A good few two-year-old races today.
1:30 Nottingham:
Summer Blossom
Has been a model of consistency but has always found one or two too good.
Exalted Angel
This son of Dark Angel cost 150,000 euros at the yearling sales. Burke can win with his debutants. Most hold fair each-way claims when priced 10/1 & less SP. * Has been seriously backed from 14/1 on Betfair to 7/2 with bookmakers at present.
Summer Blossom 7/1 2nd
Exalted Angel 4/1 3rd
1:40 Salisbury:
Dawn Treader
Just a Class 2 entry which suggests not one of the better Richard Hannon juveniles. Not too fancied in the betting on both starts to date but ran out a respectable second last time at Sandown.
Dawn Trader 4/1 Unp
2:10 Salisbury:
Babbo's Boy
Interesting to see Michael Bell's debutante has been given a significant entry. This Irish-bred son of Mastercraftsman is out of a debut-winning mare who raced a pattern class. This bay colt cost 110,000 guineas. Looks well found in the market. Running over a mile gives debutantes time to find their feet but they can be hit and miss.
Wave Walker
One of just four horses entered by Sylvester Kirk. He is a good judge. This chestnut colt ran well on debut when seriously backed. The form of that race looks fair although that was only an auction race. The statistics second start suggested a big run but that was far from the truth with a lacklustre display. I can't help think that was a disappointment and much better could be seen today. Kirk does well at Salisbury, as does J C Smith. Interesting to see how he goes.
Wave Walker 9/1 5th
Babbo's Boy 10/1 7th
I hope you are taking note of all these quality horses we are identifying. Saturday saw Sir Mark Prescott's Brassica cruise to a tidy victory. Looks a horse going places. Then, later that evening, we saw Court Poet win on debut for Charlie Appleby. Just two of a list of quality two-year-olds that win.
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Sunday
2:30 Brighton -
A restricted race type which usually goes to horses with experience. Gay Kelleway doesn't have the strongest of string but noted Global Goddess. This bay daughter of Morpheus races in the silks of Dr Johnny Hon, who is no stranger to winners. Beaten a long way in the Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) when a 200/1 outsider. Ran half respectable last time out at Hamilton when cheek pieces were applied for the first time. Not run since July although a non-runner on a couple of starts with ground issues and vet's certificate.
The only other entrant, which details the low level of this race, is Wolstonbury, trained by Sylvester Kirk. This horse is capable of winning at the plating class and has achieved an official rating of 60.
Not really a race to get excited about. Global Goddess has about as good a chance as seen but limited. Should run thereabout
3:30 Brighton -
7f (6f210y) Chandlers BMW & Mini 68 Plate Novice Stakes (Plus 10 Race) (Class 4) (2yo)
A much better race. Sir Mark Prescott fields his best two-year-old. Miss Celestial won on debut. Last time out ventured to Deauville, France where she contested at Group 3 race. Ran well enough in fourth place after being reluctant to enter the stalls. Has a weight penalty which makes life harder and faces a field of colts. Prescott has applied the blinkers for the first time. She may be a little bit lazy although you don't want too many issues when priced 6/5f.
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
Been a very busy week. Updating lots of websites, many new. A few interesting races on Saturday. Not so much this Sunday. To be honest, I would rather this be a day of rest because even a couple of races seems to clutter the day.
2:00 Pontefract -
Fair money for this 5f 3y EBF Novice Stakes on good to firm going. Just four horses and very much a two-horse race. Both have received significant entries. Richard Fahey's Flawless Jewel is a bay daughter of Kheleyf racing in the familiar colours of The Cool Silk Partnership. She was fancied to go well on debut at York. A battling performance saw her beaten by a neck. A recent entry for the Lowther Stakes (Group 2) adds to confidence. Priced 1/3f, punters will be disappointed if she is beaten.
The major opponent is Murqaab. David O'Meara's charge has raced five times and, for the most part, proven to be a consistent juvenile. This son of Showcasing disappointed in the Windsor Castle Listed race at Royal Ascot but that was no surprise at odds of 66/1. He may have gone a stride to fast last time out at Ripon, although there wasn't anything wrong with the performance in third. The cheek pieces have been applied for the first time. Interesting to see what tactics are employed. I can imagine he will be sent to the front.
Interesting to see how this goes. There may be an option of backing both and laying Murqaab in running if shooting clear.
2:20 Wolverhampton -
Eight two-year-olds take part in this Novice Stakes over 7f 36 y on standard to slow going. Sylvester Kirk does well on the all-weather.
Hackle Setter was noted on debut because the trainer had detailed this son of Noble Mission as having some ability. He wasn't fancied on debut but not disgraced, running on in the closing stages to finish midfield. This step up in distance will help and improvement is likely to be seen.
James Tate gave Zmhar an entry early season. This son of Shamardal hasn't been fancied in the betting on both starts but showed ability second start at Chelmsford.