2YO Horse Racing: Wednesday Previews

Well, the flat season is winding down and the trackers are very few and far between. It’s been a busy old year with starting a new blog but I wouldn't change it for the world. Being off work for the past six weeks gave me time to do some great questions and answers posts with lots of great trainers and hopefully, I can get a few more in the coming weeks and months. 

Onto today's racing, as I said the flat is winding down, so I haven't really had too many horses to write a post about. I mentioned a few fancies on social media last week and two out of three won which was a pleasant surprise. First was the Godolphin filly Tadreej who was 9/2 in the morning and ended up winning at 5/2. I say she won but only just from the fast-finishing Roger Varian newcomer Rideson who looks one to follow. 

I didn't bet on the John Gosden trained Sheriffmuir who could only manage second after blowing his chances at the start by pulling double and not settling for the first few furlongs. 

Next up was the Richard Hughes trained Tafish who had run a couple of nice races already, and I was hoping it would be third time lucky. I also had the Karl Burke trained Seven Emirates as a tracker running in the same race. I watched the betting and seen some early money for Tafish so I took the gamble to take an early price of 12/1. In the end, the War Command colt won easy and ended up 4/1 at the off. 

18:25 Newcastle 09 Oct 2019: Lancastrian Suite Fillies' Novice Stakes 

Tracker. Tulip Fields. 

Tracker and Eye-Catcher. Red Line Alexander. 

Interesting race here with a lot of the top yards out in force. The betting will be the key with the newcomer's chances, so I will mention a few of the horses that have already raced this season. Eventful improved last time out when second to the well-thought-of Mark Johnston filly Freyja at Beverley. Will need to step up again in what looks like a nice Novice Stakes race. Tulip Fields is the most experienced filly in the field and has run three solid efforts to date so far. The Mark Johnston filly should be in the mix again hereafter chasing home the nice Ralph Beckett filly Heart Reef last time out at Haydock Park. One which I imagine will be a short price is the Simon Crisford filly Red Line Alexander who was backed into 11/2 from 7s on her debut at Ascot last month. The Sea The Stars filly was slowly away that day and pulled hard the first few furlongs. The more experienced pair Expensive Dirham and Pocket square got first to run and Red Line Alexander could never strike a blow despite staying on at the finish. Pocket Square looks a nice type for Roger Charlton and the form had been franked when the John Gosden filly Anastarsia won a nice race at Newcastle last week. 

Conclusion: If Red Line Alexander touches an each-way price it would be a bet for me but I think there is more chance of seeing a pig fly (Currently 7/4). 

16:35 Kempton 09 Oct 2019:Close Brothers/British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes: 

Tracker. Raajin 

Raajin is a nicely bred Raven’s Pass colt trained by Charlie Hills. Interested to see if any market support for this well-thought-of colt on debut against a few nice types. Trying not to bet on debutantes but we will see. 

14:25 Nottingham 09 Oct 2019 British EBF Matchbook Future Stayers Oath Restricted Maiden Stakes 

Eye-Catcher. Master Spy. 

I might have a small each way if the market speaks in favour of the Paul Cole trained Master Spy here. Last seen 90 days ago in a six-furlong race at Newbury when 20/1 on debut. This would be a speculative bet because Of plenty of negatives here. Master Spy got worked up in the stalls that day and hasn't been seen since. This is a big step up in trip here plus heavy going to contend with. As I say I will let the betting settle first and see if any support for this Mastercraftsman colt. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Tuesday's Racing Tips (22nd October)

Just a quick post. 

Taking a look at Tuesday's two-year-old racing action. 

1:40 Yarmouth - 

Testing going. Not my favourite medium to find winners. A 0-75 nursery over 6f 3y. From a significant entry point of view, a couple of these may be of interest. George Scott's Dragon Command has won a couple of races and a determined horse. A winner at Claiming class last time out. Difficult to assess whether this 7f on soft ground will be too much of a test of stamina. 

Karl Burke's two-year-olds have been in fine form. Seven Emirates has always been held in some regard by connections but been disappointing. Has taken time to appreciate what racing is all about and a little weak in ways. The first try at nursery class may show more today. 

Personally, I would take a watching brief. 

2:15 Yarmouth - 

Once again a Burke runner catches the eye. From a statistical point of view Made For All has decent claims. Ideally, this filly would be much better bet if drifting in the market. 

It is worth watching the betting as this may be revealing for few of these - helping pinpoint potential improvers or weak links. Lady Tati didn't show a great deal on debut but if fancied in the betting may well have each-way claims. If very weak in the market best watched. 

Lady Light cost a packet at the yearling sales fetching 850,000 euros and in the ownership of China Horse Club International Limited. Unless seriously fancied in the betting, I find Michael Bell's debutant are more likely to be placed than win. 

I would definitely let the betting settle before placing a bet. 

2:35 Newcastle - 

Another tough-looking race. From a significant entry and betting point of view, I would be looking at Grand Bizarre and Carlos Felix. I am pretty confident both will run well. The latter, trained by David Simcock, could well be a worthy each-way option to the favourite if prices allow.    

2:50 Yarmouth - 

Nine fillies take part over this mile. 

Another trappy-looking affair with a selection of leading trainers and high-profile owners. Once again, I would let the betting settle down before considering what may happen here. The market may help disregard a couple of lesser lights. 

The betting suggests it is out of six horses. 

Too Big To Fail looks the type to enjoy a test of stamina and has valuable experience after making her debut at Nottingham. Mark Johnston's filly ran on well that day in what looked a fairly competitive race. I can see her going well. However, there may be some opposition. 

John Gosden unveils a daughter of Frankel, a homebred in the ownership of A E Oppenheimer. Frankly Darling should be respected as her trainer does well at this course, especially if short in the betting. Has fair each-way claims if prices allow. 

Combine has been given a Class 2 stakes entry for Hugo Palmer. The betting should tell the story for this horse's chance. 

Similarly, David Simcock has Float racing in the familiar silks of Qatar Racing Limited. 

Cabaletta is well owned and trained. 

This looks a difficult race to assess at the time of writing and even when the betting settles it may well be worth taking a watching brief. 

Best bets on the day:

2:15 Yarmouth - Made For All 
2:35 Newcastle - Carlos Felix (only if drifting to each-way odds)

Posted: Jason Coote 

Here Come The Girls (Plus The Dreaded Review)

ANOTHER ONE OF THEM DAYS. 

Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and just admit you were wrong and today was definitely one of them days. I think the more I thought about Seven Emirates the more I thought I was making a mistake backing him but that just seemed to wash over my head. I was up early Saturday and looking for signs that the Karl Burke trained colt was going to be backed off the boards. It happened about 10 a.m, Seven Emirates price was slowly moving down and instead of staying calm and waiting, no I rushed the bookmakers to take 7/1. I was sure by the time I got home it would have been about 6s. I was wrong on that too as he went back up again. The warning signs were there but my bet was on now so it was tough shit. Why the bloody hell did I bet at Chester I was starting to think as the race got closer. Seven Emirates was 8/1 at the off, so I knew the outcome already. 

It was a disappointing run in the end from a horse who had an entry in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes. I briefly thought that at least he would finish placed but even that wasn't to be as Huboor wore him down the last strides. The winner was a 20/1 shot which made it worse. Not sure where Karl Burke will go with this Dark Angel colt after that. As for me, I have to learn from this and move on. 

14:35 Ffos Las 15 Sep 2019: 

3As Leisure Birthday Celebrations For Catherine's 30th EBF Novice Stakes. 

Hot Summer sets a good standard here and is sure to be a warm order. The Richard Hannon trained Hot Streak colt is a £62,000 purchase for owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum. Hot Summer was only beaten a neck on his debut at Newmarket in August when behind the exciting Charlie Appleby colt Royal Crusade who has since gone on to finish second to the brilliant Threat in a Group 2 race. I thought after the promise Hot Summer showed on his debut it would just be formality next timeout, but he took a step backwards after only managing fourth at Kempton last week and still has a few questions to be answered here. 

The first horse I think could be each-way value is the Roger Charlton trained Fashion Royalty who is a half-sister to War Decree and cost 385,000 gns as a yearling. Fashion Royalty made her debut at Newmarket 23 days ago and finished seventh of eight. It wasn't the best debut I will give you that, but she was well-supported that day which gives me hope that better was expected at Newmarket. The winner that day was Powerful Breeze who won a Group 2 race at Doncaster this week. Roger Charlton also has a pretty good record at Ffos Las with his 2-year-olds. Interesting to see if supported in the market. 

Another horse who has shown some promise on debut is the only other filly in the race Night Colours. The Simon Crisford Night Of Thunder filly is a £38,000 purchase for owner Hussain Alabbas Lootah. Don’t get me wrong there were a few negatives that day like a 20/1 starting price also the fact she was pushed along for most of the race but I'm willing to take a chance that Night Colours will be seen in a better light here. Another who needs a market check. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Karl Burke Hoping To Be In Seventh Heaven At Chester (Plus Ramblings)

How Disappointing Has Doncaster Been?

After what was a great week of 2-year-old racing last week I have to say this week has been a disappointment. Maybe it's just me, but the Doncaster meeting has been a letdown. I think the highlight for me was the lightly-raced Andrew Balding 2-year-old King’s Lynn who picked up decent prize money for owner the Queen (like she needs it hey) against a quality field in the Weatherbys Racing Bank 300,000 2-Y-O Stakes on Friday.

So Near Yet So Far For Global Esteem

I wrote about Gay Kelleway's horse Global Esteem in Tuesday's post. The headline was Can Lightning Really Strike Twice. Last year we saw Global Spectrum win in style and proved to be a very talented horse. Perhaps I was being hopeful - but bloody hell lightning nearly did strike twice. 

Race: 2:50 Leicester.

Would lightning really strike twice? I think the 25/1 starting price raised a few doubts in my mind, and I was thinking before the race that I would be happy with a place and a few quid back at least.

The race started and the thing that I was dreading happened - Global Esteem was very keen. I guess with the first time hood applied it was likely to happen. No need to be alarmed. He soon settled and cruising along as the surrounding horses were being asked questions. I was thinking bloody hell I have a chance here. Then, Global Esteem hit a flat spot a couple of furlongs out and Sean Kelly began to get to work on the Gay Kelleway runner before he got a second wind and finished well in what was a very encouraging performance for his first run.

Even though Global Esteem didn't win I was made up with that debut and am sure trainer Miss Kelleway was too. One to put in the trackers for sure.

Just One Thing Away From Living The Dream

I was back in the hospital this week to see if I could finally get the go-ahead to get back to work after fracturing my wrist. I guess it didn't go to plan. When asking the doctor to give me some good news his reply was: ''Yes I have good news, we don't have to operate!''. Erm hang on a minute, I didn't even think that was being considered, so to cut a long story short, I have to keep my cast on another two weeks and hopefully back to work in the near future. 

If I was getting a few quid sick pay I would be happy as Larry chilling and watching the racing each day but when you're not it's not good. 

The thing I have most enjoyed about being off work is putting my old neighbour Dave's bets on for him while he's recovering from a recent spell in hospital. He's a right character who has been to nearly every racecourse in England. At the age of 78, he can still tell me stories about each one. When he was in hospital I had to get clean clothes for him out of his wardrobe and no word of a lie he has bin bags full of racecards. 

Putting his bets on has been an experience too as I don't have big bets on a daily basis but Dave thinks nothing of laying a hundred quid out. I imagine that's because he always wins. It's great picking hundreds up off the bookmakers and seeing their faces like its actually their own money. One thing I need to do is start getting Dave's bets on my blog as am sure the views would go sky-high.

Saturday's Preview:

I think with the flat season tailing off now I seem to be getting fewer trackers through and that is the case on Saturday too but the show must go on.

13:30 Chester 14th September 2019

6f Novice Stakes Plus 10 | Class 4 | 2YO only

Not my favourite course to be honest, but we have a couple of nice colts plus another who I am hoping is a nice colt. Let's get cracking then. Deb’s delight is a lightly raced Richard Fahey colt who has won his only start to date. He is a lovely looking Dark Angel colt who is a half brother to Irreverent who looks a fair horse himself. Has to burden a win penalty. Looked an average race that day, but he couldn't have been more impressive.

Huboor also has a win penalty after winning last timeout. The Mark Johnston trained More Than Ready filly made a pleasing debut when third behind the useful Charlie Appleby filly Summer Romance at Yarmouth in June. She progressed further a month later when breaking her maiden at Chepstow. Off course since so I am interested to see how she runs. Franny Norton takes the ride. He loves a winner at his local course. 

SEVEN EMIRATES is a colt I have been looking forward to seeing again. The Karl Burke trained Dark Angel colt was a 31,000 euro purchase for owner Ahmad Al Shaikh. Interesting that the same owner and trainer combination also own Dubai Station who won the second timeout and went onto run a tremendous race to finish third in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. Dubai Station showed a lot more promise on his debut than Seven Emirate. Ben Curtis was in the saddle that day and despite showing speed for most of the race Seven Emirates faded disappointingly to finish out the places. After that performance, the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes entry seems a world away but with Jamie Spencer taking over the reins I am hoping he can, at least, hit the frame here although a tricky contest. I'm hoping Seven Emirates doesn’t take a drift so I can get an each-way bet on. (9/2 at time of writing)

Thanks for reading and good luck.             

2-Year-Old Race Previews (6th September)

REVIEWS: 

Not a bad day today with a few nice performances from my trackers. 

I took 14/1 for Jamais Assez and Karl the Burke colt ran a lovely race to finish third at 15/2. Panic Room won impressively for my eye-catches and looks a nice type for owner John Dance. 

A couple more caught my eye and I will put them in my eye-catches post next week. 

13:55 Ascot 06 Sep 2019 

Tracker: Seven Emirates

King Of The Klopp looks to have a great chance here after a much-improved performance last timeout against the horse that got everybody talking Mums Tipple. My tracker Seven Emirates was a 31,000 euro purchase for owner Ahmad Al Shaikh in May this year. The Karl Burke Dark Angel colt made his debut at Thirsk last month when a little uneasy in the betting. The 11/2 second favourite was up with the pace until tiring the final furlong in the soft going that day. The good to firm forecast could see him in a better light today plus a Group 1 Middle Park Stakes entry gives me hope he could make the frame in what looks a tough race. Betting could be the key here and I will have to check the market before betting. 

17:30 Musselburgh 06 Sep 2019 

Tracker: Handlebars 

You can't get away from the favourite Yoshimi who has form that looks pretty rock solid to me. Handlebars from the Keith Dalgliesh yard was entered in the Brocklesby but never ran. I still think Footstepsinthesand filly could be alright after what was a fair debut over this course and distance 10 days ago. Slowly away that day and staying on without threatening the winner Red Treble. Should improve for the run but big ask against the hot favourite. 

13:45 Haydock 06 Sep 2019 

Trackers: Tulip Fields, Dusty Dream, Talking About You. 

I will mention only one here. Tulip Fields has bumped into a couple of nice types in her brief career so far. Even though she hasn't had her head in front yet make no mistake this is a nice filly that should get her first win soon. The Mark Johnston trained Golden Horn filly was beaten by the smart Richard Spencer filly Alabama Whitman on debut and then again touched off by another smart filly in the name of Vividly. The softer ground and extra distance should play to her strengths here and I expect a big run. Betting will be the key with my other trackers. 

14:20 Haydock 06 Sep 2019 

Trackers: Colouring, Jaaneh 

Jaaneh looked to be given a learning experience by Jim Crowley on her debut at Yarmouth. The William Haggas trained Dubawi filly was slowest of the nine runners out of the stalls that day and playing catch up. Hard rode the first few furlongs and when Jim Crowley knew he wouldn't be involved in the finish he coasted home. Jaaneh had a significant entry before that race and will hopefully be a lot more clued-up today. Colouring needs a market check on debut. 

18:40 Kempton 06 Sep 2019 

Tracker: Opine 

Best watched unless serious support in what looks a nice race. 

19:10 Kempton 06 Sep 2019 

Trackers: Charming Spirit, Via Veritas, Rakassah 

I was expecting Charming Spirit to finish a bit closer the last timeout at Yarmouth after what was a promising debut. Maybe I'm being a bit unfair because the winner that day Jovial has a Group 1 entry for later this month. Could be worth an each-way shout. Via Veritas is a Michael Bell horse I have been looking forward to seeing. A $340,000 yearling who has a few nice entries. As always though you can't promise anything with unraced 2-year-olds, so I might sit this one out till the second start. Another newcomer from the Richard Hughes yard who is worth keeping an eye out for in the future is Rakassah the Night Of Thunder filly.  

Thanks for reading and good luck.