Not a bad day yesterday with most noted going well. It is worth noting that these are just detailed without even being selected as tips. The main horse on interest was Boston George who ran out a nice winner. I'm never too keen betting at short odds because you can never be sure. However, those who put the money down had few worries. A talented horse for everyday auction stakes.
A quieter day. Just three two-year-old races for a Saturday. Unusual. In truth, it is good to have an easier weekend. Just one race with noted entrants.
2:25 Catterick -
William Haggas has Ice Gala heading to Catterick Bridge. This bay filly is a daughter of Invincible Spirit out of a three-time winning mare, who achieved Listed success. Summerville Lodge has been in fine form all season. This March foal races in the familiar silks of Cheveley Park Stud, not surprisingly a homebred. She has run three times to date. I imagine connections are scratching their head why she hasn't won thus far. A beaten favourite on her last two starts. To be fair, she has been unlucky to bump into a few good horses. A half-length loser on debut at Newmarket. Then returned to headquarters, stepping up to 7f, and losing by a head to Sir Michael Stoute's Layaleena. Most recently, found another deep race when fourth behind Fashion's Star who looks a Group Horse [as we detailed before debut]. So, on balance, Ice Gala has a little more than antifreeze running through her veins. A short price here. Soft ground. Not my kind of bet but really should lead these a merry dance.
Interesting to note Arletta Star. Tim Easterby gave this filly a Listed entry before her debut. This British-bred daughter of Bated Breath has shown glimmers of ability in her three starts to date. Intriguing why connections are racing here when she has an official rating of just 64. It would make sense to go the handicap route. However, there may be a reason for this curve-ball approach. The only real hope for this filly showing more today is stepping up to 7f, especially with the testing going. Five furlongs has been too fast. A better effort at six furlongs behind a couple of decent types. That race may have flattered her although it may have hidden an element of ability. All I can say is that if you see this filly is priced huge odds on the exchanges, she may be worth a small each-way bet. It is a longshot but not impossible especially if the going churns up.
Ice Gala 4/11 1st
Arletta Star 10/1 3rd
Note: Effortless victory for Ice Gala. Arletta Star ran a fair race to take third. She was quite well backed from 20/1.
No 2yo racing on Sunday
Plenty of class 2yo races to consider today.
Here is list to recap:
1:50 Newmarket (G)
2:05 York (N)
2:25 Newmarket (G)
3:15 York
3:35 Newmarket (G)
4:45 Newmarket
5:00 York
5:20 Newmarket
6:15 Wolverhampton (S)
7:45 Wolverhampton
Key: (G) Group race, (N) Nursery & (S) Selling race
We don't consider Group races as betting races (rarely) but simply enjoy them as a conclusion to the two-year-old journey for many quality horses (that we detail throughout the year).
3:15 York -
A Class 3 race so a good number of these are likely to have been given significant entries at some point. I am writing and reviewing at the same time - so we will see!
Exalted Angel was noted by Group Horse Daily before making her debut for Karl Burke. Starting her career over 5f at Nottingham, saw a pleasing first start. This Irish-bred daughter of Dark Angel ran well, closing nicely in the final furlong. Inexperience may well have cost her victory that day. This February foal should be wiser today. From a statistical point has very good each-way claims.
Decent price money going here so there is likely to be some opposition.
Richard Hannon's Spell is quite well regarded. She ran well on debut when narrowly foiled. Beaten at Listed class over course and distance. This Irish-bred daughter of Slade Power was outpaced but run on well that day. She had a prime draw at Kempton when stepping up to 6f. Travelled well and clung to the rail but was caught at the furlong pole. It was a slightly disappointing effort in ways. Considering Spell had been off course since early May it is possible she was in need of the run.
Broken Spear has been very busy this season. A true speedster, this gelding has run nine times and achieved one win when scooting clear by seven lengths. He has been a credit to Tony Coyle and been placed on numerous occasions. Most recently, far from disgraced at Listed class. Coming back to stakes class means having the win penalty as a burden which doesn't help matters. Likely to lead and hope to steal a few easy lengths, trying to hold on to grim death.
Tim Easterby does well at this course. Arletta Star was entered for a Listed race earlier in the year but didn't take that race. She wasn't fancied on debut but ran with some promise in fifth. Then beaten pretty easily into third by a couple of decent sorts over 6f at Haydock. Interesting to see this horse drop back in trip. Needs to find a lot of improvement but I do get the impression connections think she has some ability.
Conclusion: An interesting race. Exalted Angel has a decent chance and if an each-way price worthy of respect. Spell is difficult to assess. She may be better than seen as connections must think a bit of her. Broken Spear will do well to defy the win penalty. Probably set the pace and tire in the closing furlong. While Arletta Star needs to find a lot of improvement. A couple of other form horses [Angel Alexander & Skeetah] make it a race of some depth.
Broken Spear 4/1 1st
Angel Alexander 11/8f 2nd
Spell 7/1 3rd
Arletta Star 25/1 6th
Note: Broken Spear showed his pace and literally had the opposition on the ropes. A great performance under a penalty. Spell ran on well but needs a stiffer course. Exalted Angel proved disappointing.
4:45 Newmarket -
Charlie Hills has noted Rhossili Down. She ran well behind the ultra-talented Fashion's Star (who we noted in advance of debut).
Rhossili Down 11/2 9th
Note: Rhossili Down didn't do much. Interesting to see if she bounces back next start as this looks too bad to be true.
5:00 York -
Ralph Beckett has been in good form with his juveniles. Sam Cooke ran well on debut when beaten by a fair talent in Artois. Punters were left reeling when he was beaten by Ticklish at 2/5f. The pair beat the third by over ten lengths so it may have been the case Mark Johnston's winner is fair. That race was at auction class, as is this, so it should give plenty of opportunities to hit the frame.
Couldn't help but smile when I noticed Cadeau D'Amour running. Richard Fahey's son of Camacho was entered for the Brocklesby Stakes. See, how many people could tell you that piece of information? He cost £35,000 at the yearling sales. Now in the ownership of Middleham Park.
Sam Cooke 2/1 1st
Cadeau D'Amour 25/1 unp
Note: Sam Cooke had shown a level of ability and enjoyed a tidy success.
5:20 Newmarket -
William Haggas has Night Secret. This Irish-bred daughter of Dark Angel looked in need of the experience on debut. Been entered for a Class 2 stakes race which gives some confidence although far from the best in the stable.
Another filly with a similar entry is Richard Hannon's Star Of War. A big price on debut at Leicester behind stablemate Canton Queen. Ran a great race when stepping up to one mile at this course three weeks ago. The first two beat the rest well. She lost on the nod after a sustained battle with Peter Chapple-Hyam's Sh Boom. Interesting to see how this drop back in distance goes.
Star Of War 5/1 5th
Night Secret 10/1 8th
Note: Night Secret was very weak in the betting which suggested she wasn't good enough. Star Of War ran a respectable race.
6:15 Wolverhampton -
We don't, generally, take much notice of Selling races. Often it is to do with time so you should keep checking yourself. A couple of noted entrants. Bill Turner's Arthur's Spirit. Interesting to see Gay Kellway has Elieden still trying to get that first win after nine starts. Will it be tenth time lucky?
Elieden 5/1 8th
Arthur's Spirit 12/1 9th
Note: Elieden was slow away, bumped and then ran wide. No chance. Maybe capable of winning at this grade if/when something goes right. Arthur's Secret was very weak in the betting and out of form.
2:40 Haydock -
A couple of big guns here. Nice fillies in the shape of Lady Aria who has run well on all three starts for Michael Bell. A half-length loss at Group 3 tells the story and not a surprise to see this two-year-old at prohibitive odds.
Karl Burke is represented by Ellhedi who lost by a neck on debut and then failed to shine at Listed class back in July. It is possible this daughter of Invincible Spirit disappointed.
Interesting to see Arletta Star return for Tim Easterby. She made her debut at Carlisle back in June. She had been given a Listed entry but a big price on debut as if little was expected. The form of that race is fair. Not seen for over 100 days. Needs to improve a good deal but may appreciate this step up to 6f.
Lady Aria 2/7f 1st
Ellhedi 3/1 2nd
Arletta Star 15/2
Conclusion: Lady Aria will take a lot of beating but a second at Group class sets the standard by some way. An official rating of 100 should see a tidy victory but who wants to bet 1/4f. Ellhedi is the major opponent and maybe some peoples idea of an each-way alternative. Arletta Star is interesting but needs to sprout wings to trouble the jolly.
3:15 Haydock -
Wise Counsel is progressing with racing. A horse with plenty of entries, which suggested this son of Invincible Spirit was better than seen. That proved correct when he ran much better on more testing conditions. He was hampered but showed a lot of character thereafter. The form of that race has been franked. Has very good claims.
Steph Hollinshead doesn't have many two-year-olds in training. Tizwotitiz ran his best race second time out when unlucky not to win. With an official rating of 68 this bay gelding has little hope.
Wise Counsel 2/7f 1st
Tizwwotitiz 66/1 4th
4:10 Newmarket -
Interesting that Godolphin has three two-year-olds here. The two favourites are not entered. However, the third string, by racing silks, has received a couple of significant entries. Wings Of Time is priced 14/1. It is often the case the second or third string show ability, so this factor may not be the death knell. This son of Invincible Spirit is out of a Listed-class winner. I wonder if there will be some money for this juvenile? Interesting.
John Ryan fields Shining Armor who has received a Group entry. However, he showed little ability last time out. He ran wide for most, which is impossible on a turning course. A step up to 7f may help but it looks a challenge too far.
Wings Of Time 20/1 7th
Shining Armor 100/1 8th
Conclusion: Interesting to see if there is any money for Wings Of Time. I wouldn't be put off by the third colours because they really don't mean too much for the stables. It may be worth taking a speculative each-way punt if available at big odds on the exchanges. It is possible this horse will be backed. Not the easiest juvenile to assess but worthy of closer inspection.
1:30 Carlisle -
Yousini made a good impression on debut. Kevin Ryan holds this colt in some regard. A Railway Stakes (Group 2) and Brian Yeardley Stakes entry detail lofty ambitions. A win penalty makes life more difficult but a fair assessment if the Irish race is to be considered.
Archie Watson is a trainer going places and his knowledge of two-year-olds is worthy of note. Rockin Roy won well on debut and he was beaten by a talented horse next start. Also, entered for the Brian Yeardley, connection must have hoped this would be the easier route. Instead, it is a tough race.
Intriguing to see Tim Easterby sends Arletta Star to contest this race. She looks a good 2yo breeze-up buy at £28,000. The reason being, she was been given a couple of significant entries, including a Listed race. This looks to be a sign of ability. Easterby can win on debut although most don't. However, his best juveniles usually run well on their racecourse bow if expected. This looks a stiff task in ways against winning, talented colts. The upside is that she gets a good weight allowance. I must admit, even if it is unlikely, bookmakers pricing her at 22/1 are probably unaware she is considered a fair type.
2:40 Brighton -
Amy Murphy must have been disappointed with Thegreatestshowman on his second start at Pontefract. He looked to go a stride too fast and that is a big mistake in competitive races. The form of his debut is decent enough. Stepping back down in distance is a good move. If settling, should run well.
Richard Hughes Kadiz come back to form after going too fast in testing conditions at Salisbury. He has some ability and deserves respect although vulnerable to a fair juvenile.
6:50 Haydock -
Cool Exhibit was a big drifter in the betting on debut but ran out an easy winner. Simon Crisford considered the Woodcote Stakes but decided to take this route. This son of Showcasing is a deep-chested colt and appealing. It is worth noting that the form of his debut win has taken a few knocks, which may have been the reason he was weak in the betting that day (connections thought it was a stronger race than it turned out to be). Has to shoulder a win penalty.