Hi all.
Inside today’s main piece you can ready my preview of Saturday’s big betting race the Coral Stewards Cup.
Saturday’s feature race on the final day of this year’s Qatar Goodwood Festival is the cavalry charge known as the Coral Stewards' Cup (3.05). There are two Group races on the card the Group 2 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (2:30) and the Group 3 Coral Glorious Stakes (1:20).
There’s still two days left of the Galway Festival with a couple of competitive handicap hurdles headlining the card including the Listed Boylesports Handicap Hurdle (3.12).
ITV Racing are once again showing the first five races from Goodwood alongside two races from Newmarket where the Listed Chalice Stakes is the highlight of a modest six race card.
Qatar Goodwood Festival – Day 5
After all the heavy thunderstorms on Thursday the going was changed to heavy. However, I think that was an overreaction as the times suggested it was more soft than heavy.
It was set to be mostly dry on Friday and Saturday. I wouldn’t be totally surprised if it was close to good on Saturday. Mind you it could it be a bit dead underfoot and that makes it even harder to guess which horses will be suited by it.
3:05 – Coral Stewards' Cup (Heritage Handicap (Class 2) – 6f
Purosangue
Was sent off 9/2 favourite for this race last year but finished well beaten on quick ground. He’s far more effective with cut and his best RPRs have come with soft in the going. This is the first time he’s got his preferred surface all season and from stall 6, he looks primed for a big run.
Circe
Has really improved for going sprinting this season winning three of her four runs over 6f. Her only disappointing effort coming on soft ground at Epsom. She’s up 6lb and in a much deeper race but her progress may not have ended just yet. Ryan Moore is back in the saddle and if the ground continues to dry out her chance is enhanced.
Apollo One
Has been narrowly beaten in this race the last two years. He’s now 3lb higher last year but has a 7lb apprentice booked to offset the rise. He’s a straightforward ride and acts well on soft, having won a Group 3 in the mud last October. Drawn in 28, expect him to go well down the stands’ side.
Strike Red
Ran a stormer to finish sixth on the wrong side of the track in last weekend’s Sky Bet Dash at York. He’s 3-6 on soft ground, just 1lb above his last winning mark, and conditions look ideal. Definite shortlist material.
Jordan Electrics
Made a quiet return from a break in the Sky Bet Dash but had a monster 2024 winning seven times. This is his kind of setup and although it's a quick turnaround, he's 5 from 11 when running within a week. Trainer Jim Goldie knows how to win this (2012) and the gelding is drawn to attack in stall 2.
Jakajaro
Was a staying-on sixth over 5f here four days ago and shapes like return to 6f will suit. He looks potentially well treated on Irish form; he just needs some luck from stall 18 to be in the mix.
Orazio
Disappointed in the Wokingham on seasonal debut, but he’s 3lb lower than when third in that race last year. From stall 3, he could get a nice tow from pacesetters like Jordan Electrics and Hammer The Hammer. A return to form wouldn’t shock.
Run Boy Run
Has held his form well in big 7f handicaps on his last two starts and now drops back to 6f with a first-time visor replacing cheekpieces. If the headgear sharpens him up, he’s a sneaky each-way player.
Completely Random
Ran a solid fifth in the Wokingham and will get the strong pace he needs to aim at from stall 1. However, he likely wants quicker ground to be at his best.
Others noted:
Commanche Falls (winner in 2021 & 2022), Saint Lawrence, and Vadream are all very well handicapped on old form but look to be on the slide.
Coral Stewards Cup Verdict:
Friday’s big sprint was blown apart by those runners who went far side where there looked to be a ‘golden highway’. That puts a question mark over high draws, especially with several of my key fancies drawn near the stands rail.
Pace looks evenly split. Expect Hammer The Hammer and Jordan Electrics to drive forward the far-side group, while Get It, last year’s winner, tears off down the stands side. The worst place to be? Stranded in no-man’s land between the groups.
Underfoot conditions are pivotal. If the ground remains on the easy side, Purosangue and Strike Red are big players. Apollo One, twice a runner-up in this race, is weighted right up to his best, but with 7lb taken off he could run another big one for young apprentice Alice Bond.
Jordan Electrics is tailor-made for this race, and Jim Goldie knows what’s needed to win it. Jakajaro is interesting back at 6f, but his late-running style means he’ll need luck threading through the field.
If the ground dries, you may need to pivot to faster-ground types. That puts Completely Random, Circe, and Run Boy Run very much into the mix.
In truth I could back eight and not find the winner, it’s that type of race. I’ve had three darts which I have advised to subscribers. You'll find out on Monday if I landed on the right one. I discarded several winners some of them at big prices this week so who knows.
I’ll be back on Monday to look back at Glorious Goodwood 2025.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John