On Wednesday, 15th October, ASCOT RACECOURSE, perched in Perth’s eastern suburb of Ascot, came alive with its midweek meeting as part of the 2025 ASCOT RACING CARNIVAL. The card delivered eight competitive races between 1:19 pm and 5:40 pm, with the crowd treated to a blend of entertainment, hospitality, and quality WA thoroughbred racing. The carnival season is in full swing, and every race today felt like a piece of the larger tapestry — trainers, connections, and fans all eager to stake their claims ahead of the more prominent meetings on the calendar.
Race 1: INDIGENOUS TENNIS & LEARNING / RTSA HANDICAP (1:19pm, 1200 metres)
The day got off to a spirited start as VANDOULA JET crossed in 01:11.47, piloted by STEVEN PARNHAM with poise and timing. Trainer STEFAN VAHALA had prepped the horse beautifully, breeder ORBIS BLOODSTOCK PTY LTD saw their stock rewarded, and owners MR K SUTHERLAND, MR B SUTHERLAND, SM & KB BLOODSTOCK , MR M J VAHALA, MR B W SUTHERLAND, MR T BRIDGEFORD, MR M CRANLEY, MR G J CARRUTHERS, MR M A BARDSLEY, MR K CRANLEY, MR C CRANLEY, MR D W DREWITT, MR B DUFFY, MR I P TAGLIAFERRI, MR D P PANIZZA, MR A D YOUNG, MR M NAUGHTON, MR S MURPHY and MR M O’REILLY celebrated the early win. SPIRITED STRIKE kept pushing late, while FRIAR’S LEGACY stayed on for a credible placing.
Race 2: MURLPIRRMARRA CONNECTION HANDICAP (1:54pm, 1200 metres)
In the second contest, TESTY PHAROAH turned on a strong finish to take it in 01:11.84. LUKE CAMPBELL’s ride proved decisive, STEVE WOLFE’s setup showed class, breeder MR P WILTON had cause to smile, and owners MR S J WOLFE, MR G T EVANS, MR G D HANN, MS L K CARROLL, MR B BOURKE, MRS M WOLFE and MISS P J OATES enjoyed the payoff. JIMMY ANGEL remained close to the winner, and PUBLICISE rallied to claim third.
Race 3: COURTTALK, PATSY & BIG D, 91.3 SPORTFM, 8AM SUNDAY’S MAIDEN (2:29pm, 1500 metres)
Race 3 brought out depth of field, and BUTHELEZI showed the strength to prevail in 01:31.43. BRAD PARNHAM judged pace smartly, DANIEL MORTON had prepared with care, breeder WYADUP VALLEY FARM saw pedigree rewarded, and owners MR T J DELROY and MRS T D DELROY toasted another success. SAVVY RULER chased hard to the line, and ROSENTREA held on to take the minor placing.
Race 4: DP & LK PATTEN HANDICAP (3:07pm, 1000 metres)
Approaching the heart of the card, ELITE BEAU produced a standout effort in 00:58.31. WILLIAM PIKE pushed the right buttons, GRANT & ALANA WILLIAMS’s plan delivered, breeder YARRADALE STUD shared in the glory, and owners CHINA HORSE CLUB RACING PTY LTD, FINNMAT, MR B J GREENWOOD, MR R HARVEY, MR S MARTIN, MR K P J ROBINSON, MR G SIMS, MR R V WILSON, YARRADALE STUD, YELLOW ARMY RACING, MR M J IZETT, MR A SMITH and STONE CONTRACTING felt the victory. COONDLE kept the pressure all the way, while PROMISING stayed grounded for a credible third.
Race 5: SWICK MINING SERVICES HANDICAP (3:47pm, 1800 metres)
A pivotal race of the afternoon — ALMAYA asserted dominance in 01:53.60. BRAD PARNHAM found the split, MACK HALL’s preparation stood up, breeder as well as owner MS W S LANG enjoyed validation and savoured a major result. DANDY’S GEM pressed hard to the post, and AUTHORATIVE closed smartly for the frame.
Race 6: GTT VENTURES TROPHY (4:27pm, 1500 metres)
As the day progressed, SHAULA extended the momentum by winning in 01:32.17. LUCY FIORE delivered under pressure, KATJA WARWICK’s conditioning showed, breeder MR T R RYAN added to the tally, and owners MRS K W WARWICK and MR T A ERCEG was rewarded. ACROSS GENERATIONS ran on bravely, and MUST BE NICE stayed in contention for third.
Race 7: SMS MINING SERVICES HANDICAP (5:05pm, 1200 metres)
The penultimate race saw FINE STAR rally decisively in 01:10.94. CLINT JOHNSTON-PORTER’s timing was key, SIMON A MILLER’s program came to fruition, breeder G & C PASTORAL CO had cause to cheer, and owners MR S A MILLER, MR R D MEADOWCROFT, MR P W JONES and MR X D FRANKLIN rode the moment. HEDAWOOD ran gallantly, and DOMINATUS held on for a spot in the frame.
Race 8: HFM: TIGER, BIG D & JOCK HANDICAP (5:40pm, 1400 metres)
The curtain closed with flare as ASTRO WORLD surged home in 01:24.88. CLINT JOHNSTON-PORTER executed a cool finish, MICHAEL GRANTHAM’s strategy held true, breeder as well as owner PETERS INVESTMENTS PTY LTD collected a proud return and basked in the win. NOAHQUINTILLY gave a gutsy run for second, and GREAT EDITION rounded off the card with strength.
Ascot’s midweek card delivered exactly what its fans crave — competitive racing, pleasant atmosphere, and that carnival buzz even on a Wednesday. The 2025 Ascot Racing Carnival marches on, and with bigger meetings ahead, today’s performances gave many horses and connections momentum. May the clues given here point to bigger triumphs in the weeks to come.
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