Another long day - far too much racing for my liking. Stuck on the conveyor belt of equine inquisition. All good. Click on the banner above this post to visit our latest website. It's my aim to build 100 websites and if each makes a few thousand a year I will live the high life on the coast eating candy floss and toffee apples until I'm toothless. Oh the joys of pursuing your dream.
A couple of two-year-olds ran well Thursday - Bobby Wheeler held two entries on Group Horse and Clive Cox said today that they fancied him to go well on debut at Goodwood but the ground was a bit lively. Considering this son of Pivotal had been off course a couple of months I imagine he suffered sore shins. A lovely display at Salisbury although the race was nothing beyond ordinary being a Maiden Auction Stakes. He looks a good prospect who will be given pattern entries in the near future.
I went into town today and had a chat and tea with Eric of Eric Winner fame. I said to the sprint maestro that Group Horse is worth its weight in gold. Good to get out for a while although Gregg's is so noisy with screaming children, some nutter chatting on their phone on loud speaker and staff dropping crockery like it was going out of fashion, that I could hardly think. Moving on from there...
Tomorrow's cards. Ten two-year-old races. Too many. I will have a quick look to note any of interest.
2:20 Newbury - Justice Law ran well on debut in a valuable Ascot maiden. David Elsworth doesn't have many two-year-olds fancied in the betting when making their racecourse bow and on a statistical front has sound each way claims here. This grey colt was purchased at the Breeze-up sales by Elsworth for £100,000. A Mill Reef Stakes Group 2 entry and Racing Post Trophy Group 1 bring confidence. The Irish bred Tashweeq is held in some regard by connections and cost £150,000. 1st Justice Law 2/1
5:30 Newmarket - Michael Bell has been a touch quiet with his juveniles this season but Taurean Star made a promising introduction two weeks ago at Doncaster over this trip. This American bred son of Elnadin threatened to win that day before tiring in the closing stages. A good-looking bay, he is held in high regard at home and will be more professional on this second start. Bernie's Boy is a tough customer and Balding will fancy his chances to go one better after a couple of determined efforts. Probably a stronger field than your average Auction Maiden Stakes but this pair look lively contenders. I would back Taurean Star at each-way if odds are available. The pair may be worth a small f/c.
6:30 Newmarket - Culturati is a pretty classy colt and this is a stepping stone to pattern races. Should win.
A small ew treble: 1st, 2nd, 4th
2:20 Justice Law - each-way bet if prices allow 1st 2/1
5:30 taurean Star - each-way bet if prices allow 4th 3/1
May be worth a small ew yankee:
1:45 Newbury - Manson 2/1 NR
2:20 Newbury - Justice Law 3/1 1st
5:30 Newmarket - Taurean Star 7/2 4th [disappointing not placed]
6:30 Newmarket - Culturati 4/5 2nd
An EBF Stallions Maidens Stakes over 5f 34y on good ground. Twelve two year olds take part: nine colts and three fillies. Two juveniles have race experience with a first outing.
Last year, this race was won by Kasb, trained by John Gosden in the colours of Hamdan Al Maktoum. This colt went on to disappoint at Royal Ascot when competing in the Coventry Stakes (Group 2). He achieved an official rating of 95.
This race has been won by a number of talented horses. For all your latest trainer news visit Horse Trainer Directory.
Sixth Sense is a fair-looking juvenile who showed promise when finishing third in the Scottish Brocklesby. This son of Shamardal was fancied to go well that day and showed promise. The winner is held in high regard but difficult to use as a measure because he left the rest toiling in his wake. The fifth [Smart Mover] let the form down when unplaced at Ripon although I had fears she was slightly flattered when running on debut.
Richard Fahey has been in good form with his juveniles and *Sanaadh is of particular interest. This chestnut colt is a son of Exceed And Excel out of the exceptional Queen's Logic, who retired from racing unbeaten in five races taking the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2), Lowther Stakes (Group 2), Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1) & Fred Darling Stakes (Group 3). Jaber Abdullah is a fantastic owner who often finds bargain buys but this colt would have fetched a huge price if he had gone through the sales. Sanaadh held an entry for the Brocklesby Stakes and received another similar entry of late. These are confident pointers of ability and with such a regal pedigree is worthy of note.
Ginger Joe is the first two year old to representative for Peter Chapple-Hyam. This son of Medicean is out of an unraced mare. He cost £32,000 at the yearling sales. Chapple-Hyam is an star trainer of juveniles. His debut statistics detail a good strike rate with fancied runners. The betting is important and if priced 13/2 & less has good win and place claims.
Another top trainer dipping his toe into the two year old racing pond for this season is Brian Meehan who fields Harvard Man. This February foal, is a bay colt sired by Equiano out of a Grade 1 winning mare [Fabulously Fast]. This horse was bred by Newsell Park Stud and owned by The Honourable Earle I Mack. The tissue price suggests this horse will be unfancied in the betting but he would be of interest if strong in the market. Manton House Estate can win at more speculative prices [10/1 - 12/1] although very few over 16/1.
Charlie Appleby had a couple of two year olds race at Newmarket [yesterday] but neither showed much promise. Hawkbill is an American bred son of Kitten's Joy out of a mare who was a narrow loser on debut at Grade 2. Godolphin do not waver when it comes to money and this horse cost $355,000 at the Keeneland Yearling 2014 September Sales. I find this stable difficult to predict with debutantes but they field many winners. One for the shortlist.
Another Boy hails from Ralph Beckett's stable who can go well when making their racecourse bow. This home bred son of Paco Boy is out of a Group-raced mare [similarly owned].This colt was sent through the sales for £5,500 [bought in by vendor].
Interesting to see Marcus Tregoning making a brisk start to the juvenile season, this being the second runner. Thaqaffa is a bay son of Kodiac out of a poor mare. He was purchased by Shadwell Estate Company [racing in the familiar ilks of Hamdan Al Matkoum] for 80,000GNS at the yearling sales. This stable have a relatively poor strike rate with debutantes but they can win when priced 14/1 & less. A wide draw is never ideal for a two year old making on its first start and best watched.
Finally the three fillies. Richard Hannon has been a touch quiet this early season but this race has been a very good hunting ground over the years. It has been used as a stepping stone for Royal Ascot. It is never easy for a filly to beat colts. Ring Of Truth is a bay filly sired by Royal Applause out of a debut-winning mare trained by Sir Michael Stoute, placed at Listed class and unplaced at Group 3. Racing in the Royal silks, this filly is owned & bred by The Queen. This stable often send a fair sort to contest this race and if priced 13/2 & less has fair claims.
David Evans usually starts the Flat season all guns blazing but he has been a little more sedate this term. Sweet Taboo is sired by Approve out of a Listed-placed mare. This yearling was purchased by Wayne Clifford for 14,000eur.
Evans fields the once-raced filly Zeeoneandonly who trailed home last when making her debut at Windosr when looking second string. Will be a huge price if you fancy a speculative punt.
Aragon Knight & Sarky Jack are best watched.
Conclusion: Let the betting settle before jumping in unless you fancy something at big odds and anticipate a gamble. This race has been won by some decent juveniles over the years and a good few winners will come from this contest. This looks a tough race to call but a few horses are worthy of note. Sanaadh is exceptionally well bred and a couple of entries for stakes races suggests this colt will go well. He was entered for the Brocklesby which suggests he has been on the gallops and ready to go. Few trainers have debut statistics like Richard Fahey. Must run a big race. The betting is the best guide for the others and if priced 13/2 & less Hawkbill, Ginger Joe & Ring Of Truth hold fair claims. A race to take note for future winners.
*NR
Fifteen fillies in this restricted maiden race. Just over half raced. Magic Mac doesn't get the heart racing on form after finishing last on both her outings to date. Hughie Morrison's daughter of Stimulation cost just £3,000 at the yearling sales. On the face of it, there doesn't look to be much to impress about this bay fillies hopes of winning. However, there was a glimmer of ability in that last race at Goodwood, which attending such a meeting on its own could suggest some promise. The trainer has very few horses race early season and the majority go on to win. This race type details a drop in class and with valuable experience on side this March foal should sit in a more prominent position. It could well be the case she disappointed on her second start (albeit at odds of 66/1) and, if so, may run well at huge odds. Considering Magic Mac will be priced well over 100/1 on the betting exchanges there is hope for a speculative punt.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 5f34y on good to soft going. Fair prize money for this fourteen-strong field of twelve colts and two fillies, one raced. A number of leading stables represented and starting point for a good few talented horses.
David Elsworth won this contest last year with Justice Day. This multiple-winning two-year-old colt proved consistent - including an outstanding third in the Middle Park Stakes (Group 1).
David Elsworth has his first two-year-old runner, similarly owned in the silks of Robert Ng. Justice Good is a March foal by Acclamation who cost 65,000gns at the yearling sales. This bay colt is out of a winning mare, who didn't race at two. It could be the case that Elsworth targets this race with his precocious juveniles. However, he features a poor strike rate with his debutantes. The stable's youngsters can win if priced 10/1 & less on debut but they can be very hit and miss. This will be a competitive betting heat I would consider a bold show if strongly fancied. If weak in the markets this horse may need the run.
Richard Hannon has sent out three two-year-old horses this season and all have won. The stable have a wealth of talented juveniles and they have done well in this race. Last year they had the runner-up in Steventon Star, Malachim Mist (8th) & Biography (12th). All went on to win, the two former winning at Stakes class.
Be Bold is a son of Assertive out of a poor mare, which cost £20,000 at the yearling sales. This February foal was quoted by Hannon as ''working well up at Everleigh on Tuesday''. *Crafty Choice is ridden by Ryan Moore. Similarly purchased by Peter & Ross Doyle Bloodstock Ltd, this bay colt cost 70,000gns. This March foal isn't quite two and sired by Intikhab out of a a talented five-time winning mare, trained by Hannon Snr. The betting is the best guide to their respective chances and the most favoured in the betting should have sound each way claims.
Another talented trainer of two-year-olds is Richard Fahey. Ballymore Castle is a brown colt by Invincible Spirit out of a Group 3 winning mare who liked a trip. The betting is the best guide and if priced 13/2 & less has fair win and place claims.
John Gosden is represented by his first two-year-old runner of the season. Kasb is an exceptionally well bred son of Arcano out of a fantastic mare, Cape Columbine, who may have only one win in her career but competed at Group 1 level on four occasions. This horse is wearing the second colours for Hamdan Al Maktoum. The second string often go well for this owner. The stable have respectable win and place claims with horses priced 13/2 & less, especially if strongly fancied.
It is interesting to see Paul Hanagan booked to ride Kibaar, trained by John Hills. This son of Pastoral Pursuits rose in price from 16,000gns as a foal to a 100,000gns yearling. Hills doesn't inspire confidence with his debutnates although on the other side of the coin he has few juveniles fancied on their racecourse bow. If strongly fancied I would take this horse as having ability.
Mick Channon has been a little slow with his juveniles this early part of the season (not that there has been many races) and King Crimson has a wide draw (1) which isn't the best starting point. Channon's debutantes have fair win and place claims if priced 8/1 & less but few horses win outside this guide.
Kennet Valley Thoroughbred Ltd are a syndicate who are always worthy of respect - they have the knack of finding talented two-year-olds. This son of first season sire Zebedee looks a good purchase at 35,000euros. Charlie Hills said: ''Magical Memory has always been forward at home and done enough to do himself justice.'' [Information found via Horse Trainer Directory]. The stable have fair each way claims when their juveniles are priced 13/2 & less on debut.
I'm a big fan of Olly Steven's stable. He made a huge impact on his formative season and his first juvenile of this campaign is The Paco Kid. From a small sample it is still quite difficult to get a handle on Robin Farm Racing. However, they were represented by Green Door in this race last year who went on to win the Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2). If priced 13/2 & less would be high on the short list.
The only form horse in this field is one of two fillies, trained by David Evans. This handler has his juveniles fit and forward. He is a canny trainer and should be respected. This daughter of Hellvelyn was a cheap buy at just £3,000. This bay finished second on debut at Kempton, although hammered by Tiggy Wiggy. Richard Hannon said they were surprised their winner had such a decisive success. A talented horse without doubt. It is difficult to assess the merit of Charlie's Star. She will be fit and most probably set the pace but not a horse I would back because this will be a stiffer task.
Diamond Sam is a home bred son of Compton Place out of a Group raced mare, who run in the same silks as Mrs Philip Snow. Sylvester Kirk has a poor strike rate with debutantes and unless seriously backed is best watched.
Arlecchino's Leap is trained by Mark Usher and cost 20,000gns at the yearling sales. The stable have a poor strike rate with debutantes although their first runner, Spindle, ran well when second at Southwell.
Royal Street & Now Say Boooom are best watched.
Conclusion: A difficult race to be too dogmatic. The betting will need to settle to give a better understanding of these leading trainers. The likes of Hannon, Fahey, Gosden, Channon, Hills & Olly Stevens are all capable of sending out debut winners. In addition, David Elsworth may earmark this race for a decent early type. All have fair win and place claims if priced 13/2 & less. It's intriguing to see John Hills' Kibaar racing in the first colours. There is conflict with the trainer having a poor strike rate on debut although he doesn't have many at short odds. A difficult horse to assess. A fascinating race but a watching brief.
*NR [Crafty Choice]
EW DOUBLE
1:45 Ripon - Baron Run (4/1)
1:50 Chester - Ella Motiva (10/3)
EW TREBLE
1:40 Newmarket - Intrepid (7/4)
2:05 Doncaster - Colour Shades (13/2)
4:20 Newbury - Malila (11/4)
EW YANKEE
1:40 Newmarket - Intrepid (7/4)
1:45 Ripon - Baron Run (4/1)
1:50 Chester - Ella Motiva (10/3)
4:20 Newbury - Malila (11/4)
''Pretty damn poor. One winner in Malilia. The crazy thing is that I liked these horses but sadly they ran below par, especially Baron Run, Ella Motiva & Intrepid. What can I say sometimes you just have to take a bad day.''
I'm going to keep this post short and sweet. Today we will forward a solid each way treble, which has a great chance.
2:20 Newbury - Pythagorean
Make no mistake this is a class act. This bay colt, a son of Oasis Dream, is a strapping sort who fluffed his lines with a slow start over course and distance. The form of that race is strong and Charlton will have this youngster primed for a big run. I would be amazed if he isn't placed and although a couple of the form opposition are no mugs it will take a supreme effort to deny Pythagorean his first victory.
3:00 Newcastle - Modern Lady
We go from one extreme to another with Richard Guest's filly who has an official rating akin to a plating horse. This daughter of Bertolini has always been considered up to winning standard but with one thing and another nothing much went right for this filly on her first three starts. However, on a handy mark, this good-looking bay showed a glimmer of ability from a high draw which meant she had to run wide for most of the race, just losing out at the finish. Guest does well with his handicappers and I expect a bold show.
7:55 Kempton - Blue Nova
Jeremy Noseda is a talented trainer and this filly has done little wrong with three creditable performances. This February foal will use that vital experience against these potentially fair debutantes and it will take a talented juvenile to steal her glory.
HCE EW TREBLE
2:20 Newbury - Pythagorean (5/2)
3:00 Newcastle - Modern Lady (7/2)
7:55 Kempton - Blue Nova (11/8)
Alternative EW TREBLE
1:50 Newbury - Intimidate (9/2)
2:20 Newbury - Pythagorean (5/2)
7:55 Kempton - Blue Nova (11/8)
