A couple of quiet days.
Avid readers would have noticed that Mark Johnston's Companion (pictured) won on the nod at Great Yarmouth on Wednesday [2:00]. This bay daughter of Dark Angel battled well to the line. She was backed from 11/2 - 4/1. The interesting point for this post is that this filly had been given a class 2 entry. From our analysis, this was a significant entry, which proved to be the case.
Let's take a look at tomorrow's racing. Do we have any significantly entered two-year-olds?
1:40 Beverley -
Tim Easterby has started this Flat turf season with verve. Eight two-year-olds have raced so far and Iva Go looks to be the star of the show so far. This daughter of Ivawood was very well backed on debut (although drifted to big odds on the exchanges before the money came). I was impressed with this filly would put down a serious challenge and led the eventual winner, Exclusively, who continued a victorious early season for in-form Archie Watson. This auction stakes, by nature, is a limited race type, which often favours experienced juvenile, especially those with an element of ability. Iva Go is a decent horse at this grade and it would be a surprise if she doesn't lead these a merry dance.
2:15 Beverley -
This may be the weaker of the two divisions. Time will tell. There is one significantly-entered juvenile going here in the shape of Gracie's Girl, trained by Mick Appleby. As detailed in one of the previous posts, he is a handler who can string a surprise with debutantes and we stated although we wouldn't bet on this horse on debut we certainly wouldn't have been laying it to lose. This daughter of Heeraat was hampered leaving the stalls but ran on with some spirit to finish third at odds of 25/1. This filly looks a great yearling purchase at just £4,000 considering she is out of a fair dam in Queen's Revenge who won on debut and raced at listed class. In truth, the debut of Gracie's Girl is difficult to assess. The winner, Copacabana Dancer, made the most of his experience while the rest of the field got in each other's way or disappointed. It will be interesting to see what Gracie's Girl can do today as she should improve for that first effort.
Photo: Gareth Coote
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
A quick look at Wednesday's entrants of significance.
2:10 Catterick -
A couple of entrants here. Kuwait Station was meant to run the other day but withdrawn by David O'Meara. Last in the Coventry Stakes (Group 2) at Royal Ascot but a horse who won well on debut. Has to shoulder a win penalty which makes life harder. A drop in class but whether you would want to jump in at odds on only time will tell.
Karl Burke must think something of Havana Ooh Na Na. This full brother to Havana Grey was fancied on debut at Hamilton but struggled to get competitive against more experienced rivals. In truth, this chestnut colt wasn't ready that day although I imagine connections thought he was. Stepping up to 5 1/2f in a good value race at York, he showed a little bit more. This 6f may be to Havana Ooh Na Na's advantage, although the course does often favour speedy types so he wouldn't want to be slow into stride. Burke had him entered for the Dragon Stakes at Sandown before making his debut, which indicates some hope. I feel this colt is a slow learner who may win when getting to grips with what racing is all about. Could hold each way claims.
3:10 Catterick -
Nursery races aren't may betting medium. However, we have a few significant entrant here. Amadeus Grey isn't one of Tim Easterby's better types but runner-up on a couple of starts.
Aussie View is top weight for Mark Johnston. He has been pretty consistent and achieved a win but disappointed at Royal Ascot when competing in the Chesham Stakes Listed race. A durable horse who battles.
Saeed bin Suroor still seems the poor relation to Charlie Appleby and must feel quiet despondent in ways. Jfoul is one of three entrant for the good man but one of the lesser lights. This bay colt has been fancied on all three starts. The step up to 7f show him win by a neck.
Other to receive entries: Ventura Bay.
3:30 Bath -
Anthem Of Peace held an entry early season but looks very disappointing. Unless something astounding happens, a horse to watch. Would be much better off in a nursery although will pick up some prize money so a master move by Meehan.
6:20 Sandown -
Heartwarming has been noted by Clive Cox, who has a decent bunch of juveniles. Ran well on debut at Sandown behind Kurious who is similarly owned by Hot To Trot Racing.
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.