Ascot Preview & Best Bets – Saturday 16 December 

Our form expert provides Ascot tips for today’s horse racing at Ascot Racecourse and gives his best bets.    

Ascot Tips 16/12/2023 

BEST BET 🏆   

Race 3 No. 2 BILLY RAY – ($3.25) 

Kalgoorlie trainer Peter Fernie earned a throw at the stumps in the Peters Stakes with BILLY RAY following his impressive third-up win. Billy Ray was able to get over the top of a RTG72+ who ran along over the mile before coming back to them into the straight. Michael Poy then had a handful of horse in the Group 3 Peters as they again ran along in front over the 1500m. This time the class field did not stop as the winner Mojo Rhythm swept down the outside to score with momentum. Billy Ray wasn’t beaten far despite having to hold momentum into the straight. Couldn’t quite real in Starry Heights after conceding a margin to the favourite into the run off a slow tempo last time. Drawn aplomb for Michael Poy and Billy Ray can be hard to beat again.

NEXT BEST 🥈   

Race 7 No. 3 GODDESS OF GIVING – ($8.10)

There will be plenty of pace and pressure going on up front to set up for GODDESS OF GIVING. The mare is coming back in grade after not disgracing herself in Black type during her past couple of runs. Goddess Of Giving got home okay behind Amber Glide over 1200m before getting a long way out of her ground last time. While she did get home out wider behind Baby Paris over the 1400m, we think she’s far better suited in a race like this over 1100 metres. Lou Luciani has opted to put the blinkers on in an attempt to sharpen her up as Jason Whiting lets her loose up the middle of the track.

BEST VALUE 💰   

Race 9 No. 14 BABY PARIS – ($17) 

We saw what the enigma BABY PARIS is capable of when she pinged the lids to lead over this track and trip last start. Peter Knuckey just allowed her to be, and Baby Paris tore around the track at a fast tempo. She was racing against her own sex and had just left them standing as she straightened for home. Baby Paris actually quickened again somewhere inside the 300m off that fast tempo to put the race to bed. She will likely cop some pressure on Saturday as she comes up against the open-class horses. Baby Paris will be taking plenty of confidence into the race and can prove hard to beat.