AU - Ascot - Race 3

Thoroughbred

9 Runners

10.9f

Benchmark

Turf

SOFT 5

52.0K

VIEW

Verdict

The Apprentices Cup now where FIRST ENCOUNTER (2) looks ideally placed third-up and out in trip for the first time. He's been winding up late in his two runs back this time and looks suited out to this distance. Can get over the top to land the knockout blow. ROYAL LAW (3) has been racing in top order around this distance range, albeit in losing efforts. He was just 1.9L away most recently and was a brilliant run in the Kalgoorlie Cup two back. Rates highly on recent performances and appears the main danger. EXQUISITE TASTE (8) steps up in trip for the first time following a good win over 1 ?m most recently. He's a lightly raced commodity and looks open to further improvement now. Down in the weights still and he can put his best foot forward. SIMPLY (1) looks set to peak third-up for the stable apprentice and he can feature in the finish. MAGIC WHISTLE (6) can give a sight from the front.

numberFire Picks

Horse Stats

#/Silk	Horse#/Horse	Power Rating	High Speed	Win %	Top 3%	Win Prob	Odds
2	Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 12 at this track Rtg 78+ on October 11 over 7f, 1.75 len behind Bruce Almighty carrying 119lbs at $3.10. Second-up 3rd of 8 at this track Rtg 66+ on October 25 over 1m, slow going 1.4 len behind Be Bardot carrying 132lbs at $2.45. Profiles nicely. Racing well without winning but looks beautifully placed out in trip now. 1st Pick 2 First Encounter Jockey: Amy Jo Hayes Trainer: Michael Grantham J: Amy Jo Hayes T: Michael Grantham	175	-	-	-	40%	6/4
Analysis Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 12 at this track Rtg 78+ on October 11 over 7f, 1.75 len behind Bruce Almighty carrying 119lbs at $3.10. Second-up 3rd of 8 at this track Rtg 66+ on October 25 over 1m, slow going 1.4 len behind Be Bardot carrying 132lbs at $2.45. Profiles nicely. Racing well without winning but looks beautifully placed out in trip now.
3	Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 11 at this track Rtg 66+ on October 25 over 1 5/16m, slow going 2 len behind Antique Star carrying 126lbs at $14. Before that made some head-way from midfield, 2nd of 11 at Kalgoorlie in the LR Kalgoorlie Cup on October 4 over 1 7/16m, 2.25 len behind Sentimental Hero with 119lbs at $9. Not far away last start and can put his best foot forward. 2nd Pick 3 Royal Law Jockey: Holly Nottle Trainer: Ashley Maley J: Holly Nottle T: Ashley Maley	141	-	-	-	16%	11/2
Analysis Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 11 at this track Rtg 66+ on October 25 over 1 5/16m, slow going 2 len behind Antique Star carrying 126lbs at $14. Before that made some head-way from midfield, 2nd of 11 at Kalgoorlie in the LR Kalgoorlie Cup on October 4 over 1 7/16m, 2.25 len behind Sentimental Hero with 119lbs at $9. Not far away last start and can put his best foot forward.
8	Most recently won by a neck at this track 0Mwly October 25 over 1m on a rain affected track defeating Romantic Ruler carrying 116lbs at $18. The start before that 8th of 11 at this track 0Mwly on October 11 over 1m, 7 len behind Wembanyama carrying 123lbs at $8.50. Rates highly. Too good last start and can repeat the dose. 3rd Pick 8 Exquisite Taste Jockey: Jefferson Tsang Trainer: Michael Grantham J: Jefferson Tsang T: Michael Grantham	121	-	-	-	19%	9/2
Analysis Most recently won by a neck at this track 0Mwly October 25 over 1m on a rain affected track defeating Romantic Ruler carrying 116lbs at $18. The start before that 8th of 11 at this track 0Mwly on October 11 over 1m, 7 len behind Wembanyama carrying 123lbs at $8.50. Rates highly. Too good last start and can repeat the dose.

Upcoming Races

Horse Racing Basic Terms

Silks

The colorful jacket and cap worn by a jockey which features the design of the owner.

Also Eligible

A horse that is entered but does not draw into the body of the field due to too many entries, and thus is not permitted to start unless there are enough scratches to shrink the field size.

Minus Pool

A pari-mutuel pool – typically a show pool - where one horse is so heavily bet that after deductions there is not enough money left to cover the prescribed minimum on each bet.