Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m looking back at the best of Saturday’s action.
Newmarket
I asked the question in Saturday’s column. Who beats Inspiral? As it happened no one could. The filly gained a fifth Group 1 success in Newmarket’s Sun Chariot Stakes.
It was good quick flat racing ground at Newmarket. There was a tail wind and it paid to be ridden prominently.
Devasting Inspiral
Inspiral proved a class above her seven rivals in Saturday’s feature race. The race isn’t the strongest Group 1’s in the racing calendar and this year’s race was no exception. That’s not to take nothing away from the winner.
Frankie Dettori made a decisive mid race move and that proved all important in a race that had been modestly run in the early stages. Taking it up 2f out she soon skipped clear of her rivals to win by 3 ½ length from French challenger Mqse De Sevigne.
The runner-up came from further back than the winner. However. she never looked she was going to catch the winner who was eased up close home and could have won by further. A mile was on the short side for her, and she probably would have preferred softer ground.
Heredia ran well in third, but she wasn’t up to the task on her first start in Group 1 company.
Inspiral could, if she comes out of the race well, head to Ascot for the QE11 on Champions Day and/or go to the Breeders Cup. There’s even a possibility that she could stay in training as a 5-year-old.
It was Frankie Dettori’s 500th winner at Newmarket which is some achievement. On the subject of Frankie I see he's been booked for the ride on the Amo Racing owned King Of Steel in the Champion Stakes. Could a winning ride on Champions Day lead to Frankie being offered the Amo Racing retainer? We know Frankie has said he would have to seriously consider his retirement if he got on offer, he couldn’t refuse. Maybe it will come from Kia Joorabchian.
Woodhay’s a wonder
Even money favourite Zoula Chief set a very strong pace in the£150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes. Two furlongs out, he was clear of 21 rivals and was only headed inside the final furlong. His early exertions took their toll when hitting the rising ground and at the line was only fifth.
The strong pace suited Woodhay Wonder who got to the front inside the furlong and was well on top at the finish. The winner landed big sales race on the other track on her previous start. So that’s £140,675 netted by connections this season. Now 3-4 on turf she has the scope to train on as a 3-year-old next season. A Guineas trial like the Fred Darling at Newbury could be a good starting point for her next season.
Ascot
My selection in the Group 3 Bengough Stakes Juan Les Pins drifted like a dog on a raft as the money came in for his stablemate Annaf. The money proved spot on as Annaf followed up his Portland Handicap success with gutsy short head success over Commanche Falls. Both horses fought out a great finish and it was joy to see two horses finding for their jockey’s urgings and wanting to win the race.
Commanche Falls comes out the best at the weights as he was giving the winning 3lb. However, the winner didn’t get the best of runs 2f out and would have been an unlucky loser.
Howden Challenge Cup (Heritage Handicap)
There was £92,772 on offer to the winner of Saturday’s Howden Challenge Cup at Ascot and its good end of season prize for the specialist 7f handicappers.
Near side had the best of the draw and it was Atrium, gaining a third course success, who had his head down on the line to beat Popmaster by a nose. It was a cracking effort by the runner-up who was carrying a 5lb penalty and was trying to give 10lb to the winner. The winner clearly likes Ascot’s straight course and is always worth considering here.
The third home Pearle D'or did best of the group that raced fair side. If he had raced with the group that went near side, he would probably have won. He clearly remains on a workable mark after his recent Newbury success and goes well on more testing ground than he ran here.
Neither Escobar or Orbaan could get competitive from the far side group which was disappointing to yours truly.
Other to disappoint were 9/2 favourite Fresh and Quinault. It was a rare below par effort here from the former. Meanwhile Quinault probably did too much out in front in the far side group. He’s had a great season and this was probably one race too many for the 3-year-old.
Redcar
Redcar had a rare day in the racing spotlight. The William Hill Two Year Old Trophy, the most valuable race run at the track during the season, was the headline event of its Saturday card.
Just ten runners went to post for this Listed contest which was the smallest field in the races history. And it wasn’t the strongest renewal of the race in terms of quality either.
Dragon Leader was sent off the 4/7 favourite and in truth didn’t give his backers too much to worry about. Coming down the outside. He powered into the lead 1f out and only needed to be kept up to his work to run out a 3 length winner.
This was the winners third big run in a valuable sales race. He had won of them at York’s Ebor Festival and finished runner-up at Doncaster in another one last month. He’s amassed £302,445 in prize money for connections which given he cost just £45,000 is a great ROI.
The return to quicker ground suited Dragon Leader and getting weight from all but two of his rivals meant he won as he was entitled to do on official ratings.
All in all, not a good Saturday for me from a punting perspective and the month has started off poorly so I’m already playing catch up. There’s not much left of the 2023 flat season. So I think it’s time I started to get into full jumps mode.
Monday Preview
Few horses have a worse head carriage than Protected Guest and you could hardly call him a trustworthy bet. However, he drops in class in the Class 4 handicap (7:00) and has dropped 10lb below his last winning mark. If and it’s a big if, he’s on a going day he can win. That said I would want double figure odds about is chance to risk a bet.
Wolverhampton
7:00 – Protected Guest – 10/1 @ Coral.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John