1:20 Chepstow Racing Update (30th August)

Just a quick word or two about this race over 6f 16y on good going. 

A sizable field of 10 runners. 9 with racecourse experience and one debutante featuring prominently in the betting.  

Archie Watson's twice-raced Manitou is a good-looking colt who has run creditably on both his starts to date, finishing third on both occasions.Recently been gelded. Probably due to his exuberance which has seen this son of Sioux Nation tire in the closing stages of his races. Nonetheless, this strapping colt has enough ability to win a race for owners Hambleton Racing Ltd, who have their share of winners. Whether you would want to bet at odds on is another thing. 

Vetiver hails from Andrew Balding's stable that's been in flying form all year long. This daughter of Twilight Son wears the hood for her debut, which may be a slight cause for concern. This home bred would have claims if priced in single-figure odds. 

Narasha is a good-looking filly who had no luck on debut when bumped and out the back. However, this grey daughter of Zoustar is out of a talented mare who won at Group class. She cost 38,000G at the yearling sales in the ownership of Paul Turner and someone who is a key patron of the stable and tasted success.The stable do have two-year-old winners although they can be thin on the ground. Very few of their second time out winners are priced in double figures so it would be a positive if not prerequisite for the money to come. A horse with a fighting chance but one I would have concerns if not seriously backed. 

Henry Candy has had a quiet season with his juveniles and very little in the way of winners. Cluedo was half fancied on debut but finished seventh. The stable can go well with horses on their second start but there needs to plenty of money for this daughter of Kodiac to shine. 

A quick word for Mark Loughnane's Leonna, who races in the familiar silks of K Sohi. This daughter of Expert Eye cost 48,000G at the yearling sales and showed a little bit of ability on debut but fell flat second start a 14/1 shot. Perhaps there is more to come. At 50/1 she might be a speculative punt but you are chancing your arm. I must admit the stable do not fill me with any confidence at all. I hope these words will tempt fate. 

Lahaayeb would be a contender if backed to single figures but that looks unlikely. 

Conclusion: In ways this race is all about Manitou who has proven form, holds some reputation within the stable, and odds-on for this. On the downside, he can be a touch keen which may see him vulnerable at the finish. I'd keep an eye on the betting as any of those in opposition would need support. Narasha may be an each-way alternative but there would need to be money for this good-looking filly. Support for the likes of Cluedo and Lahaayeb would catch the eye, while Leonna may be a speculative punt if you are the forgiving type. 

Author: Jason Coote

Sunday's 2yo Racing Update (24th July)

I couldn't believe the price of tracker Syndicated when the Balding 2yo drifted to 11/2 in the 14.30 at Ascot on Friday, the evidence stacked up for a good run, made favourite for debut, a Group 2 Gimcrack entry but the early drift from 11/4 worried me, ever the optimistic I  had an each way at 11/2 and was feeling better as the Dubawi colt was backed into 7/2. That was as good as it got as my money went down the pan as quick as my optimistic mood as he trailed in sixth, not sure what's gone on there. Other tracker Never Just A Dream was made favourite and came eighth, another puzzler. The two others I mentioned finished first and second which is no consolation whatsoever.

Two trackers in the 14.30 finished first and second but short prices, nice to see Clochette win albeit a short price.

Last one was Archie Watson trained Manitou who I managed each way at 4s, ran a decent race to finish third but never getting close to the first two at Newmarket.

Few trackers over the next few days.

13.45 Pontefract 24 July 

Trackers Poppy Carrew, Your Spirit both need to improve. Another tracker is Can To Can for the Charlie & Mark Johnston team. A 75,000 gns purchase from the October Yearling Sales who is out of dam Ridge Ranger the speedy Summer Stakes Group 3 winner for trainer Eric Alston, had an official rating of 109. Can To Can made her debut in a pretty decent race at York with the winner The Platinum Queen finishing midfield in the Queen Mary, the York race did have a bit of substance about it and Can To Can was prominent and showed decent pace until weakening the final furlong, considering how free she ran I think it was a decent effort. I've had an each way at 11/2, any drift would be a negative. Quick note, as I sometimes stop and start when writing these posts the price changes and I've noticed Can To Can is 5/2 now, not a price I would get involved with but I'm happy with my 11/2 at the minute.

21.29 Saratoga 24 July 

Yep you saw that right Saratoga. Just noticed that Stay Lost has come up in the trackers, I don't follow American racing so haven't a clue if this Joseph O'Brien trained filly stands a chance or not here. Dam Darci's Dream finished second in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas back in 2014. Pretty sure Joseph wouldn't be taken his chance here if she didn't stand a chance at least 

13.00 Ayr 25 July 

.A couple of interesting trackers here, first is the unraced Edward Bethell colt Capital Offence who is well regarded. My other one is Miss New York for trainer David Loughnane, the Good Magic filly was up with the pace at Newmarket until weakening, looked a decent race so I expect an improvement second timeout. 

18:30 Windsor 25 May 

Trainer O'Callaghan brought one over here last week and won and he brings tracker Indestructible over to Windsor Monday. The well regarded Kodiac colt could be a class above here but no bet at the price. I do have Manuha who could also be nice after running in a nice debut race here at Windsor. 

A quick note that I'm taking a break from social media for a while, all the doom and gloom and big egos are annoying me. Anybody wants to get in touch it's craignewton175@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading.