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