Bet365

Ascot 25 Feb 2017

GOING: G(3)

Lex Piper Stakes 1600m Track: GOOD 4 Clear Rail: Out 9m. (Pent: 6.6).
Easily one of the main highlights of the afternoon with the renewal of the Listed Lex Piper Stakes. Speed anticipated from Veuve De Vega, Ragazza D'Oro, Western Temple and Persistence Time. GATTING got caught on the wrong part of the track last start when making up good ground at Pinjarra over 1200m. Better suited here up to the mile and certainly rates highly on best form. Drawn to receive all the favours and looks to set a decent standard. Veuve De Vega should roll to the lead, Persistence Time has some speed and Western Temple can hold a spot handy on the inside. Even tempo expected. GATTING is versatile and never runs a bad race regardless of the distance. Should get a nice run here just off them and looks the one to beat. DUKEAZZA is the one on the way up coming off a narrow but impressive win over this trip last time out. No surprise to see him measure up. VEUVE DE VEGA is consistent and will give a good account up on the speed again. If he gets this his own way he can take catching. Gangbuster is ready to peak shortly and looks a strong chance also. SUGGESTED PLAY: Keen on Gatting back to the mile saving on Gangbuster.
1	31223	GATTING DARREN MCAULIFFE 10YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG Impressive Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: K S Berry), C R Mathers, H A Money, F W Stanford, S J Trigwell, G J Artemis, N F Viandante, L G Rowland, D Gibson, B J Hayden, V C McKinnel, N A Rampant, D Russell, R K Mason, C J Grover, J Jaworski, N J Magro, M G Paratore, Ms K J Reid & A L Rowland Last outing ran on from midfield; 3rd of 14 starters at Pinjarra 2yo+ C&G-Bm72+ Feb 11 over 1200m, slow track; 1-3/4 len behind Man Booker with 54kg. The start before that; overraced near 1200m; sat on speed throughout then 2nd of 13 runners at this track 2yo+ (Bm66+) Jan 21 over 1800m, 3 len behind Eleven Seconds carrying 54kg. Versatile and in good form. The one to beat.	6 G L SMITH
2	34262	VEUVE DE VEGA S R CASEY 10YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG H W Daly, G E Daly Last outing led throughout and just faded 2nd of 15 runners at this track in the LR Challenge Stks Feb 18 over 1500m, a nose behind Precious Memories carrying 56kg. Run before 6th of 8 runners (jumped awkwardly; blocked for run on straightening; shifted in near 200m) at this track 3yo (Rs1mw) Feb 4 over 1600m, 2 len behind Dukeazza carrying 58kg. Racing well without winning. One of the chances again.	4 P HALL
3	53177	RAGAZZO D'ORO D R HARRISON 10YO B/BR GELDING 55.0KG D P De Largie, G W Hannah, M A Thomas, Mrs R G Thomas, D R Harrison, Mrs J B Harrison Last run sat on the speed throughout before fading 7th of 15 starters at this track in the LR Challenge Stks Feb 18 over 1500m, 3-1/2 len behind Precious Memories carrying 56kg. Run before ran wide near 600m and elevated heart rate; 7th of 10 starters at this track 3yo Hcp Feb 4 over 1200m, 6-1/4 len behind Salorsci carrying 58kg. Place contender.	2 P CARBERY
4	3131	DUKEAZZA SHARON MILLER 10YO BAY GELDING 55.0KG K Reilly, M Reilly, N J Pinner, Mrs S L Miller, A J May, A Cahill Last outing won by a head (jumped awkwardly) this track 3yo (Rs1mw) Feb 4 over 1600m defeating Fontainebleau with 57kg. Start before slowly away (1l) and laid out near 200m; ran on strong from last on the turn; 3rd of 8 runners at this track 3yo (Rs0ly) Jan 18 over 1400m, 3-1/4 len behind Royal Star with 59kg. Looks promising and sure to be competitive.	7 J AZZOPARDI
5	24x23	GANGBUSTER T M ANDREWS 10YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG Mrs J Andrews, K J Gregson, Mrs H H Gregson, R F Drage, Mrs K M Drage, P Fleay, W A Downs & L K Fernie Resuming inconvenienced near 100m; made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 10 runners at this track 3yo (Rs0ly) Feb 8 over 1400m, a nose behind General Husson with 59kg. Second run from a spell shifted in near 200m; 3rd of 15 runners at this track in the LR Challenge Stks Feb 18 over 1500m, a neck behind Precious Memories with 55kg. Nothing wrong with his two runs back. Right in this.	3 JARRAD NOSKE
6	304x5	FINAL SALUTE G & A WILLIAMS 10YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG Mrs A R Smith & R G Smith First-up after three months 5th of 10 runners (inconvenienced early on; eased near turn; blocked for run on straightening) at this track 3yo (Rs0ly) Feb 8 over 1400m, 2 len behind Amaliemoo with 57kg. Previously second-up made ground from midfield; 3rd of 10 starters at this track 3yo Swp in Oct last year over 1500m, 1-1/4 len behind Swedish Memories carrying 55kg. Fitter and expect some improvement.	8 CHRIS PARNHAM
7	31x52	SKY ATLAS G & A WILLIAMS 10YO B/BR GELDING 54.0KG P D Kearney, D N Kearney, J F Kearney, Miss T M Daly & F B Daly Third-up and placed third-up previously. First-up 5th of 13 runners (fractious in barriers; slowly away; laid in near 100m) at Bunbury 2yo+ Hcp (C3) Feb 5 over 1410m, 1 len behind Awesome As with 57.5kg. Second run from a spell 2nd of 11 runners at this track 2yo+ (Rs0ly) Feb 15 over 1600m, 2 len behind Fremond carrying 55.5kg. Each-way claims.	9 B PARNHAM
8	412x2	WESTERN TEMPLE G & A WILLIAMS 10YO CHESTNUT GELDING 54.0KG A M Inglis Fresh up after three months laid out near 100m; led throughout and just faded 2nd of 14 runners at this track 2yo+ Hcp (C1) Feb 15 over 1400m, 3/4 len behind Atlanta Blue carrying 58.5kg. Previously second-up slowly away (1l); raced on speed throughout then 2nd of 14 runners at Northam 3yo+ Mdn in Oct last year over 1300m, 3-1/4 len behind Geiger Gem carrying 56kg. Looks a place hope.	1 S MCGRUDDY
9	66210	PERSISTENCE TIME K A ADAMS 10YO BAY GELDING 54.0KG K A Adams, Mrs L Wilson, J M Wilson, S T Ball, T G Black, G M Johnson, T H O'Brien, W J Clarkson, R J Ellis, P Griffiths, R G Hill, R D Sarich & A G Buchanan Last start jumped awkwardly; sat behind the speed prior to fading 10th of 15 runners at this track 2yo+ (Rs1mw) Jan 28 over 2200m, 5-3/4 len behind Bergantina with 54.5kg. Run before won by a nose Pinjarra 2yo+ Mdn Jan 15 over 2000m defeating Hakuna Matata with 56.5kg. Better than last run suggests but outclassed here.	5 CLINT JOHNSTON-PORTER