Ted Van Heemst Preview & Selections

Chris · December 2025

Summary of Best Bets

Confidence	Stake	Horse	Race
Best Bet	3 Units	Supernatural	Race 5
High	2 Units	Graceful Lass	Race 2
High	2 Units	He's A Machino	Race 4
High	2 Units	Redback Flyer	Race 8
High	2 Units	Keep Ita Mystery	Race 10
Medium	1.5 Units	Radiant Light	Race 1
Medium	1.5 Units	Heaven Specified	Race 3
Medium	1.5 Units	Grand Reserve	Race 6
Medium	1.5 Units	Without Reg	Race 7
Medium	1.5 Units	Diamond Scene	Race 9

Chris · December 2025

Race 1: Virbac Westspeed Platinum Maiden (1400m)

This is a wide-open start to the day. Radiant Light is the standout "fifty-percenter" here, having placed in 5 of 7 career starts (71%)²²². He drops back from a tough run in the Fairetha Stakes where he was outclassed ³, but his recent third at Pinjarra when hitting the line hard suggests he is ready for the 1400m⁴. The danger is Western Ace, who was a fast-finishing third at Pinjarra Park over 1200m⁵. He looks like a horse looking for more ground and gets the services of William Pike⁶.

Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) – Radiant Light ($2.70 estimated)

Horse	Role	Comment
Radiant Light	Top Pick	Consistent performer (71% place rate) peaking now.
Western Ace	Danger	Massive late sectionals last start; Pike on is a huge signal.

Chris · December 2025

Race 2: Baldivis Vets Westspeed Platinum Maiden (1200m)

Graceful Lass looks very hard to beat here after a professional debut where she held her position strongly to the line over 1000m⁷⁷⁷⁷. The step up to 1200m is ideal. She comes from a yard that excels in these Westspeed features⁸. Bosun is the interesting newcomer; he has shown plenty in trials, notably a narrow second behind the talented Offshore⁹.

Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) – Graceful Lass ($4.00 estimated)

Horse	Role	Comment
Graceful Lass	Top Pick	Improved by debut run and bred to appreciate the extra furlong.
Bosun	Danger	Trial form is elite; keep very safe on debut.

Chris · December 2025

Race 3: Murray Veterinary Services Sires Stakes (1200m)

Heaven Specified is the benchmark here. With 4 wins/places from 8 starts (50%), he comes off a dominant win at Bunbury where he sat on the pace and never looked like losing¹⁰¹⁰¹⁰¹⁰. He is well-weighted and has a fitness edge over Sunset Session, who is a very high-quality gelding but is currently only second-up¹¹¹¹¹¹¹¹. Sunset Session showed great determination when second at Bunbury and will be breathing down the top pick's neck late¹².

Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) – Heaven Specified ($2.40 estimated)

Horse	Role	Comment
Heaven Specified	Top Pick	In-form, reliable on-pace runner with a 50% strike rate.
Sunset Session	Danger	Huge talent but may need one more run to peak.

Chris · December 2025

Race 4: Mogumber Park Westspeed Platinum Plate (1000m)

He's A Machino is the class runner here, having won at this track and distance just 14 days ago¹³¹³¹³¹³. He is a "fifty-percenter" (1 win from 2 starts) and showed great grit to win a photo finish last time out¹⁴¹⁴¹⁴¹⁴. Ace Queen Suited is the logical threat; she was only 0.4L behind the winner in a strong 2YO Sweepstakes and will be improved by that experience¹⁵¹⁵¹⁵¹⁵.

Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) – He's A Machino ($3.20 estimated)

Horse	Role	Comment
He's A Machino	Top Pick	Proved his quality at this track and distance two weeks ago.
Ace Queen Suited	Danger	Finished with a wet sail last start; better draw today.

Chris · December 2025

Race 5: Ridgeport 2026 MM Yearlings Epona Classic (1200m)

Supernatural is arguably the best-weighted horse on the card¹⁶¹⁶¹⁶¹⁶. She has a 53% place strike rate (7/13) and is a specialist at this track¹⁷. Her win in the Westspeed Heat was clinical, and she gets William Pike back in the saddle¹⁸. Jaz Session is the threat, having already proven herself at this level with multiple wins this preparation, though the wide barrier makes her task harder¹⁹¹⁹¹⁹¹⁹.

Recommended Bet: Best Bet (3 Units) – Supernatural ($3.50 estimated)

Horse	Role	Comment
Supernatural	Top Pick	Elite Ascot record and perfectly weighted for this grade.
Jaz Session	Danger	High class but needs luck from the wide gate.

Race 6: Milne Feeds Westspeed Platinum Cup (2100m)

Grand Reserve was exceptional winning over 2200m here recently²⁰²⁰²⁰. He has placed in 11 of 27 starts and carries the weight well for a horse that stays all day²¹. Rocking Society is the danger; he has been honest without winning this prep but is a proven performer at this specific track and distance²²²²²²²².

Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) – Grand Reserve ($4.50 estimated)

Horse	Role	Comment
Grand Reserve	Top Pick	Last-start winner who loves the Ascot staying trips.
Rocking Society	Danger	Consistency personified and due for a change of luck.

Chris · December 2025

Race 7: Ascot Equine Veterinarians Platinum Sprint (1400m)

Without Reg produced a sensational performance to win over this track and distance 14 days ago²³²³²³. He is a veteran "fifty-percenter" with 17 placings from 33 starts²⁴. He is currently at peak fitness and handles the 1400m better than most in this field²⁵. Our Paladin Al is the saver; he flashed home for third in a strong Graduate Handicap and looks ready to win now that he's second-up²⁶.

Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) – Without Reg ($5.50 estimated)

Horse	Role	Comment
Without Reg	Top Pick	Coming off a career-peak win at this track and distance.
Our Paladin Al	Danger	Second-up specialist with a massive closing burst.

Race 8: Ducimus & Rommel at Ridgeport Platinum Mile (1600m)

Redback Flyer is the one they have to beat. He has an incredible 55% place rate (5/9) and comes off a dominant win in a Graduate Handicap²⁷²⁷²⁷²⁷. He is a second-up winner in the past and the mile at Ascot is his pet distance²⁸²⁸²⁸²⁸. Auto Cruise is the major threat after winning the Westspeed Final in impressive fashion²⁹²⁹²⁹. She is remarkably consistent and handles all conditions³⁰.

Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) – Redback Flyer ($3.80 estimated)

Horse	Role	Comment
Redback Flyer	Top Pick	Class drop runner who is elite at the Ascot 1600m.
Auto Cruise	Danger	In career-best form and maps for a perfect run.

Chris · December 2025

Race 9: Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m)

This is the feature, and Diamond Scene looks the play. With 11 wins/places from 20 starts (55%), he was excellent in the Railway Stakes and will relish the return to 2100m where he has won before³¹³¹³¹³¹. Apulia is the clear danger; a high-class Victorian raider with a Group win recently, though he must prove he can handle the Ascot heat first time out³²³²³²³².

Recommended Bet: Medium (1.5 Units) – Diamond Scene ($4.00 estimated)

Horse	Role	Comment
Diamond Scene	Top Pick	Proven WFA performer who will appreciate the distance increase.
Apulia	Danger	Victorian class but a question mark on track suitability.

Race 10: Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Trophy (1200m)

We finish the day with Keep Ita Mystery. He has 9 wins/places from 16 starts (56%) and his last-start second over 1000m was full of merit³³³³³³³³. He is a notorious second-up performer and the step to 1200m is exactly what he needs³⁴³⁴³⁴³⁴. Charino is the main threat; he missed by a whisker two starts back and will be charging home late³⁵³⁵³⁵³⁵.

Recommended Bet: High (2 Units) – Keep Ita Mystery ($4.20 estimated)

Horse	Role	Comment
Keep Ita Mystery	Top Pick	Statistically dominant second-up and loves Ascot.
Charino	Danger	Will be the fastest finisher in the race; just needs a gap.

SLIPPERGOLDEN · December 2025

A few for me....

R5 Treble Maker is an each way special. Form looks crap but has fronted more trouble recently than Judge Judy

R6 Rocking Society a best bet with a saver on War Matters at odds

R8 Memory Parade. Don't forget it in this

R9 Admiration Express to beat the visitor from the far east Apulia

R10 Prospectors Pick is another best bet but also a saver on Stylish Lord

savethegame · December 2025

Ted's interview late this year,---
redevelopment

Rodent · December 2025

Great run Hoba West but it will get crucified in the ratings for only winning 12k more than a normal Saturday race. You get 4 points for a win and it will get at least 16pts for not winning.

It really is terrible placement if you don't win.

DamienWyer · December 2025

Sorry but fail to get excited about a race day named after this person.

thefalcon · December 2025

^ so do i Damien. i cannot figure who proposed it and who sanctioned the name change....maybe it was Ted himself, or one of his dodgy mates.

psycho · December 2025

Rodent said:
Great run Hoba West but it will get crucified in the ratings for only winning 12k more than a normal Saturday race. You get 4 points for a win and it will get at least 16pts for not winning.
It really is terrible placement if you don't win.

It's copped 14 points for the 2nd, needs to be a little bit of lenience at times as horses get older they "little" chance of major improvement although the lightly raced ones can go through the grades quickly at times

Rodent · December 2025

Got the same pts as 3.5 wins. 3.5 wins is approx $150k in ratings races.

Flanders · December 2025

psycho said:

Rodent said:
Great run Hoba West but it will get crucified in the ratings for only winning 12k more than a normal Saturday race. You get 4 points for a win and it will get at least 16pts for not winning.
It really is terrible placement if you don't win.
It's copped 14 points for the 2nd, needs to be a little bit of lenience at times as horses get older they "little" chance of major improvement although the lightly raced ones can go through the grades quickly at times

To be fair, the placement was terrible. It was always going to get smashed with points if it ran well.
Placed better and it can run in handicaps and rise through the grades. Now it is a struggle

psycho · December 2025

Flanders said:

psycho said:

Rodent said:
Great run Hoba West but it will get crucified in the ratings for only winning 12k more than a normal Saturday race. You get 4 points for a win and it will get at least 16pts for not winning.
It really is terrible placement if you don't win.
It's copped 14 points for the 2nd, needs to be a little bit of lenience at times as horses get older they "little" chance of major improvement although the lightly raced ones can go through the grades quickly at times

To be fair, the placement was terrible. It was always going to get smashed with points if it ran well.
Placed better and it can run in handicaps and rise through the grades. Now it is a struggle

Yes placement was an error in judgement with hindsight but it may stop people "having a go" with a horse they think may win a big one. Anyway that's the system and we know before we enter

DamienWyer · December 2025

I'm a fan of Summer Dickson, with the right stock I think she could be a very good Trainer in WA. I get the impression she doesn't have a large stable, probably no more than a dozen or so in work, but she does look to have the support of several hobbyist breeders. That sometimes can throw up a half decent horse. Her stock seems to be focused around a Mile, perhaps that is her forte. Maybe Sue & Alan Olive can see a Awesome Rock go her way??

In respect to Hoba West, it's won four of it's last six runs with two seconds. That's good by anyone's standards and a horse on the improve. It's a pity that with only 53kg it would have been a chance in the Perth Cup however it has been scratched along with Cosmic Crusader who would have been hard to hold out. I don't think this is a stellar edition of what was once a good race. (well when it was a two mile event)

Hoba West was bred and is owned by Cape Falls Thoroughbreds. That tells me everything I need about races to run in.

thefalcon · December 2025

i refuse to go and support that race.

hasn't anybody at rwwa have the guts to change it...

G'day Punter!

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