Ascot racing will be under the spotlight on Saturday with a sprinkle of Listed, Quality and Group races covering the nine event program with the weather predicted to be fine racing on a good three with the rail in the inside position and a host of interstate trainers combining with the locals for the massive prize-money on offer.
The Ben Pearce team will join the card in race one in the Crown Golden Ale Plate over a thousand metres with 11 contenders eyeing the prize for two year olds with Ben supplying Chanzig to jump from barrier 10 of 11 with Alan Kennedy aboard.
Chanzig is by War Chant out of Fairy Fix and is raced by Ben, G Smith, G Nelson, S Orrock, G Dawes and A Fairey and is prepared for this event via a Lark Hill barrier trial on November 3 finishing first of 11 950m in a trial time of 56.91 with Alan Kennedy aboard then travelled to Bunbury on November 14 finishing first of four over a thousand metres when ridden by Ben Patterson, landing in a time of 1:01.66.
Chanzig has prepared well for this event has displayed a knowledge of the racing game early, the team is interested in how he will handle race conditions, with a number of competitors having un-exposed form which makes it hard to get a guide on the competitors, however the team believes he will present nicely for his maiden run.
The second stable runner will come out in race five in the Jungle Mist Classic 1200 meter listed event with prize-money of $100,000 on offer with the winner to take home $64,000 plus Westspeed bonuses, with Vampi Lass contesting in the event jumping from barrier 10 in a field of 12 with Peter Hall to ride the last start winner.
Vampi Lass is a four-year-old Brown mare and has been ever consistent all through her career with 18 recorded starts for two wins and 10 placings earning prize-money in excess of $122,000, trips to the track have seen her race on 11 occasions for one win & six placings with a track rating of Good supplying both of those winners.
She is prepared for this via a run at Ascot over 1200 m on October 22 finishing fourth of 12 with Peter Hall aboard landing 1 1/4 lengths behind the winner & was last seen at Ascot on November 4 over 1400 m winning that event beating home the field of 12 with Peter Hall aboard in a race time of 1:23.65 with the last 600m in 35.06.
Vampi Lass has raced in some big races in the past for connections B Pearce, Black Swan Racing Syndicate, J Dickson, M Holcombe, D Brine & J Pearson, and will not be overawed by the festivities on the day.
There are some very competitive horses in this event with Vampi Lass being no exception.
The stable would like to wish connections of both these runners the best of luck on the big day at Ascot on Saturday.