Thursday 2 July
Lingfield 2.10 – 6F Maiden Stakes (Class 5) Standard
Seven runners for this maiden.. The six colts had all previously run but the only filly was making her debut.
The market couldn’t split TIME WARP (Sir Mark Prescott) and BOCHART (Charlie Appleby) and they were sent off the joint 7/4 favourites. TIME WARP had finished as runner up at Chelmsford on his second and most recent run. BOCHART had been available to back at 11/4 last night and had traded as low as 1.26 when finishing third at Leicester on his second start.
A MOMENTOFMADNESS had taken part in a match at Sandown on his debut where he was beaten by 3¾ lengths. Today he led from the start and although challenged a furlong out, he battled on well to hold on by a short head. Charlie Hills’ colt cost £72000 and is the first foal from a mare who won a 6F maiden.
BOCHART came to challenge but couldn’t get past the eventual winner. He is Darley bred from a mare who won two races at 6F. She has produced a full sister who won a maiden at 7F. Other siblings have won between 5F and 8F (highest winning OR of 100).
TIME WARP ran on towards the end and finished a further ½ length back in third.
Lingfield 2.40 – 6F Seller (Class 6) Standard
There were two non runners for this race, FRED’S FILLY (lame) and Q TEN GIRL (coughing). This left a field of six; all had race experience and there was one previous winner.
TAHITI ONE was held up in the rear but when the leader went wide on the final turn, Tony Carroll’s filly had the perfect run through on the inside rail. She led at the furlong pole and went on to win by ¾ length. She had finished fifth of six here (but on turf) for her debut in a Class 6 maiden. The winner of that race finished second in a Class 2 Stakes race next time out. Owner bred, she is the first foal from a mare who won a maiden over 6½F.
I T GURU (Richard Hannon) was sent off the 6/4 favourite and led from the start but by hanging right into the straight, he greatly diminished his chance of winning. However he did keep on close home but couldn’t get back to the eventual winner. He had finished fourth in a seller on the most recent of his two starts. Purchased for 11500 guineas as a foal, he was resold as a yearling for £36000. He is from a mare who remained a maiden after sixteen starts. She has produced a full brother who remained a maiden after six starts; a half brother has won over 6F (highest winning OR of 74).
Richard Hughes, the rider of I T GURU, reported that the colt hung right off the bend. Cathy Gannon, the rider of MISTAKEN LADY, unplaced, reported that the filly ran too free.
I T GURU was claimed by Mr N. Wilson for £6000. PRIORY (the previous winner in the field) was claimed by Mr Martin Smith £6,000.
Haydock 2.50 – 6F Maiden Stakes (Class 5) Good to Soft
Before racing the going was officially Good to Firm but this was changed to Good to Soft after this race (and later went to Soft).
All ten runners stood their ground and the field included one filly making her debut. Of the nine other runners, five were also having their first races.
EQLEEM started as the favourite having opened up course at 5/2 and was backed in to 13/8. Mark Johnston’s colt cost 75000 guineas as a foal and is from an unraced mare (a half sister to Listed race winners). She has produced one previous winning foal, a 6F maiden who was also placed in a 7F Listed race.
Always close up, EQLEEM took the lead a furlong out and kept on well to win by ¾ length.
PHANTOM FLIPPER had finished third over course and distance on debut but then disappointed at Windsor when it was reported that the colt was slowly away and was never travelling. Today, he was following the leader and kept on to finish in second place.
SIGN OF THE KODIAC made the early running but was one paced in the final furlong, finishing a further length away. Previously, he had finished as runner up at Chelmsford on his second start and then took his chance in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes, where he finished eleventh.
FATHERLY FRIEND, on debut for Karl Burke, finished fourth and was a notable eyecatcher, coming from a long way back.
William Buick, the rider of FATHERLY FRIEND, reported that the colt was denied a clear run. The Stewards ordered the colt to be routine tested.
Haydock 3.20 – 6F Nursery Handicap (Class 5) Good to Soft
Details of the runners and a preview can be seen here.
https://twitter.com/MatthewDTester/status/616504716256743424
There were two declared non runners, MUSTN’T GRUMBLE (lame) and RISK ADJUSTED (not eaten up). BINT ALDAR, who had been made the favourite when the books were formulated last night, was withdrawn late on.
With the absence of BINT ALDAR, WEDGE was sent off as the 3/1 favourite. He tracked the leaders, came to challenge over a furlong out and was ridden clear to win by 3½ lengths.
KUMANAVSUMFUN made most of the early running and kept on to finish in second place.
SING SOMETHING also challenged a furlong out but was one paced thereafter and finished a further 2¼ lengths back in third.
B A Curtis, the rider of BUKLE, placed fifth, reported that the colt hung right throughout.
Haydock 3.50 – 7F Novice Stakes (Class 4) Soft
Six runners for this novice stakes race. All six colts had won on their most recent starts.
HAYADH for John Gosden had been reported as coltish and bolted on the way to the start when winning last month, over course and distance.
HERALDIC (Mark Johnston) had finished second at Musselburgh in a race won by the subsequent Queen Mary Stakes (Group 2) runner up and next time out, made all to win a 6F Class 5 maiden by six lengths.
HORNSBY (Charlie Appleby) had won a 7F Class 4 maiden at Newmarket on his second start.
GALILEO GOLD had finished second at York in a Class 3 maiden at York before winning a 6F Class 5 maiden at Salisbury. After his win, Hugo Palmer had given his thoughts on the colt’s future, full text here, but he did say ‘he’ll improve for being stepped up to seven furlongs.’
KELLY’S DINO (Karl Burke) was another reported as green on debut at Carlisle where he was ten lengths behind the leaders after a furlong but got back in the race to win by a head.
TURN TIDE for David Brown, had been well supported when winning a 7F Class 6 maiden at Lingfield by 3¾ lengths.
HAYADH was sent into the lead early on and with just over two furlongs to go, apart from KELLY’S DINO, all of the runners appeared to still be in with a chance. However,at this stage, GALILEO GOLD was ridden into the lead and went on to score by 1¼ lengths. HAYADH kept on to finish second, with HORNSBY a further 2¼ lengths back in third.
News Update
Further to my preview of the Dragon Stakes tomorrow, here are some quotes from connections:
Clive Cox (SOAPY AITKEN) ‘He came out of Ascot well and I was very pleased with how he ran there as the ground was just a bit quicker than ideal. I’d be hoping, if the forecast is right and Sandown do get a thunderstorm or two, conditions will be more suitable for him. I’ve been longing to get him on a more suitable surface and I think we’ll see an improved performance when he gets it.’
Karl Burke (BARBAROUS RELIC) ‘It’s a step up in class for him and there are a couple of very nice horses in there. We have a reasonable draw (stall three) and we think he’ll step up to a degree. Whether that will be enough to win, we’ll have to wait and see. He’s a tough little horse and has done nothing but improve. He ran a respectable race first time at Catterick, improve to win at Ayr and we think he’s improve against since. Any rain probably wouldn’t help us. He handles top of the ground well.’
Roger Varian: ‘MAJDOOL ran out an easy winner of the seven furlong maiden at Wolverhampton on Monday The son of Acclamation has improved with each start to date and had little trouble shedding his maiden tag under Paul Hanagan. He was always to the fore, travelling well before Paul asked him for an effort two furlongs out. He soon scooted clear and coasted home to win by six lengths. Roger said: Majdool is a straightforward colt who is going the right way. He looks a nice type for nurseries.’
Ed de Giles: ‘We have run four 2 year olds so far. We should have another batch of 2 year olds out in a few weeks time.’
BELLA IMPERATRIX was incredibly green first time out and ran better on her second run albeit not firing on all four cylinders. After an MOT we know the problem, and the way she is at home hopefully we are rectifying it. She should be out in three weeks time.
OPERATIVE is a cracking horse who has run with great credit in above average maidens – being second and third respectively. I am sure he is capable of losing his maiden tag soon. He is a lovely rangy colt who will only get better with time.
SWANTON BLUE ran well first time out on unsuitable ground and took a huge step forward coming second at Salisbury on his next run. He has an attitude to die for and plenty of ability and I am sure will be winning his maiden before long.
JINKO’S APPROVAL took a huge step forward after his first run and again ran a lovely race third time out. He will keep on improving and will surely pick up a maiden.
The latest recommendations from the Racing Post’s Juvenile Judge are:
Glenrowan Rose, fifth, Ascot, June 19
Did not enjoy the easiest of passages in the Albany, having to switch around rivals a couple of times, but she still massively outran her odds and took a big step forward from her Catterick maiden win. Trainer Keith Dalgleish thinks she might appreciate a little cut so she may not be seen again that soon, but when she is she could do well in novice company or better.
Lazzam, third, Leicester, June 23
On breeding, six furlongs was always likely to prove inadequate for this colt, and having travelled well, he was outpaced by the front pair in the final furlong. However it was still an appealing debut, and once given an extra furlong or further, he can make more of an impact.
Dragon Mall, fifth, Kempton, June 24
Having completely blown the start, this colt was then always up against it, and only had a couple behind him turning in. However when switched out wide and given some space he really finished off well, taking an eased-down fifth. He should be a lot wiser for the experience.
Hawksmoor, first, Kempton, July 1
Not all that much went right for this filly on debut, but she still proved to be in a different league to her rivals, winning going away by three and a half lengths. Having been bumped at the start, jockey Harry Bentley also dropped his reins when challenging from off the pace, in a race where it paid to be handy. She holds a Group 1 entry in the Moyglare, and is one to be interested in when tackling better company.
Two Year Old Racing 2015 