Hi all,
The Wednesday is normally the day I start to look head to the weekend’s big races. However, with York’s Dante Festival getting started this afternoon I’m giving it a miss this week. Instead, I’m going to focus my attention firmly on the Knavesmire action.
ITV4 are covering five races live from York and one from Newton Abbot this afternoon. Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at the two big races at York.
York’s Dante Festival – Day 1
It looks like it will be good ground for the day one of the Dante Festival which is good news. The ground was awful at Chester last week and we want to see the top flat races run on a sound surface.
Both the Derby & Oaks pictures are muddled. But over the next two days, York’s two Classic Trials will hopefully make things a bit clearer. Today it’s the turn of the Oaks hopefuls and eight have been declared for this Group 3 contest.
Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (3:35)
The best of these on juvenile form is Novakai. She sets a high standard on her length 2nd of 8 to Commissioning in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket last time. The daughter of Lope De Vega is bred to improve for the step up to 1m 2f +. On form she should be favourite rather than the 7/1 she was on Monday.
Infinite Cosmos is the bookies early bird favourite. However, her favouritism status is based on potential than what she’s achieved on the track. There’s no doubt she will be capable of a lot better, but Newmarket seasonal reappearance win isn’t anywhere close to the form so far achieved by Novakai.
Gather Ye Rosebuds’ Newbury maiden (soft) success last month on racecourse debut was better form than Infinite Cosmos’ Newmarket success. The daughter of Zoffany despite being slowly away and a bit keen in the early stages was far too good for her rivals last time. She’s clearly an exciting prospect and if she’s a good on a sound surface, as soft will make them all go.
Midnight Mile won her first two juvenile starts including the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket. She ended last season with a solid 5 length 4th of 14 to Meditate in Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland on her final start. Starts her 3-year-old season with the potential for better and should stay 1m 2f.
Sea Of Roses has some solid juvenile form to her name and she was runner-up in Group 3 at Saint Cloud last month.
Empress Wu’s dam’s full sister Madame Chiang won this for connections in 2014. Empress Wu looked a potential Group performer when winning on racecourse debut in November, but Madame Chiang was at her best on soft ground.
1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes (3:00)
The most valuable race of the day with £82,230 on offer to the winner of the Group 2 contest.
Highfield Princess won this last year before going onto win three Group 1 sprints. She did have the benefit of a run 12 months ago and has a 5lb penalty to carry this time around. There will be other targets for her this season, and she might be fully wound up today.
Australian challenger The Astrologist finished a head 2nd of 15 in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan last time. He’s got a few pounds to find on OR’s with several of these. However, we know what Australian sprinters are capable of Ryan Moore takes the ride.
Creative Force finished one place in front of Highfield Princess in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at the end of last season. The 5-year-old has race fitness on his side and beat three rivals at Haydock on Saturday. It’s a quick turnaround but there are no issues with his well-being.
Marshman posted a career best when 1 ¼ length 2nd of 12 to Noble Style in last season’s Gimcrack Stakes over C&D. The 3-year-old made a winning seasonal reappearance in a Group 3 at Chantilly last month. Three-year-old’s don’t often run in the race, just eight since 2008. However, last two did finish runner-up so he’s not discounted.
Azure Blue is a big strong filly who’s improved physically over the winter. The filly completed a Newmarket hat trick in a Listed race (6f) 11-days ago. She defied a penalty to win that day and is going the right way. I think she could be a Group 1 filly this season and she can get into the money provided this race doesn’t come too quick.
York Dante Festival – Day 1 Verdict:
All in all, a cracking day of racing on the Knavesmire. For me the best three days of racing we have seen so far this season. There’s plenty of betting opportunities in particular the four handicaps on the card. If you want my handicap selections, you can get them here.
At the prices Novakai is the value bet on form in the Musidora Stakes but she does face several rivals including Infinite Cosmos, Gather Ye Rosebuds and Midnight Mile who could improve past her.
If Highfield Princess is ready to roll on seasonal return, she remains the one to beat in the Duke Of York Clipper Stakes. I just wonder if she will be cheery ripe for this though. The Astrologist must be respected. As do the inform Creative Force, Marshman and Azure Blue. Provided this doesn’t come to quick Azure Blue has good each way claims.
Wednesday Selection:
I was hoping for 10/1 or bigger on Azure Blue so I will be holding out until I can get it but she's the each way pick in the Duke Of York Stakes.
York
3:00 – Azure Blue – 9/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both playing three places).
Good luck with your York bets.
John
A nice beginning to the York meeting with your Trainer suggestions which gave the winner, BOG early prices, at 20/1 followed by Typewriter 50/1 & Legendary Day 40/1 for the places, thank you.
Hi Norman,
And Kihavah in the lucky last and hopefully Azure Blue. All in all a cracking day.
John