2022 Ted Van Heemst Stakes Day Tips & Preview
Dom To Shoot will contest the Lee Steere Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

2022 Ted Van Heemst Stakes Day Tips & Preview

Feature racing rolls on in the nation’s west on Saturday and the Ted Van Heemst headlines nine races at Ascot!

You can find my complete 2022 Ted Van Heemst Stakes Day Tips below.

Own The Dream Maiden (1400m) – 3:28pm AEDT
No. 10 Feels Playful

Feels Playful only just missed when resuming and looks ready to go one better at Ascot this weekend.

The Mitch Pateman-trained filly finished midfield on debut at Belmont back in June and was immediately put away, and her resuming performance hinted at big improvement.

TBWA Westspeed Platinum Plate (1000m) – 4:08pm AEDT
No. 6 Shell Bell

Shell Bell is another horse that has improved with racing, and she too can break her maiden on Ted Van Heemst Stakes Day.

The Snippetson filly finished fourth at her first two career assignments, and she flashed late to finish a half-length second here a fortnight ago.

She looks to be at peak fitness this week and is further boosted by the booking of William Pike.

Epona Classic (1200m) – 4:48pm AEDT
No. 1 Vane Tempest

Vane Tempest is ready to win, and I think that this looks a perfect race for her.

The Snippetson mare has been up and racing for some time, but she continues to return strong and competitive performances, and she was last seen finishing third behind Buzzoom in the Jungle Dawn Classic.

There doesn’t look to be as much depth engaged in this contest and Vane Tempest can capitalise and record a lucrative win.

best bet
TBWA Stallion Tender Scheme Trophy (1200m) – 5:28pm AEDT
No. 2 Bitofmerit

Bitofmerit takes winning form into the fourth on Ted Van Heemst Stakes Day and looms as the one to beat again.

The Demerit gelding has been terrific since making his debut, winning five of six starts and finding form around some talented gallopers.

His first-up effort this time was amongst his best to date and with natural improvement, he is my best bet on the program.

Westspeed Platinum Sires Stakes (1200m) – 6:05pm AEDT
No. 4 Revitup

Revitup will need some luck in running after drawing awkwardly, but she has bucketloads of ability, and she does look tough to beat.

The daughter of Demerit tuned up with a credible effort for second in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes here last month, before flying home late to strike in an easier race last time.

Fitter third-up and under Pike, this looks a nice feature for her.

each way
Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m) – 6:40pm AEDT
No. 2 Buzzoom

There’s a case to be made for a few of them in this Listed Mile and in my opinion, Buzzoom is the value at around the $7 mark (at publish).

Buzzoom has improved with each of her three starts back from a spell, culminating in a lovely win in the Jungle Dawn Classic last time out.

Getting out to a mile at this point of her prep looks ideal and we can have an each way play at the price.

Westspeed Platinum Cup (2100m) – 7:15pm AEDT
No. 7 Queen Alina

Queen Alina is a clear standout top pick for me in Race 7 on Ted Van Heemst Stakes Day.

The Mahuta mare has hardly put a hoof wrong throughout a busy preparation, recording three wins and as many second placings from her six starts.

She worked home well into second behind East Coaster Coolth over this route last time out, and this looks a very good opportunity for her to go one better.

Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) – 7:55pm AEDT
No. 10 Steinem

The Ted Van Heemst Stakes is a very nice race for Steinem, and a repeat of her Northerly Stakes performance would see her winning.

The Frankel mare has hinted a Group 1 ability throughout her career, and after stripping fitter with some nice performances during the Melbourne spring, including a second placing behind Atishu in the Matriarch Stakes, she worked home well to place in the last Group 1 of the year.

The 2100m looks ideal at this point of her prep and she is drawn to receive every chance from barrier 3.

Westspeed Platinum Mile (1600m) – 8:35pm AEDT
No. 3 Trade War

Not the easiest way to end the day from a betting perspective, but warm favourite Trade War does look capable.

Trade War finished second in a couple of 1400m contests here at Ascot two and three runs back, and charged through to score last time out.

He’s rock-hard fit and I am keen to see what he can do over the mile this week.