$1.5 million is on the line at Ascot over in WA this weekend with the Perth Summer Racing Carnival continuing with the Group 3 The Gold Rush 2024.

A capacity field of summer hopes face off in the 1400m clash on Saturday with the latest The Gold Rush betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au narrowly led by Dan Morton‘s mare Super Smink at $4.80.

Back to the 1400m looks ideal for this lovely type who is a deserving favourite at time of publish.

The four-year-old daughter of Super One has plenty of upside and presents fit off a good campaign.

She won November’s Group 3 Asian Beau at this track and trip before an eye-catching Group 1 third in the Railway Stakes over a mile.

Luckless last time out when ninth in the Northerly over 1800m, she was still under four lengths beaten despite a horror run.

Drops in trip, loves the course, and is drawn a dream gate five with the other best in betting all wider out making her a top pick for the punters.

The danger following closely on the second line of The Gold Rush betting is the Grant & Alana Williams-trained seven-year-old Western Empire at $5.

The Kiwi-bred gelding has a terrific record at the Ascot track (14:6-3-3) and chases his first win since the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) back in way.

Drawn gate 15 he will come into 12 at best if all emergencies come out.

At his latest he ran ninth to Overpass in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) but should relish the 1400m now fit and ready to return to his best with Billy Egan coming aboard for the ride.

The only other single figure fancy under $10 to salute is the Stephen Miller trained Magnificent Andy at $9.50.

Brad Parnham rides the consistent Magnus six-year-old from a favourable barrier four draw with the horse coming off a string of top four performances.

Two back he was third in the Group 2 Lee Steere under a half-length off Casino Seventeen before his fourth when one length beaten in the Railway which looks a great form reference here.

Despite the size of the field, just one runner in The Gold Rush comes off a last start win with Aztec Ruler for local horseman Stefan Vahala.

The Universal Ruler five-year-old saluted in the Listed Carbine Club Stakes (1400m) on November 23 and pays a generous $27 in The Gold Rush odds to put another win on his summer record.

Other notable hopes include evergreen Playing Gold eight-year-old Comfort Me ($10) who finished a close second in the Railway and Neville Parnham‘s early market mover Bustler ($10), another son of former top local Playing Gold, who was fourth in the Northerly.

The 2024 The Gold Rush is set to run as Ascot Race 8 at 4:57pm (AWST) on Saturday’s nine-race card.