ROYAL ASCOT HANDICAP
Results
Open race in the last but we'll stick with CAFE MILLENIUM (1) who will find this easier. The win two back over Sabaj and Birdman is excellent form, then running on Super Saturday last time in G3 company on a day that heavily favoured those on speed and near the fence. He ran the fastest last 600/400m of the race from an impossible spot, and while he's found his niche at 1400m, a mile shouldn't be an issue. He'll need some luck but the early price appeals. ENXUTO (6) is a model of consistency, very good behind Birdman over this route two back in a G2 Blamey Stakes, a touch stiff in Sydney last time when working home late for third. This suits, he looks appealing at double figures. TAKEN (12) is off a let up having struggled over 2000m last time as favourite. Don't mind him back in trip here. AL DUCA (19) ran well fresh at 1400m and can improve up in trip. CHIEF LITTLE ROCK (14) is off 2 years but has top class formlines overseas, although the apprentice from the carpark perhaps says no.
Visit TAB.COM.AUOpen race in the last but we'll stick with CAFE MILLENIUM (1) who will find this easier. The win two back over Sabaj and Birdman is excellent form, then running on Super Saturday last time in G3 company on a day that heavily favoured those on speed and near the fence. He ran the fastest last 600/400m of the race from an impossible spot, and while he's found his niche at 1400m, a mile shouldn't be an issue. He'll need some luck but the early price appeals. ENXUTO (6) is a model of consistency, very good behind Birdman over this route two back in a G2 Blamey Stakes, a touch stiff in Sydney last time when working home late for third. This suits, he looks appealing at double figures. TAKEN (12) is off a let up having struggled over 2000m last time as favourite. Don't mind him back in trip here. AL DUCA (19) ran well fresh at 1400m and can improve up in trip. CHIEF LITTLE ROCK (14) is off 2 years but has top class formlines overseas, although the apprentice from the carpark perhaps says no.
Last start eased back early on 5th of 9 at this track in the G3 Shaftesbury Ave on March 7 over 1400m, 3 len behind Scheelite with 58kg at $3.80. The race before that won by 0.5 len at this track LR The Elms Hcp February 14 over 1400m defeating Sabaj with 59.5kg at $4.60. Suited this level, can bounce back strongly.
Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign eighth of 11 at this track in the G1 Mackinnon November 8 over 2000m, on rain affected going; 9 len behind Via Sistina carrying 59kg at $18. First up last campaign third of 11 at Caulfield Bm100 August 16 over 1600m, soft track; 1.0 len behind El Rocko with 59kg at $11. Fancy he'll need the run.
Most recently won by 1.1 len at Morphettville LR C S Hayes March 9 over 1600m defeating Verdad with 59.5kg at $5.50. The run before that raced on the pace before fading second last of 8 at this track in the LR The Elms Hcp on February 14 over 1400m, 4.5 len behind Cafe Millenium carrying 57.5kg at $21. In the mix again.
Dual acceptor. First-up. Finished off last campaign 22nd of 24 at this track in the G1 Melb Cup November 4 over 3200m, soft track; 23 len behind Half Yours carrying 53.5kg at $61. Previously first up; third of 12 at Rosehill Springprev August 16 over 1400m, on heavy track; 1.4 len behind War Eternal carrying 61kg at $81. Prefer to see how he returns.
Most recently sat behind the speed prior to fading 7th of 10 at this track in the G2 Blamey on February 28 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Birdman carrying 56kg at $9. The run before that made ground from midfield; 3rd of 14 at Caulfield in the G3 Carlyon Cup on February 7 over 1600m, long-neck behind Light Infantry Man with 58kg at $11. Suited this level and can bounce back.
Dual acceptor. Form hard to fault. Most recently 3rd of 11 at Rosehill in the G2 Ajax on March 14 over 1500m, 0.7 len behind Cristal Clear carrying 53kg at $3.60. Before that made ground from midfield; 2nd of 10 at this track in the G2 Blamey on February 28 over 1600m, 1.75 len behind Birdman with 55kg at $7. Going well for this and will be hard to hold out.
First-up. Finished off last preparation second last of 13 at Caulfield in the G2 Sand Clssc November 29 over 2400m, soft track; 9 len behind She's A Hustler carrying 59kg at $15. First up last campaign sixth of 15 at Caulfield in the LR Heatherlie Hcp August 30 over 1700m, soft track; 4.5 len behind Too Darn Discreet with 56kg at $13. Likely to need further.
Returns from a 49-day let-up. Last start ran last of 14 at Caulfield in the G3 Carlyon Cup on February 7 over 1600m, 11 len behind Light Infantry Man carrying 57kg at $91. The run before that 7th of 12 at Werribee Werribee Cup on December 7 over 1600m, 3.5 len behind Holymanz carrying 57.5kg at $16. Comes into this in ordinary form. Not going well enough.
Most recently sat behind the speed prior to fading second last of 9 at this track in the G3 Shaftesbury Ave on March 7 over 1400m, 4.5 len behind Scheelite with 54kg at $26. The start before that 7th of 12 at this track Bm100 on January 17 over 2000m, 2.5 len behind Saint George with 57kg at $14. Others preferred.
Resuming. Finished off last preparation fourth of 16 at Pakenham in the LR Pakenham Cup December 13 over 2500m, 4 len behind Taramansour carrying 56kg at $10. When resuming last campaign third of 15 at Caulfield in the LR Heatherlie Hcp August 30 over 1700m, soft track; 1.5 len behind Too Darn Discreet carrying 54kg at $14. Prefer later.
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 8 at Caulfield in the LR Barton Stks on January 24 over 1400m, 1.0 len behind Regal Zeus carrying 54kg at $3.70. Second run from a spell raced on the pace when 2nd of 11 at Echuca Echa Cup on March 8 over 1400m, nose behind Hughes with 58.5kg at $2.40. Coming along well and sets up nicely, go close.
Returns from a 35-day let-up. Last start sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 7 at Caulfield in the LR Vic Cup on February 21 over 2000m, 3 len behind Magnaspin carrying 55kg at $2.45. The race before that favourite; won by 1.0 len at Caulfield Bm100 January 24 over 1700m defeating Merrigold with 55kg at $2.50. Can bounce back.
Back from a spell. Finished off last preparation ran last of 8 at Moe Moe Cup on November 16 over 2050m, 14 len behind Howlin' Rain with 60kg at $21. When resuming last campaign eased back early on 8th of 12 at Sandown-Hillside Bm100 on May 24 over 1400m, 5 len behind Magnaspin with 56kg at $201. Ran 3rd in a jump-out at Camperdown on March 16. Can't have.
Is first-up after a break of 21 months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation 12th of 14 at Ascot in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes June 21 2024 over 2414m, 37 len behind Calandagan with 58kg at $15. When resuming last campaign third in a small field at Epsom Downs in the LR Blue Riband Trl April 23 2024 over 2011m, 1.0 len behind Bellum Justum with 58.5kg at $1.80. Talented import, betting best guide off a long spell.
Dual acceptor. At the latest run 10th of 13 at Canberra in the LR Nat Sprint on March 8 over 1400m, slow going 4.5 len behind Green Fly with 54kg at $5. The run before that held ground to the line 3rd of 9 at Randwick Bm88 on February 14 over 1600m, 1.2 len behind Jamberoo with 60kg at $4. Disappointed last time but the run prior has him in the mix.
Last start sat on the pace when 2nd of 11 at Morphettville in the LR C S Hayes on March 9 over 1600m, 1.1 len behind Arran Bay with 55kg at $6.50. Before that raced on the speed throughout before fading second last of 8 at Caulfield Bm84 on February 7 over 1600m, 2.75 len behind Sneaky Sunrise carrying 61kg at $11. Close to a win. Going okay but hard to see him winning.
First-up. Finished off last preparation seventh of 9 at this track in the LR Bagot Hcp December 31 over 2800m, 3.5 len behind Future History carrying 54kg at $4. First up last campaign fourth in a small field at Sale in the LR Sale Cup October 26 over 1600m, on rain affected going; 4 len behind El Rocko with 56kg at $13. Might be better off following this outing.
Recent form sound. Last start 2nd of 8 at Caulfield Vgold Distaff on March 14 over 1400m, 0.8 len behind Betwitchery carrying 54.5kg at $3.80. The race before that sat on the pace when 2nd of 7 at Caulfield Bm100 on January 24 over 1700m, 1.0 len behind Taken with 53.5kg at $2.40. Going well and maps for every chance.
Second run back. First-up after four months 2nd in a small field at Caulfield Vgold So Si Bon on March 14 over 1400m, 0.8 len behind Harry's Yacht carrying 54kg at $8.50. Previously second-up won by a long-neck at Sandown-Hillside Bm70 September 3 over 1500m defeating Stay Humble with 60.5kg at $3.10. Strong return and a mile suits better.