Ascot   20 Dec 2025
 
GOING: S(5)

TED VAN HEEMST STAKES 2100m

Track: SOFT 5   Clear (Max: 29)   Rail: +5m Entire.  

Strong tempo expected from Red Sun Sensation, Diamond Scene and Hoba West. The feature of the day and the final Perth Cup lead up. The Northerly looks the form to follow and this shapes much better for APULIA (1) who got a long way back there and never featured. He now draws inside for Pike and gets out to his pet trip. Can sit much closer this time around and get back to winning ways. DIAMOND SCENE (3) beat home Apulia in the Northerly when sitting on the speed throughout. He now gets CJP back in the saddle and his Railway run two back was very impressive. Ticks plenty of boxes here and can stamp his Perth Cup credentials. IN GOOD ORDER (9) won this race last year and shapes similarly this time around. He comes into this as good as he was going 12 months ago and Chris Parnham hops in the saddle now. May need some luck from the draw but he rates a leading contender on his recent form. SENTIMENTAL HERO (4) is better than we saw in the Northerly and can feature. HOBA WEST (10) is in winning form and can't be discounted. SUGGESTED PLAY: Going with Apulia in the Ted Van Heemst.
1 3x110 APULIA
BEN, WILL & JD HAYES
5YO  BAY  HORSE 59.0KG
Lindsay Park Bloodstock (Mgr: Mrs S Steel) & Revelstone Stud (Mgr: Mrs R A Garrett)
At the latest run eased back early on 10th of 16 at this track in the G1 Northerly on December 6 over 1800m, 7 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $20. The run before that ran on from midfield and won by a neck at Flemington LR Chstr Manifold November 6 over 1600m defeating Detonator Jack carrying 56.5kg at $8.50. Just fair in the Northerly but this shapes much better for him.
1
WILLIAM PIKE
Yellow, Royal Blue Crossed Sashes And Cap
2 7x800 HEMLOCK STONE
GRANT & ALANA WILLIAMS
6YO  BAY  GELDING 59.0KG
P V Morley
Most recently 11th of 16 at this track in the G1 Northerly on December 6 over 1800m, 7 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $101. The race before that ran last of 11 at this track in the G2 Lee Steere on November 8 over 1400m, 7 len behind Super Smink carrying 59kg at $61. Last year's Perth Cup winner who can finally show how well he's going.
10
P CARBERY
Dark Blue, White Star, Checked Sleeves And Cap
3 2x149 DIAMOND SCENE
MICHAEL GRANTHAM
6YO  BAY  GELDING 59.0KG
Peters Investments Pty Ltd (Mgr: R J Peters)
Last start sat on the pace before fading 9th of 16 at this track in the G1 Northerly on December 6 over 1800m, 6 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $31. The race before that 4th of 16 at this track in the G1 Railway on November 22 over 1600m, 2 len behind Watch Me Rock carrying 54.5kg at $7. Brings the strongest form into this and now gets out to a his preferred trip.
7
CLINT JOHNSTON-PORTER
Cerise, White Crossed Sashes, Black Cap
4 21130 SENTIMENTAL HERO
PETER FERNIE
8YO  BAY  GELDING 59.0KG
A M Inglis, Mrs A F Inglis, P J Fernie & Mrs K A Fernie
Most recently second last of 16 at this track in the G1 Northerly on December 6 over 1800m, 9 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $71. The start before that 3rd of 16 at this track in the G1 Railway on November 22 over 1600m, 2 len behind Watch Me Rock carrying 54kg at $61. Better than we saw in the Northerly and can put his best foot forward.
9
LUCY FIORE
Yellow, Black Star, Black And Yellow Striped Sleeves, Yellow Cap With Black Stars
5 14600 GINGER BAKER
DANIEL & BEN PEARCE
8YO  B/BR  GELDING 59.0KG
Greenfields Lodge Syn (Mgr: T M Patrizi)
Last start 13th of 16 at this track in the G1 Northerly on December 6 over 1800m, 7 len behind Cosmic Crusader carrying 59kg at $201. The start before that got back early 10th of 16 at this track in the G1 Railway on November 22 over 1600m, 4 len behind Watch Me Rock carrying 53.5kg at $201. Would have to improve on recent efforts.
12
HOLLY WATSON
White, Black Sleeves And Cap
6 30800 CURRIMUNDI
STEVE WOLFE
7YO  BROWN  GELDING 59.0KG
S J Wolfe, G T Evans, K L Patten, Mrs P J Patten, L Ryan, Dr J M Vujcich & J L Gillam
Most recently second last of 15 at this track in the LR G A Towton on December 6 over 2200m, 7 len behind Buckets Ridge carrying 55.5kg at $101. The start before that 10th of 14 at this track in the LR Aj Scahill on November 22 over 2100m, 3.5 len behind Simply with 56kg at $51. Would be a surprise.
2
S MCGRUDDY
Light Blue, Red Maltese Cross
7 38580 GRAND PIERRO
JASON WARREN
6YO  BROWN  GELDING 59.0KG
Grand Syndicates Banjo (Mgr: S R Leoni)
Most recently 11th of 15 at this track in the LR G A Towton on December 6 over 2200m, 5 len behind Buckets Ridge with 57kg at $19. The run before that 8th of 12 at Newcastle in the LR Beauford on November 15 over 2300m, 4.5 len behind Asterix carrying 54.5kg at $6. Needs to improve on what we saw in the Towton.
3
S PARNHAM
Black, Old Gold Star, Checked Sleeves And Cap
8 x2130 RED SUN SENSATION
SUE OLIVE
6YO  BROWN  GELDING 59.0KG
Mrs S A Olive & A J Olive
Last start second last of 11 at this track Rtg 72+ on November 29 over 1800m, 6 len behind Forever Boy with 60kg at $31. The run before that held ground to the line 3rd of 13 at this track in the LR Luckygray on November 8 over 1800m, 2 len behind Captain Pluto carrying 55kg at $6. This looks too tough.
11
J WHITING
Gold, Black Double 'V' And Horseshoe, Black Armbands, Gold Cap With Black Horseshoes
9 7x297 IN GOOD ORDER
DANIEL MORTON
5YO  B/BR  GELDING 59.0KG
Mrs C L Morton, T A Hewitt, P V Walsh, E A Galante, G W Rogers, M Tarling, M D Tarling, D N Flanagan, M G Burrows, A J L Durnin, F F Fairthorne (Jnr), M S Harders, Esquin (Mgr: S J Quinlivan) & A J Anderson
At the latest run 7th of 16 at this track in the G1 Northerly on December 6 over 1800m, 5.5 len behind Cosmic Crusader with 59kg at $101. Before that 9th of 16 at this track in the G1 Railway on November 22 over 1600m, 4 len behind Watch Me Rock with 55kg at $17. Won this race last year and is going just as well this time around.
8
CHRIS PARNHAM
Yellow, Light Blue Armbands And Cap
10 01121 HOBA WEST
SUMMER DICKSON
6YO  BAY  GELDING 59.0KG
Cape Falls Thoroughbreds (Mgr: B T Fogarty)
Racing well recently. Most recently favourite; won by 1.1 len at this track Rtg 65+ December 13 over 1800m defeating Freedom Escape with 60kg at $1.85. The start before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 11 at this track Rtg 72+ on November 29 over 1800m, 0.6 len behind Forever Boy with 55kg at $6.50. Has to be included as he continues to work through the grades.
4
S O'DONNELL
Dk. Blue, Yellow Sash, Dk. Blue Sleeves And Clover Leaf Inside Yellow Armband, Yellow Cap
11 x7886 ADMIRATION EXPRESS
JASON MILLER
6YO  GREY  MARE 57.0KG
Mrs S Miller, R Bright, T Cowcher, C George, D & R Done, Mrs N Hall, L Chapman, J Miller, R O'dea, Freo Racing (Mgr: P Paino), Bean & Cone (Mgr: Ms M Adams), Nautical Drive (Mgr: G Trigg), D & S Trimboli, Ms T Jeffreys, Smartnet Investments (Mgr: P Cooke), Miss G Copland & Magpie Rangers (G Nottle)
At the latest run 6th of 16 at this track in the G1 Northerly on December 6 over 1800m, 5.5 len behind Cosmic Crusader carrying 57kg at $61. Before that 8th of 16 at this track in the G1 Railway on November 22 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Watch Me Rock carrying 53.5kg at $41. Classy mare who stretches out in trip today.
5
B RAWILLER
Black, Pink Quarters, Quartered Cap
12 3x060 BE OPTIMISTIC
LUKE FERNIE
7YO  B/BR  MARE 57.0KG
L K Fernie, T Flematti, T K Leighton, L Stewart, Z Stewart, Mrs S Stewart, M R Bayliss, P Fleay, B I Royle & Bayliss Family Racing (Mgr: R G Bayliss)
Returns from a 42-day let-up. At the latest run second last of 13 at this track in the LR Luckygray on November 8 over 1800m, 6 len behind Captain Pluto carrying 58kg at $151. The run before that 6th of 11 at Kalgoorlie in the LR Kalgoorlie Cup on October 4 over 2300m, 7 len behind Sentimental Hero carrying 58kg at $31. Not here.
6
J AZZOPARDI
Dk. Blue, Gold Nugget, Collar And Cuffs, Red Sleeves, Red Cap With Gold Nuggets