Sunday 19 July 2015

1:55 Ayr Racing Tips (20th July) RACINGUK.COM MAIDEN AUCTION STAKES (CLASS 6) (2yo)


A Maiden Auction Stakes over 6f on good to soft going.  Eight runners in this fairly restricted two-year-old contest weighted with regard to sales price - maximum £25,000. All colts/gelding bar one filly. Only a few pounds separate top to bottom weight. The majority lightly raced with a couple of debutantes. 

Run To Rio was fancied on debut but was either outpaced or inexperienced. This son of Captain Rio was the lesser fancied of two juveniles for Dods, when showing improved form over an extra furlong at Newcastle, caught on the line by the well-backed favourite. The form of that race looks fair for this level and on breeding the going should suit. 

Denton Hall field stablemate and debutante Dark Command. This gelding is a son of Kheleyf, purchased at the yearling sales by the trainer for 9,000GNS. Dods can do well with his debutantes and a good number are placed. This stable often go better on soft ground so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them go well. With Run To Rio showing such promise last start I would favour that individual. 

Dessert Rule wasn't fancied on debut for Jedd O'Keeffe. This son of Kheleyf was slow away and ran on in the closing stages when Ode To Evening cruised to a nine-length victory. Highbeck Racing are loyal patrons of the stable and although their juveniles are likely to progress second start this bay colt is best watched. 

Richard Fahey is a class trainer of two-year-olds and probably the best at priming juveniles to win on debut. Very few handlers come close statistically when comparing first to second start. Ingleby Valley was relatively fancied on debut at Carlisle over 5f. This chestnut son of Sahkee's Secret showed signs of inexperience in the paddock but ran well when playing second fiddle to Moondyne Joe. I don't think that was the strongest of  heats, which isn't a surprise when it was similarly a maiden auction. The leaders looked to go a stride too fast and fell in a hole and the first three came from well off the pace. This home bred should like the going and appreciate the extra furlong.

Richard Guest often slips under the radar, especially with two-year-olds, but he is a talented trainer and gives a very honest review on his website. Lydia's Place has served him well this season with three tidy wins after needing the run on debut. I must admit Dark Confidant caught the eye first start when sent off a 33/1 shot in what looked to be a pretty hot contest. This good-looking gelding, a son of Royal Applause, traveled with great gusto when ridden by Joey Haynes and had most in trouble until tiring in the final furlong. The third has a level of ability and the winner won on debut for Sir Michael Stoute and will be racing at Group class before long. Guest drops this gelding back a furlong and this is a drop in grade. This shorter trip may take the edge off his natural pace but he should run to line and by all accounts run a big race. 

Domineeno looks second string for Ingmanthorpe Stables. 

Keith Dalgleish fields a couple of runners including the only filly Candy Hill. This bay daughter of Jeremy has been fancied on both starts but disappointed on debut. However, she ran with more credit second start when losing to Mr Chuckles, who was 25/1. In truth, that looked a pretty moderate race. She steps back up to 6f. I would prefer others. 

Aussie Express cost £5,000 at the yearling sales. Equus Syndicate have done well with Glenrowen Rose, who won for the yard and far from disgraced when sixth in the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2). Probably best watched unless seriously backed. 

Conclusion: This looks a fair race for the grade. Unless one of the two debutantes has ability [potentially both second string] this is most likely out of four horses. Candy Hill races against the boys and while she improved last start it was rather a motley affair. Possible. I'd rather watch. Ingleby Valley ran well enough on debut although the front runners went a stride too fast and the complexion of the race changed dramatically in the closing stages. This step up in distance should be a positive and the ground will suit. On statistics he holds respectable win and place claims. Run To Rio is a straightforward juvenile and put up a bold show last start when nabbed on the line. Must run well and hold every chance and a sound bet if each way odds are available. I was taken with Dark Confidant on debut. He looks a great buy at 4,000GNS. In some respects I would be more confident if running over 7f because he showed very good pace that day. You have to trust the trainer knows best and I do with Richard Guest. The testing ground should help and this bay gelding could well improve as the stable's two-year-old often do second start. If touching each way odds should go well. 

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6:10 Beverley - White Bullet has run well on both starts. Very few two-year-olds start their career at Listed Class. This daughter of Exceed And Excel wandered under pressure at Newmarket when stepping up to 6f. Kevin Ryan's charge should have won if keeping straight and by all accounts is a pattern winner running in a maiden. Unless disaster strikes - she will win. 

6:20 Windsor - Justice Lass is held in some regard by connections, racing in the familiar silks of Robert Ng. As noted on Group Horse, this daughter of Canford Cliffs held a Listed entry before making her debut at this course over the minimum distance. This bay filly ran on all too late, which was due to an insufficient trip and then ran in another hot contest when facing Ballydoyle, who was a narrow loser in the Chesham at Royal Ascot. David Elsworth must feel this 6f is the ideal for now after showing good pace last time out at Newmarket. There was no disgrace in finishing fourth. Little Voice is the major opponent but if making Justice Lass an each way bet - I'd take the challenge. 

 Couple ew trebles -
           
1:55 Ayr         - Run To Rio or Dark Confidant 3rd (11/2)
6:10 Beverley - White Bullet 2nd (1/8) Unbelievable 
6:20 Windsor - Justice Lass  1st 13/8