Oakbank Preview & Best Bets - Saturday, April 8
Ascot Preview & Best Bets – Saturday, April 8
Our form expert provides Ascot tips for today’s horse racing at Ascot Racecourse and gives his best bets.
Ascot Tips 8/04/2023
BEST BET 🏆
Race 1 No. 1 SNOWDOME – ($2.30)
The Easter period signals the perfect time for the late season 3yo’s to stamp themselves against the older horses. Neville Parnham will be looking for a forward showing from his promising 3yo SNOWDOME as he steps him back in class. Punters started Snowdome as an easing favourite off his short opening quote when racing first-up. This was off the back of a winning trial following a prep where the stable stepped him out in trip against the state’s premier 3yo group. We felt the 1200m on resumption may find Snowdome out given how softly he won that trial and chose a different path for that race. It mattered little as Snowdome missed the kick and was forced into an awkward position off an even tempo. He still showed enough behind the winner to suggest he’ll be well in amongst this group.
NEXT BEST 🥈
Race 5 No. 3 AMBER GLIDE – ($12)
Progressive filly AMBER GLIDE has impressed enough in all three starts to date to earn a crack in town. She’s her own worst enemy out of the starting gates which sees her get back early in her races. Tracked deep over 1100m here on debut and was travelling as the winner from a long way out under Joseph Azzopardi. Amber Glide knuckled down to task in denying Fluro Neuro, thus proving the strength of her earlier trial win. Tracked up behind Le Dette on straightening before checking off heels as she finished strongly behind three-peat winner Starring Knight. Her latest win over this trip at Belmont showed plenty of class as she gunned down Becalotti to the line. Slow early tempo might work against Amber Glide on Saturday; however, she’ll give them plenty to think about if she’s close enough into the straight.
BEST VALUE 💰
Race 8 No. 2 PLAYING MARIKA – ($10)
We followed PLAYING MARIKA last prep after placing her amongst the #WABlackbookers file. We had suggested that she will get better as the prep went on, and unfortunately Playing Marika left us settling for a couple of place dividends. We chose to sit out as she resumed off the back of an encouraging barrier trial behind Snowdome. As the punting rules often have it, Playing Marika found the split late and bloused them! She showed what she can do when luck finally came her way, and we’re still of the belief that she improves with racing. Steven Parnham will have Playing Marika buried the fence on Saturday, and we’ll be hoping the runs come at the right time once again.
