A quick update on my last post and the few horses I have mentioned on my Facebook page. First up Emaraty Hero was never involved in what looked like a pretty nice race to be fair. I mentioned that former jockey Alan Rutter who actually rides out for John Gosden had nominated the newcomer King Leonidas as his horse to follow, he was spot on with that as the impressive King Leonidas won like a good thing. I had an each-way on Emaraty Hero as King Leonidas was too short at 13/8 but even though I lost it was nice to see King Leonidas win.
I didn’t bet on the 4/5 shot Sorrel who finished second at Kempton but I did have a small bet on Grain Of Sense who could only manage fourth at Newmarket. This soft going is a nightmare for punters and it would be nice if I could be more disciplined but that doesn’t seem to be happening at the minute.
The last one in my post was the one Jason and I had been waiting for. Farnham is a really well-thought-of filly for Roger Varian who had a number of significant entries as a 2-year-old but didn’t run. Farnham made her debut in April but wasn’t seen again until last Thursday at Chelmsford. Yes, I know she was the odds on favourite but for me, it was more about seeing if she still had some ability after such a long lay off. Farnham won well and looked to have a bit in hand. The early price of 5/4 looked nice of course after she had won but as I said it was just nice to see her win.
A few more on my Facebook page I mentioned was Station To Station who on firsthand looked disappointing but I have a feeling we may see a better run next timeout if running in a nursery. I also bet on Tulip Fields and Nicks No Wonder who both got placed. Another one I mentioned on Facebook was the Simon Crisford colt Finely Tuned who was running Wednesday this week. I took an early price of 13/2 and by race time Finely Tuned was 3/1. I almost gave up on my bet until Finely Tuned sprouted wings inside the last furlong and a bit further would have won. I finally got a winner though when Bye Bye Lady won for my eye-catchers priced 3/1.
Speculative Friday
12:00 Newmarket 01 Nov 2019:
Wadi Al Sail is trained by Miss Gay Kelleway who has a few nice 2-year-olds including Global Esteem who ran a great race to finish third at 25/1 on his debut at Leicester last month.
Wadi Al Sail might not be up to that standard but I'm willing to take a chance with a small each-way bet if the price is right. The Holy Roman Emperor colt was a cheap 17,000 euro yearling but unsold for 24,000 gns as a 2-year-old. His debut race was in a Class 2 race at Goodwood back in July, a complete outsider at 66/1. Wadi Al Sail was up with the pace for most of the way until meeting difficulty in running and losing all chance and eased down towards the finish. I am not saying he would have won or might not have been even placed but would have been a lot closer to the smart Cobra Eye. Interesting that owner H.E Sherida Al-Kaabi also had Fuwayrit in that race who looks a nice colt himself. Wadi Al Sail was given a significant entry after his debut which is interesting but this would be more of a speculative bet with some potentially nice newcomers from top yards plus a dangerous Aidan O’ Brien colt called Keats.
12:35 Newmarket 03 Nov 2017:
Interested to see how the Richard Hannon trained Sky Power runs here. The 450,000 gns yearling had an early entry for the Group 2 Champagne Stakes but didn’t run. The betting will be the clue to the Fastnet Rock colts chances. Richard Hannon won this race in 2017 with Maghaweer. No bet for me on debut but hopefully he runs a nice race.
16:50 Newcastle 01 Nov 2019:
It looks like a day of speculative bets for me as Kumasi looks to be another who will start off at a big price. The David O’Meara New Approach colt was purchased by Cheverley Park owners for 130,000 gns as a foal and made his debut in the Class 2 Convivial Stakes at York back in August. Not fancied that day at 33/1 Kumasi looked out of his depth but did show up well until the last furlong when weakening. This looks a lot easier and if he has any ability hopefully the market will support him. A small hopeful each-way bet for me as O’meara doesn’t have too many 2-year-old winners at Newcastle.
Good luck and thanks for reading.
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.
