Winners are not easy to find, even with class horses. That has been the case for Richard Hannon's colt Ziggle Pops, who, finally, made it fourth time lucky at Brighton when winning in style to take his first victory.
This chestnut son of Zoffany, has always been well regarded in the Hannon stable. Subscribers of our 10 Dark Horse Mailing, may have looked twice when we added this February foal to the list after he had looked quite poor on debut when running down the field to finished unplaced at Newbury over 6f.
We actually fancied his chances at Newmarket, next start, until we see he was opposing two horses from our mailing including Lazuli, trained by Charlie Appleby. As you will have seen, Lazuli, shot clear of the field and is a very high-class individual, who will be making waves at Group class.
Interestingly, Skontonovski ran in the same race, having little go right, then ran out of petrol at Ffos Las when caught in the last two sides.
Ziggle Pops is a capable juvenile but struggled when finding himself in another hot race at Newbury when stepping up to 7f for the first time. Roger Charlton unveiled a right top-notch two-year-old in the shape of Quadrilateral, seeing Ziggle Pops finish fourth, beaten seven lengths. Time will tell that was a stiff contest.
Anyway, Ziggle Pops had the luxury today of finding an average race at Brighton and the even-money chance strode out a comfortable winner by five lengths. You can see the full result here.
I'm sure connections will try him at a higher level, although, in fairness, he has an official rating of 75 and looks better suited by nursery races.
Good luck to connections.
Nice to see another winner for the 10 Dark Horse Mailing.
Good to hear from a few readers this week. I appreciate people taking the time to give their feedback. I have detailed the entrants, horses of interest and those of statistical merit. Given the time restraint, I cannot give any more information about today's runners. I am sure this will be a pointer.
I hope this helps.
Three two-year-old races for Friday:
1:50 York -
5f Langley's Solicitors British EBF Marygate Fillies Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (2yo)
This Class 2 race so all juveniles are significantly entered.
Never an easy race to pin down. As I often say, it isn't a good idea to limit a winning horse and there are a good few going here.
This isn't the type of race I would bet, preferring lower grade races. If hard pressed, I would side with Lady Kermit, who is very fast and likely to set the pace and could well hold any late challengers. This course should suit and the going should be to her liking. She hasn't raced on the turf, so that is a slight unknown although I don't think it will be a problem.
One horse who may have a chance at bigger odds is David Evans' Good Vibes. What do I like about this daughter of Due Diligence? She is a good-looking filly, with size and scope to improve. She was pretty keen for a couple of furlongs at Salisbury but still managed to win. May have each-way claims at 14/1.
I won't be betting on this race as it isn't appealing to me.
2:45 Newbury -
6f Starlight Raceday Maiden Stakes (Plus 10) (Class 4) (2yo)
Let's take a look at the significantly-entered two-year-olds going here.
William Haggas has his first significantly-entered two-year-old going here in the shape of Baadirr a 180,000 guinea yearling.
Richard Hannon is warming up, although winners have been hard to find. Ziggle Pops has received two entries of late, which brings some hope. This Irish-bred son of Zoffany cost 55,000 guineas at the sales.
Gypsy Rocker is worthy of note. This Irish-bred son of Slade Power cost 38,000 euros as a yearling (cost more as a foal). Interesting this chestnut colt has been entered for two class 2 stakes races. Meehan's juveniles have been few and far between this season although Top Buck ran well in the Lily Agnes and Aroha ran well on Thursday when second at Salisbury. Brian Meehan is an interesting trainer as, strangely, his speculatively-priced debutantes often run better than his fancied horses in the betting. At odds of 25/1, this juvenile isn't without some hope.
Charlie Hills makes a return with Walton Thorns, who didn't show a great deal in the Brocklesby Stakes. He was relatively fancied that day but showed little. The apprentice onboard may be a sign that there isn't too much expected but time will tell.
Readers may notice a couple of horses that do not, at this moment, have entries but worthy of note. Light Angel, trained by John Gosden, ran well of debut when a narrow loser. This son of Dark Angel isn't the biggest, but a good-looking grey colt who will take some stopping here. With valuable experience and stats which detail a big run, I would fear this youngster if betting against it.
Heaven Forfend is the first two-year-old runner for Sir Michael Stoute in the Cheveley Park Stud silks. The betting guide is helpful. About 80% of Stoute's 2yo debutantes win priced 7/1 & less sp. In fact, priced over 9/2, the win stats are pretty poor. However, it is interesting this colt is making his debut at this time, which may indicate Royal Ascot is on the cards.
5:55 Hamilton -
Keith Dalgleish has Glasvegas noted as a significant runner here. This bay colt was a narrow loser on debut at Musselburgh.
Penmellyn ran in a tough race on debut when a long way behind Lady Kermit. That was a Class 2 stakes and this could be easier. That entry may signify more is to come.
Taxiwala doesn't have any significant entries at this time but ran well on debut, a race I think will prove to be decent. From a statistical point of view, this horse is the one to beat.
As we have said so many times before - you won't find better 2yo info anywhere on the internet.
Richard Hannon has started the two-year-old season with meagre pickings. However, if you take a moment to review his list of juveniles on the Group Horse 2019 you will see he has 17 youngsters with significant entries (there will be more to follow). Only three two-year-olds have won this Flat season, but there will be more to come this month.
It was good to see Kemble (pictured) storm clear of her rivals at Windsor (5:50) on Monday evening. This daughter of Kodiac is a fine-looking filly, who started her career in an exceptionally strong Stakes race at Newmarket won by Charlie Appleby's Chasing Dreams, who looks a live favourite for Royal Ascot.
Kemble finished third on debut but ran creditably. She showed ample ability over 5f at Windsor to win comfortably by five lengths. Connections must have been happy to see such a facile victory putting a fair Archie Watson juvenile in its place.
Hannon has had two other juvenile winners this season, both showing their worth on debut.
Threat won well in the familiar silks of Cheveley Park Stud, while the form of Temple Of Heaven has been franked. All three juveniles are talents and could well be heading to Royal Ascot.
Temple Of Heaven was considered for the Lily Agnes Stakes.
Other two-year-olds who will be winning soon include Separate, who went close on debut and has a Listed-race entry to prove this filly's reputation.
Endowed was very well backed on debut at Ascot, but was found a touch flat-footed in a competitive heat. This son of Dark Angel is better than seen and will go close next time out. Perhaps a step up to 6f will be to his advantage. I have little doubt connections expected more on debut.
A couple of debutantes which have been showing some class on the gallops include:
Forbidden Land a bay son of Acclamation.
Ziggle Pops a son of Zoffany.