2YO Racing Update (30th July)

Let's look back on last Sunday's post. The Pontefract 2yo maiden stakes was my main interest, I had three trackers but my main hope was that Charlie & Mark Johnston trained Can To Can, the 11/2 on offer last Saturday was too good to resist so I threw my biggest bet so far this season each way on. I was pretty sure of a top three finish and was nice to see support come in. Ben Curtis got Can To Can away quick and over to the rail, the Kodiac filly set a quick pace, I was sure she would tire as push came to shove but Curtis kicked on again, fuck me she wasn't stopping either, I made it sound a bit dramatic but to be honest I never had any doubt as she powered home by five lengths, get in!

Stay Lost my tracker that was supposed to make her debut in America was declared a non runner but one I'll be looking out for as she was backed from 7s to 3s.

Capital Offence was never involved at Ayr, another worth a second chance. My other tracker in the Ayr race Miss New York who managed third at a nice price.

Indestructible another winner but short odds at Windsor. 

Can lightning strike twice? I'm hoping so as I've gone for another Charlie & Mark Johnston runner. 

13.05 Goodwood 30 July 

Tracker Classic looks a nice well-bred Dubawi colt for Richard Hannon who wasn't given a hard time on debut at Newbury, believe me he could be nice and piss this but at odds on I would rather take a chance on getting him beat, racing is a funny old game I've had so many hard luck stories or the wrong end of head bobbers that I know personally anything could happen with 2yos. Loyal Touch is a No Nay Never colt who himself looks a lovely type in I'm sure will be winning soon enough. Related to a few nice ones including the Aiden O'Brien trained Sovereign who won the Irish Derby in 2019, looks the part on paper and was sent off 11/5 on debut at Salisbury last month, was slowly away and towards the back until Frannie Norton got to work on him, the response wasn't straight away but certainly finished the last half furong the best. The race hasn't worked out brilliantly but with Ryan Moore taking over I'm sure improvement will come, around 6s at the minute.

15.55 Goodwood

Zero Carbon owes me nothing after rattling up a hatrick of wins on his last start, steps up again here. 

15.05 Galway

Two trackers here, first is the Aidan O'Brien hotpot Hiawatha who finished second on debut and looks a nice one for the future. 

Agathon for Joseph O'Brien and is by dam Arya Tara who was also trained by Joseph O'Brien winning a Listed race back in 2014 ridden by Agathon's owner Ana O'Brien. A half-brother to the Joseph O'Brien trained Agartha who is a smart filly and won the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes last year then second in the Guineas trial before finishing fifth in the Irish Guineas.

Nice race and a couple I'm looking forward to seeing here.

Few more trackers:

Newmarket 13.20:

Canadiansmokeshow trained by S Woods

Luckin Brew trained by R Beckett.

Thirsk 14.06

Jamie Bond trained by Bryan Smart.

Eternal Class trained by Karl Burke.

Newmarket 15.55

Immortal Beauty for Richard Hannon.

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Author: Craig Newton

Previews & Reviews 26 May

Merry Christmas one and all, I know it's not Christmas but it felt like after one of my trackers was given as a bet 365 boost by one of Santa's helpers in their office, more about that later let's look at my losing bets first. 

Nottingham 22 May 

My tracker was Immortal Beauty who I thought had an excellent chance of taking the fillies maiden. It didn't last long until I thought the complete opposite as she got upset in the stalls first and then came out hanging all over the place, it was plain to see something wasn't right and Hollie Doyle rightly took it easy on her to the finishing post. 

Beautiful Sunrise was my next at York against the odds on favourite Walbank, only had a small bet for interest, didn't last long the interest as Walbank absolutely made mincemeat of these with an instant turn off foot, impressive. 

Monday 13.40 Wolverhampton 23 May

What a day for me, Zero Carbon is one of my 3-year-olds to follow for the blog. Well regarded by Richard Hughes last year and one I was looking out for this season, given a educational ride on debut by Pat Dobbs. I was pretty confident about a place at least here but no price so I ended up doing a win bet at 3s which I thought was reasonable. As the betting sorted itself out Zero Carbon had drifted to 9/2, what to do hey? I cashed out and was going in at 9/2 until I saw they had Zero Carbon as a price boost and was 11/2, couldn't believe my eyes so went each way with a bigger stake and also threw my other tracker Voce Del Palio in an each way double for good measure. 

I'm always feeling uneasy when I do bigger bets. I'm not sure why because the betting bank is healthy at the minute. It was getting close to the Zero Carbon race. I had that uneasy feeling even though I was still pretty confident. The race started, Zero Carbon had the rail and Pat Cosgrove was out like a bullet, the well backed Green Man was poised to challenge with James Doyle in the seat, watching how they were moving I was more confident as Pat kicked on again, cmon Zero Carbon you beauty as he stayed on to the line winning a comfortable half-length, phew bet landed, heart rate dropping, thank God! 

The next was even more heart attack material as I was waiting on Voce Del Palio for the double, I had all but given up when stablemate Wujdaan quickened up a furlong to go but Voce Del Palio sprouted wings and flew with a rocket up its ass to win by a head, what a ride and what a day.

Few trackers tomorrow but tough day, I will just mention them because as always time is getting on.

16.40 Carlisle

Double O won me a few quid when I backed her on debut at Doncaster, was well-supported that day into 3s, quickly away despite being a touch keen, I thought she would win that day but didn't go through with her effort and the slow starting Parr Fire came from last to first to win. Trainer 2/6 at the track with second timeout 2yos. My other tracker is Mersea for trainer Grant Tuer, a consistent sort who will run her race. Looked to know her job at York last timeout but couldn't land a blow to the well touted Thunder Moor who won with a bit in hand with Mersea finishing in third, always a doubt of a horse regressing but the form looks good enough to be involved here. 

14.10 Haydock

Banddar has been supported overnight and rightly so after running in a very hot race at Ascot. The Saeed Bin Suroor runner finished fifth that day and the second and fourth have both won in good style. My tracker Maxi King won't be a pushover after finishing second at Nottingham to the impressive Garner. The David Loughnane Belardo colt definitely needed the experience as he was all over the place at times. I'm not too confident when I see a horse hanging but I'm willing to take another chance here. My other tracker is the Richard Hannon trained Royal Dress. 

Going to chance a small each way double here but not going mad.

Other tracker to note.

Carlisle 4:40: Sideways Shift trained by Karl Burke.

Carlisle 17.15: Dear My Friend trained by

Mark Johnston.

Thanks for reading. 

On The Cold List (Trackers And Previews)

13.45 Kempton Mon 18 April

One tracker here for Eve Johnson Houghton and owners Woodway 20 who had a lovely winner with Whistle And Flute the other day. Blatant ran in the Brocklesby and was a touch keen the first few furlongs, pretty steady in the betting that day. I would expect a better run here but can he beat Ocean Cloud who looks a nice type is a different matter. Ocean Cloud carries a penalty here, tough race to be honest and a watching brief for me.

15.05 Yarmouth Tue 19 April

Eight go to post here and potentially a few nice fillies who make their debut, I'm concentrating on my tracker Soleil Blanc who nearly landed a touch for me at Windsor last Monday. The 50,000 purchase is trained by David Evans. The 12/1 shot was slowly away, then met trouble before flying at the finish. Honestly the Fast Company filly would have won if quicker away, can't imagine much price here and also has a few nice looking first season sires 2yos to contend with.

I do still have 3yo trackers coming through and honestly looking at my notes it's something I'm really considering stopping if they don't do the business this year. Writing my bets down is a good way of weeding out the negative bets, the early signs are that this season is their last season.

A few early entries here.

15.25 Catterick Wed 20 April.

 

One tracker I have here is the Tim Easterby trained Graceland's Girl for owners The Wolf Pack 2 and Partner who cost £17,000 at the Yearling Sales in 2020. Offspring include full-brother Storting who won a couple of times for Mick Channon and half-sister to another Channon horse called Caravela who won three times. Not going to lie, I'm taking a leap of faith here, especially first time out as Easterby doesn't have the best record with winners never mind debutante winners. I will keep an eye on the market.

Another 3yo debutante here but feel bit more confident about this one 

Chelmsford 16.35 Thursday April 21

Early entry here for Richard Hughes and his 3yo Acclamation colt Zero Carbon. Richard Hughes is in great form with his 2yos so I hope it's extended to his 3yos here. Zero Carbon worked well last season and was well regarded. I just hope he can produce it first time as a 3yo. The 45,000 gns purchase is a bit of a gamble here considering half-sister Andelysa has been average to say the least for trainer William Knight. Anything over 10s is negative.

On another note it was great to see Dave Lowe have a great day with his 2yos yesterday. Dave is an owner I have plenty of time for after kindly forwarding information to the blog. He did give 11/1 winner Absolutely Flawless a mention so hopefully a few readers got on, I wish I would have took his advice as I bet on the Charlie Fellowes 2yo Strength n Honour who disappointed, I'm definitely on the cold list, actually I'm bloody freezing and need to warm up soon before the betting bank melts away. 

Thanks for reading and sticking with the blog. 

Unraced Three-year-olds To Follow 2022 (Part 2)

1: SAMUEL PEPYS is by Galileo and out of Tiggy Wiggy, trained by Aidan O’Brien. I always remember dam Tiggy Wiggy as being an absolute speed machine who made all and just bombed out the stalls, add Galileo to the mix and we could have a nice type here. Samuel Pepys is a full-brother to a couple of nice O’Brien horses, Southern Cape and Year Of The Tiger. 

2: KING OF TIME is by Kingman and out of Lombatina, trained by Charlie Appleby. The boys in blue could have a nice one here. Dam Lombatina only raced twice, winning first time out. Her offspring include Agrotera for Ed Walker who ran to a decent level winning a Listed race back in 2019, hopefully this Kingman colt can put in a few decent performances this season. 

3: PEROTAN is by Churchill and out of Tanaghum, trained by Aidan O’Brien. Dam Tanaghum has been busy over the years and produced a few nice types, trained by John Dunlop Tanaghum ran to a decent level herself winning a Listed race. One offspring to note is Matterhorn who was a class horse for Mark Johnston. Perotan could be a name to look out for. 

4: DAIQUIRI DREAM is by Dubawi and out of Cocktail Queen, trained by Ralph Beckett and owned by familiar owner Mr J. C. Smith. Dam Cocktail Queen was a decent type back in her day for David Elsworth and produced a nice type trained now by William Haggas called Tom Collins who has performed with credit. Ralph gave Daiquiri a decent entry last season so lets hope he was right. 

5: GALLERIA BORGHESE is by Caravaggio and out of On Ice, trained by Aidan O’Brien. Not much information here but well-thought of by Aidan so that will do for me. 

6: GRACELAND'S GIRL is by Iffraaj and out of Stella Point, trained by Tim Easterby and owned by The Wolf Pack 2 and Partner. Long shot this one. A full-sister to Storting who is a decent sort for Mick Channon. 

7: INSTRUMENTAL is by No Nay Never and out of Strut, trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Derrick Smith. I have a few Irish 3yos in the list so I will just throw them in. Dam Strut was a nice type for Roger Charlton and he certainly loves this dam, training four of her offspring including Mince who was a class act back in her day. Plenty of speed in Instrumentals pedigree and another to look out for this season. 

8: IVY LEAGUE is by Galileo and out of Timbuktu, another trained by the all conquering Aidan O’Brien. Dam Timbuktu was average to say the least but has produced one nice offspring named Ontario who came third in a Listed race last year, disappointed after that so will be wary with this Galileo colt. 

9: ZERO CARBON is by Acclamation and out of Clotilde, trained by Richard Hughes. Another one that you may not find in other 3yos to follow this season but it's nice to be different. It took a while for dam Clotilde to come into her own but had a decent season as a 4yo winning a few races over a mile. I will be keeping that in mind when this bay colt makes his debut. 

10: PEARL BORDER is by Ribchester and out of Firth Of Lorne, trained by Charlie Appleby. Pearl Border comes from a class family being a half-sister to Master Of The Seas and Latharnach both trained by Charlie. Another exciting Godolphin 3yo to look out for. 

Times getting on I will note below a few more I will be keeping an eye out for. 

11: CHERUB trained by Aidan O’Brien. 

12: COMET LINE trained by Joseph O’Brien. 

13: COMPERE trained by Dermot Weld. 

14: ELMAFTUN trained by Kevin Prendergast. 

15. SONG OF WAR trained by Aidan O’Brien 

Thanks for reading and look out for my 3yos to follow coming soon.

Read Part 1 Here

2yo Unraced Hidden Gems for the Future

As the 2-year-old season draws ever closer to the end I still have a few unraced gems who could be potentially nice types for the backend of the season or with the winter behind them could be worth keeping and eye out for next season. I will mention a few in no particular order.

1: Ralph Beckett has had a few nice 2-year-olds this season including Prosperous Voyage, Angel Bleu and not forgetting Hello You now trained by David Loughnane who is owned by Amo Racing. Ralph Beckett and owners Amo Racing still have a Kodiac colt called MALEX who has yet to set foot on the racecourse but is well-regarded at Kimpton Down Stables. Dam Trois Lunes was a nice type for trainer Francois Rohaut winning a Group 3 at Longchamp back in 2012. 

2: Another trained by Ralph Beckett is DAIQUIRI DREAM and runs in the familiar colours of owner Mr J.C.Smith, I’m pretty certain this Dubawi filly has ability and hopefully will set foot on the racecourse soon. Dam Cocktail Queen was owned by Smith and another who won group races as a 3-year-old in France. Another well-regarded at Kimpton Down Stables. 

3: Been on the radar for a while this one, in fact DENIM SHORTS had an early entry for the Brocklesby way back in March but didn’t run. Trainer George Boughey has been in fine form this season banging in plenty of winners and I’m sure this Ontoawinner Galileo Gold filly was a nice filly who was showing some early speed for George and the team. Not too sure what’s happened to the 11,000 gns purchase so a word of caution when we see her on the track. 

4: Richard Hughes and owners Clarke and Waters have had a few winners in the past including Glendevon, Lady Madison, two I can think of off the top of my head. They have another potentially nice type in the name of ZERO CARBON who is another one I will be keeping an eye out for. Dam Clotilde seemed to improve with age so hopefully with the winter behind the Acclamation colt we will see a nice sort for Richard Hughes. 

5: It wouldn’t be a list without Charlie Appleby 2-year-olds and the next one that could be nice is the Kingman colt KING OF TIME who is a half-brother to the Ed Walker trained Agrotera who won a few nice races including the Snowdrop Listed race back in 2019 at Kempton. 

6: Next Charlie Appleby 2-year-old to look out for is the Ribchester filly PEARL BORDER who is well-thought of by the boys in Blue. Dam Firth Of Lorne has certainly been busy and produced a couple of nice types for Charlie already including Master Of The Seas who won his first two races as a 2-year-old and withdrawn in the Breeders Cup Mile on Saturday. Pearl Border is a half-sister to Latharnach who also ran to a decent level for Appleby. Nice pedigree this one and one I’m keen on seeing when making her racecourse debut. 

7: Next one for Charlie Appleby has an early entry for Kempton on Wednesday. MAKKARI I imagine will be all the rage for this so it could be time to just watch and see if the hype is right. Dam Sobetsu was a high class filly for Charlie winning a couple of group races in Deauville back in 2017. Makkari has been giving the right signals at home but the Galileo filly needs to produce it on the track to show how good she is. 

8: PURE DIGNITY could be special for the Roger Varian team and another who can’t wait to see it hit the racecourse. A half-sister to multiple group winner Sottsass who has gone from strength to strength and won the L’arc De Triomphe in October. I really hope Pure Dignity is an exciting prospect for the Varian team. 

Time is getting on so I will add a few more below with no write-ups. 

PRINCESS OLLY, Richard Hannon and Amo Racing. 

TASHKENT, Richard Hannon and Al Shaqab Racing. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution but given