Wednesday's 2YO Updates (12th December)

A few quiet days. Let's take a look at the significant entrants racing today. 

4:45 Kempton - 

Interesting to see Ed Vaughan fields a potentially smart two-year-old racing over this trip of one mile. Al Batter is a bay colt and son of Dubawi out of a four-times winning mare, Giofra, whose last nine starts were at Group/Grade 1. Her greatest success is the Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) at Newmarket. A very talented horse. Al Batter cost a fortune at the yearling sales at 1,550,000 euros. He races in the familiar silks of Phoenix Thoroughbreds Limited. Readers may remember the stable done well this season with Dubai Dominion and Magic J. 

This is just one of three horses to receive significant entries for Ed Vaughan. The other horse, which is yet to race, is called Ginger Wolverine.  A horse worth noting as we are confident it will be a winner. 

Al Batter is pretty well drawn in stall three. Priced 8/1 with bookmakers. It is always difficult to assess the chances of debutantes because they are often a law unto themselves. However, it is often the case they have ability if priced 10/1 & less SP. Especially so when priced 13/2 & less SP.  

Worth of respect. 

Al Batter 10/1 6th 

Note: Looked inexperience but ran a race full of promise. Unfortunately not placed which is a shame. On reviewing the race, Al Batter wasn't helped at all by nearly running into the back of the favourite who seemed to back peddle for some reason. Vaughan's horse pulled off heels and lost a number of lengths and most importantly its position. Annoying turn of events considering it ran on well in the closing furlong. 
   

Monday's 2YO Update

Quite a few two-year-old races for a Monday. 

Very busy, as always, so I will have a quick look and detail those of significance. I have added a little bit more information from a tipping perspective. Please make the effort to share these posts. This has taken over an hour to complete. 

2:30 Brighton - 

Saeed bin Suroor has Mawahib going here. This homebred son of New Approach is worthy of note. In general, Suroor's two-year-olds have gone well this year although Royal Marine [which was on our 10 Dark Horses] disappointed on debut. He can be a touch hit and miss compared with Charlie Appleby. Still of interest. 

A form horse [not entered on Group Horse] may have a chance at big odds. James Fanshawe's Keyhaven disappointed second start and that performance may hide a horse with a fighting chance at 40/1. 

2:45 Ffos Las - 

Henry Candy doesn't have the biggest string of juveniles and few entered as significant. Layla's Dream was entered for a Class 2 race but showed next to no ability when she ran on debut. Huge odds that day and similarly big odds today at 25/1. If betting, you will have to take a leap of faith. The only hope is the two-month absence which could detail an issue on debut which may have hidden ability. Interesting if backed. 

4:55 Windsor - 

Richard Hannon has a vast number of talented colts, fillies and geldings. Take a look at the list here. Dirty Rascal has made a living from finishing second. This son of Acclamation hasn't been disgraced in four starts to date. Ran well last time out behind the talented Flashcard. It may not be a problem, but a wide draw isn't the best starting point if pushed wide or using too much energy to get to the front. A pretty hot favourite at even money. Too short price for me to be interested from a wide birth but should go well. 

In the good old days when Clive Cox had a small string, he used to do very well with debutantes at Windsor. They often hit the frame at double-figure odds. These days he has a string with ample ability. Venture is worthy of note. This son of Showcasing cost 230,000 euros in the ownership of Malih Al Basti. This debutant looks well found in the betting and holds decent each-way claims if priced 13/2 & less SP. 

6:20 Newcastle - 

Potentially a few fillies of note. Gleeful was relatively fancied on debut and ran on after showing inexperience.  This daughter of Pivotal races in the ownership of Cheveley Park Stud. This homebred should improve for being off course for a month. 

I'm sure Karl Burke must have been disappointed with the running of Mistress Of Love when struggling to figure after a slow start on debut at Ayr. The $1000,000 purchase in the familiar silks of Phoenix Thoroughbred Ltd started at the prohibitive odds of 2/5f. This American-bred daughter of Scat Daddy may have disliked the testing conditions. Although the going was described as good the time being over 8 seconds slow suggests it was on the soft side. Debutantes often disappoint on their racecourse bow for a myriad of reasons. Just about all trainers of two-year-old horses have much better statistics on their second start. It is a fact that experience counts. Few trainers want to give their newcomers a hard race. I suspect Mistress Of Love will run much better today. Returning to race on the all-weather is a positive. I can imagine Burke was slightly embarrassed by the debut effort and I would be surprised if she isn't there about. If available at each-way prices holds fair claims. 

Monday's 2YO Update

A few two-year-old races for Monday. 

1:35 Ayr - 

Mistress Of Love is interesting for Karl Burke. Spigot Lodge must be pleased to have a few talented juveniles under the ownership of Phoenix Thoroughbred Ltd. You may remember that Kadar (one of our 10 Dark Horses) was meant to run over the weekend but was withdrawn under a vet's certificate. Mistress Of Love is an American-bred daughter of Scat Daddy costing $1000,000. These owners don't lack in money and I would be very surprised if this juvenile doesn't win. She has an entry at the Curragh for the Debutante Stakes (Group 2) over 7f. 

1:50 Ripon - 

Richard Fahey's Good Tyne Girl holds claims here. 

7:40 Wolverhampton - 

Richard Hannon has It's The Only Way going here. This Irish-bred son of Lilbourne Lad won his first two starts and carries a big weight which connections try to take the edge off with a 7lb apprentice. Not sure if I would jump in at short odds because these win penalties seem hard to defy. To be fair the opposition doesn't look much. *Wolf Hunter was given a significant entry early season but it looked to be next to worthless. He isn't the worst horse ever but been contesting at plating class and official rating of just 63. 

* NR

Gronkowski out of Kentucky Derby

This time of year we are all about two-year-olds but this time last year we pinpointed a top-class hope for Jeremy Noseda in the shape of Gronkowski owned by Phoenix Thoroughbreds Ltd. This exciting colt had progresses to be a major UK player for this year's Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on 5th May. 

Sadly, a setback has ruled him out of this legendary race. He was booked to fly out to the States this weekend but had a high temperature at routine inspection. 

The owners tweeted: "We very much regret that #Gronkowski will miss the @KentuckyDerby after spiking a fever over the weekend and being treated with antibiotics. He can't make the long journey to Louisville but is doing well."

Gronkowski, named after National Football League legend Rob Gronkowski, was unbeaten in four races on the all-weather. He was given the opportunity to go to the Kentucky Derby after winning the Listed Burradon Stakes at Newcastle. 

Walk In The Sun trained by Jeremy Noseda

I hate to say it, but we told you so. 

However, no one likes a show off. And we are very unassuming with our big heads, trying to walk through small doors. So what are we talking about? 

Walk In The Sun, trained by Jeremy Noseda. 

As you may realise, Group Horse is all about detailing the best two-year-old horses in training. Often, as is the case for this colt, he didn't run until three. 

Sometimes you have to wait patiently for something good to happen. 

This American-bred bay colt is a son of Street Sense (pictured) in the ownership of Phoenix Thoroughbreds Limited. These owners have very deep pockets and not afraid to put the money down. Purchased by Kerri Radcliffe Bloodstock (vendor Mocklershill) for 1,400,000 euros at the 2yo breeze-up sales. Basically, a suitcase full of money. 

Interesting to note the mare won on debut in France, tasted victory at Listed class and placed at Group 3. She ran at Group 1 level for Andre Fabre. The sire didn't win on debut but achieved 6 wins from 13 start in the States taking 3 Grade 1 races and total prize earnings over £2m. 

Jeremy Noseda always rated Walk In The Sun. The Newmarket handler was in no rush to get this April foal out at two although three significant entries suggest they had plans to do something in his formative season. 

In fact, we had to wait until January 26th to see what all the fuss was about. Ryan Moore was booked to ride and starting at 5/4f told the dogs had been barking. It turned out to be a cracking race, battling to beat First Contact who was burdened with a win penalty. Godolphin's charge made a sturdy opponent. Walk In The Sun ran on well and won a shade cosily.   

Noseda has Walk In The Sun entered for the 2000 Guineas which suggests he will be heading towards the Classic race trials if winning this sort of race well. 

The 2:30 Lingfield  (Tuesday) doesn't look the hardest of fights. With just three horses in opposition punters will need to be a wedge to fill a purse. This should be a walk in the (park) at 1/4f.

Interesting how easy he goes with the win penalty to give some measure. Connections will be expecting a tidy success with lofty plans in the pipeline.