Reviews, Previews & Trackers (29th June)

Reviews:

Quick review on my last couple of posts, first a couple of non-runners which is unfortunate but trying to find time now back at work is a nightmare but I will be keeping an eye out for Lost Eden and Zoffarelli when they are declared again. One horse I was looking forward to seeing back out was James Fanshawe's Bomb Proof (pictured) who was another short price (story of my life at the minute) but to be honest, I was expecting odds on but he drifted to 6/4 which was a nice surprise, Bomb Proof didn’t disappoint and considering the Society Rock gelding hadn’t seen the racecourse for over 400 days I’m sure James would have been pretty pleased with the performance. 

A couple of eye-catchers I wrote about last week were Nurse Florence and Imperial Yellow. I thought Nurse Florence had a good chance of making the frame at least but looking back I should have seen the warning signs of her debut race when being a little awkward in running. Nicola Currie looked to have a job on her hands trying to control the Jamie Osborne trained filly at Windsor and Nurse Florence could only manage fourth place, maybe one for the future when she settles better. 

Imperial Yellow was my next tracker and after running well in what looks to be a nice maiden first timeout at Newmarket I was expecting the Roger Varian trained New Bay colt to go one better at Yarmouth, and he never disappointed sticking on gamely to beat the fast-finishing Wild Lion. 

Previews and trackers: 

16:00 Doncaster 30 Jun 2020 

A nice Novice Stakes race here with plenty of unexposed types that could be anything. The Charlie Appleby trained State Crown has been off the track for over 300 days and was last seen at Chelmsford last August when finishing third to Surf Dancer, the form of the race isn't top draw by all means but the New Approach colt was slowly away that day and bustled along mid-race before staying on without threatening the experienced Surf Dancer. A half brother to Key Victory and Blair House who are both talented horses from the Appleby yard themselves. State Crown takes a significant step up in trip here but I’m hoping he's wintered well and fit and ready to go onto better things. 

17:40 Kempton 01 Jul 2020 

The 3-year-old filly Cosmic Princess went into my trackers with an eye-catching performance in her only race at Kempton last October. Hollie Doyle steadied Cosmic Princess at the start and the 33/1 outsider was given a learning process before running on late to finish six. The third that day was Shimmering for John Gosden who easily won her next race at Lingfield. The step up in trip could see further improvement and hopefully, she can get involved in the finish and grab a place at least. Delta’s Royalty brings good form to the table and will be hard to beat in an interesting little race. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Two-Year-Old (2yo) Eye-Catchers

Imperial Yellow was a £40,000 purchase at the 2019 Premier Yearling Sales for Roger Varian. His dam Soteria never set the world alight for Roger Varian and owners China Horse Club International when only racing three times in 2015. The New Bay colt started his career in what looks like a pretty decent maiden at Newmarket at the beginning of June. The winner Modern News finished fifth in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot last week and looks a nice type for Charlie Appleby this season. Another Appleby runner Noble Dynasty who finished second in that Newmarket Maiden also looks a nice type and could even be the best horse to come out of that maiden, looks one to keep an eye out for in future. Imperial Yellow opened up at 22s and was supported to 16s at the off, the bay colt dwelt at the start and was then steadied towards the rear by jockey Andrea Atzeni before making steady progress all the way to the line. Imperial Yellow wasn’t beaten far in the end and when stepped up in distance will hopefully pick up a win for the Varian yard. 

Nurse Florence was a 33,000 euro purchase for Jamie Osborne at the 2019 Orby Sale. Owners The 10 For 10 Partnership also owns Overpriced Mixer who rattled up a couple of wins at the back end of last season. Hopefully, Nurse Florence can do the same after a promising start to her career at Yarmouth this month. Even though it was only a four runner affair and Nurse Florence wasn’t fancied in the market at 10s, I’m pretty sure Jamie Osborne would have been pleased with the performance of the Gutifan grey filly put in. Nicola Currie kept Nurse Florence in a decent enough position from the start even though slightly slow away from the stalls before making steady progress and finishing a close up third with plenty more left in the tank. The winner that day Yazaman has since run a great race to finish second in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. I can’t see much of a price for Nurse Florence next time but hopefully, she can get a win on the board for trainer Jamie Osborne. 

Ventura Tormenta who was having the first race of his career at Royal Ascot last week in the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) and ran an absolute blinder for the Richard Hannon and the Middleham Park Team. The Acclamation bay colt was purchased at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sales for £95.000 and could be a name to look out for this season after an impressive debut. Considering Ventura was setting foot on the racecourse for his first time he looked professional and knew his job from the start against more experienced rivals. Waited within midfield by jockey Pat Dobbs Ventura Tormenta could never really get involved in the finish and I can see Ventura Tormenta being more tuned up and ready next timeout but take nothing away from him this was an eye-catching performance first timeout. Thanks for reading and stay safe.

The one I have put in my trackers is the Roger Teal's Dark Angel colt Gussy Mac who was purchased for £52,000 at the Goffs Premier Yearling August Sale. This April foal was slowly away (which can be forgiven for his first run) and was then settled in at the back of the field by jockey Jason Watson before making headway a few furlongs out to finish a never nearer sixth. I hope Gussy Mac can settle down next start and hopefully pick up a race for Roger Teal.