Trainers' Talk 2-Year-Olds - Charlie Fellowes

It's great that Charlie has taken the time to detail 10 two-year-olds for this new Flat turf season. Bedford House Stables have seen a number of rare talents.

Last year, Eve Lodge proved an exceptional filly. Winning twice in her six starts, she took the Sirenia Stakes (Group 3) at Kempton in good style. This daughter of Ardad, out of the mare Sandy Times, was an inspired yearling purchase by Charles Gordon-Watson Bloodstock for 12,500g. Now in the ownership of Mathis Stables LLC she has Classic aspirations.  

Craig asked: ''How is Eve Lodge after a tremendous season last year?'' 

''EVE LODGE is great. She had 6 weeks out in a paddock at the end of last year and came back in early January. The plan is to start her off in the Fred Darling at Newbury. From there we will decide if she will stay further or end up being a sprinter like Vadream. She might be more of a French Guineas horse if she stays the mile.'' 

A first domestic Group success for @FellowesRacing as Eve Lodge shows a smart turn of foot to land the Group 3 @unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Sirenia Stakes in the hands of Jim Crowley 🏆👏 pic.twitter.com/C5Q5d7ldFS

— Kempton Park Racecourse (@kemptonparkrace) September 4, 2021

Take a look at Charlie's Two-year-olds for this 2022 Flat Turf Season

1: Kodiac (GB) x Night Queen (IRE) 

Purchased at the October Yearling Sales for 80,000 gns and owned by Mr D. R. J. King Charlie’s view: “Full sister to a horse we think a lot of called Star Zinc. She looks sharper and more forward than her brother so might run earlier in the year than he did.” 

2: Le Harve (Ire) x Manaha (FR) 

Owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Charlie’s view: “Lovely scopey colt with a bit of quality about him. Won't be seen until the second half of the season but looks nice at this stage.” 

3: Mukhadram (GB) x Carsulae (IRE) 

Purchased for £18,000 and owned by Moore, Clark, Loftus, Jubb & Fellowes Charlie’s view: “I bought him at the sales last year and for a pretty cheap colt he looks rather nice. Plenty of substance and strength. Looks forward enough to be a mid-season 2yr old at this stage.” 

4: Oasis Dream (GB) x Zahoo (Ire) 

Owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum Charlie’s view: “One of 3 colts I have been sent by Sheikh Ahmed. This fella is the most forward of the 3 and looks lovely at this stage. Hopefully one for the first half of the season.” 

5: REFLEX (IRE) 

Purchased for £40,000 and owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing - Ernest Rutherford Charlie’s view: “I bought this colt at the sales last year and he was one of my favourite yearling purchases I made. He has picked up a minor niggle recently which has set him back slightly, but he is a lovely athletic colt that should run mid-season.” 

6: ROYAL RAZZMATAZZ (IRE) 

Purchased at the October Yearling Sales for 75,000 gns and owned by Mr Arjun Waney. Charlie’s view: “My most forward 2yr old along with a Showcasing colt that’s a half brother to Fresh Hope. ROYAL RAZZMATAZZ looks like being ready very early and is already doing two canters up Warren Hill. Very straightforward and looks like a proper 2yr old type.” 

7: Sea The Stars (IRE) x Deveron (USA)

Purchased at the October Yearling Sales for 200,000 gns and owned by Mr D. R. J. King. Charlie’s view: “Another one that I bought last year. She is very good looking with plenty of substance. Probably one for the second half of the season. Looks nice at this stage.” 

8: Sea The Stars (Ire) x Nectar De Rose (FR) 

Purchased at the October Yearling Sales for 60,000 gns and owned by Mr P Hickman and Mr D King. Charlie’s view: “Big scopey filly but doesn’t find things are hard as you would expect her too. She still won't be ready for a while but I do like her. More a 3yr old type,” 

9: Sea The Stars (Ire) x Waldnah (GB) 

Purchased at the October Yearling Sales for 320,000 gns and owned by Mr P Hickman and Mr D King. Charlie’s view: “Most expensive horse I bought last year. Very immature still but from a good family and by a very good stallion. One for the end of the year and very much a 3yr old type.” 

10: Australia (GB) x Hyper Dream (IRE) 

Purchased at the October Yearling Sales for 22,000 gns and owned by Dahab Racing. Charlie’s view: “Was a cheap yearling but could have been well bought. Cantering away happily but won't be early. Nice type for the second half of the season.” 

Thanks to Charlie for taking the time to forward this update and good luck to connections.

How did Charlie's Two-year-olds go in 2020?

Twitter: @FellowesRacing

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Wednesday's 2YO Info (7th July)

Another late post.

Four two-year-old races today. I'm not looking at the juvenile nursery races as I find them a distraction and, sometimes, a very frustrating race type. So last year I decided to give them a miss as they can take a lot of time to assess and appreciated, which, in my opinion, isn't time well spent. They are a race medium from the highest to lowest grade. I consider if you can't work out the chances of a horse running in a maiden then you have little hope of tipping a winner in a nursery race. 

Each to their own. 

Anyway, let's take a quick look at today's proceedings.  

1:15 Catterick - 

Many punters will be looking at Russellinthebushes as a certainty. It might win but I won't be betting on it. Why? Because from experience when a half-talented horse is dropped in plating class it is a sign of disaster. There might be a slight difference between selling and claiming races. I wouldn't be betting at about even money that's for sure. To be honest, I wouldn't bet in this race unless I could get about 4/1 on Black Hill Storm. That's not going to happen. However, I do feel Evan's runner, who has won and raced well at this grade, is here because that's where he should be and fighting for a winning chance rather than the slightly desperate look of Tom Dacombe's charge. Neither look much value at the prices so I will be watching. 

2:30 Yarmouth - 

In an ideal world, I'd be at Yarmouth races today. However, things haven't gone to plan over the last two weeks and I'm at home. This race is interesting. Eve Lodge is a talented filly for Charlie Fellowes and she should enjoy this faster going. She won well on her second start and wasn't disgraced at Royal Ascot when contesting the Albany Stakes (Group 3). She carries a penalty but odds-on here. She's clearly up to racing at Group class so this banded race may be easy pickings for her even carrying a win penalty. She is a naturally speedy type and held in high regard by connections. It's probably a matter of whether the penalty is enough to slow her down a length or two. Most two-year-olds that are fancied in the betting, carrying a penalty, run well. Clearly being odds-on the bookies are hardly giving anything away. This could well be a stepping stone to better races. She has been earmarked for the Lowther Stakes (Group). 

I have half an eye on Hugo Palmer's Crocodile Tears as an each-way alternative. The bookmakers aren't going to be giving anything away. If betting, you'd have to do so on the exchanges as the win market will possibly offer much bigger odds. The place is about even money. This daughter of Bungle Inthejungle ran ok on debut at Bath. Her level of form compared to the favourite is lacking. However, she should improve for that debut effort and if fancied in the betting has decent each way claims. You may be looking to get your money back rather than winning (which is never a good bet) but she holds some chance of running a race. I'd be hoping she drifts to about 10/1 on the exchanges and cover the place. If that doesn't happen, I'd just watch. 

I can't see Ye Gud Thing doing much even though Mohammed Moubarak does well at the course. I think she will be outpaced and running on. If betting, you would be wise to do so in running as I'm sure you will get bigger odds. Although I can't see her winning. 

Adnaan ran ok here on debut and showed decent pace when stepping up to 6f on his second start. This son of Ardad is well owned and trained. Not the easiest of horses to assess in ways and may be one that flatters to deceive. He's about 20/1 on the exchanges and you may just about get 11/4 for a place so you wouldn't need too much cash to hope he hits the frame (no lose bet) and hoping for the win. Who knows? That's why you might be betting on a 20/1 shot because it has some chance and could be worth a small each way bet at speculative odds. 

Winning and losing on the horses is all about value. If you don't have that on side you will be struggling whatever the case. 

Conclusion: I would fear the favourite but wouldn't be betting at those odds. I'd have to look for an each way alternative such as Crocodile Tears (they may be a punters) or Adnaan as a bit of a speculative poke. I would definitely need 10/1+ on the exchanges if betting on Palmer's horse. Adnaan is one of those horses with a glimmer of hope at odds but just might prove a frustrating option. 

3:20 Lingfield - 

Profound Alexander is held in some regard by William Muir and Chris Grassick (naming of trainers is getting longer). She has a decent level of form, likes the going and these banded races don't, usually, take that much winning. The downside, there is little value. I'm not keen betting at short odds because it can be a frustrating way to make money. I do think she will take some beating though. 

Brett Johnson doesn't have many two-year-olds and Damascus Finish is a nice looking gelding. It surprised me reading the race comments for the Racing Post than no one mentioned how keen he was over 7f last time out on this course. It was a miracle he lasted as long as he did. This drop back in distance should help and I would respect his chances. This March foal has been well backed. I can't see much value at 15/8 but I would like to see him go well for the stable. 

Brilliant News looked a bit disappointing last time although the form of that race has worked out quite well. However, I do think this colt will struggle to win although possible. 

No bet. 

5:45 Kempton - 

Philosophy is held in high regard by Simon & Ed Crisford. This son of Exceed And Excel is no price but should take some beating. There may be each-way alternative in Lady Fantasia for Roger Varian. This bay filly was fancied to go well on debut but the stable has been really struggling with its juveniles this year which does bring some concerns. If fancied in the betting would hold very good claims. Spiceline showed promise on debut and looked a touch disappointing last time but it may have been the case it was a very good race. 

Couldn't bet in this race although will be surprised if Philosophy doesn't win. 

Author: Jason Coote