Saturday 12 May 2018

Saturday's 2YO Update


4:35 Ascot - (12th May) 

A Novices Staked Class 3 over 5f on good to firm going. 

Ten two-year-olds take part: three with racecourse experience. 

Probably a fair race with a number of big trainers. Just two significantly entered horses here. 

Blown By Wind won well on debut at Windsor and supporters of Mark Johnston's colt must have been confident of making it two wins from two when priced 4/11f. There is no such thing as a certainty, and that was the case when Emaraaty Ana cruised past to win comfortably. Blown By Wind had to shoulder win penalty as he does today. This is no easy challenge against a previous winner and one or two expensive purchases. 

The other horse noted by the trainer may go well at a price. Robert Cowell has a bigger string of two-year-olds and they have been running thick and fast this season. Sir Ox cost $215,000 at the yearling sales. This American-bred son of Oxbow wasn't fancied in the betting on debut at Kempton when priced 25/1. He had a wide draw which didn't help. Funnily enough, he started well but then dropped anchor (or something) and seemed to be instantly outpaced. This bay colt - in the ownership of Khalifa Dasmal -  had no particular chance thereafter but show some sparkling in the final furlong. Interesting that Silvestre De Sousa is booked to ride. At odds of 16/1 he may be worth a small speculative bet. I'd rather him be contending a lesser race because one or two of these are likely to have ability (the two favourites to start).