Ascot - Thur 9 May 02

[Sandgroper]

Ratings subject to final scratchings. Bit of rain about past few days, but unless the heavens open up, track should be good (at least). A few chances in most races, only rating special is Avenida Madero (2) in race 3 - could be good odds.

Race 1 no. 1 Stormalive, danger no. 3 Our Big Paddy
Race 2 no. 9 Thorium, danger no. 1 Blaze of Light
Race 3 no. 2 Avenida Madero, danger no. 5 Rock N Ruby
Race 4 no. 6 Annapak, danger no. 4 Golden Dilemma
Race 5 no. 3 Crew Leader, danger no. 4 Salveson
Race 6 no. 3 Battle Wind, danger no. 4 Head West
Race 7 no. 3 Dananmatt, danger no. 6 Aqua Taj
Race 8 no. 9 Empennage, danger no. 5 Pogmothon

[Sandgroper]

A few with itches. Race 1, promote no. 3 to top, add no. 5 Lomond Legend for value. Race 6, danger now no. 1 Baleen Lass. Race 7, promote no. 6, add no. 4 Toy Prince. Race 8, new danger no. 6 Running Game.

[Sandgroper]

Ascot track is now rated heavy. My ratings based on a good track. Now need to take this into account.

[Sandgroper]

Most of my rated horses untried on slow / heavy ground.
Golden Dilemma (R4) last start 2nd on slow, Battle Wind (R6) 2 starts back handy 2nd on slow over unsuitable shorter distance, Running Game (R8) place twice in slow. For what it is worth, in reviewing for wet trackers notice 3 in last race with good wet form. All 3 I have already rated within a couple of lengths of top rated horse. They are the top 3 – Fort Lavinia, Uncle Rugg & Bless My Soul.

[Sandgroper]

Slip sliding away….slip sliding away…..

Well the heavens did plonk upon Ascot. However did have a bit of win
with the rating special Avenida Madero, which I decided to back after noticing
that the winner of the first at Ascot was by the same sire as A M – Metal Storm. In retrospect if you had to have a bet yesterday with the track heavy and not too much disclosed wet track form, then breeding (without going into the dam line) could have been a factor when considering what to back.
2 winners by Metal Storm, 1 x Protos, 1 x Serheed (at very good odds) and 1 x Yeats. All of these sires are known to throw some wet trackers. Not sure of the remaining winners, sired by Magic Is Money, Mr Prosperous & Lake Coniston.

Anyway, slip sliding away….slip sliding away….