Friday 30 September 2011

8:15 Wolverhampton - Result


The sole two-year-old race of the day. A restricted Maiden Auction Stakes over 1m 141y. Four horses are worthy of note. Presburg, a gelding by Balmont, was a relatively cheap purchase but a sturdy sort and a straightforward character. He has done Joseph Tuite proud on both starts, nearly springing a surprise on debut when an unlucky loser at 100/1. He ran a sound race at Epsom when second and wasn't hard pressed when the winner went on.

Presburg is a determined horse who should like this surface, appreciating the extra distance, and have fair win and place claims.


Quizzed was unfancied on debut at Newmarket but shaped with promise. This daughter of Oratorio is a fair-looking juvenile who was clearly inexperienced, running on at the finish without every really getting competitive. In some respects she is difficult to assess. However, this is a drop in class and Ed Vaughan has a good strike rate at the course. His fancied runners often go well on their second start and statistically she has very good place claims and a fighting chance of winning.

Let Your Love Flow, trained by Sylvetser Kirk, is quite a lightly built filly who was fit for her debut at this course. There was a lot of money for this daughter of Iffraaj just before the off and clearly connections fancied their chances of upsetting the odds-on favourite Red Aggressor. Leading, she looked to hold every hope but was no match for Brittain's charge at the line. Since then, Kirk sent her to Fairyhouse (IRE) to contest a sales race, where she was never competitive. This filly is likely to set the pace and should travel well. Whether this extra furlong will suit is a matter of contention.  The form of her debut, beyond the winner, is no more than average and with Hanagan in the saddle could be under priced. She may be vulnerable at the finish.

Porcini was thrown in the deep end when competing at Stakes level on debut. He had little hope being set such a stiff task and finished many lengths adrift of the winner. Philip McBride is an astute trainer and it might be telling that this youngster contested such a race on his first start. The stable's two-year-olds are always worthy of respect on their second start and they have a good strike rate at the course with a healthy level points profit. This filly has a handy weight concession and will appreciate this more demanding trip. If backed, I would be confident of a big run at speculative odds. Worth a punt.

La Romantique is another with place claims.

Conclusion: Presburg is a straightforward, determined juvenile who will be primed for a big run today. He is the horse to beat and holds fair win and place claims. Quizzed is a tricky one to assess but the stable go well at the course and their fancied second time out statistics suggest this filly has strong place claims. Porcini didn't show a great deal on debut but that is hardly surprising against winning opposition. McBride's two-year-olds are worthy of respect on their second start and it wouldn't be surprise to see a big run at a speculative price. If backed, this juvenile would be a very good each way bet.

HCE: ''A fair win for Presburg who travelled well and won with something in hand. Quizzed ran on with some vigor but never a real threat, while Let Your Love Flow plugged on for third. Porcini wasn't up to the task.''