Sun to shine brightly
Ascot, G1 Peoplestart Kingston Town Classic, $1,000,000, 1800m
Too Close The Sun (Carlton House {USA}) has been racing in top form this preparation and won the Listed Ascot Cup in hollow fashion two runs ago before he was runner-up in the G1 Railway S.
He was beaten by Inspirational Girl (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), who will prove tough to roll again but she has drawn poorly and that may give the edge to Too Close The Sun.
Arctic Stream (High Chaparral {Ire}) has showed steady improvement with each outing this preparation and is a two-time winner at the trip while Truly Great (Dundeel {NZ}) is another who will appreciate the 1800 metres.
Kay Cee (Playing God) was below her best last time out, but is a classy individual and worth another chance and G2 WA Guineas winner Watch Me Dance (I’m All The Talk) is in the right form to capitalise on her light weight.
Neufbosc (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) was back to his best in the Listed Carbine Club S. and is a tough customer capable of making an impression again.
Queen to rule
Ascot, G3 Glenroy Chaff AJ Scahill S., $200,000, 1400m
Celebrity Queen (Redoute’s Choice) looks ideally-placed here and has an impressive form line, having won the G3 Colonel Reeves S. before she finished runner-up in the G1 Winterbottom S.
Laverrod (Toronado {Ire}) likes this course and distance and was a sound last-start third in the Listed Carbine Club S., while Kementari (Lonhro) is going well enough to rate a leading hope. He hasn’t won since he claimed the G1 Rosehill Guineas, but in this company has to rate highly.
Flirtini (Artie Schiller {USA}) was fifth in the Winterbottom and that puts her firmly in the picture and Malibu Style (Magnus) was eighth and not far away so can’t be discounted. Flow (Street Cry {Ire}) has collected three stakes placings in recent runs so has a shot at the minor money again.
Filly centre of interest
Ascot, Listed Ascend Sales Jungle Dawn Classic, $100,000, 1400m
There will be plenty of interest in the re-appearance of the unbeaten Chantrea (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) and with a recent trial outing she should take all sorts of beating.
Special Choice (Redoute’s Choice) may be the main danger after reeling off consecutive wins and Naughty By Nature (Trade Fair {GB}) won well enough on the track last time out to be rated a hope.
Festival Miss (Bernardini {USA}) is the highest-rated runner and should be dangerous off 55kg while Chantrea’s stablemate Tycoon Storm (Written Tycoon) and Serenity Bay (Rogano) have recent form lines that speak for themselves.
Form hard to ignore
Ascot, Listed TAB Touch Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic, $100,000, 1400m
Chantorque (War Chant {USA}) has won four of her five starts and most recently claimed the Listed Placid Ark S. and looks a top chance to add to her black-type record.
Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) has yet to win, but has placed in decent company and will be a force to be reckoned with while Snickerdoodledandy (Snitzel) is talented and the drop back to 1400 metres will suit her.
Mystical View (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) was third in the Placid Ark and deserves consideration on that performance, as does stablemate Queen Brown (Patronize), who finished fourth. American Choice (All American) won well enough in a lower grade last time out to suggest he can handle a rise in class.
Impressive last-start effort
Doomben, G3 TAB George Moore S., $200,000, 1200m
Jonker (Spirit Of Boom) bolted away with the Listed Keith Noud S. and while he does go up 2.5kg the ease of his win is hard to dismiss. He is also a past second-up winner so no concerns either on that score.
Deep Image (Testa Rossa) was runner-up in that race and he can close the gap with a weight swing in his favour and Chapter And Verse (Rothesay) is an accomplished sprinter who has proved effective off a break.
Baccarat Baby (Casino Prince) can be expected to be more competitive with a run under her belt and Tambo’s Mate (Mossman) is ultra-consistent and more than capable of showing off that trait again if he gets some luck from an awkward barrier.
The Odyssey (Better Than Ready) has stacks of pace and won a recent trial while Hard Empire (Hard Spun {USA}) is racing well as is stablemate Usmanov (Choisir) to give Toby and Trent Edmonds a decent hand.
Repeat on cards
Doomben, Listed XXXX Mode Plate, $125,000, 1200m
Dusty Tycoon (Written Tycoon) was an impressive last-start winner over this distance and is primed for a repeat performance from a handy gate.
The topweight Gotta Kiss (Not A Single Doubt) is certainly good enough, but has a tricky alley to overcome and Fleet Dove (Not A Single Doubt) also has the form in the board but she too has drawn a poor barrier.
By contrast, Isotope (Deep Field) will jump and run from the ace and is sure to give a good sight and Eelloh (Better Than Ready) is a proven fresh runner with prospects. In an open line-up, Plutocrat (Rich Enuff) and Paredo (Better Than Ready) are another pair of in-form prospects.
