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
A busy weekend on the horizon. I had intended to get to York on Friday but a change of plans sees me head to the Norfolk coast to enjoy sun, sea breeze and flutter at the casino at Great Yarmouth. Believe it or not, this resplendent building was a regular haunt of Edward VII [son of Queen Victoria]. For those of you who love their classic online games from poker, roulette, black Jack, slots and more take a look at www.casinomidas.com.au for a great experience.
Well, we have a race to savour. The EBF Marygate Fillies' Stakes (Listed Race) over 5f on good going. By class of race, this is the best two-year-old contest of the season thus far. Excellent win prize money over £22,000. Eleven juveniles take part: ten raced, including six winners, four unbeaten, and solitary newcomer. On balance, a competitive race with fillies of abundant potential.
One of the major fancies is Irish raider Athas An Bhean, trained by Adrian Paul Keatley. He hails from Dunlavin, County Kildare. This daughter of Royal Applause is out of a group-raced mare. A bargain buy, she was sold for just 1,500GNS at the yearling sales. She won in comfortable fashion on debut at Cork, in testing conditions, by four lengths.
Mark Johnston has been in tremendous form with a powerful string of juveniles. Delizia put up a professional display when victorious on debut at Wolverhampton. This daughter of Dark Angel was sent off a well-backed favourite, beating a couple of talented horses. It is difficult to limit a winning horse. Kingsley House Stables have such a wealth of horses that Delizia must be respected.
I've always rooted for the underdog and in many respects Mel Brittain fits that bill as a relatively small trainer. French is owned, trained and bred by the handler. She impressed on debut when sauntering past her rivals. This chestnut filly was bought-in by Brittain at the yearling sales for a paltry £800. Sired by Monsieur Bond, she is a good-looking horse with size and scope to progress with racing. The style of that first race favoured her, where rivals battled for the lead, as she finished with zeal winning by one-and-a-half lengths. There is a chance this March foal was flattered although I would give her the benefit of the doubt. There was something about that debut which gives hope.
Tony Coyle is a canny trainer and there is little doubt New Road Side left the stable with big expectations first start. This bay daughter of Paco Boy is another bargain buy at just £11,000. She was purchased by the trainer for Morecool Racing & Partner. The form of that debut effort is nothing to talk about but she trounced the field. In additional, this youngster is good looking with size and strength. Coyle has taken his time, waiting for this Listed contest, and clearly has her future planned. If going close connections will be heading to Royal Ascot.
Silk Bow showed good pace on debut in the Brocklesby Stakes, but tired rapidly at the furlong maker, finishing down the field in eighth. James Givens had two horses in that race for owners The Cool Silk Partnership. It would seem likely this daughter of Elusive City was second string that day and in need of the run. The way she won on her second start at Chelmsford City gives evidence to that opinion. That was a taking performance, travelling well and easing clear to win by two-and-a-half lengths. The second horse, Fashionable Spirit, was placed in the Lily Agnes Stakes, to bolster the form. The third, Anwar, is capable, while the fourth, Princess Kodia, showed good speed in a hot race at Ascot. I was impressed with this filly and left with the impression there's more to come.
Since Noel Quinlan gave up the ghost on his training aspirations, Lil's Joy has changed stables and now housed with Giles Bravery. This filly was fancied on debut - what turned out to be a strong contest. This daughter of Lilbourne Lad ran well next start at Nottingham and somewhat unlucky to fall prey to another Fahey talent in Kept Under Wraps. Lil's Joy isn't the biggest of fillies and may find one or two better class.
Richard Fahey has been in exceptional form with his two year olds this season detailing a win strike rate that would be the envy of all trainers. Considering he has a strong hand it is interesting to see Sadie Babes comes here after a nice introduction. The winner, Furiant, is held in high regard. The form of that race is difficult to assess. However, it must be an endorsement for her trainer to race at this level.
Abberley Dancer & Sakhee's Jem finished first and third, respectively, at Chelmsford City. The winner, trained by Stan Moore, has size and scope but this looks a step up in class and I would take a watching brief on both.
It's interesting that Brian Ellison sends Baby Ballerina here after a disappointing effort at Beverley. I was surprised this daughter of Kheleyf was such a big price that day, which implied she has limitations. In truth, I don't think the tactics employed favoured this bay filly because she was on the back foot at Musselburgh. Perhaps connections expected more that day. Her chances would be improved if held up off the pace to finish the race. I have doubts at this class.
The only debutante in the field is White Bullet. This daughter of Exceed And Excel is a recent Breeze-up purchase for £30,000 [45,000GNS yearling]. Kevin Ryan does well with his juveniles but it would be a superb effort to win this contest on her racecourse bow. A horse that is likely to win this season but would have to be a watching brief.
Conclusion: A difficult race to be too dogmatic. Connections will have their sights set on Royal Ascot. Four unbeaten fillies make this a difficult race to assess. Many have the potential to shine. Mark Johnston has a good string of juveniles so that speaks well for Delizia. French would be a dream come true for Mel Brittain. New Road Side beat little on debut but is a good-looking filly who could hold claims. Sadie Babes has to be respected simply because Richard Fahey has a lot of winners in his stable to make a fair judgement. Silk Bow showed a touch of class to win on her second start and at the double-figure odds would be a tentative each-way selection.
