The Horse Racing Thread - Part 2

[sammy]

Fillies Handicap C4 (0-85) over 1M at HQ on Sat.

Folk Dance was wildly over bet when narrowly going down by a short head off a mark of 74 latest. Put up 3lbs for that effort and confirmed promise of previous outings to record first career victory, travelled smoothly, shaken up around 2F mark, switched to lead inside final 100yds, kept on. Probably go up another few pounds for this when reassessed, that will put her around the 80 mark, should remain competitive in that class.

https://www.racingtv.com/results/uk/287 ... -2020/1625

[sammy]

Prix Jacques Le Marois G1 over 7F 210yds at Deauville on Sun.
Up to scratch renewal in testing conditions.

Palace Pier backed up St James's Palace win with another top class performance here. Travelled well, smooth headway over 3f out, challenged over 1f out, led 1f out, won comfortably, value for more than official distance as was eased down inside last. These were the softest underfoot conditions he has encountered thus far, was slightly concerned beforehand but he handled them well enough to come out a convincing winner of a G1 with proper depth. This hopefully sets up a mouthwatering clash with Sussex winner Mohaather in the QEII, connections reportedly considering taking in the Prix De Moulin prior to that but obviously dependent on how Palace Pier comes out of this. Already looking forward to seeing this high class performer again.

Coronation Stakes winner Alpine Star was attempting to emulate half sister Alpha Centauri who landed this two years ago. Replicated RA form here and although clearly second best still pulled clear of the rest. Only her sixth start she remains a danger in this division particularly against her own gender.

Circus Maximus failed to reproduce Sussex form, didn't threaten the first two and slightly disappointing on ground that should suit. Only 18 days after Goodwood exertions so quick return may have taken edge off.

[sammy]

Forgot to post this one up from weekend.
Novice Stakes over 10F at Newbury on Sun.

Piranesi up in trip, under a 7lb penalty and on softer ground saw good support in market and sent off fav here. Prominent early on, led 3F out, headed over 1F out, one paced, decent performance despite being put in place by winner, still learning and should have further to offer.

https://www.racingtv.com/results/uk/287 ... -2020/1740

[sammy]

Ebor meeting at York kicks off tomorrow, runners & riders for the two main events.

[sammy]

[sammy]

[sammy]

Great Voltigeur Stakes G2 over 1M 3F 188yds at York on Weds.
Not an extreme test of stamina.

Unsuited by the undulations and pulling his chance away early on Pyledriver came here off the back of a disappointing run in the Derby. Caused a surprise prior to that when landing a muddling King Edward VII Stakes at RA but there was nothing suspect about the way he comfortably put this to bed. Travelled strongly before good headway over 2f out, led under 2f out, quickened clear, won easily. Whilst this is traditionally seen as a Leger trial, on this evidence such a strong traveller with a turn of foot would seem suited by staying at this trip so possibly the Grand Prix de Paris would be a realistic target.

Highland Chief put in another credible performance reversing Gordon Stakes form with Mogul. Shaped again as if this trip is as far as he would want to go.

Mogul ran with credit but beaten fair & square here for all that the way race panned out with emphasis on speed rather than stamina not fully suiting. Progress stalled at present but extra two furlongs may eke out a bit more.

Darian taking a marked step up in class following two runs in novice company found this too much of a test at this stage of his development. Seemed to stay the 12F well enough despite running green business end, remains with potential.

Roberto Escobarr very similar to above, upped markedly in class after couple of runs in novice company found this coming too early in his career. Personal best performance albeit never threatening the principles, stays 12F, remains with potential.

Subjectivist reportedly edgy in prelims struggled in race that wasn't suited to his main asset, needs proper test of stamina rather than sprint finish.

[sammy]

Deleted post

[sammy]

Juddmonte International G1 over 1M 2F 56yds at York on Weds.
Up to scratch renewal.

Ghaiyyath once again put in a dominant display to gallop his rivals into the ground. Apart from the attention of Rose Of Kildare early doors he was was allowed to tank along in front, kicked on after 3F and after being briefly challenged 2F out was in command from there on in, the relentless gallop having taken out the finish of the rest of the field. Consistent top class operator, his ability to churn out high tempo fractions in evidence again here, holds entry in Irish Champion Stakes over 10F and reportedly connections considering another crack at the Arc.

Magical ran with credit in defeat, she had no answer to winner and considerately handled once chance had gone. Ultra consistent, tough & genuine mare, connections will be hoping the winner doesn't turn up at Leopardstown in Sept.

Lord North has developed from handicapper to group performer in less than a year, displaying a potent turn of foot in the process. Respectable run despite being unable to put that to use here and better judged on previous run in G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes.

Kamenko was steadied at start and held up on first attempt at 10F, briefly threatened before emptying out inside last. Wasn't a bad run by any means but didn't look like he stayed the extra 2F here to me and although holds entry in Irish Champion Stakes likely to be returned to 1M for remainder of season.

[sammy]

Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes over 6F at York on Thurs.

Devious Company was runner up in both Superlative & Vintage Stakes over 7F so a slight surprise to see him dropped back a furlong here. Ran as well as expected over this sharper trip finishing strongly to take second leaving the impression once again that a stiffer test of stamina could see further progress.

[sammy]

Yorkshire Oaks over 1M 3F 188yds at York on Thurs.

Love won this how she liked, travelling powerfully off a steady pace, led 3F out before surging clear under hands & heels. Turned a G1 contest into the perfect prep for the Arc and making her opponents look ordinary in the process. Proper test awaits with Enable and possibly Ghaiyyath amongst others in the Arc, counting down the days, fingers crossed the principles all make it there in one piece.

Frankly Darling disappointed once again following her Ribblesdale win at RA, no excuses this time, maybe this is just as good as she is.

[sammy]

Stonehenge Stakes Listed over 1M at Salisbury on Fri.

Seventh Kingdom sent off fav disappointed here in first time cheekpieces, failed to settle fully and hung right inside final furlong. Doesn't look straightforward and all to prove now.

Knight Salute upped to listed class and over a furlong further never looked at home on softer going than previously encountered, plugged away, rise in class may have found him out. No problem with staying 1M and further may not be out of the question, not one to give up on if sights lowered.

[sammy]

Gimcrack Stakes G2 over 6F at York on Fri.
Average renewal

Minzaal upped markedly in class confirmed promise of two novice wins to land this with something in hand. Smooth headway on bridle 3F out, produced 2F out and quickened clear over 1F out, pushed out. This was a smart performance notable for the effortless way he travelled to get himself in and then beyond contention, big step forward here and likely more to come, remain at 6F for immediate future with the Middle Park a reasonable target.

Devilwala took a nice step forward upped markedly in class. Headway under pressure from 2f out, took second inside final 1f, no chance with winner, speedily bred, only second visit to track so reasonable to expect further improvement.

Mystery Smiles another who responded well to a marked step up in class, driven over 2F out, not quicken over 1F out but plugged on well. Open to improvement when given stiffer test of stamina.

Escape Route finished third in July Stakes despite still showing signs of greeness, more clued up here and took a small step forward.

Mohawk King fared well with the step up in class, had beaten the winner on debut but firmly put in place here. Suffered at business end as consequence of sitting up with strong early pace, shaped better than finishing position suggests.

Yazaman boasted best form coming into this but failed to replicate that here. Carried head awkwardly at business end, has been blinkered since debut, whilst undoubtedly talented and capable of striking at group level increasingly looks to need everything to go own way.

Ubettabelieveit stepped up to 6F and group company following listed win at Sandown. Ran way too freely here, pulled way to front after 2F before folding tamely at business end. Unless settling better over this longer trip a return to 5F would be beneficial on this evidence.

[ccreds]

ITV had some racing from Cartmel today which was something different. Unusual with stone walls in the background and the undulating track.

[sammy]

Rose Stakes Listed over 5F at York on Sat.

Lauded was a good third in G2 Richmond latest and was due to run in Gimcrack but re routed here. Drop to listed class and down to 5F for first time was easy to back in market and failed to make any impression here on softest going he's encountered.