Hi all,
Here’s my thoughts on the best of Saturday's action. Plus there's a preview of Fitzdares Sprint Series Final at Windsor.
Shergar Cup: Jockey Performances Under Scrutiny
Some of the Shergar Cup rides left plenty to be desired. In the opener, top Indian jockey Suraj Narredu took an age to remove the blindfold from Rosario, costing his mount at least eight lengths at the start. Considering Rosario was only beaten 2½ lengths by Vintage Clarets, backers will feel that was a race that could have been won with a better break.
I had four bets at this year’s Shergar Cup — double last year’s total. First up was Fireblade, advised at 8/1 to subscribers on Saturday morning, who got the day off to a flyer and ensured a profit for the second year running. For a meeting I neither like nor overanalyse, it’s become surprisingly profitable. When your first bet of the day wins and locks in profit, the rest is a free swing.
Suraj Narredu gave Fireblade the perfect ride — handy in a steadily run race, kicking for home at the right time, and holding off the closers. This is what I told subscribers in my race verdict:
“La Vita Nova was my idea of the bet of the card earlier in the week, but everyone has got on board with the Jessica Harrington filly. At the prices she’s no bet at 100/30. The consistent Fireblade was a close-up third over C&D last time and offers more in terms of value.”
It was a late decision to side with Fireblade but was price-driven and ultimately the right one.
Williams Back Among the Winners
Ian Williams, a big Shergar Cup supporter, landed his first win at the meeting since 2012 when Night Breeze took the Shergar Cup Challenge (1m4f). Clearly primed for the race, he got an excellent ride from Robbie Dolan.
I thought an 11lb rise would stop Prince Of India in the Shergar Cup Sprint – I was wrong. The 3-year-old keeps improving and was well on top at the line. My pick, Zayer, who had run well behind him at Newmarket ran a stinker.
The Shergar Cup Classic (1m4f) failed to attract the ten runners — a sign of the lack of 3-year-old middle-distance handicappers rated in the right band. Tenability, up 7lb for a C&D win, got the gap on the fair rail when it mattered and would have been an unlucky loser otherwise.
Ebt’s Guard, runner-up in the valuable Golden Mile at Goodwood eight days ago, went one better in the Shergar Cup Mile. Tracking the leader, he got a nice run down the far side and took full advantage. A thoroughly deserved win for a consistent and likeable 4-year-old.
Shergar Cup Verdict:
Despite another profitable Shergar Cup for myself the event still leaves me cold.
The Asian team won the Shergar Cup on debut, thanks to a runner-up finish in the finale, while Hugh Bowman took the Silver Saddle as top jockey. I don’t think may racing fans care and nor I suspect do most of the crowd attracted to the event.
Another big crowd turned up — plenty for the music after racing, but Ascot won’t mind; it’s usually their biggest attendance outside Royal Ascot. The crowd enjoys it, the jockeys seem to, and it’s just once a year. The only downside: some subpar rides from a few of the international jockeys, a point Maureen Haggas hinted at on ITV. The quality of jockeys taking part must improve next year because this was as poor a group as have ridden in the competition.
Away from the Shergar Cup
There was plenty going on elsewhere, with Haydock, Newmarket and the Curragh providing the more traditional fare.
Haydock
Royal Dubai made it two from two since joining Owen Burrows in the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes, produced late to catch Military Order in the final 110 yards. Burrows and Callum Rodriguez are now eight winners from just 14 rides together (+£35.50 to level stakes).
Earlier, Suite Francaise made all under Joe Fanning in the Listed Dick Hern Stakes. Shuwari, the class act as a juvenile, blew the start on her return from a break and never threatened. Many will want to be with her next time, but I remain wart. Whether it was the quick ground or something else, she didn’t look wholehearted late on.
Newmarket
Five juvenile fillies lined up for the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes, run at a modest early tempo. Dance To The Music had the ideal position and showed grit to hold off Princess Petrol, making it two from two for the Dubawi filly. It was an excellent ride from Billy Loughnane on how to ride Newmarket’s July Course. Unlike recent race winners Fallen Angel and Lake Victoria, Dance To The Music doesn’t look a Classic filly in waiting to me. Midnight Tango, the 7/4 favourite, never got involved in a steadily run race but had no excuses. She just appears to have been overtaken in ability by the first two home.
Curragh: Power Blue Stuns in Phoenix as Amo Racing Enjoy Curragh Big-Race Double
The morning withdrawal of Gstaad left the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes seemingly at the mercy of stablemate True Love, sent off at 1/4. She never travelled and couldn’t get near the front-running Power Blue, who made the most of a tailwind and an off-colour favourite to land a 10/1 shock for Amo Racing. A post-race check revealed True Love was lame in her right fore which probably explains her lacklustre performance.
Earlier, Amo and retained jockey David Egan had struck in the Group 2 Phoenix Sprint Stakes with Bucanero Fuerte, who is now a four-time winner at the Curragh and seemingly excels when allowed to bowl along in front. The third home Kind Of Blue and fourth Art Power both put in seasonal best performances and seem to be coming back to form. Both would also prefer more juice in the ground which augurs well for their autumn campaigns.
Monday Racing – Windsor’s Sprint Series Final Headlines the Card
The feature race on Monday is the Fitzdares Sprint Series Final Handicap (7:10) at Windsor. The winner takes home £38,655. Thirteen runners go to post, three short of the maximum field. The smaller than expected field doesn’t make the puzzle any easier to solve.
Contenders:
Badri took advantage of a falling mark when running out a 2-length winner of a C&D handicap two weeks ago. He’s up 6lb for his latest success but the 8-year-old remains competitively weighted on old form.
Inishfallen was a 2-lengths runner-up to Badri here last time. That was a seasonal best from the 4-year-old in the first time cheekpieces (retained) and he’s now 6lb better off with Badri. Billy Loughnane stays in the saddle.
Amazonian Dream has been out of sorts this year. He’s a three-time C&D winner though and was a neck second in last year’s race off 8lb higher. The handicapper has given him a chance. Oisin Murphy rides.
Change Sings was beaten a short head over C&D in May off 1lb lower. He ran below form when favourite at Wolverhampton 11 days ago in first-time cheekpieces. The headgear is left off here and he's handicapped to be competitive.
Seraphim Angel is 2 from 2 at Windsor. She made all to win a C&D handicap 28 days ago. The filly likes good ground and remains unexposed over 6f. She will face more pace pressure this time. Hollie Doyle takes over in the saddle.
Indian Run won a Group 3 at York as a juvenile. He has yet to win since joining Julie Camacho last autumn. One piece of form stands out this season stands out — a 1½ length sixth of 13 at Newmarket on 2,000 Guineas Day. That race has worked out well and he’s now 4lb lower than that day. This is his second run since wind surgery. Tom Marquand is an interesting jockey booking.
Good luck with your Monday bets.
John