4:55 Windsor Racing Tips (28th August)

A fascinating race. 

Thirteen two-year-olds take part over 6f (6f 12y) on good to firm going. 

Kimngrace is a non runner, which marginally helps with easing the competitive nature of this race. 

But not much. 

To be fair this looks a very competitive heat and I would need a price to even tempt to bet. 

An interesting mix of form horses and debutantes. I can imagine most of the trainers hoped to turn up here with a win in their sights. I doubt they will be so confident now. 

Dayman has been very well backed. I made a balls up not getting in early as this horse trained by David Loughnane in the ownership of Amo Racing limited was double-figure odds on the exchanges. It's a fraction of those odds. I have little doubt this son of Oasis Dream has ability but betting on debutantes can be a very tricky business. The stable can go well with their newcomers and I wouldn't be surprised to see a big effort. 

Karl Burke's Sherdil has run well on both starts to date when losing narrowly. He is held in some regard by the stable and I thought he would take some stopping last time at Thirsk. I can imagine Shane Kelly pressing on and from this low draw may well take some pegging back.

Another horse with a very good draw (1) is William Haggas' Scattering. This son of Showcasing is a good-looking colt who made a nice debut over 5f and looked to have strong claims when stepping up to 6f when fancied to go well at Goodwood in a Class 2 race with a big purse [£13,085]. However, he was much too keen and ruined any chance of winning, especially in the testing conditions. He's been off a month most probably working on that problem. A horse with ability but you wouldn't want to be pulling hard against this level of opposition. That factor is off putting. 

Clive Cox often goes well at this course and Codify looks a little disappointing but may return here with a live hope. This son of Lawman is a very good-looking colt who was fancied in the betting on his second start and was flying for the first 6f and tired in the closing stages. This drop back in distance will help. A wide draw is a slight negative but a horse I would respect and if drifting to double-figure odds may have a fighting chance. 

Conclusion: This looks a competitive heat and it really is difficult to pick between the lines. I can see all the four horses noted making a bold show. The only thing that would tempt me to bet would be a half speculative price but that looks unlikely. It may have helped if Kimngrace had remained. Scattering may pull which is a potential problem. Dayman is held in some regard but it's no easy feat to win on debut especially against experienced horses. To beat these form horses at the first time of asking would need a pretty smart horse. That may be the case but betting at shortish odds (after missing the price) doesn't offer much value. You wouldn't want a slow start on this speed course. Sherdil is a fair horse and looks straightforward. I think he will lead and try to hold that advantage. I would be surprised if he doesn't hit the frame. Codify is a lovely-looking colt and I think he will run well. He has been made to look worse by taking his chance over 7f. That was a step too far and if touching double-figure odds may be an each-way hope.

Author: Jason Coote

Which Two-Year-Old (2yo) Horse Holds the 5f Course Record at Windsor?

It's great to see Windsor racecourse back in action. 

Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Berkshire has been the starting point for many a flashy two-year-old. Sitting on the Thames, it is a beautiful location and a very scenic paddock lined with trees. 

Few horse racing fans haven't enjoyed an evening at this festive meeting whether on course or watching the box in the corner of the room.

Richard Hannon amongst other talented trainers has made this a happy hunting ground. 

But here's a question. Which two-year-old holds the 5f course record at Windsor and when did it happen? 

There have been some exceptionally talented juveniles racing at this course on the dog-leg five-furlong sprint. Horses drawn low often glide along the rail and take some catching if gaining a lead. 

On the 23rd of May 2011, Charles The Great, ridden by Jimmy Fortune, trained by Andrew Balding and in the ownership of Kennet Valley Thoroughbred  V proved he was faster than most two-year-olds in the country with a blistering display. 

This son of Holy Roman Emperor, out of an unraced mare [Jojeema], was an inspired yearling buy at just 30,000G. 

Time would tell this bay colt would be a wise investment for connections. 

Charles The Great made his debut at Ascot when finishing sixth of seven at odds of 33/1. 

However, connections must have thought this March foal had more than a fleeting chance of winning when heading to Windsor on his second start some sixteen days later. Racing on good-to-firm going, drawn in stall four, he faced five opponents - all previous winners. [Lord Ofthe Shadows, Boomerang Bob, Tioman Legend, Starfly & The Dancing Lord].  

There must have been real hope of a sparkling display as Charles The Great was backed from 20/1 - 12/1. 

He led after one furlong, made most after, ridden and definite advantage over 1f out, stayed on well to win by one-and-a-half lengths. 

A course record time of 58.69s 

You can see the full result here. 

On the back of this stunning performance, Charles The Great went to Royal Ascot to contend the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2). He disappointed in tenth place, losing a right-hind shoe. 

However, this colt was far from done. He bounced back to his imperious best when heading to Newbury to contest the Wetherby Super Sprint. He held the late challenge of Lily's Angel to win a bumper prize of £98,360 by a short-head. 

He would race once more at two when finishing third in the bet365 Molecomb Stakes (Group 3) at Goodwood, behind David Watchman's Requinto (who went on to win the Flying Childers and future stallion). 

The interesting thing about Charles The Great is after just five races at two, he disappeared off the radar. 

He was gelded on the 8th of September that same year.

He changed stables on 18th January 2012. 

Trainer unknown. 

Nothing was seen of this speedy colt for just over a year. In fact, no one even knew who trained him or, perhaps, where he was stabled. 

Then he appeared. 

A trainer notification appeared on the 24th of January 2013. He was in the care of John Moore and racing in Hong Kong. 

The Australian born Moore has a long history within the training ranks after starting work as an assistant trainer with his father in Hong Kong in 1971. After taking out his licence in 1985, he carved out a highly-successful career. 

Charles The Great was in good hands and there would be ample chance for his new connections to enjoy more victories. 

Always a battling type, he won on debut by a short head at Sha Tin taking the Sha Tin Vase (Group 3) and earning his owners Julian Hui Chun Hang and Michele Monique Reis £108,657,66. 

In fact, this was one of four victories in Hong Kong, including four attempts at Group 1. Although he had success at both Group 2 and Group 3. 

He retired on the 22nd of May 2016. Racing thirty-five times, he achieved five wins, two seconds and six thirds. 

And an official rating of 105 detailed a very talented horse. 

His total career earnings came to £987,326. 

Charles The Great still holds the racecourse record for a two-year-old racing over 5f.

Spencer Hoping For A Double At Redcar (Plus 2-Year-Old Previews)

17:15 Windsor 24 Aug 2019: 

Phuket Power ran a pleasing debut at Sandown a couple of weeks ago. The Tom Dascombe Kodiac colt looked like he needed the run that day and it showed with a slow start. To be honest the well-regarded winner Master Mcgrath was out the stalls like a bat out of hell and am not sure even Usain Bolt could have kept up. The 75,000 euro King Power purchase looked professional enough and De Sousa gave him a nice introduction. The step up to 6 furlongs looks ideal as Phuket Power was flying once the penny had dropped. Looks to have a great chance of making the frame at least. 

Bill The Butcher for the Richard Spencer yard. A £64,000 purchase for Rebel Racing. The Starspangledbanner colt has a few significant entries to his name, the betting will show how clued-up he is on debut. 

Serious Jockin is well-entered but disappointed twice for me and I have lost faith in this Mick Channon horse. 

13:40 Newmarket 24 Aug 2019:

Electrical Storm has some serious form to his name. The Dubawi colt has done everything but win in his three starts to date. Has been beaten by some top-notch 2-year-olds and has a host of decent entries coming up. The homebred Saeed bin Suroor colt needs to put in a decent performance here to take his place in any of the entries. I would be surprised if he can't get the much-needed win today.

Huraiz won't be letting Electrical storm have it all his own way. This Mark Johnston Sepoy colt has also been given some lofty entries by his trainer. Looked impressive on debut at Newcastle when easily beating the favourite River Cam by over 2-lengths. Has to give weight away for that win and that makes things a bit more difficult against Electrical Storm. 

17:30 Redcar 24 Aug 2019: 

It could be a nice day at Redcar for Richard Spencer as Tyler Durden will be hoping to complete the first part in a 2-year-old double for him. The Bungle Inthejungle colt made a pleasing debut at Yarmouth a couple of weeks back. A cheap purchase at 16,000 euro by the Rebel Racing Team back in September 2018. Tyler Durden was ridden along at the back for the first few furlongs before getting the hang of things late on and finishing with a rattle. Hopefully, he will be ridden more prominent today and can grab a place at least. 

18:00 Redcar 24 Aug 2019: 

It could be wishful thinking here I know but I'm hoping another Richard Spencer horse can do the business for me. Katniss Everdeen is a lovely Camacho filly owned by Rebel Racing. Another cheap purchase at 10,000 euros in September 2018. Katniss was well-supported on debut when backed from 25/1 to 16/1 before the off. Looking green on debut and kept in midfield by Harry Bentley before staying on gradually at the finish. An extra furlong should suit and hopefully, she can get in the first three home. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

2:50 Windsor - Making History Makes His Debut for Saeed bin Suroor

14.50 Windsor 08 April 2019 EBF Novice Stakes (Class 5) (2YO) 

This looks a decent 2-year-old Novice event, with what looks like some nice types taking part, twelve horse go to post. I wrote this when the early entries were declared and will keep it the same so I can look back on it if I need information for future races. I will mention a few that stand out. 

The first I will mention is Richard Hannon's first 2-year-old of the season Lexington Quest who’s out of first season sire Ivawood and owned by Middleham Park Racing, he cost £32.000 as a yearling and was down to run in the Brocklesby. Richard Hannon hasn’t got the best record in this race with no winners in the last four seasons, but not a bad record with 2-year-olds at Windsor, which sees him with a 29 per cent winning strike rate over the past four seasons with horses 10/1 and under. 

Mark Johnston runs Gobi Sunset, with Franny Norton taking the ride on this Oasis Dream colt, I remember this race last year when he ran Blown by the Wind who reared up in the stalls and blew the start(no pun intended)before winning impressively at odds of 2/1. I will be interested to see if Gobi Sunset gets out the stalls quick, as looking back over the last four seasons Marks horses have all been slowly away, but saying that he has a great record with his 2-year-olds at Windsor, with an impressive 53 per cent win strike rate with horses 15/2 and under in non handicap races. 

I always make a note of S Bin Suroor's first few runners of the season, as over the years they are normally of a high standard and *Making History could be another to add to the collection, this Godolphin bred Dubawi colt could make it another winner at a course where the trainer likes to send his better horses, bearing in mind he’s only sent six horses here over the past four seasons, he has a 50 per cent win strike rate with the three winners all being shorted priced favourites. 

Royal Ambition will be Clive Cox first 2-year-old runner of the season and have noted before that his first few horses are definitely worth checking out. He has a decent strike rate at Windsor(38 per cent win strike rate), so this chestnut colt could be worth a market check.

Can Dorchester Dom give the Brocklesby another form boost? After stablemate Zulu Zander eased to victory at Leicester on Monday. This P D Evans trained Starspangledbanner colt ran a great race in the Brocklesby to finish fourth at odds of 33/1 and should be a lot wiser this time out. Evans has a terrible record at Windsor with his 2-year-olds, over the past four seasons he has an 8 per cent win strike rate but has run a few decent sorts at this meeting with Awesome Allen winning in 2016. 

Conclusion: 

Difficult race to access with all but one making their first trip to a racecourse, am sure Dorchester Dom will come on a ton for his Brocklesby run. I really hope Lexington Quest can give the Middleham Park Racing owners a winner, but if the money comes in for Making History I will be taking note. I will check the market before I decide to have a bet or not. 

Reviews:

Just a couple of bets for me last week, in my last post I mentioned a horse called Just Brilliant, who was Peter Chappel Hyams best 2-year-old in 2017, so I had a small win bet on him, but he was well put in his place by the impressive odds on winner Canvassed, who I think will go places this season. I also had the normal bet on my dinner break in work, Queen's horse Regular was my bet but just got run down on the line, so another placed effort for me, and next up I did Canardier, my Twitter mate Sam's tip for the Merseyrail Handicap Hurdle at Aintree, which was also placed but I defo got a run for my money again. No luck for me this week, thanks for reading and if you had better luck leave me a comment I would love to hear what it's like to win these days.

* Making History (Non runner)