An EBF Maiden Stakes over 5f 193y on good to firm ground. Ten two-year-olds take part: most lightly raced with the exception of two debutantes. No Leaf Clover ran a fine race on debut - looking every inch a winner - when losing narrowly at Newcastle three weeks ago. Ollie Pears is a superb trainer from a small string of juveniles. Charles Wentworth has owned a good few horses in his time and this son of Kodiac cost a pretty sum when selling at the yearling sales for 65,000euros. This bay colt moved well on debut and connections must have been anticipating a big run. The stable will be hoping to go one better today and it will take a fair horse to lower his colours.
Kristen Stubbs has not sent out many youngsters this season but Too Elusive showed promise on debut after being totally outpaced. This gelding hasn't been seen since early June and may be a little ring rusty but sure to appreciate this step up in distance. The stable feature very good place claims with two-year-olds on their second start so may hit the frame.
The main danger looks to come from Our Channel who was a breeze up purchase for £33,000. William Haggas has been in great form with his debutantes this term, especially those who have been fancied in the betting. In deed, this is a rare visitor for the Newmarket handler, being the first two-year-old to race at this course for over five years.
Conclusion: No Leaf Clover will be wiser for his debut and will take the beating. Our Channel will need to be well away from the stalls on this turning course. Haggas' juveniles have been in good form and has each way claims. Too Elusive is another who could go well at a price and would be a tentative each way selection.
An EBF Maiden Stakes over 5f 212y on good to firm ground. Eight juveniles take part: three colts against a handful of fillies. All two-year-olds are raced bar one debutante from a leading stable.
Augusta Ada sets the standard and a talented daughter of Byron, trained by Ollie Pears. This bay filly has raced four times and done little wrong to date. In fact, a run-of-the-mill maiden should be a straight forward endeavour. All defeats have been against talented juveniles and connection must feel disappointed by their bad luck but bolstered by consistency. This big, strong filly travels well and has a determined spirit. There is always a slight concern that after four tough races she could regress at some point. That's what puts money in the bookmaker's satchels. It is likely she will start odds-on favourite, which is probably price to chance with little meat on the bone, although a stiff test for most of the opposition. The horse to beat.
Mark Johnston has been in decent form with his two-year-olds this season although I have very little confidence in his debutantes who run so indifferently that I would rather take them on than back them. Pure Amber cost 55,000euros - purchased by Mark Johnston Racing. This son of Shamardal, out of a Group-raced mare, is likely to be fancied in the betting. However, the stable's debutantes are either easy winners or poor losers and I would have to take a watching brief.
Of the other form horses Song Of Rowland started his career with Peter Chapple-Hyam, making his debut in a Stakes race at Yarmouth over 6f. He was relatively fancied that day but didn't show a great deal behind the talented, Group-winning Lucky Kristale. This horse was originally in the ownership of Mrs Fitri Hay and cost £50,000 as a yearling. In ways it was a surprising move to see connections opt to go for the Rous Selling Stakes at York. The prize money was good for that race type but it did seem something of a come down and David O'Meara purchased this juvenile for Dr Marwan Koukash for £12,000 in the following auction. In truth, that looked a good buy because a return to York, finishing 6th behind The Grey Gatsby. A horse with an ounce of ability but more likely to be placed than win unless the favourite disappoints.
Romantic Bliss needs to improve a good deal from her first start when nearer last than first at Haydock over 6f. This daughter of Holy Roman Emperor was a cheap foal and certainly has something to prove. On form this horse has no chance but the stable's two-year-olds can transform from first to second start. The betting is key for this bay filly and if the money comes I would get set for a big run. If priced 13/2 & less she has serious claims.
Sukari Gold was relatively fancied on debut but showed limited ability. Kevin Ryan has a number of talented juveniles in his string and if well backed there could be more to come. The betting is the best guide. If priced 13/2 & less it would bring greater hope.
Goadby, Breakable & Meconopsis are best watched.
Conclusion: Augusta Ada deserves to win a maiden and has the ability to do just that without too much fuss. A few talented juveniles have deprived connections of victory and this looks the easiest test so far. A consistent, strong-travelling filly, she will take the beating although probably priced to chance and likely to start odds-on favourite. Pure Amber is best watched. Song Of Rowland has each way claims but looks to have a stiff task against the favourite. An outsider who may go well is Romantic Bliss. That first start didn't give too much crow about. However, this stable like to gamble and if backed has strong win and place claims.
An EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 6f on good ground [good to firm in places]. Twelve two-year-olds take part, the majority lightly raced. A fair mix of trainers and few talented juveniles striving for their first win.
Lady Cecil fields Sunrise Star, racing int he silks of Lady Bamford. This daughter of Shamardal, out of a Listed-place mare who finished her career in France, cost 57,000gns at the yearling sales. This good-looking bay filly ran well on debut: keeping on to finish fourth. The form of that contest looks strong with the first and second [Godolphin] going on to run creditably at Royal Ascot, while the third cruised to an effortless victory at Ayr next start. Sunrise Star was quite weak in the betting on her racecourse bow suggesting she would improve for the experience. The stiff finish looks ideal and by all account this is a drop in class. A Moyglare Stakes (Group 1) entry suggests connections have future goals and she will be entered for a more pattern races. The horse to beat.
Dutch Courage looks the chief danger showing promise on debut at Newmarket and returning to headquarters when stepping up to 6f. This daughter of Dutch Art cost 100,000gns as a yearling [£30,000 foal] and one of two juveniles for Richard Fahey from Cheveley Park Stud. She was sent off favourite on her second start but hold-up tactics didn't help as the winner held a fair advantage at the furlong pole, after stealing a lead. This bay filly rallied well in the closing stages and would have won with another half furlong. Those two starts should see her sit handy today although she looks the type to take time to get into full stride. Definitely a horse to respect and another to appreciate this stiffer track.
Ollie Pears is a great trainer who does wonders with his string of two-year-olds. If they are capable of winning, they are placed well and run consistent. Augusta Ada is a strapping daughter of Byron who has shown ability on all three starts to date. The form of her fifth at York has been franked. She travelled with ease at Redcar only to be beaten by a newcomer [Sunny Harbour] who could well be heading for pattern-class races. The third has since won in tidy fashion. Considering she is legible for auction class events, this race type is by all accounts a step up in class. However, that doesn't mean she will not be competitive. It wouldn't be a surprise to see her trade at much shorter odds in-running and to have a fighting chance. Whether this bay filly is quite the class to bustle-up the favourites I would have slight reservations. If touching huge prices on the exchanges, worth a speculative each way punt but may need the favourites to under perform to win.
The intriguingly named Flighty Peaches has been supported on the exchanges and Richard Hughes looks to be a significant jockey booking. This February foal is sired by Footstepsinthesand and cost 32,000eur at the yearling sales. The mare was limited and the stable have few two-year-olds in their string. It is worth noting that this filly was recently entered for a Stakes race, which is a positive. It isn't beyond the realms this youngster has ability although to beat such opposition at the first time of asking looks a tall order. I would take a watching brief.
Of the other horses, Shelley's Choice has shown good pace on both starts before tiring rapidly.
John Quinn does well at this course and has sent a few talented two-year-olds to start their career here. If L'Artiste is substantially backed it would bring added confidence.
The rest are best watched.
Conclusion: I wouldn't look beyond three horses: Sunrise Star, Dutch Courage & Augusta Ada. All should have tasted victory before the end the season. Sunrise Star looks the horse to beat. The form of her Newmarket maiden has been franked and even without improvement must take the beating. Lady Cecil's charge should be primed today and could well lead these a merry dance. She makes a feisty opponent. Dutch Courage is progressing with racing and there shouldn't be any excuses today. In experience cost her dear on both starts to date and if able to sit in a handy position could finish with zeal. A filly who could be much better than we have seen and if touching each way prices looks a solid bet. Augusta Ada will travel well and if betting I would be tempted to try and lay your stake in-running and cross your fingers it is her day. However, I feel the two leading lights may need to under perform for her to win although you should never be afraid of one horse as they have to prove the point. A fair each way bet at speculative odds. Flighty Peaches looks to be fancied in the betting but whether this is sustained throughout the day only time will tell. She would need to be pretty smart to win this on debut and a watching brief.
An EBF Median Auction Maiden Fillies' Stakes over 6f on Good ground. Quite a restricted race type for these thirteen two-year-olds from a mix of trainers. Five juveniles have race experience, of those two or three could be major players. Ollie Pears doesn't train many youngsters but he is a talent and capable of hitting the mark, placing his horses well. Augusta Ada is a strapping filly and make no mistake she will be winning this season. This daughter of Byron didn't go through the sales ring but a couple of her siblings have fetched good money. Even though starting at huge odds when making her debut at Beverley it wouldn't be a surprise to learn connections fancied their chances. She was so slow from the stalls that her finishing position was a credit. This bay filly still managed to claw back the ground and beat another of today's runners Spiceupyourlife. That 5f was always going to be a stride too fast and at fancy odds I quite fancied her to go well at York, over the extra furlong. The third that day, Tiger Twenty Two, disappointed next start but I wonder if that horse was slightly flattered, finishing well when the leaders tired. Augusta Ada will make the most of her experience. Although this is a sizable field it is quite a restricted race type which means the majority of the debutantes will struggle to attain what is a fair level of ability. If touching each way prices she looks a decent bet. From a smaller trainer, it isn't beyond the realms much bigger prices may be available on the exchanges if a few of the more fashionable trainers are backed as realistic opposition. The horse to beat.
