Tuesday 9 June 2009

2:40 Haydock (10th June)

A decent contest for this fillies' maiden over 6f.

The winner of this race could potentially be a very good filly. Two form horses set the standard and both are interesting. Vanishing Grey is a lovely-looking juvenile and was seemingly second string at Leicester. From a wide draw she found herself a long way off the lead but ran on extremely well and may have gone close to winning if more experienced. That was a particularly competitive race and I think this filly will take some beating here.

Jeanie Johnston ran well on debut in heavy ground at Haydock. The race itself didn't look particularly good but this is an attractive filly and I can see her improving a good deal for that initial race. Karl Burke can do little wrong at present and this juvenile has very good place claims at worst.

Of the unraced, Reallymissgreeley is a breeze-up purchase for 75,000gns. The only downside for this Kevin Ryan-trained juvenile is that the stable hasn't been in form of late. Marie De Medici cost a whopping $340,000 and must be considered, especially is fancied in the betting. Johnston has been in fine form of late and he is capable of winning on debut.

Sand Vixen is interesting for Saeed Bin Suroor although many of his juveniles seem extremely inexperienced and this will be costly if following the trend of many debutantes this season. I wouldn't bet on this juvenile today.

Revoltinthedesert is owned by John Fretwell and in the care of Ed McMahon. Both are very capable of producing a talented juvenile and have good place statistics on debut.

This may well turn out to be a good race. The form horses have a distinct advantage with experience on their side and both have ability. Vanishing Grey is given the nod but at bigger odds Jeanie Johnston may be a better each-way alternative.

A watching race.

Labretella (NR)
Vanishing Grey (NR)

Race review: 'Disappointing to see Vanishing Grey a non runner as this could have been a decent race to back one of the two principle hopes. Jeanie Johnston took advantage of the departure of Meehan's filly and won with ease. Most the unraced ran no races and Faith Jicaro was the only juvenile to attempt to chase Burke's victor. Most need to improve if wishing to affirm breeding and costly price tags.'