That's big news Hat. McNair has extended the career of Mustard and experienced with horses with different sorts of problems. Hay List will be his best horse he's had.

..running in the opener today..in same race..the promising gelding..ranger..returns..other good chances..hibernian..klasy spy..irish action..& avonmore terrace..

..a few to follow from ascot last sat..

fleming son..raced wide throughout..still ran on well for 3rd..beaten 1/2len..

goldy junior..crowded on jumping..held up for clear running from on straightening until the 150m..running on well..beaten lnk..

real honour..unable to obtain clear running from on straightening until passing the 150m..running on well..beaten lnk..

morant..raced wide throughout..but still able to win..

clueless angel..held up for clear running from on straightening until passing the 100m..running on well..beaten nck..

Ascot Saturday
 

R2) leader - On the Carpet. Lead Rope might settle right behind it, Shock Value had an easy Barrier Trial win, will probably be outside the lead. Tip 4-2.

R3) Saytorio was green at its first start, should settle midfield and appreciate the 1200m. Should win. Lay Cheval Roi.

R4) Galaxy Queen going for 4 straight wins. This is slightly stronger race and up to 56kg. Go for quinella with stablemate My Becks.

R6) leader - Hawkeye Mort. Best backed Truckin Tobie. Don't like Calico Blue so a Lay.

R7) leader - Impressive Jeuney. The Set Weights makes the top 3 clear from the rest. For Your Eyes Only will probably be near last in a 3-wide trail but has a devasting sprint. Tip 1-3-2.

One to follow is Admiring. Had to weave through traffic but attacked the line when clear. That was only its 2nd run in nearly a year. Next time 1600m +

..a few to follow from ascot last wed..

irish action..had difficulty in obtaining clear running in the straight..ran on well beaten 1.25len

our larrikin..won well after being slow into stride..& held up for clear running from on straightening until leaving the 200m..

brother mak..lightly raced gelding..ran on well to win easily..

2nd-up..south west breeders' plate..bunbury..tues..strong effort to win..finished the race off very well..

runner-up yesterday behind the promising bridgestone..top effort..

Whipsaw
 

Only having its 6th start it blew past the field to win the Bunbury Cup. Was entered in a restricted grade this Saturday at Ascot but Mark Reed must have believed he had a very promising type to tackle Open Company.

Ascot Saturday
 

R3 - leaders Another Clanger/Impressive Jeuney. Impressive Jeuney needed the run last week and is ready to break-through. Might even take the lead in this. Has won on 7day backup.

R4 - Don't like Haste, so a Lay.

R5 - leader Legend Express. In a tricky race, Never Forgotten eachway if it gets out to around $7. Will get back and run on. Euclassy Thing in multiples.

R7 - is the TJ Smith Trophy. Zentrate eachway shouldn't miss, as it will get a gun run. It also beat Le Plunge last prep. over this distance, and that horse bolted in last week. Morant is obvious danger, was wide throughout last time and still won. Ranger was pathetic firstup but had very good form last prep. If it gets to near $10 worth a buck or two. Don't like Yabigorse so a Lay.

the pupster..just warming late again today for 4th..needs more ground..
saytorio only start since..won with a bit in hand..

One to follow
 

Ranger is still a maiden after 6 starts but probably shed that tag next start!

..a few to follow from bunbury last week..

hatfull..had difficulty obtaining a clear run from on straightening until near the 150m..ran on well beaten ¾ len..

bridgestone..good winner 2nd-up over 1400..even better over more ground..

ottumwa..held up for clear running from the 400m..passing the 200m made contact with another runner..ran on well beaten lnk..

whipsaw..at 6th start won bunbury cup..easy maiden winner previous start..

Ascot Saturday looking good
 

A Group3 and 3 Listed races including......
Marasco is back, the brilliant unbeaten 2yo Motion Pictures, the Guineas for 3yo fillies with return clash For Your Eyes Only and Le Plunge, Whipsaw the super impressive winner of the Bunbury Cup, and the champ Paul Harvey back from injury.

Ascot today
 

R1 - leader Lie In Wait should be unchallenged and that could be the race. Admiring needs more pace on, unless it goes forward early(possible). Tip 1 - 4. Lay 2.

R2 - tricky stayers race. Calico Blue was 3 wide without a trail last time and finished well. Goldtown runs on strongly when in the mood. Tips 2 / 6. Lay 4.

R5 - leader Stratazoa - La Forza - Shock Value. London(easy Trial win) has a bad draw so with luck could end up 3 wide with cover. Tipping Shock Value to pinch a break from Escadaire(good Trial) with London running on well. Tip 10 - 1/3. Lay 5.

R6 - leader Comic Hero - Spitfire Lad. Marasco resuming from nearly 290 day spell and without a Trial, but there aren't any standout challengers in this. Fred Kersley having a bad run, his last Ascot winner was in January. The WFA conditions help Tarzi turn around the Bunbury form with a couple of the others. Tip 1 - 2. Lay 6.

ascot..r1..main trio..ottumwa..admiring..& lie in wait..next best..last curtain..pencaza..snuglet..& la soeur noir

Super victory to Marasco running his usual sub 34 secs for last 600m. Haven't seen Kersley's plans yet but he likes going East so I'll guess something late Sydney carnival or the Doomben 10000 / Stradbroke races.

One to follow from yesterday is Shock Value. Started badly from the gates and instead of being on the pace it was out the back. Ran on well.

Immediate racing plans for Hay List are up in the air. Trainer John McNair has revealed he is battling a major problem with the 4YO’s front heels.

Ascot Saturday
 

R1) Leaders....Lie In Wait - Hawkeye Mort(gear changes) - Truckin Tobie. Lie In Wait is $2.6, I have it about $4. So it has to be a Lay. A roughie for exotics is Money Exchange.

R5) Open race and some tipsters going for Trafalgar Square. But I'm backing eachway Hoodlum Gang and Vainito.

R7) Roberts Stakes is for 3 year olds heading towards the Derby. Leaders....Yabigorse - Impressive Jeuney. Looks to better suit God Has Spoken which should position closer in the run than Bridgestone and For Your Eyes Only. The leaders are dangerous as well. It's a very good race.

R8) Big field, luck needed. Backing Highest Honour, 3rd up to its best distance, and Major Sweeney, a newbie from Adelaide and is a big query.

Nice start schonegg!

Good start, bad finish! Bridgestone will be clear cut favorite for the WA Derby after overpowering them today.

Yeah, looks likely to be a Parnham Derby quinella. Gutsy effort For Your Eyes Only after being ridden on the speed.

Will be watching for any betting moves Flying Duel r2 at Kal today. By Encosta De Lago has been fancied all previous starts in east.

Well there was good money for Flying Duel but it didn't place. Maybe over further ground, later. Could have been worse. If you were on Sonny Biscay, first past the post & easily beating the rest. Disqualified for carrying 1kg under weight! Beats me why they don't declare the horse a "non-starter" (& apply the standard deductions rule) in such circumstances. The poor old punter cops it again!

Absolutely RJ, the bookies given a freebie in this case, but it should be 'protect the punter' instead, and stewards should give a heavy penalty to the jockey. Also feel for the owners and trainer, they'd be gutted!

A few black-type on Sat. Is Marasco home & hosed?

At WFA scale can't bet against him RJ, always exciting to see him race.

Good racing at Ascot
 

R2 - Tips 1-4/6/7. Late Night Flight to lead from Legend Express, Saffron Fire. Late Night Flight's best chance to finally win one, hoping to not cop much pressure early. Lexicon Gold will get a cosy run on the rails and is a danger. Lay Vain Strike. It's promising but it'll need to come from near the rear and wide.

R5 - Marasco 1st , Tarzi 2nd, DoYouDare 3rd. Lay Tarzi.

R6 - Tips 6/10-1. Leaders...Impressive Jeuney, Tropical Fury, Le Plunge, and possibly Liberty Street. The distance 2200m is unknown for all so there could be a big improvement from one or more of these fillies. Going for One Cool Queen and Test Case.

R7 - Tips 1/12-5. Lots of speed to suit those running on. O'Donnell has stuck with London, and it might be in a good spot mid-race, 3 wide with a trail. Shock Value to get a perfect run from the rails and will just need luck finding the gaps. Colour Correct has a brilliant finish and might track London until the turn. Good race.

One to follow
 

Big Josh - 1st starter by Blackfriars, was a fantastic run for 2nd yesterday especially the last bit. If he doesn't draw well in the Karrakatta then it makes things tougher in which case something like the 1400m of the Sires would be perfect.

Hi schonegg, yes mate I did notice that horse as well - a nice swooping second. I blackbooked it straight after the race so we will watch with interest!

one to follow
 

..same jockey..same trainer..previous sat..valoura..1st starter by exceed and excel..dead-heat for 1st..ran on well after racing wide throughout..

a couple to follow from ascot sat..

vain strike..slowly away..raced wide..ran on well for 2nd..

big josh..as per comments by schonegg..earlier post..

Marasco
 

His performances to win this years Hyperion & Strickland look better imo than last year, same races, even though times have been slower. Plans to head east?

Seems like spell now, then decide after its first up run. If he goes well then probably find a race in Melbourne, otherwise reserve him for the Perth summer carnival.

Ascot Saturday
 

R1 - tips 5-2/4. Stratazoa and Comic Hero to fight for the lead. Shock Value's first attempt at 1400m but he should get a gun run from Brown and then hope the gaps open up, unlike last week. Comic Hero on old form as a loose leader would be dangerous.

R3 - tips 1-2. leaders Legend Express/Acute Brute/Hawkeye Mort. Doyoudare will get a sit behind the speed, unlike last week when led a very slow pace and battled the placings with Tarzi. Apprentice Yuill rides ok. Lay Money Exchange.

R4 - roughie 7 in Exotics. leaders Destino/Kim Currency and possibly Moccasin Bend to go forward. The two favorites(5&6) have limitations and a couple of others with queries, so at a good price($21) Demands Attention is worth putting in Exotics. Prefers Belmont, but at 3rd run from spell can figure in the placings.

R5 - tips 1-8. leaders Romida-Zed Magic-Wizards Point. If Sacred Crown(apprentice Damian Lane replaces injured Noske) can find a good spot early then it'll finish fast.
The form line of Valoura received a dent during the week when Peach Tree was a disappointing 3rd but it is still untapped(wide last time as Jake pointed out) and a definite chance with Pike aboard. Don'trocktheboat is the query runner. Lay Fromm.

R6 - tip 1. No depth in the Melvista. Heavy backing for Brother Mak which meets God Has Spoken 3.5kg better for a 1.5 lengths defeat from their last start. By Zabeel the 2200m might be what it needs as well. But I'm sticking with the toppie as he's classy and the distance should also suit. Zentrate has been disappointing but from barrier 1(again) could sneak a place.

..smallish divs..schonegg..but still a perfect start

One to follow
 

If China Bay next races in a 62-74 Band and draws well then it'll be worth backing. Been very consistent without much luck.

China Bay
 

Was a top effort Sat, schonegg. All 4 starts following a long spell have been excellent. Ready to win.

Ascot - Karrakatta and Oaks
 

Karrakatta

top chances
-----------
10 Absolute Pleasure - get a gun run from good barrier and could pinch a break in the straight, top jockey, was very good first up when worked on the pace and fought on well

4 Big Josh - green but very good at its first start finished well late, distance should suit, good barrier and best jockey

9 Motion Pictures - will get back and might get buried near rail but should unleash if gets clear crack


others
-------------
12 Miss Gai Flyer - has been best backed, good win Moonee Valley when swooped on them near the turn and ran away. Might be too good for the locals but the trip across and settling in new environment are queries

8 Miss Condition - keeps winning with something in hand, will be wide with cover

7 Cristiano - big raps on this before disappointing 2nd when first up in a midweeker, could be the surprise packet

1 Riosand - travelled easily the whole way when winning last start, bad draw with blinkers are the queries



Oaks

2 Impressive Jeuney - will lead and set a fair pace and be very hard to pass

1 For Your Eyes Only - Last October led and beat Kid Choisir over 1000m, now lines up in the 2400m Oaks! In great form, though not bred for this trip so probably needs a slow pace to help her acceleration

..both running today..
vain strike..r5
big josh..r7