Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on what looks a low key Saturday of action. Low key quality wise but there’s a plenty of interesting and competitive contests.
ITV are covering racing from two courses on Saturday afternoon. There are now five races from Haydock and three from Beverley on an eight race programme.
In today’s preview I’m looking at the feature races at Haydock & Beverley.
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Haydock
1:15 – Sky Bet Achilles Stakes (Listed Race) – 5f
A competitive start with ten set to line-up for this Listed race. Raasel wasn’t well drawn in the Group 2 Temple Stakes over C&D last time. However, he had shaped like there are races to be won with him this season when 4th of 14 in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket two starts back. Last year’s winner and in the mix if back to last season’s best.
Equilateral was a running on length 2nd of 13 in the Temple Stakes last time. Had a much better draw than Raasel that day but should go close if reproducing his last time out effort.
Clarendon House was a neck 3rd of 20 in the Epsom Dash last Saturday. The quicker the ground the better for the 5-year-old and he’s in the mix but was well beaten in this 12 months ago.
Prince Of Pillo looked a smart sprint juvenile when winning the Listed Roseberry Stakes at Ayr last September. Clear claims with Ryan Moore booked for his seasonal return, but you must go back to 212 for the last 3-year-old to win.
Korker had no chance after being hampered at the start at York last time. Prior to that he had finished a ½ length 2nd of 13 to one of today’s rivals Regional. At the weights there shouldn’t be much between the pair. However, the latter is 7/2 and Korker is three times those odds. Granted Korker has been a habitual slow starter in his races and Regional is going the right way. But there shouldn’t be that differential in prices. Korker is when getting off on level terms a Group sprinter for me.
3:00 – Sky Bet Lester Piggott Stakes (Registered As The Pinnacle Stakes) (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) – 1m 4f
Just the six runners but it’s a tricky little contest given the race could be tactical.
Time Lock looks the sort to do better as a 4-year-old and the filly was an encouraging length 2nd of 9 in a Listed race at Goodwood (1m 4f) last month. Her yard is in much better form now and she looks the one to beat with Ryan Moore booked.
Mimikyu improved for the step up to 1m 6 ½ f when winning the Group 2 Park Hill Fillies' Stakes at Doncaster last September. Returned to action with a short-head 2nd of 9 to River of Stars in a Group 3 at York last month. Must give Time Lock 5lb and may not be at her very best on fast ground.
Sea Silk Road best effort last season came when a ½ length 2nd of 6 in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. Didn’t really build on that form on two subsequent starts and was only 6th of 7 at York on her seasonal return at the Dante Meeting. Capable of better than last time and her yard won this last year with a 4-year-old.
German challenger Nachtrose isn’t out of this on Official Ratings (OR’s). There doesn’t seem to be much pace among the six runners, and she could get an uncontested lead. If she does she would be hard to pass.
Roger Varian won this in 2011 & 2012 and is represented by recent impressive Kempton winner Modaara. She looked a potentially smart filly last time and although she has to improve again on OR’s she’s likely capable of doing so.
3:35 – Sky Bet John Of Gaunt Stakes (Group 3) – 7f
Australian challenger The Astrologist shaped like needed the run when a disappointing 7th of 10 in the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes. Runner-up in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan. Back up to 7f here but has won over the distance in Australia. Plenty short enough in the betting on his York performance though.
El Caballo looked a 3-year-old sprinter going places when winning the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes (6f) here last May. He was a bitterly disappointing 7/2 joint favourite of the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot on his next start and was even worse when last of 10 at Doncaster on first start since Royal Ascot in March. Questions to answer as to his well being and on quick ground which connections had blamed for his poor run in the Commonwealth Cup.
The Wizard Of Eye could turn out to be the main challenger to the likely favourite. Not the easiest to win with but he was successful when making all in a Listed race at Kempton in November and went very close in a Group 3 at the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Not disgraced when a 6 ¾ length 9th of 12 in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last time. Back going around a bend will suit the 4-year-old and he could be better positioned than most in what could be a weakly run race.
Beverley
It’s the first of two days of racing at Beverley on Sunday with the Sky Bet Sunday Series caravan arriving at the track on Sunday.
The highlights of the Beverley card are a pair of juvenile contests.
2:05 – Hilary Needler Trophy Fillies' Conditions Stakes (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 5f
Ante post favourite Midnight Affair shaped with promise on her racecourse debut and is capable of plenty of improvement.
Flora Of Bermuda cost £340,000 at the Goffs Breeze-Ups in April and shaped nicely when a ¼-length 4th of 9 at Sandown on her racecourse debut 25-days ago. Capable of more improvement Trainer Andrew Balding is 2-2 with his juveniles at the course in the past 5 years.
Never Fear made all to win a Wolverhampton maiden on her racecourse debut last month. The daughter of No Nay Never looked a speedy last time and is open to further improvement. She won’t get an uncontested lead here but very much on to consider.
Alfa Moonstone looked speedy when getting off the mark at the second attempt at Catterick last month and there could be more to come from her. Each way claims for a trainer 3-10 + 10.25 with his juveniles at Beverley.
3:15 – bet365 Two Year Old Trophy Conditions Stakes (Colts & Geldings) (Class 2) – 5f
Bombay Bazaar green on his racecourse debut at Thirsk was much more professional when beating nine rivals over C&D 25 days ago. Look capable of much better and I think he’s the one they all must beat.
Room Service overcame greenness to win a Wetherby maiden 25 days ago. There’s likely more to come from the Kevin Ryan trained colt.
Cuban Slide beat three rivals at Musselburgh on his debut last month. The leaders went off to strong a pace that day and he picked up the pieces to win comfortably. Likely flattered by his nine length success but he’s open to improvement and trainer Karl Burke is 13-45 29% +10.83 with his juveniles in 2023.
Loaded Gun well fancied but ultimately well beaten on his racecourse debut in the Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster. The Andrew Balding trained colt shaped much better for racing on sound surface when a 1 ¾ length 4th of 10 at Bath 15 days ago. Capable of winning a race but this looks tough.
Saturday Verdict
It’s normally low key quality wise between the Derby and Royal Ascot and today doesn’t disappoint. Still there look to be some compelling contests to get stuck into. It’s my final day before I’m away in Greece. The break has come at the right moment for me as I’m suffering from a new virus – Non Winners Virus. Maybe I can go on my hols with a winner but given my present run I’m not holding my breath.
Saturday Selection
Haydock
1:15 – Korker – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.
My next column will be on Monday 19th when I will have some Royal Ascot stats for you. Then it’s straight into five days of some of the best quality racing you’ll see all season.
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
John