ASCOT RACECOURSE is gearing up for a December spectacle tomorrow, December 6, as ten races thunder through a 9:29am–3:12pm program anchored by the mighty $1.5 million NORTHERLY STAKES. The stage is set for Day 4 of The Pinnacles, where tradition, pride and pure horsepower come together under the warm, early–summer sky. Crowds will spill across the Flametree Lawn, the Swish marquee and the grandstand terraces, all waiting for the moment the feature explodes into motion. With Christmas celebrations blending into big-race adrenaline, the course is primed for a day that feels larger than the season itself. Ascot isn’t just hosting a raceday tomorrow — it’s preparing to host an experience.
THE CROWN RACES — WHERE THE SPOTLIGHT WILL BURN BRIGHT
TABtouch-Northerly Stakes (G1) — The Jewel of Day 4
• Race 9 • 2:30pm • 1800 metres • 17 contenders
The Northerly Stakes, holding a staggering $1.5 million purse, stands ready to claim the afternoon as Ascot’s defining moment. It carries the weight of legacy, named after the champion who carved his mark into WA racing folklore, and tomorrow its contenders like WESTERN EMPIRE, WATCH ME ROCK, HEMLOCK STONE, DIAMOND SCENE, SENTIMENTAL HERO, COSMIC CRUSADER, ADMIRATION EXPRESS and DEPTH OF CHARACTER will chase the kind of glory that defines careers. The atmosphere around this race promises tension, reverence and an eruption of noise when the field drives into the home straight. Everything on the card rises to this peak.
G.A. Towton Cup — One for the Stayers to Stamp Their Moment
• Race 8 • 1:48pm • 2200 metres • 15 contenders
Worth $125,000, the Towton Cup is set to deliver its own brand of theatre as the stayers surge into the spotlight. With contenders BUCKETS RIDGE, CAPTAIN PLUTO, GRAND PIERRO, FILTHY HABITS, FEAR THE WIND, FIRST ENCOUNTER, MEMORY PARADE and PLAYHOUSE PATRON preparing to stretch deep into the closing stages, this will be the race that tests heart as much as stamina. It adds weight and gravity to an already loaded afternoon.
TABtouch – Westspeed Platinum Series Final — A $100,000 Burst of Ambition
• Race 6 • 12:33pm • 1400 metres • 14 contenders
Sitting proudly among the supporting features, the Westspeed Final injects the program with its own spark. Tomorrow’s runners GOLD MAKER, MIA GUSTO, THE SPRUIKER, AMERICAN ESCAPE, RIGHT TO SILENCE, ROCKING IN VEGAS and CLASSIC IMPACT will come in chasing both status and reward, making this a pivotal battle for rising talent. It’s not the headline act, but it refuses to play small.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY — THE SOUL OF ASCOT’S SATURDAY
Day 4 of The Pinnacles delivers the electric midpoint of WA’s biggest racing festival, ensuring the stands buzz from the first race through the last.
Flametree Christmas sets the celebratory tone, turning one corner of the racecourse into a festive escape with all-inclusive cheer and an easy Christmas-season joy.
Premium dining across Flying Colours, The Terrace and Swish promise racegoers sweeping views, elegant food and a luxury experience that elevates the entire day.
A summer crowd gathering early ensures Ascot will feel alive from mid-morning, with families, friends and racing romantics soaking in the atmosphere.
A tradition reimagined — the Northerly Stakes keeps the past alive while pushing forward into a new era of Western Australian racing pride.
THE SUPPORTING CARD — SEVEN RACES THAT BUILD THE DAY, STEP BY STEP
After the morning crowd settles in and the atmosphere starts to warm, Race 1 – SWAN DRAUGHT HANDICAP, a RTG72+ worth $80,000 at 09:29am over 1600m, will open the program with fresh legs, early ambition and the first hint of the rhythm Ascot is preparing to set.
The day tightens into sharper competition with Race 2 – MAGIC MILLIONS PLATE, a race for 2yo staged at 10:04am for $80,000 across 1000m, where rising confidence and mid-morning energy will begin shaping the narrative of the card.
Momentum continues through Race 3 – PARLIAMENTARIANS’ CUP, a RTG 66+ at 10:41am run over 2200m and offering $80,000, often known for its decisive moves and the crowd’s first real surge of anticipation.
As the sun climbs and voices around the lawn grow louder, Race 4 – QUAYCLEAN PLATE takes its place — a race for 3yo at 11:21am, contested over 1000m for $80,000, where developing talent and mid-card ambition will meet in a lively pre-feature contest.
With tension building toward the program’s centrepiece moments, Race 5 – MCA POLYTRACK HANDICAP, a RTG 78+ worth $80,000 at 11:58am over 1400m, will sharpen the day’s competitive edge as seasoned contenders look to seize afternoon momentum.
Once the major races ignite the crowd, the undercard resumes with Race 7 – SCHWEPPES HANDICAP, a race for 3yo & Up at 1:10pm, stretching over 1400m for $60,000, guiding the energy into its late-day rhythm as fresh narratives emerge.
The supporting card closes with Race 10 – LOOP HANDICAP, a RTG 72+ run at 3:12pm for $80,000 across 1000m, delivering one final burst of intensity to ensure the day ends with the same colour, noise and spirit that marked its opening.
TOMORROW ASCOT TAKES FLIGHT
With festival spirit, summer air and three standout features waiting to ignite the track, Ascot’s December 6 program is shaping into one of the season’s great afternoons. Every race has a role to play, every cheer will rise a little louder, and the Northerly Stakes will hold the whole day in its orbit. Tomorrow, the theatre of racing belongs to Ascot — and it’s ready to deliver something unforgettable.
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