race in two between Angelic Ruler and Assetro, who share the top line at $2.60 quotes. Angelic Ruler has recorded three wins and two minors through her six career starts so far and resumed this time for a dominant win over 1200m here last week. Assetro has not been seen at the races since April, but she is yet to taste anything but success first-up and has had the benefit of a Belmont trial leading into this race, and William Pike in the saddle. I’m happy to be with Angelic Ruler and her fitness edge in this small handicap race.
The run of short priced favourites continues in the fourth and The Big Show has already received plenty of interest in betting; firming $3.15 into $1.90 at publish. The Frost Giant gelding has posted two wins through his three most-recent starts but was utterly dominant at this track and distance last time out and beat his rivals by more than five lengths. A repeat of that effort would see him winning again, but I wouldn’t want him any shorter than his current price.
A far more open affair in the fifth and a case to be made for several runners in betting. Former Lindsay Park galloper Dam Ready ($16) failed to fire last time out, but he reportedly had issues with a tongue tie in transit and can atone here. The More Than Ready gelding did string together two impressive wins through late November and earlier this month, and if he can recapture that form he’ll be tough to beat. Dutch Spy ($7) has not been seen at the races since January, but he has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his career and has trialled well. Ambiente ($3.70) has been charged with carrying topweight, but was outstanding last time in and is drawn ideally in barrier 3.
The feature race has drawn nine stayers this year and Group 1 winner Galaxy Star is set to jump a clear odds-on favourite. Galaxy Star resumed for a close-up second in the Group 3 Northerly Stakes (1400m) before winning both the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) in succession. She was also impressive to the line for third in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) two weeks ago and with even luck, will be fighting out the finish with William Pike aboard. I’m keen to take on Galaxy Star and have landed on the Darren Mc Auliffe-trained Gatting ($7), who has been finishing off his races extremely well this time. The Hard Spun gelding won the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) first-up last month and has since finished second in the Railway Stakes and fourth in the Kingston Town Classic. There is no doubt that he’ll enjoy a step up in trip and he’s ready to fire fourth-up.
The day’s only other black type feature has drawn a good field of twelve fillies and mares but Celebrity Dream ($2.10) will be tough to beat. Celebrity Dream continued to improve through her first few starts this time and finished second in the Listed Jungle Mist Classic (1200m) two starts back before defending her crown in the Listed Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m) last time out. She’s a proven performer at a mile and with luck from her wide draw, she’ll be winning again.
A pretty tough way to end the day from a betting perspective and a case to be made for several runners in the market. I’m leaning towards the Martin Allan-trained Neurological ($5), who returns from a freshen-up after failing to fire last time out. The Gingerbread Man gelding strung together three wins prior to his most-recent effort and typically runs well fresh.