Friday's 2YO Update (18th August)

Despite no winners in last Friday's post I was still happy with how some of the trackers run. Centrefold for the Roger Varian yard ran with promise despite a late drift and finishing fourth, definitely more to come from the Showcasing filly. Love Affairs ran a race to finish third, I did make a balls up not mentioning the winner Hoof It Hoof It as the Hannon 2yo is a tracker I thought had no chance. 

I mean I wouldn't have picked the 125/1 winner Oj Lifestyle In a month of Sundays, my tracker Bussento finished third, never nearer to challenge. Boxing Alex is better than that and will hopefully be a nice price next timeout, Hale End ran ok for a big price.

Leonna looks limited, totally got that wrong at Nottingham. 

Over at Thirsk Runaholic was just done on the line, Farhhfromforgotten is one to keep on side after a promising debut.

A few trackers Friday so let's get stuck in.

Carlisle 13.30 Friday August 19

A fillies restricted novice race, two trackers here, Princess Savannah who looks average at best for the Ryan yard, Stranger things have happened but not one I'm getting involved in after finishing unplaced in her three races. The tracker I like is the Grant Tuer filly Sophia's Starlight owned by Nick Bradley Racing. A 20,000 euro purchase at the October Yearling Sales and made her debut at Newcastle at the beginning of the month. Attracted a bit of support before the off and went off a 17/2 shot, a bit keen but away well and kept in midfield by Sam James until sprouting wings a few furlongs left and making giant strides to finish third, pretty sure she has a win or two in her, depending on price hopefully she can start the day well. 

14.40 Carlisle

Loyal Touch has finished third in both his starts for the Johnston team. Well regarded by the yard and has bumped into a few nice types in both races so far, third at Goodwood last timeout to The Foxes for Andrew Balding who also looks a nice one. Hopefully Frannie Norton can get the best out of the No Nay Never colt. 

Newbury 13.10

Newbury is always a tough one to pick a winner but I can try.

Two trackers here.

Mystic Peril for William Haggas who made her debut at Newmarket in July when finishing Sixth in what looks a decent race. Not much support on debut. I imagine more clued up for this and could be in the mix at the finish. My other tracker is the interesting Hannon filly Purple Love who will be winning races this season. Hannon and owners Amo Racing popped up with a nice newcomer last week 

Newcastle 19.39

A few here.

Al Motasim for Hugo Palmer, 140,000 gns yearling.

Animate for the Crisford yard, actually backed this one last timeout, surely has more to after coming third to the well regarded Silver Knott.

Bashawaat for Kevin Philippart De Foy who was with the Gosden team. Never involved on debut, so interesting to see how the Dark Angel goes here.

Mickey Mongoose for the Johnston team. Been off the track since finishing stone last in a class 2 at York back in May. Looked professional from the start when galloping nicely at the front until a few furlongs out and tired quickly, strange one, maybe something amiss as he's been off the track since. 

New Endeavour for Roger Varian.

17.27 Salisbury

Heroism for Clive Cox. A half-brother to the Mark Johnston trained Suffrajet who won a maiden back in November. Well regarded this Invincible Spirit colt and one I'm sure we will see a lot more of 

Hello Deira for Owen Burrows. Gives me nightmares this Expert Eye colt as I had a good few quid each way at a big price last timeout only for him to be beaten a head when flying the final furlong. I imagine no value here but a couple of nice horses entered here.

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Author: Craig Newton

Friday's 2yo Horse Racing Update (12th August)

Happy days in the sun and happy days with Sweet Harmony the Richard Spencer filly winning for me at the beginning of August, yes it's been a while but with Jason Coote keeping things ticking over and Doug Campbell's fifty National Hunt horses to follow the blog is doing as well as ever.

Quick look at my last trackers, I did think Animate would put up more of a challenge at Kempton but third to my other tracker Silver Knott might not be too bad in the end. Silver Knott won like the odds on should and I'm interested to see how far he can go. 

I had a good each way bet on Sweet Harmony at 5s and it was nice to see a positive ride, she looked professional all the way and despite drifting a little to keep me on my toes she stayed on to win comfortably, get in you beauty!

I do have a few trackers tomorrow so I'll go over a few quickly as I'm chilling in the sun drinking an Asahi beer.

13.25 Newbury

Centrefold for Roger Varian is a 240,000 gns Showcasing filly who is well regarded, a few nice entries and I'm pretty sure she will be winning soon. Not a tracker but I thought Love Affairs (5/2) second to Royal Charter who finished seventh in the Keeneland Stakes isn't bad form, I'm pretty sure it's what condition Centrefold is in first timeout, if weak could be worth taking on.

14.00 Newbury 

Three trackers here, Hale End for Richard Hannon. A 50/1 shot on debut and never involved, would really need to step up here to be involved. Boxing Alex for trainer David Loughnane looks the part and is no 10/1 shot, an 190,000 gns yearling owned by Amo Racing, another who will be winning soon. I do like my next tracker Bussento for trainer Eve Johnson Houghton after what was a eye catching debut at Goodwood, the form looks alright and the way the Oasis Dream stayed on to finish fourth I'd be surprised if he wasn't in the mix, the price as shortened to 2/1 from 7/2.

13.10 Nottingham

A bit of a bigger price here, Leonna for Mark Loughnane. A huge price on debut when sent off 100/1. The 48,000 gns filly was up with the pace that day at Newbury flashing her tail before weakening, it's a stab in the dark here but hopefully a run under her belt plus down in trip will help, currently 15/2.

19.15 Thirsk 

Karl Burke has had a tremendous season with 2yos and another winner in waiting is Farhhfromfoegotten, the 125,000 gns yearling. Well regarded and a good pedigree hopefully a name for the future, currently 9/2. Next tracker is Runaholic for George Scott, if Bussento wins the form line is looking good with Runaholic finishing fifth behind Bussento on debut. Runaholic is 100/30 at present.

Times running out but Installation looks decent for Richard Fahey in the 19.50 at Thirsk but short.

Thanks for reading and good luck. 

Author: Craig Newton

Trainer Talk: Eve Johnson-Houghton10 Two-year-olds to Follow 2022

1: BARLEYBROWN (Zoustar x Shozita) 

Purchased for 40,000 gns at the October Yearling Sales out of book 2 and owned by Mr Sean Barley. Dam Shozita ran twice as a 2-year-old for Ralph Beckett, winning first timeout. Eve’s view: “A lovely horse with a big stride. Should be out in about May.” 

2: BLUELIGHT BAY ( Exceed And Excel x Siren's Cove) 

Purchased for 82,000 gns at the October Yearling Sales out of book 2 and owned by JacobsConstructionHoldings & J E Harley. Dam Siren’s Cove won a couple of times in her three year career. Eve’s view: “Smart, with a great attitude, should be a 2yo.” 

3: BUCCABAY (Saxon Warrior x Fifth Commandment) 

Purchased for £35,000 and owned by The Buckingham Partnership. Dam Fifth Commandment won four times as a 2-year-old for Jamie Osbourne. Eve’s view: “He has grown and done really well, he goes well and will be one of the earlier 2yos.” 

4: BUSSENTO (Oasis Dream x Super Saturday) 

Purchased for 30,000 gns at the October Yearling Sales out of book 2 and owned by familiar owners Mick & Janice Mariscotti. Dam Super Saturday was unraced. Eve’s view: “A lovely horse, who will be one for the backend.” 

5: GREASED LIGHTNING (Lightning Spear x How High The Sky) 

Purchased for 26,000 gns at the October Yearling Sales out of book 3 and owned by Mr A. Pye-Jeary & Mr D. Ian. Unraced dam of six winners including Up Above, a nice type for M D O'Callaghan. Eve’s view: “Well grown although a bit backward should be nice in time.” 

6: KANOHI BREEZE (Expert Eye x Sommesnil) 

Owned by The Kimber Family & Bob Bell. Eve’s view: “A good looking filly who does everything asked of her. She has grown a bit recently, but should be out in the first half of the season.” 

7: SAILING ON (New Approach x Prowess) 

Owned by M H Dixon. A full-brother to Talent who won the Oaks back in 2013, also a half-brother to the John Gosden gelding Skilful who was also a nice type. Eve’s view: “A nice type who will take time.” 

8: STREETS OF GOLD (Havana Gold x Truly Honoured) 

Purchased for £ 27,000 and owned by J Allison & G C Stevens. Unraced dam. Eve’s view: “A nice sort who is on the grow.” 

9: GOLSPIE (Ribchester x Surrey Storm) 

Purchased for 50,000 gns at the October Yearling Sales and owned by Mick & Janice Mariscotti. A half-brother to Aroha who was placed in the Albany and Princess Margaret Stakes. Eve’s view: “Has yet to come in, but I like him a lot.” 

10: SIR CILIA (Lope De Vegas x Lunesque)

Purchased for 40,000 gns at the October yearling Sales and owned by Anthony Pye-Jeary & David Ian. Eve’s view: “A nice sort for the back end.”

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