Monday 18 April 2016

4:50 Brighton (19th April) VEOLIA - OFFICIAL RECYCLING PARTNER MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 5) (2yo)


A Stakes race over 5f 59y on soft going. Seven two-year-olds take part: five colts and two fillies, three horses have race experience. 

Of the raced horses, Bill's Delight showed good pace on debut but tired rapidly. This daughter of Compton Place doesn't inspire and displays a poor running action. The type of horse you might wish to lay in running if leading because I don't think she will be winning. 

Sheila's Lad was earmarked to run n the Brocklesby Stakes, which isn't a bad sign for one of Stan Moore's two-year-olds. I expected a fair show at Leicester even though huge odds were on offer and this gelding ran on well and looked a threat for a stride or two. Statistically, this stable do quite well with juveniles on their second start. The form of that debut may not amount to a great deal and Lucata running no race next start doesn't help bring any insight. This son of Lilborne Lad is far from a physical specimen looking leggy and unfurnished. In fact, the look of this gelding on debut made me think he had little chance. Perhaps that was a poor race. Looks aren't the bee all and end all with juveniles but it certainly puts me off betting this February foal. 

Spin Top achieved little on debut at Kempton where he ran off the course after becoming impossible to steer. Joseph Tuite is a decent trainer and would have been bemused by the antics of this son of Acclamation. The mare was a very talented horse, winning her first three starts at two for Richard Fahey. She was placed at Group 2 class and achieved an official rating of 103. Spin Top cost 42,000eur at the yearling sales. I often make the quote with two-year-old that look horrendous on debut: ''The worse they look, the better they turn out to be.'' This bay colt was relatively fancied that day and at huge odds may show a different side to himself on this second start. At speculative odds could be worth a punt. 

The debutantes hail from respected trainers. 

Robert Cowell doesn't have that many early two-year-olds and Visionary is well owned by Khalifa Dasmal. This son of Dream Ahead is a home-bred but was sent through the sales ring and bought in for 20,000gns by the trainer. I find Cowell a difficult trainer to assess with his debutantes. They can win at the first time of asking but many look very disappointing. I would have to take a watching brief. 

Mick Channon has struggled over the last few years with a depleted string and the quality of his two-year-olds has dropped. However, Raffle King, a son of Kodiac, was a fairly expensive yearling purchase at 48,000gns. This youngster is owned by Taplin and Bunney Partnership. I wonder if that is Steve Taplin of Two-Year-Olds publication? Channon's debutantes can will when fancied in the betting and worthy of respect.

April foal, Swell Hill is trained by Richard Hannon. Their two-year-olds have been running with credit this season if not overshadowed by Mark Johnston's talents. This daughter of Foxwedge (AUS) is out of a poor mare and a cheap foal at 5,000gns.Owners, Rockliffe Stud, done well with Age Of Empire in 2015. The breeding of Swell Hill doesn't inspire confidence but if strong in the betting worth of respect. If very weak in the betting I would give this filly a miss. 

Charlie Beer Punt hails from Tom Dascombe's stable, whose juveniles have been running with credit and especially so on debut where they have looked fit, ready and professional. This son of Nathaniel is owned by The Roaring Twenties who have a seemingly endless supply of colts and fillies. A relatively cheap yearling purchase at 9,000gns. The betting is te best guide. If priced 7/1 and less sp has sound each way claims.   

Conclusion: Quite an open-looking race and the betting should tell the  story. Swell Hill, Raffle King, Visionary would have claims if fancied but I'd watch if weak. I would watch Visionary. The betting is key to Charlie Beer Punt. If priced 7/1 and less sp has each-way claims. Spin Top may well be worth a punt at speculative odds.