Regal fresh hope
Ascot, G3 Hosemasters Asian Beau S., $150,000, 1400m
Regal Power (Pierro) hasn’t raced since he ended his 3-year-old season in the best possible style with victory in the G2 Western Australian Derby.
Since his return to Grant and Alana Williams’ stable, he has trialled well for his return and in his fresh state he can make a bold bid here.
Mizlecki (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is also returning from a break and he has similarly had the benefit of a couple of trial outings. He has also won first-up in the past.
Samizdat (Not A Single Doubt) made ground well for a close last-start fourth in the G3 Northerly S. and should be at his peak for the third run of his current campaign and Wrinkly (Saxon) was sixth in that race off a spell. He has a second-up win on his record.
Alpha Prize (Patronize) is new to this grade, but he has looked good in the looser classes and five of his six wins have come on this course.
Smart sprinter on top
Ascot, G3 TAB Touch Prince Of Wales S., $150,000, 1000m
Vigour Road (Frost Giant {USA}) is a talented sprinter as he showed when sixth and not far away in last season’s G1 Goodwood H. He is a noted fresh performer and after a lead-up trial he should be hard to roll.
Stageman (Written Tycoon) has consecutive black type placings from his last two outings and wouldn’t need to improve any to figure in the finish again.
Rebel King (Universal Ruler) was outgunned in the G3 Schillaci S., but will be far more comfortable in this company while Flirtini (Artie Schiller {USA}) was a solid third in the Listed Crawford S. last time to the races and she should be all the better for the run.
Misty Metal (Oratorio) is coming off two trial outings and she’s starred when resuming before as has Battle Hero (Stratum). He hasn’t raced since unplaced in the G1 William Reid S., but won his recent 1000 metre heat at the Belmont trials.
Mare to make impact
Awapuni, Listed Ricoh Feilding Gold Cup, NZ$50,000, 2200m
Hi I’m Nikkita (NZ) (He’s Remarkable {NZ}) has made sound improvement this campaign with a pair of wins over ground to earn herself a shot at a black type prize. At her most recent appearance she finished runner-up after her rider dropped the whip and looms as a top chance in this.
Last season’s G3 New Zealand Cup runner-up Duplicity (NZ) (Duporth) showed a sign last time out that he is nearing some decent form. He made up late ground at Otaki on a heavy track and any improvement in underfoot conditions will assist him.
Nymph Monte (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) is mixing his efforts, but he has starred in better quality fields than this before as has Pacorus (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and his run for fourth in the Listed Staphanos Classic off a wide run bodes well for his chances here.
Sentimental Miss (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) won the G1 New Zealand Oaks last preparation and she was unplaced last time out in the G1 Livamol Classic, but will find this a much easier assignment. Strolling Vagabond (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) is nothing if not consistent and a definite place prospect again.
