The Ascot Vale Cup – 14th January 2017

The Ascot Vale 

Pace Makes The Race

If you thought that with a competitive field carded, and some of our best jockeys riding, the 1200m Ascot Vale Cup at Sydney Harbour Racecourse on Saturday would not be a tactical affair – think again. One of them is Secret Gatecrasher, a front runner who could stretch them out from the start. Riding such a tear-away requires skill to judge pace, and not too many have succeeded in doing that. Secret Gatecrasher gets the services here of jockey Eunice Lapin, who has never ridden him before. So let’s see.

Secret Gatecrasher’s stable mate Secret Domination won his last two races in style, which included the Sires Produce, going either handy or with the pace. So no guessing where he’ll be positioned this time. Pierre Strydom – formed a good association with Secret Domination, and he is on board again.

Talking of the Sires Produce, there’s Creme Fraiche, who by only a nose lost that race to Secret Domination. He ran a good one again next time out, in the heat on Saturday. A repeat will see him go close. Bristol Turk’s runner Sweet Child O’Mine ran out of her skin in the 2yo Sprint Breeder Cup, coming out of the pack with a sustained burst to win in good time. That was a really smart effort by this flyer and she could trouble the big guns again if maintaining that level of form.

Addie Over Ped won his last start, this tiny son of Addie Over Dan has excellent form, and from his good draw and with Adena Quinnie up, he rates a serious threat. Allison Racing’s speedster filly All Star ran a creditable prep in the heat on Saturday and is loaded with class and versatility, and has to go into the exotics.

Sandy Novik jumps aboard the spearhead of the Whispering Death stable Flights, and looks to have plenty in her favour. She was beaten by Secret Domination at her last start, and cannot be underestimated. Both Arabian and Concerto Sycamore ran on Sunday, and if back to full fitness on race day, could earn in this field.

RECAP: ROUNDING OUT THE TOP 5

01/14/2017

Final Result
Pos Gate Horse Stable Jockey Time
1 8 Flights Whispering Death Sandy Novik 1:12.025
2 4 Addie Over Ped Addictive Racing Adena Quinnie 1:12.228
3 6 Secret Domination Secret Revolution Pierre Strydom 1:12.275
4 5 All Star Allison Racing Shenita Koko 1:12.356
5 1 Creme Fraiche Angel’s Flight Alyson Comans 1:12.709

 

1. Creme Fraiche

3yo colt from Angel’s Flight, Career earnings: $529,200
Overall rating: Satisfactory(46) – Competitive
Born:Fri 7th Oct 2016, bred by Sootie
Lineage:By Zig And Zag out of Blackstar 
Recent form:2,2,2

Stable comments: – “Very strong field top to bottom, I can see post 1 thru 6 duking it out to the finish. Creme Fraiche has been knockin on heavens door and if we are able to get a good clean trip, we should figure somewhere in the hunt.”

2. Sweet Child O’Mine

3yo filly from Bristol Turks, Career earnings: $530,322
Overall rating: Satisfactory(45) – Early sprinter
Born:Fri 7th Oct 2016, bred by Bristol Turks
Lineage:By Requiem out of First Seal
Recent form:7,1,4,5

Stable comments: – “Sweet Child had a good run in the heat and she could be a contender if the going gets good. That said, Ascot Vale is one of the most competitive events in whole of TK and this season is no exception. There are perhaps 8 horses who could come home the winner so it will be a great one to watch.”

3. Secret Gatecrasher

3yo colt from Secret Revolution, Career earnings: $711,700
Overall rating: Satisfactory(47) – Early sprinter
Born:Fri 7th Oct 2016, bred by FRAMPTON
Lineage:By Top Eight out of Jest Sta Puff 
Recent form:1,2,4

Stable comments: – “I don’t feel we’ve seen the best of Gatecrasher yet, trying a new jockey on Saturday and hoping he will show what I think he’s capable of. If he gets a decent start, Gatecrasher should be right there when it matters. Maybe too many “ifs’ to make a confident call on him yet.

4. Addie Over Ped

3yo colt from Addictive Racing, Career earnings: $857,200
Overall rating: Acceptable(43) – Competitive
Born:Fri 14th Oct 2016, bred by Addictive Racing
Lineage:By Addie Over Dan out of Addie Over Fluff 
Recent form:1,3,1

Stable comments: – “Wow what a race this will be, this is one of the strongest aged cup fields I have seen, the winner of last seasons Slipper didn’t even qualify for the final. Really impressive run from Addie Over Ped in the heat being able to hold on after going very hard early. Another similar run from Addie Over Ped and he should be right there fighting at the end. This race is perfectly set up for the stalkers and comps with a big tight field. My tips are Secret Domination, Creme Fraiche and Addie Over Ped.”

5. All Star

3yo filly from Allison Racing, Career earnings: $125,000
Overall rating: Satisfactory(46) – Early sprinter
Born:Fri 21st Oct 2016, bred by Sootie
Lineage:By Zig And Zag out of Rainbow Light 
Recent form:3

Stable comments: – “This is my first try at training an ES, and I think it is a very competitive field. Dangers are obviously Ped, Crows and Angel. I would really love to win, and if given the luck, I think it is possible I can, however I will be pleased with a top 5 finish.”

6. Secret Domination

3yo colt from Secret Revolution, Career earnings: $882,400
Overall rating: Satisfactory(47) – Stalker
Born:Fri 7th Oct 2016, bred by Secret Revolution
Lineage:By Lord Snowdon out of Secret Sovereign
Recent form:2,1,1

Stable comments: – “Quickly becoming one my favourites, Domination gets our hearts racing every time he hits the final quarter. With good placement from Pierre it will be hard to contain him at the finish, but saying that, it’s very easy to screw up with the stalker. Hoping for a good run and expect to be closing down on Addie Over Ped, Creme Fraische, Sweet Child ‘O Mine and the impressive All Star in the final 100m.”

7. Arabian

3yo filly from Dotties Stables, Career earnings: $490,000
Overall rating: Acceptable(42) – Early sprinter
Born:Fri 7th Oct 2016, bred by Dotties Stables
Lineage:By Twisty Moon out of Twickenham 
Recent form:1,8,16,7,1

Stable comments: – “Arabian ran really well in winning her heat I will be hoping for an equally good run depending on her recovery. It looks to be a cracking race.”

8. Flights

3yo filly from Whispering Death, Career earnings: $142,000
Overall rating: Acceptable(43) – Competitive
Born:Fri 7th Oct 2016, bred by Whispering Death
Lineage:By Melins out of Stammer Ztips
Recent form:4,8,3

Stable comments: – “Flights has been pretty unpredictable so far in her career. Anything from a barnstorming win to last place would not shock!”

9. Concerto Sycamore

3yo filly from Racing Stripes, Career earnings: $579,455
Overall rating: Acceptable(44) – Fast finisher
Born:Fri 7th Oct 2016, bred by Racing Stripes
Lineage:By Mchippy Have out of Healthy
Recent form:1,4,11,1,2

Stable comments: – “

10. Tropical Loveland

3yo filly from djs stable, Career earnings: $272,400
Overall rating: Acceptable(44) – Mud-lark
Born:Fri 7th Oct 2016, bred by djs stable
Lineage:By Melins out of Partytime Girl
Recent form:9,15,8,3,4

Stable comments: – “With a bit of improvement hoping to get a possible top 5 finish, the horses to beat are “Secret Domination“and “Arabian” if it recovers in time.

11. Shiraz

3yo filly from Chingford Stable, Career earnings: $200,909
Overall rating: Acceptable(42) – Mud-lark
Born:Fri 7th Oct 2016, bred by Chingford Stable
Lineage:By Steppin’ Ella out of Icecube Mailand 
Recent form:13,19,4,4,7

Stable comments: – “The horse has probably run its final and just hoping not to finish last in the final. Good luck to all other entrants.”

12. Towelie

3yo colt from Magoo’s Fine Equine, Career earnings: $512,000
Overall rating: Acceptable(42) – Early sprinter
Born:Fri 7th Oct 2016, bred by Rawhide
Lineage:By Wildfire out of General Renegade 
Recent form:2,8,3,1,6

Stable comments: – “

13. Samar

3yo filly from RUMP STEAK RACING, Career earnings: $115,000
Overall rating: Acceptable(42) – Stalker
Born:Fri 7th Oct 2016, bred by Team Monkfish
Lineage:By Fog Wiper out of Bigbethbulldogface
Recent form:2

Stable comments: – “Super run in the heat, her sectionals were first class. She still a little big around the mid rift and hoping to lose 5-10kgs to have her spot on for the final. Good luck to all.”

14. Brother

3yo colt from Sinthville, Career earnings: $217,100
Overall rating: Acceptable(41)
Born:Fri 7th Oct 2016, bred by Sinthville
Recent form:9,6,10,4,8

Stable comments: – “

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