It was a sparkling Tuesday, November 4th, at ASCOT RACECOURSE in Perth, Western Australia, as the venue hosted its signature TABtouch Melbourne Cup Day at Ascot. The nine-race card ran from 8:55am to 2:40pm, and the day formed part of the wider Ascot Racing Carnival. Guests enjoyed not only top-class racing but also live coverage of the famous Melbourne Cup on the big screen, hospitality zones, fashion and community atmosphere. On the track, the highlight included the Listed Burgess Queen Stakes for top three-year-old fillies, bringing real depth into the program.
Race 1: THE WEALTH ADVISER BEYOND 2025 HANDICAP (8:55am, 1000 metres)
OVERDRIVE kicked off the day in fine style, winning in 00:58.31 under a composed ride by CHRIS PARNHAM. Trainer NEVILLE PARNHAM had the horse primed, breeder MR N PARNHAM relished the success, and owners MR N D PARNHAM, MRS C A PARNHAM and SMARTNET INVESTMENTS PTY LTD marked an early win in this busy calendar. LAST STYLEBENDER ran on well for second, with KING’S DRAMA keeping persistence for third.
Race 2: SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (10:04am, 1000 metres)
In the second race, WILUNA LASS asserted authority, crossing the line in 00:58.96. With LUCY FIORE’s savvy ride and JOSH BROWN’s preparation showing through, breeder A LIST STUD PTY LTD and owners JOSH BROWN RACING, MRS J HUGHES, MRS K WAITE, MRS L HUNT, MISS C FORDER, and MR M R FORDER had reason to be pleased. NINETYMILESTRAIGHT chased commendably for second, and SPICY THANG stayed on strongly for third.
Race 3: BISLEY WORKWEAR HANDICAP (10:44am, 1500 metres)
The third contest offered a dynamic plot as COLD SHIZZLE delivered when it counted, winning in 01:31.99. ZEPHEN JOHNSTON-PORTER timed the move smartly, trainer DARREN MCAULIFFE’s conditioning paid off, breeder IMPRESSIVE RACING PTY LTD’s work shone, and owners IMPRESSIVE RACING PTY LTD, MR G MCLEARIE, MR J JAWORSKI, TENFOLD RACING, MR C M PERKINS, MR B M GREEN, MR G TYSON, MR D P KEATING, MR D J BLIGHT, MR I R FURNIVALL, MISS R A FURNIVALL, MISS S MARPER BATLEY, MISS H WELBURN, M & D WAKE, MR F W STANFORD, MR V C MCKINNEL, MR B M WOOD, MRS C SHEPPARD and MR K A SHEPPARD enjoyed the outcome. LOVA SESSION gave a solid chase, while CAVALLO RED filled the third berth with credit.
Race 4: HUNTER MANNING RECRUITMENT MAIDEN (11:28am, 1800 metres)
As the field stepped up, MASMELO showed strength and composure to win in 01:50.75. Guided by LUKE CAMPBELL and backed by NEVILLE PARNHAM’s sound program, breeder MRS D KEENS’s stock proved its worth and owners MR N D PARNHAM, MRS C A PARNHAM, MRS D A KEENS, MR D S KEENS, MR C HANNIGAN, MR P A CORBETT, MRS M CORBETT and MR LMA CARVER celebrated. MISS GRAPHENE stayed close to the action, while MACHO ARQUERO held its run for third place.
Race 5: TABTOUCH – HAVE YOU GOT THE TOUCH HANDICAP (12:08pm, 1800 metres)
Mid-card delivered quality as OPAL TANGO ran out a worthy winner, stopping the clock at 01:51.23. With jockey SHAUN O’DONNELL, trainer GREG CAVE, breeder MR G R DAWS, and owners MR G W CAVE, MR T W LYON, MR A L ANDROS, MR J B STAWELL, MR B SWEENY, MR R P CORPS, MR W A DOWNS, PEARL RIVER RACING, MR D J FOSTER, MR M G FOSTER, MR A H EAGLE and MR C VAN DONGEN all lining up a great performance, the win stood out. ALMAYA kept battling for second, and WAR MATTERS stayed in contention for the placement.
Race 6: ASCEND TROPHIES HANDICAP (12:45pm, 1200 metres)
The sixth race saw DUBAI’S DAUGHTER surge late to win in 01:09.86, under LUKE CAMPBELL’s measured guidance. Trainer JOSH BROWN had set the stage, breeder MRS R SMITH’s value was visible, and owner BELHUS RACING MANIFEST celebrated the result. AWESOME BOY kept pressing to the finish, and HARD SOLO secured third after a strong finish.
Race 7: SWAN DRAUGHT HANDICAP (1:20pm, 1400 metres)
Heading into the final third of the card, HEWILLDOUS made the decisive run, winning in 01:23.95 with the support of LAQDAR RAMOLY’s fine ride and MERYL HAYLEY’s game plan. Breeder MR P SKINNER and owners MR S E FLEMMING, MR N E THOMPSON, MR J L DAVIES, MR A J STEWART, MS D L GIBLETT, MR K M LEAMY and MR W B DAVIES both had reason to beam. LADIES PRO and VERGREY followed strongly to fill out the placing positions.
Race 8: TABTOUCH – BURGESS QUEEN STAKES (2:00pm, 1400 metres)
One of the day’s stand-out moments came in this Listed contest where PLAYIN’IT SWEET took the spoils in 01:22.82. LUCY FIORE delivered with precision, ADAM DURRANT’s preparation held firm under pressure, breeder MR R COSGROVE gained special reward, and owners MR R M COSGROVE, MRS T M COSGROVE, MISS J M COSGROVE and MISS G L COSGROVE enjoyed the prestige. TALKANCO ran a brave race for second and PURE EXCESS completed the top three with strength.
Race 9: WITTENS IRRIGATION & DESIGN HANDICAP (2:40pm, 1600 metres)
To conclude the day, DOMINATUS powered clear to win in 01:40.90. WILLIAM PIKE made all the right moves in the closing stages, trainer TREVOR ANDREWS finished on a high, breeder MR R W PRICE added another successful line, and owners MRS J ANDREWS, MR K J GREGSON, MRS H H GREGSON, MR R F DRAGE, MRS K M DRAGE and MR M P DIXON left the track proud. MISS VEUVE and REEL SERENITY completed the podium with determined efforts.
What a celebration of racing, community and competition at Ascot – from the big-screen glamour of the Melbourne Cup to the local stars on the track, the day offered something for every fan. As part of the Ascot Racing Carnival, the season continues ahead, and today’s winners may well carry momentum into future fixtures. Watch this space — the next major race day at Ascot is already on the horizon.
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