Aaron Mills’ top three to follow from Ascot

Aaron Mills - Monday October 23

Things are heating up in the west with some classy animals staking feature-race claims on opening day at Ascot.

Advertisement

DISRUPTIVE
I reckon this three-year-old son of Reset is going much better than first appears. He recorded slick time to break his maiden first-up at Northam and had excuses for the midfield finish at Belmont next time out, getting cast in his gate prior to the start and racing keenly before tiring in the straight. On Saturday Disruptive showed ample early toe to lead but carved out the first 800 metres of the 1400-metre journey in under 48 seconds – way too quick for this class, and was outmuscled over the concluding stages to finish a close third. If I were trainer Lindsey Smith, and clearly I'm not, but if I were, I'd be talking to owners about backing Disruptive up in the 1200 metre Belgravia Stakes this Saturday or the 1000 metre scamper the weekend after, races where he can use his speed to better effect.
Career record (5:1-0-2)
Race to look for – 3YO race 1200m or shorter

DAINTY TESS
What a great money spinner this mare is. Second-up from a spell on Saturday and carrying plenty of weight even after the claim for apprentice Kate Whitten, the state's Westspeed bonus record-holder was spotting a start to Winterbottom Stakes candidate and eventual winner State Solicitor turning for home but rattled off similar sectionals to finish a fighting second. The ultimate goals for Dainty Tess this preparation are likely to be the Jungle Mist and Jungle Dawn Classics that are run in late November and early December, respectively, and while she will probably be forced to take on the 'big boys' in the coming weeks she looks more than capable of measuring up, especially with some relief at the weights. Mark her prominently in anything she attempts between now and then.
Career record (25:9-9-4)
Race to look for – Sprint races 1100-1400m

TOUCH OF SILVER
A winner of five from eight so certainly knows how to find the line and there look to be plenty more wins to come if his first-up effort is any indication. The 1400 metres appeared within scope first-up especially after a solid trial prior however Touch of Silver was totally unsuited by the moderate tempo that transpired, taking a while to stoke up from back in the field and eventually finishing just over a length away in fourth. Expect the Durrant-trained gelding to derive a stack of improvement from the outing to be cherry-ripe for a race over further where he can find a more prominent spot around what is often a speed-favouring Ascot track. Apprentice Fred Kersley (grandson of the iconic horseman) is riding quite well at present and I'd be keeping him on for the near future.
Career record (8:5-0-1)
Race to look for – Benchmark 66+ 1600-1800m

Advertisment
More Reading...
Third Winner for Peltzer
Twin Hills Stud’s young sire Peltzer added a third winner to his tally with a debut victory at Canberra on Friday for the well named gelding I Show Speed.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
There were six heats for juveniles at Rosehill on Friday morning and the winners include unraced youngsters by Cool Aza Beel and I Am Invincible, plus a Farnan colt that tried his luck in Group races in the autumn and was far from disgraced.
Invincible 2YO Colt wins for Bennett Racing
The $150,000 VRC Next Gen Sprinters Series Final (1200m) for two year-olds at Flemington on Saturday drew a competitive field of progressive juveniles and the colt that stood out on type in the yard was the one that got the cash with I Am Invincible colt Jimmy Recard proving too good for race favourite Bacash.
High-flying Pencarrow Stud offers well-bred mares in Online Breeding Stock Sale
The 2024-25 season has been one of the best ever for Pencarrow Stud, and some of the renowned bloodlines that have underpinned that success are now available for purchase in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 4
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Synthetic track meetings at Ballarat can throw up some misleading form, but a debut winner from the Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable that started in the red and won by nine lengths is probably worth a closer look.
Spring Potential for Darby Racing's Raging Force
Unplaced in the Group III ATC Breeders’ Plate last spring on debut, Raging Force came out of that race with an injury that required significant time on the sidelines, but since returning to full work his progress has been swift.
Marble Nine Brings Up Second Stakes Winner For Aquis’ Kobayashi
The withdrawal of the top weight in Saturday’s $175,000 Listed MRC Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington saw the field down to just six, with Marble Nine continuing his outstanding recent form to secure his first black type victory.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Buccleuch - First Stakes-Winner for Peltzer
The $175,000 Listed VRC Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday was won back in 2020 by Cherry Tortoni, who went to on to become a multiple Group winner of nearly $1million and the same colours were carried by this year’s winner Buccleuch.