Good morning all,
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday that Stage 4 of the road map out of lockdown would likely go ahead on July 19th. Step 4 would if it takes place mean that the 4,000 limit on attendees would go and racecourses can once again host capacity crowds. So far this only covers English racecourses we shall have to wait and see what is decided in Scotland & Wales.
Johnson’s announcement is potentially great news for racing. Its 16 months since we had capacity crowds at a race meeting. The sport has the Qatar Goodwood Festival, York's Ebor festival and the Cazoo St Leger Festival at Doncaster to look forward over the next couple of months.
Fingers crossed this awful virus, doesn’t scupper plans once again.
Inside today’s main piece. I have a couple for the tracker and a selection from this afternoon’s meeting at Pontefract.
Reducing The Derby Distance
Racing Post columnist Julian Muscat has caused a bit of a stir in the traditional world of horse racing, by suggesting it was time to reduce the Derby distance to a 1m 2f. Now there has been plenty of talk of reducing the Derby distance over the last 25 years. None of it has led to changes taking place. In truth I don’t see anything coming of this either. However, his idea has plenty of merit and I can see the sense in it.
Traditionalist’s will say there is nothing wrong with the distance of the Derby and the issue lays firmly with the breeders who want to produce speed horses. They would have a point and its not impossible the breeding of more stamina laden horses could come back into fashion. Although personally I doubt that.
In the early years of the sport. Classics like the Derby and St Leger used to be stepping stones onto a tilt at the at the “big prize” in English horse racing the Ascot Gold Cup.
Today a Derby winner without a win in a 1m 2f Group 1 race isn’t sought after at stud as those that do. With emphasis on the global market places on speed.
You can see the case for the Derby being reduced to 1m 2f and the St Leger to 1m 4f. The chances are you would also see more horses being aimed at a Triple Crown which can only be good for flat racing. Indeed, if the Derby had been run over shorter. The greatest racehorse of my generation Frankel would probably have gone for the race.
The more I think about it the more I like it. Will racing finally see the merit in the move or will the traditionalists hold sway?
Sandown Eyecatchers
A quiet week on the eyecatcher front with just two from Saturday’s Coral Eclipse meeting.
Escobar – David O’Meara
You must go back to October 2019 for Escobar’s last win in the valuable Balmoral Handicap at Ascot. That day he beat a big field and subsequent Group 1 horse Lord North by 2 ½ lengths. Highly tried in pattern company in last season. He’s come back into handicaps this year finishing a ¾ length 3rd of 27 in the Victoria Cup at Ascot in May.
He bounced back from a below par run in the Hunt Cup when a 1 ¾ length 4th of 13 behind Magical Morning in Saturday’s Coral Challenge (Handicap). The slow pace of the race didn’t suit his hold up tactics and in the circumstances he did well to finish as close as he did.
A big field and a strong pace ideally suit’s the 7-year-old as he can be hidden away before closing late. He doesn’t have anything in hand of the handicapper. However, if the cards do fall right there is a win to be had with him.
Mustazeed – Chris Wall
Mustazeed is developing into a useful handicapper. The 3-year-old had improved for the step up to 1m 2f on his turf debut when beating seven rivals at Yarmouth (good to firm) 24-days earlier. Hiked up 8lb for his Yarmouth win and facing an easier surface for the first time in the final race on Sandown’s card. He ran well. Despite being slowly away and not getting the clearest of passages two out he managed to get within 2 ¼ length of Wink Of An Eye. His effort can be marked up slightly and he remains ahead of the handicapper.
Tuesday Selection:
Pontefract
3:35 – Tim Easterby saddles three in this Class 2 handicap. The best of them could be Danzan. A previous C&D winner. The 6-year-old was an excellent 1 length 2nd of 18 behind Mr Lupton at York three starts back. Not as good on two subsequent starts at Hamilton & Newcastle. However, a reproduction of his York run off 2lb lower today would see him in the mix.
Danzan – 12/1 – Gen (EW)
Good luck with Tuesday’s bets.
Cheers
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk