Racing Tips & Best Bets - Wednesday, April 1, 2026

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Ascot Betting Tips for April 1, 2026 - Selections for WA Oaks Day

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: Tue 31 Mar 2026 08:03

Alex Marsh 31 Mar 2026

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Ascot race day rescheduled to April 1, featuring the WA Oaks & Melvista Stakes
Heavenly Rapture eyes the WA Oaks; Too Darn Stormy set for Solutions Handicap
Madame Magic favourably placed in Wittens Handicap with drop in grade

Expired

Ascot’s rescheduled WA Oaks meeting headlines Wednesday’s racing. (Getty)

Ascot hosts a strong rescheduled program on Wednesday, April 1, highlighted by the Group 3 WA Oaks, with a competitive card that also offers an early look toward the WATC Derby through the Listed Melvista Stakes.

Ascot Tips March 28
Drummond Golf - WA Oaks Tips (Race 6)
Solutions Matchmaking Handicap Tips (Race 8)
Wittens Irrigation & Design Handicap Tips (Race 9)
Mrs Mac's Handicap Tips (Race 10)

Originally scheduled for Saturday, March 28, the meeting has been shifted to Wednesday and retains the same program, with progressive types stepping through key lead-ups and form lines building across the card for punters.

For coverage, previews and updates across all codes worldwide, follow our Live Racing & Sports Updates.

Ascot Tips March 28

Drummond Golf - WA Oaks Tips (Race 6)

Ascot Feature Bet - Race 6 No. 5 Heavenly Rapture

Whether she’s got the class to go with these more fancied rivals remains to be seen, however Heavenly Rapture does look the real genuine staying type in the Oaks and she’s bred to get a trip.

The daughter of Playing God continues to improve with racing and needed every bit of 1800m when breaking through at Pinjarra.

She then went around at a big price in the Natasha Stakes, the main lead-up to the WA Oaks, where she dropped to the rear and worked home late out wide against that race shape to finish fifth.

With the extra furlong for Wednesday’s Group 3 appearing ideal, especially against that same opposition, she should be suited.

From barrier four under Holly Watson, she may be able to settle a little closer here, but will need momentum earlier irrespective.

Solutions Matchmaking Handicap Tips (Race 8)

Ascot Best Bet - Race 8 No. 9 Too Darn Stormy

Too Darn Stormy showed potential in a short two-run first prep, winning at Belmont before finding Playin’it Sweet too classy as a runner-up in a 1300m late-season two-year-old affair.

The form through that winner has been superb, with Playin’it Sweet winning six of her next nine attempts, the last three of those at Listed level.

Resuming over 1100m on January 31, he just found that trip a little on the sharp side.

However, it was still a sound sectional performance against both the race shape and pattern of that program.

The three-year-old has since completed a tick-over trial at Belmont and, with an extra 100m in his favour, he’s well placed to atone.

Wittens Irrigation & Design Handicap Tips (Race 9)

Ascot Value Bet - Race 9 No. 1 Madame Magic

Madame Magic resumed in stronger company and it was a fair first-up performance on March 14 from the daughter of Real Impact.

She does go up 3kg here, but a soft draw can offset that and her last victory was off the same pattern and with a weight increase.

The drop in grade and rise to 1400m are two big positives on Wednesday.

The Pearce-trained galloper saluted over this track-and-trip second-up last autumn in a prep that culminated in a Northam victory on June 2.

While she was just a rung or so below the better fillies and mares over the Perth carnival, Madame Magic was still competitive in Listed and Group 3 company.

Mrs Mac's Handicap Tips (Race 10)

Ascot Roughie - Race 10 No. 3 Petula

Petula trialled up well, narrowly winning a heat over Group 3 winner West Star on March 16 at Belmont, which was the fastest 1000m heat of that set.

The daughter of Nicconi is still lightly raced for a five-year-old and has a decent overall record.

The Listed winner performed well via her last fresh outing in this grade at Pinjarra on August 2, where she went around at a big price on wet ground.

She should have gone closer than fourth-of-11 when going back from a wide draw and then being held up in the straight when ridden for luck.

There’s nice relief after the 3kg claim and in an even contest to close out the WA Oaks program, Petula has each-way claims at a big price.

Verdict

Ascot - April 1

Our Ascot tips for Wednesday, April 1 are:

Too Darn Stormy

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Madame Magic

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$6.50 - 3 Units

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Heavenly Rapture

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$10.00 - 2 Units

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Petula

Each Way

$21.00 - 1 Unit

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