Charlie Appleby: Another Exceptional Season...

Newmarket trainer Charlie Appleby has had another exceptional season with his 2-year-olds. 

This is the first part of his season review plus a couple of horses worth keeping an eye out for in the future. 

One horse stands out of course but I will get to him soon enough. Charlie started this season with a bang having five winners out of his first ten 2-year-old runners. 

Well Of Wisdom was his first win of the season at Newmarket. The Oasis Dream colt looked to be the second string of the Godolphin pair as they also had Full Verse in the race but Well Of Wisdom stayed on well to win on his debut. Well Of Wisdoms highlight of the season was winning the Listed Prix Roland De Chambure at Longchamp and gaining some black type to go with the 26,786 euro prize money. 

Pinatubo

Charlie Appleby's next winner looked every bit a superstar and he’s a horse that got everybody talking. Pinatubo was born on the 11th March 2017. The Shamardal colt was made 3/1 second-favorite for his debut race at Wolverhampton's evening meeting back in May. Little did we know at this stage that he would be mentioned in the same breath as the great Frankel in months to come. It was a professional and easy victory for his first race of the season and his second race was just as easy when winning the Woodcote at Epsom, but could he produce the same effort when he moved up another level? Well, we found out when Pinatubo demolished a decent field in the Chesham Stakes at Ascot. After another easy win in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood I wrote a post about promising Pinatubo and the mighty Frankel: Can Pinatubo Match the Might of Frankel? 

I don’t think we will ever see another Frankel but at the time Pinatubo looked unbeatable and so it proved for the rest of the season when adding the National Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes to what was already an impressive first season. 

Can Pinatubo be as good next season? 

I really hope so and can't wait to see him out again. Saying that he still has to keep that level up to be in the same league as Frankel. 

That leads me on to my first two Charlie Appleby horses to follow. 

The first is the well-thought-of EASTERN WORLD. The Dubawi colt was given a Group 2 Champagne Stakes entry back in August but didn’t run and it’s interesting he has early entries for the Irish 2000 Guineas and the Irish Derby next season. He was declared to run on Wednesday at Kempton in what looks a decent field with some big yards in the mix.

Another 2-year-old who made a favorable impression on me is the Dubawi filly DECLARING LOVE.

It's been a while since we saw the Godolphin homebred in fact the Dubawi filly has not run since making her debut in a hot Novice race at Newmarket in May. 

That was a nice introduction without pushing Declaring Love, she was only beaten by the impressive Group winners Raffle Prize and Daahyea and the fact she was given plenty of significant entries since that race and also has early entries for the Irish Oaks and the Irish 1000 Guineas next season means she could be horse not to take lightly in 2020. 

Thanks for reading and look out for my next Charlie Appleby season review plus a couple more horses to follow.

How Good Is Roger Varian's Race Horse Pierre Lapin?

Everybody in the racing game has been talking about one horse lately and rightly so. Pinatubo has brought excitement back into the game, even the hardened jump racing fans have come out in force to admire the brilliant Charlie Appleby 2-year-old. The big debate has been about Pinatubo and the mighty Frankel, I even wrote a post on it myself a few weeks back: Can Promising Colt Pinatubo Match The might of Frankel? Anyway, I think we have talked about this one enough so time to move on. 

The whole point of this post is a forgotten horse that could be useful. After looking at his debut victory and the significant entries he has received since I will be hoping Pierre Lapin takes his place in the Group 2 Duty-Free Mill Stakes on Saturday for trainer Roger Varian. 

Roger Varian has trained a few nice 2-year-olds over the years. In 2017 the Kylachy filly Altyn Orda won the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket at huge odds of 25/1 and in 2018 Roger Varian was toasting another Group success in the same race when Mot Juste beat Angels Hideaway in his last race of the season. 

This year hasn't been bad either with the impressive Daahyeh already looking a superstar in the making with two Group wins to her name. The Group 3 Albany Stakes was the first at Royal Ascot followed by the Group 2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket. If that wasn't enough she ran a great race at Curragh when just beaten by the smart Aidan O’Brien horse Love in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes. 

Pierre Lapin was foaled on the 22nd of January 2017. The Cappella Sansevero bay colt was purchased for 140,000 gns for owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum in October 2018. Pierre Lapin must have been catching pigeons on the gallops because he was sent off favourite for his debut race at Haydock back in May. Pierre Lapin looked a shade inexperienced at the start and even jumped the path before staying on strongly to win by three and a half lengths. It was an impressive debut even though it wasn't the strongest race. I do wonder why trainer Roger Varian has kept him off the track for so long, was it to just strength up or did have some kind of problem? 

For whatever reason we haven't seen Pierre Lapin back on track I still think he could be one of Roger Varian's best 2-year-olds this season if not the best. How do I know? Because he was entered in quite a few significant races including the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, the Group 1 Vincent O’Brien Stakes and many more group entries. As I said earlier he has an early entry in Saturdays Duty-Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury which could see him take on some top-class 2-year-olds including Richard Hannon's Mystery Power. Win or lose its intriguing to see why Roger Varian thinks so highly of Pierre Lapin. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Can Promising Colt Pinatubo Match The Might Of Frankel?

Do We Have Another Frankel?

The thing that I love about following 2-year-old racing is you never know what to expect when the season starts and If another special horse will stand out like the mighty Frankel. It doesn't look likely that we will ever find another Frankel to be honest as he was just a freak of nature. Frankel was born 11 February 2008 and unbeaten in 14 races and has an official Timeform rating of 147. He had a list of major wins to his name including ten Group 1s and earned an impressive £2,998,302 in his short career. I think this season we have a nice 2-year-old who has great potential but can he get anyway near Frankel? 

PINATUBO (Pictured) is the top-rated 2-year-old so far this season with a Timeform rating of 125 and I can see why. The Shamardal colt was born March 11, 2017 and owned by Godolphin. Trainer Charlie Appleby started Pinatubo off in a Novice Stakes race at Wolverhampton and you could see the potential straight away as he powered home by over three lengths. He beat Platinum Star that day who has since gone on to win a Listed race at Ripon. 

The Woodcote Stakes at Epsom would be Pinatubo’s next race and the evens favourite didn't disappoint as he took it in his stride and demolished another good field. By this time it seemed everybody could see that Pinatubo looked a class act. His next run would see him take on the best of the rest. 

The Might of Ballydoyle

Royal Ascot loomed next and Pinatubo would be taking on the might of Ballydoyle. The Aidan O’Brien 900,000 euro colt Lope Y Fernandez would be his next victim in the Chesham Stakes. Pinatubo still had his doubters, and he was an unbelievable 3/1. Going up in distance didn't make any difference as James Doyle rode the perfect race and Pinatubo sprinted clear to win easily. I know I say easy but this was without breaking a sweat and in doing so beat the 2-year-old track record with a time of 1 min 25.73sec. 

Vintage Display

The Group 2 Vintage Stakes would be his next race as the Irish were back for another crack. This time Lope Y Fernandez was only third favourite as the bookies didn't make the same mistake again and made Pinatubo the 6/4 favourite. It was another demolition job as Pinatubo eased to victory this time lowering the colours of the Mark Johnston trained Visinari. The second that day was the Clive Cox trained Positive who has since gone onto win the Group 3 Betway Solario Stakes at Sandown. Make no mistake the form is rock solid and with future entries in the National Stakes, Champagne Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes it looks like being an exciting end to the present 2-year-old season. 

Only One Frankel

Frankel only raced four times as a 2-year-old winning the Royal Lodge and the Dewhurst before embarking on what was a spectacular 3-year-old career. As for Pinatubo he has the world at his feet and is a clear favourite for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket next year. There will never be another Frankel but in Pinatubo we have a real exciting colt, who I for one hope he goes onto bigger and better things next year. Thanks for reading and good luck.

Goodwood Trixie (Plus Previews And Reviews)

Quick review on the Saturday blog. 

First off I was out all day Saturday getting dragged around the shops. It would have been great to watch the racing all day but these things have to be done. Anyway, I finally caught up with the racing on Saturday night and first off let me just say wow, what a machine Enable is. After an almighty battle to the line with the gutsy Crystal Ocean she claimed her second King George win and confirm she is one of the best middle-distance runners of our time. 

Not quite the King George but the Newcastle 14.10 was just as exciting for my Trixie selection Morisco. Settled in the rear by the impressive Jane Elliott, Morisco was still running green despite already running once before but soon picked up and came with a strong run at the furlong pole and won by just over a length. I was really impressed by Jane Elliott as Morisco looked a difficult ride for most of the race. A few more winners from the trackers with Abstemious and Ethic both winning at short odds. The Saturday Trixie also came up trumps with my winner and a couple of places from Sam and Aarons selections. I had a small each-way treble so more profit on the day. Even though the Trixie has been disappointing I will keep putting them up and may even put a few up for the Galway and Goodwood festivals this week but be warned they come with a warning that you could lose money if you follow them haha. Tracker Queen’s Order made a pleasing debut at Pontefract on Sunday and should be winning soon enough. 

The Goodwood Trixie: 

All to play for the title of the Shit, I mean top tipster for July. 

16:10 Goodwood 30 Jul 2019 Craig: Eleven declared to run in the European Breeders Fund EBF Maiden Stakes. I will mention just a few. Cheat from the Richard Hannon yard that won this last year with Watan. A £75,000 purchase who finished ninth on his debut at Doncaster. Looks to be the stables second string but was entered for a Class 2 race at Ascot but didn't run. COBRA EYE my selection(15/8) is trained by John Quinn and was purchased by Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited for 150,000 euros in August last year. The Kodiac colt made his debut in what looked like a nice Novice Stakes race at Haydock this month. Cobra Eye looked professional that day and stayed on without threatening the winner Treble Treble. Has a Gimcrack Group 2 Stakes entry. Good Job Power also ran in the same race and even though he finished ninth it was a pleasing debut from the Richard Hannon colt. Fuwayrit is a cheap purchase for the Mark Johnston yard and a market check needed on debut. Mark Johnston does have a nice strike rate with his 2-year-olds at Goodwood but not in July. Lost In Time is a homebred colt for S Bin Suroor who was well-beaten on debut by Subjectivist. Lost In Time was very green that day and will need to settle to be involved here. Mr Wilton is a 30,000 euro purchase for Charlie Hills regular owner Mrs Fitri Hay and any strong market move would be a positive for this Raven’s Pass colt. Phuket Power is a 75,000 euro purchase for the King Power Racing team and trained by Tom Dascombe another market check needed for this Kodiac colt. Don’t often see Tom Dascombe 2-year-old runners at Goodwood and his last debut 2-year-old winner here was Kachess back in 2016. Written Broadcast is a 150,000 euro purchase for Richard Hannon and has run two fair efforts to date. So close to getting his first win last timeout when getting beat a short head by Oweny Madden at Newbury. Has the experience and should be in the mix.

Aaron: BERINGER - 1:50 Goodwood: Was a good 3rd in the Lincoln where he found trouble in running and was 2nd over course and distance last August, was only just beaten at Sandown last time out and should go well for trainer Alan King who loves these handicaps (8/1 first 4). 

Sam: 14:25 Goodwood 30 Jul 2019: There were lots to like about PINATUBO’S Chesham win at Royal Ascot not only the way he drew away from one of today’s rivals in Lope Y Fernandez but also the time in the clock! The ground and track shouldn’t be an issue and I fully expect him to follow up. (Bet365 11/8) 

Good luck and thanks for reading.

Three to Follow (Plus My June Review)

I can’t believe it’s nearly the end of June and the flat season is well and truly in full swing now which means loads of trackers and loads of bets compared to May. I will be showing my bets and results for June next week and at the minute I don't really want to work it out, to be honest. May was a great month when I was in profit by 34 pounds for a 1 pound level stake but June has been a bit hit-and-miss with some bad decisions and of course a bit of bad luck along the way. 

Pinatubo has been my main highlight for June. I picked him out for the last day of Ascot, and he was a much-needed win for what was a forgettable Royal Ascot in terms of betting, but a great meeting to watch and savour overall. Big City was another nice winner for my trackers and another much-needed win when things hadn't been going to plan. Lincoln Blue ran a great race for me, I backed him at 28/1 each way and thought he was going to win only to get beat a neck in the end. Lexi The One was an 18/1 third and Kuwait Direction was 9/1 and beaten a short head. Last but not least was Willa yesterday who I had an each way bet on at 14/1, she ran a great race to finish second to the easy winner Picture Frame. Horse racing is like a roller coaster it has its ups and downs and nothing is guaranteed especially with 2-year-olds. Let’s hope July is more like May and I can get a few more winners to keep the betting bank ticking over. 

A few horses I will be keeping an eye out for over the coming weeks are: 

Man Of The Night: This Richard Hannon trained Night Of Thunder colt should be out soon and it wouldn't surprise me to see this nicely bred horse contest some decent races this season. Purchased by owner Saeed Manana for 350,000 euros in August last year. The same connections have already had a debut winner this season with Man Of The Night's half-brother Wild Thunder who went off at a huge price of 10/1 when winning a Novice Stakes race at Goodwood in May. 

Galactic Glow: This William Jarvis trained No Nay Never colt was purchased for 160,000 gns in October last year by multiple racehorse owner Clive Washbourn. This bay colt must have been catching pigeons on the gallops because the opening show of 5/1 didn't last long and was soon backed down to 2/1 joint-favourite for his Maiden race at Doncaster in May. Galactic Glow made a pleasing debut when staying on in the final furlong to finish third. I will be looking forward to seeing him step up in trip and hopefully get a win on the board soon. 

Plymouth Rock: This John Quinn trained Starspangledbanner colt should be making his debut in the coming weeks if not days. Purchased by Tabor, Smith, Magnier and Shanahan for 220,000 gns in April this year. Plymouth Rock has an excellent pedigree and I will be disappointed if he can’t pick up a nice race in the future. 

Timeform Early Declaration: 

14:10 Newmarket 27 Jun 2019 Black Type Accountancy Novice Auction Stakes: Album 

14:10 Newmarket 27 Jun 2019 FBlack Type Accountancy Novice Auction Stakes Flash Henry. 

8:25 Leicester 27 Jun 2019 British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes: Dark Moonlight. 

18:25 Leicester 27 Jun 2019 British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes: Fred. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Pinatubo smashes track record (Plus Reviews and Preview)

And breathe, Royal Ascot is over for another year and even though it wasn't the best week for me on the betting front, the racing was top class. Of course, the biggest highlight for me was Frankie Dettori getting a four-timer on day four. What a jockey he is with a great personality who brings so much to the sport. I think even the hardened jump racing fans must have enjoyed these years five-day spectacle. I was looking forward to trying to solve the 2-year-old races this year and even though it's like a lottery at times with so many unexposed types on show I was willing to give it a go. 

It was all about Arizona on day one for Aidan O’Brien, I guess if you're having a big bet then 15/8 looks a good bet on what looked to be one Aidan's best 2-year-olds so far this season. I opted to look elsewhere and put my bet on Monoski the night before, big mistake as he drifted like a barge before the off and the writing was on the wall a long way from home. Arizona won like a good horse I believed he was and I can't wait to see a lot more from him in the future. 

It pains me to say I was thinking about betting on Raffle Prize on day two but the more time I looked at a race the more I changed my mind and I thought the form of my eventual selection Ickworth was up with the best on offer. I was feeling confident she could get a place at least, but as the race began to unfold I couldn't spot Ickworths colours and of course as you must know by now she wouldn't come out of the stalls which were to the amusement of my workmates when I told them about it. It was a painful race to watch after that and even more painful when tight ass Betfred wouldn’t refund my stake, I know I shouldn't have got a refund, to be honest, but it would have been nice. I didn't bet on the Windsor Castle but Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore notched up another winner with Southern Hills. 

Day three and it was time to put Wednesday's nightmare behind me. I backed another Irish horse Sunday Sovereign who disappointed but finished at least, I think I will stick to the English form next year, but saying that I don’t think I would have picked the Norfolk winner in a month of Sundays after coming second in his only ever race. A’Ali held on to beat Ventura Rebel by a neck and after the race, I read he had good time figures last run, so I should have seen that when studying. 

A 25 runner field to contend with on day four, what could be easier. First thought for my selection was eventual winner Daahyeh after clocking a good time in his first race and in doing so beat the Queen Mary Stakes winner Raffle Prize. I changed my mind and backed Frankie on Last Surprise who weirdly finished last which was a surprise. 

I have saved the best till last on the final day of Royal Ascot. No changing my mind this time as I had one horse in mind, PINATUBO (pictured) for the Charlie Appleby yard. Not one moment did I think this Shamardal colt would get beat, the way he travelled and quickened up to beat the O’Brien hot pot Lope Y Fernández was immense. Wow!it really was impressive not just because it was my selection but because he also shattered the 2-year old track record putting himself firmly in the picture for the 2,000 Guineas next year and a horse with a big future ahead. 

Reviews: I had a small each way bet on tracker Arthur's Court at Newmarket who wasn’t fancied at 10/1. He ran a decent race, to be honest, but when you put your hard-earned cash on that doesn't make you feel any better. I will keep him in my tracker list because over a further distance this Derby entry could come into his own, we will see. 

Timeform Early Declaration Alert and Preview: 

18:35 Newbury 25 Jun 2019: Willa for the Richard Hannon yard. A 35,000 Gns purchase in October 2018, this Dutch Art Filly took a drift in the betting on debut and her inexperience showed when never involved. Interesting that she had been given a Class 2 entry before that race and didn't run and more interesting is she was given an entry in the Class 2 Byerley Stud Walwyn Memorial Novice Stakes at Salisbury this month but also did not run. One negative was the price she was on her debut. I will be looking for some market support before deciding if I bet. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

One of the highlights of #RoyalAscot came in the Chesham Stakes, where Pinatubo bolted up and broke the juvenile track record at Ascot in the colours of @Godolphin. pic.twitter.com/E6VEoq4KID

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 24, 2019