Flemington Preview & Best Bets - Sunday January 1
Ascot Preview & Best Bets – Sunday January 1
Our form expert provides Ascot tips for today’s horse racing at Ascot Racecourse and gives his best bets.
Ascot Tips 1/01/2022
BEST BET 🏆
Race 3 No. 2 BORN TO TALK – ($3)
We may see the blinkers come off in exchange for visors or even winkers on BORN TO TALK at some stage. For now though, it would seem the formula is to let fast horses be fast horses. There’s enough pressure engaged in this race and Born To Talk will likely be right in the thick of it early. Showed his customary speed to sit outside of Fiorucci Mama who kicked and won comfortably over 1100 metres at Northam. Jumped sharply again second-up, this time over 1200 metres midweek at Belmont. The horse refused to allow Brad Parnham to rate him, instead wanting to get on with the job. Still gave a good kick into the straight with only Sunny Honey running him down. They left big gaps through the rest of the field and Born To Talk may appreciate coming back to five-furlongs at Ascot.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 2 No. 7 LAQUETTA’S GIFT – ($5.50)
Brad Parnham can win out in the tactical affair that appears devoid of pressure with LAQUETTA’S GIFT. Dion Luciani’s filly tends to come out of the gates well which led to Brad allowing her stride into a forward position here two starts back. Laquetta’s Git continued strongly through the line to hold third while being outclassed by the quinella. Luciani sent her back to the midweeks where Parnham had no luck getting her in around midfield. He ended up settling into a beautiful position just behind the speed. Laquetta’s Gift took some encouragement on turning before coming into a nice rhythm on the back of the favourite. She was travelling so well inside the 300m that Parnham was able to hold her together before sending her home a winner.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 4 No. 5 HE’S GOLD – ($5.50)
Local Ascot trainer Ted Martinovich prepared HE’S GOLD as a comfortable trial winner back in October in readiness for this prep. He’s Gold bounced sharply out of the gates before coming back underneath Natasha Faithful in the early stages. The ease of the manner in which He’s Gold went to them late suggested he’ll pick up a win this prep. Showed speed over this track and trip first up to settle just on the pace. The winner Written Matter kicked clear on straightening with He’s Gold doing best of the rest. Since came back underneath Faithful again when coming back to 1000 metres second-up. Found them a bit sharp in the run to the line and is suited here back out to six-furlongs.
