Friday 11th August
A busy day so not much time to look too in depth.
1:50 Wolverhampton -
The three big guns in the betting and all held in high regard by their respective trainers. Mokaatil, Corinthia Knight & Moseeb have significant entries. Moseeb seems a touch temperamental and disappointed at Ripon last time. Mokaatil doesn't have to shoulder a win penalty which is a clear advantage. I can see a few punters fancying Corinthia Knight as a fair each-way bet if drifting a touch in the betting. A fascinating race.
6:35 Newmarket -
A big maiden. Plenty of horses with reputations. Wafy is worthy of note for Charlie Hills.
A Median Auction Maiden Stakes over 5f 20y on standard going. A restricted race type which, in theory, shouldn't take too much winning.
Seven two-year-olds take part: all raced bar one debutante for Mark Brisbourne which is priced a 50/1 outsider.
Most of these two-year-olds have been given plenty of chances to win and a number have been placed if not runner-up. Connections will be hopeful. We can guarantee someone will be leaving a wintry racecourse with a seasonal Christmas glow.
The main focus of attention will be afforded to The Daley Express, trained by Ed McMahon and ridden by Dale Swift. This bay son of Elzaam is well bred out of a durable mare, Seraphina, who went close to winning a number of top-class races. It's interesting to note that McMahon recently purchased this colt for just £1,500. Considering this was a £30,000 yearling purchase it is slightly strange.
However, the price tag wasn't an issue on his first or second start which showed promise. The Daley Express has run over the minimum trip on each of his three starts to date. An outsider on debut at Leicester. He hinted ability.
To be fair, he was a very unlikely loser next start when backed at this course. Touching 1.01 on the exchanges in-running it took a flying finish from Rozy Boys, who was trailing at the back of the field until Pegasus came into view.
Racing over course and distance last time out, he was made 11/8f. In many ways, that looked a disappointing effort but time may tell he was beaten by two better horses. The winner, Cajmare, was very well backed for Tom Dascombe's stable, while the second, Her Terms, was an expensive yearling purchase [330,000G] who hasn't achieved what the price tag presumed.
However, that was a maiden race which varies considerably to these lesser race types which often get branded as maidens but in actual fact are often similar to plating class. This race isn't a seller in disguise although a number of horses here have official ratings less than 70 which suggests they are pretty moderate.
The Daley Express didn't have much luck last time out being hampered and then found trouble in running.
This race is a drop in class. From a low draw, I expect Swift [jockey] to take the race by the scruff of the neck and try to lead all the way.
If you are lucky, you may get even money. It isn't beyond the realms he will drift in the betting but, conversely, it wouldn't be a surprise to see an odds-on shot.
Definity the horse to beat. Whether you want to take a short price is a matter for debate.
A Median Auction Maiden Stakes over 7f 32y.
Sometime you just have to chance your luck - it's like panning for gold. In many ways John Hills isn't one of my favourite trainers because his two-year-olds seem to fall into two groups: good and bad. The good are infrequent and the bad form a slow, dominant line. However, every trainer has there little pointers - those seams of gold - which can yield a tidy profit. Carrera didn't achieve a great deal on debut when finishing seventh at Kempton. But today this bay colt may be worth a second chance. The restrictive nature of these races means and this son of Sixties Icon is a pretty expensive entrant at 58,000gns. The owners [Gary and Linnet Woodward] have done well with their juveniles with Hills and loyal patrons of his for many years. Carrera needs to improve but could well be a different proposition today. The stable's two-year-olds often progress quite markedly with racing. What catches my eye, is that he makes his second start at this course. In previous years I have noted that Hills has sent a good few juveniles here which have gone well after a low-key debut. Seb Sanders takes the ride and from a low draw that initial experience could prove valuable. At odds of 25/1+ this may be worth a small each way bet.
