An EBF Maiden Stakes over 1m 1y on standard going. Ten two-year-olds take part and a fascinating contest.
Hydroxide is a class horse trained by Hugo Palmer and by all accounts a winner without a penalty. Two narrow loses to talented rivals must give a bittersweet taste for connections V I Araci. This son of Lope De Vega cost 205,000G at the breeze-up sales. If this Irish-bred had won on debut, it is very likely we would have contested a pattern race by now and is likely to be heading in that direction. This odds-on shot has to take some beating although there are a few juveniles in opposition who may hold some claims, perhaps more at each-way selections in hope that the favourite comes second best once more.
Balashakh was fancied to go well on debut when finishing fourth at odds of 6/4. This bay colt is an American-bred son of Blame and cost 100,000G at the yearling sales. He will improve for that debut effort and from a statistical point of view has very good win and place claims. Beating the likes of Hydroxide seems a pretty stiff task but if touching each-way prices could well be abet to nothing and hope this colt is much better than seen or the favourite has a taste for second place. Interesting.
*Envisaging is another horse who may be capable of more. James Fanshawe is a talented trainer and the betting indicates this Irish bred son of Zoffany could have a fair level of ability. Ben MC Wong's two-year-old cost 110,000G at the yearling sales rising markedly from his price at foal [17,500E]. He was much too keen last time out at Goodwood. He wasn't helped by a small field and ten runners and a wide draw may force the hand of Queally to sit in behind and progress from there. A tongue tie is applied for the first time. At odds of 12/1, he isn't beyond going well and good have realistic each-way claims.
Bocelli is a home bred from Mrs P Good. It would take a huge effort to win this race on debut although Simon Crisford has been in imperious with his debutantes this season.
Conclusion: A race to enjoy. Hydroxide will start favourite and on form will take all the beating. He hasn't done anything wrong in defeat although there is always a worry when a horse is defeated that it will become the norm. If defeated, it will be due to a talented opponent rather than a balls up. Balashakh got going all too late on debut but I'd expect a marked improvement here and he could be a worthy each-way alternative. I would be surprised if this colt isn't placed at worst. Envisaging is another horse who didn't go himself justice at Goodwood. He was must too keen but traveled very for a long way. If drifting to huge odds on the exchanges is worth a small each-way bet. If the favourite drifted to even money I would be tempted to have a win on the jolly and half point each on Balashakh and Envisaging.
* NR [Envisaging]
A Maiden over one-mile on standard going. Thirteen two-year-olds take part: eleven colts and two fillies. A mix of lightly-raced thoroughbreds from leading stables and two debutantes, including the well-bred New Style for Saeed Bin Suroor, sired by Street Cry out of Land Of Dreams who was a class sprinter, racing at the highest level before retiring at three. A debut winner at two, she was triumphant in the Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2).
The betting will give a good clue to the likely chances of all. One horse that catches the eye is Entitling, trained by James Fanshawe. This bay colt, an Irish-bred son of Mastercraftsman, was an expensive yearling purchase for Suzanne Roberts from Tattersalls October Sales 2013 when achieving 200,000GNS.
Now racing in the familiar silks of Ben MC Wong, this March foal was well backed on debut [12/1 - 15/2] when racing on good ground at Nottingham over 1m 1/2f. That was a promising first start, running on after being short of room.
Generally, Fanshawe's two-year-olds improve for their run and this youngster has the making of a fair horse. A high draw is a slight concern although that experience should help Tom Queally sit in a handy position.
The betting will be the best indicator. Wait for the markets to settle before making judgement. If this horse is priced 13/2 & less SP it should run a big race featuring strong each-way claims.
An intriguing race.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 6f on standard going. Twelve juveniles take part, three fillies taking on the colts. All have race experience. James Fanshawe isn't the type of trainer to keep his two-year-olds on the go beyond the turf season and He's My Boy has shown promise on a couple of starts to date. This grey colt, a son of Dark Angle out of a debut-winning mare, has been relatively fancied in the betting, although a marked drifting just before the off when making his racecourse bow at Yarmouth. That most likely indicated a slight lack of fitness. I had this May foal in my sights when re-appearing less than two weeks later at Kempton. The stable went there with a fighting chance and while backed from 20-1 - 14/1 they knew they had their work cut out . This colt traveled well that day and headed the field at the two furlong pole but couldn't muster any real fight against the first three who are probably fair juveniles for this time of year. He's My Boy is far from a world beater and in truth still looks a little on the weak side. However, for a sizable field there doesn't look a great deal of opposition and there is some hope of hitting the frame if each way odds are for the taking. The main protagonists look to have something to prove with the application of the blinkers for Penny Sixpence, who must show ample ability on the gallops, but hasn't looked the most enthusiastic. While Flicksta seems more at home over the minimum trip and hindered by a wide draw. He could well try to get to the rail and consequently struggle to get home. He's My Boy should travel well - touching shorting odds in running - and looks good for a place, with chances of a win.
A Median Auction Maiden Stakes over 7f. A sizeable field of thirteen juveniles, a mix of colts and fillies, most lightly races. The most likely protagonists hail from leading trainers while a number of the debutantes - from less fashionable yards - will struggle to be competitive. Running Bull, Two No Bids, Balatina & Hannah's Turn are best watched. Martial Art, trained by Andrew Balding, has run five times and runner-up on three occasions. This chestnut son of Compton Place has run some sterling races losing by a short head on debut and a couple of other defeats by a length or less. A 26,000gns yearling purchase, Jackie & George Smith will feel they
