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
I must apologise for a couple of quiet days. I'm in the USA so been very difficult to get online, think and work.
Let's take a quick look at the races.
2:05 Newmarket -
A Novice Stakes over 7f on good to firm going. A big field with 17 runners and number well respected.
Canton Queen trained by Richard Hannon.
Dandhu, trained by David Elsworth. Definitely one of the stable's better two-year-olds, although a small string. Ran well on debut and should be thereabout today.
Andrew Balding is a talented trainer and *Hello Bangkok is held in some regard by connections King Power Racing Co Ltd. Ran well on debut, losing narrowly. Interesting and should run a big race.
Ice Gala has received a significant entry and ran well on debut when third beaten less than one length.
Simon Crisford doesn't have many two-year-old horses of significance but Imperial Charm is worthy of note. Debutantes are never the easiest of horses to assess although the trainer is a good judge and his better juveniles go well.
Sir Michael Stoute has Layaleena, a debutante, who is a 130,000 guineas yearling purchase. Very few of their debutantes win over 7/1 SP.
Conclusion: A competitive heat with a few talents on show. The debutantes will need to be very good and primed to win. The betting may well tell the story for Layaleena. If strong in the betting has decent claims. If weak, best watched. Imperial Charm has the ability to go well. Dandhu is one of the major hopes, especially if priced 13/2 & less. I'm pretty confident Elsworth rates this filly. She ran well on debut and the stable does well with two-year-olds on their second start. A similar thought can be afforded to Hello Bangkok. Balding likes this filly and she will go close.
* NR
2:15 Ffos Las -
Momkin has to fend off rivals by carrying a winning penalty but clearly held in high regard by Roger Charlton.
3:15 Newmarket -
Richard Hannon's Mordred sets a high standard for this race A straightforward colt. He has achieved an official rating of 91, which is plenty enough and more to win a normal race. Interesting to see Sir Michael Stoute has Sangarius going here. This son of Kingman is held in some regard. The stable can ready a debutante and they can go in at short odds. It will take a serious performance to lower the colours of Mordred in what looks like a two-horse race on betting.
5:50 Salisbury -
An auction stakes. These generally go to form horse and most likely to the favourite Flashcard who won in some style on debut at big odds [33/1]. Has to defy a winner's penalty but that is more likely in these restrictive race types than others. Bill Turner fields the only significant entrant in this field. John Betjemen is a sturdy sort who ran well on debut before disappointing. Come back after a long break, stepping up to 7f and didn't do much wrong. Dropping back to 6f shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure this colt wants decent going and may even benefit is it turned soft.