Racing
Ladbrokes Blog: 2025 Gold Rush Day Preview
With depth across the card, it shapes as a fitting finale to WA's premier carnival.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
Gold Rush Day brings The Pinnacles to a close at Ascot on Saturday, headlined by the $1.5 million Gold Rush and supported by a program rich in storylines.
Oaks and Derby winner Machine Gun Gracie returns to the track, and unbeaten Smooth Chino steps out again looking to extend his perfect record.
Continue reading for my Gold Rush Day good oil.
Race 1 – BISLEY WORKWEAR HANDICAP (1800 METRES)
No. 7 Mississippi Dawn
MISSISSIPPI DAWN (7) was stiff two starts back when finishing 1.38 lengths fifth over this course and distance when held up.
The Michael Grantham-trained mare made up for that disappointment last start when she returned to compete over this course and distance and let down strongly to claim victory in the shadow of the post.
She's rock hard fit and remains down in the weights.
Clint Johnston-Porter should be able to settle in a prominent position given the lack of speed in the race.
Selections: 7-1-5-3
Bet Now: Ascot Race 1
Race 2 – MRS MAC'S PLATE (1400 METRES)
No. 8 Nintymilestraight
NINETYMILESTRAIGHT (8) will appreciate the drop in class after a terrific performance in the Listed Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic last start.
The Trevor Andrews-trained filly led over this course and distance and gave a good sight but was no match for the highly talented Hot And High, finishing just under three lengths second.
Two starts back she proved too strong despite racing wide throughout when winning her maiden comfortably over 1300m at Belmont.
She's well weighted and maps to enjoy a great run on speed.
Selections: 8-2-1-3
Bet Now: Ascot Race 2
Race 3 – MCA POLYTRACK HANDICAP (1000 METRES)
No. 2 Want A Winner
WANT A WINNER (2) returns to the races for the first time since going down at Belmont in August by a head.
The Sean & Jake Casey-trained entire does his best racing fresh and is undefeated in three first-up races.
He looks super in a recent trial where he cruised around in front for an effortless win.
William Pike can settle in the box seat which should see his mount be very hard to beat.
Selections: 2-8-1-9
Bet Now: Ascot Race 3
Race 4 – PKF PERTH HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
No. 3 Astro World
ASTRO WORLD (3) has been wanting further and gets it here with the rise to a mile.
The Michael Grantham-trained mare was excellent two starts ago over 1400m here when finding the line strongly only to nailed on the line by Fast Harry to finish a head second.
She got a long way back over 1500m last start at Pinjarra before working home well to finish 3.1 lengths fourth.
She's at peak fitness and should be rocketing home for 'The Hyphenator'.
Selections: 3-1-6-2
Bet Now: Ascot Race 4
Race 5 – LISTED BLACK HEART BART STAKES (1200 METRES)
No. 2 Smooth Chino
SMOOTH CHINO (2) has started his career in impeccable form and is looking to keep his unbeaten record intact.
The Indianna Weinert-trained gelding won his first three starts before being spelled.
He recently returned, coming straight to town for the first time where worked early to cross from a wide gate, settling second before fighting bravely once challenged in straight to draw clear and win by 1.27 lengths.
He proved his class last start over this course and distance where he never looked like losing with a massive 60.5kg.
This is his toughest test to date, but he has an abundance of talent and maps to get the run of the race.
Selections: 2-7-1-8
Bet Now: Ascot Race 5
Race 6 – MORLEY GROWERS MARKET HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
No. 9 Regal Statue
REGAL STATUE (9) looks coiled up and ready to strike third-up.
The Michael Grantham-trained mare improved significantly second-up over 1200m here last start when charging through the ruck despite being held up several times to finish 3.65 lengths fourth.
The rise to 1500m looks ideal given the way she attacked the line.
Clint Johnston-Porter should be able to settle a touch closer from the low draw.
Selections: 9-11-3-5
Bet Now: Ascot Race 6
Race 7 – SWAN DRAUGHT HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
No. 8 Timeless Gem
TIMELESS GEM (8) was unlucky not to finish closer than 3.53 lengths fourth when resuming over 1000m here last Saturday.
The Stephen Miller-trained gelding loomed a long the fence but had his run taken by eventual winner Black Ora.
He'll strip fitter and has a great second-up record that includes a win at Bunbury last preparation.
Brad Parnham will give him every chance from barrier 3.
Selections: 8-12-1-4
Bet Now: Ascot Race 7
Race 8 – LISTED STARSTRUCK CLASSIC (1600 METRES)
No. 1 Storyville
STORYVILLE (1) will appreciate returning to this level against her own sex after a luckless run in the Group 1 Railway Stakes.
The Michael Grantham-trained mare looked to making ground through the pack in the run home but ran into a roadblock and was spat out the back to finish second last.
Prior to that she impressed when storming home along the fence to win the Group 3 RJ Peter Stakes.
She's rock hard fit and gets William Pike back in the saddle.
Selections: 1-2-4-10
Bet Now: Ascot Race 8
Race 9 – GROUP 3 THE GOLD RUSH (1400 METRES)
No. 10 Cosmic Crusader
COSMIC CRUSADER (10) has finally delivered on his promise and is looking for his third win in a row.
After failing to gain a start in the Railway Stakes, the Michael Grantham-trained gelding took out his disappointment on an unsuspecting Carbine Club Of WA Stakes field where he proved too strong over this distance to win by 2.59 lengths.
He was outstanding last start in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes when letting down like a demon to defy the late charge of Watch Me Rock to claim a narrow win.
The drop back to 1400m is interesting, but he's a classy galloper and we know he'll be strong late, unlike some of his rivals that come through the Winterbottom Stakes.
Selections: 10-9-1-3
Bet Now: Ascot Race 9
Race 10 – SHARE BETS WITH TABTOUCH BET LOOP HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
No. 10 Return Of The Mach
RETURN OF THE MACH (10) picked up where she left off with an impressive win at Bunbury last start.
The Adam Durrant-trained mare ended last preparation with a well deserved 1.9 length maiden win over 1300m at Northam.
She returned last start over this distance at Bunbury where she produced a devastating turn of foot to win easily by 3.12 lengths.
Her form warrants a trip to town and she looks well placed with Lucy Fiore riding.
Selections: 10-3-4-2
