The Horse Racing Thread - Part 2

[sammy]

German Oaks G1 over 1M 2F 206yds at Dusseldorf on Sun.
Although officially a Group 1 contest if this was run over here it would be classed around about Group 3 level. Oddly enough with the reduced prize money currently on offer in this country this was actually worth more to the winner than the English Oaks.

Miss Yoda was well placed here by connections. She's not proved that straightforward at times but made the most of her draw in stall one under Dettori to make the running and the change in tactics brought about an improved performance. She did hang left when shaken up 2F out and was headed inside last but battled well to land this a shade comfortably in the end.

[sammy]

Amhran Na Bhfiann was dropped back into maiden company and sent off the 8/15 Fav. Found the combination of drop back in trip and concession of 10lb to a potentially smart filly too much. Kept on after headed inside last after making most of the running, better than this and still has bit to learn, return to further can only benefit.

[sammy]

Just been reported that Amhran Na Bhfiann sustained a leg fracture and will miss rest of the season following surgery.

O'Brien said on Tuesday: "Unfortunately pulled up lame last night at Naas after the race and has a condylar fracture. He had an operation last night, when he had two pins put in his fetlock joint. We think he's going to be okay for next year but we'll see how things go. He's a talented horse and we're hoping everything goes well in his recovery."

https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ ... ure/445286

[Petingo]

Great news from ITV.

New three year contract to show the racing

[sammy]

Phoenix Stakes G1 over 6F at Curragh on Sun.

Strong renewal with winners and placed horses from Prix Robert Papin (G2), Railway Stakes (G2), the Molecomb (G3) and the Airlie Stud Stakes (G2) taking each other on.

Lucky Vega put in a much improved display to reverse Railway Stakes form with Laws Of Indices. Travelled fluently to lead inside final furlong and quickly settled things once he hit the front to win by 3½L. Dominating a G1 field with real depth in such convincing fashion makes this (on my figures) one of the best 2yo performances thus far. Should stay 7F so connections have the National Stakes to aim at should they decide to step him up in trip, alternatively the Middle Park at HQ a possibility if he stays at 6F, open to further improvement.

The Lir Jet put in a solid display, had every chance over 1F out and kept on despite being carried left at business end. Finished third but was subsequently awarded second in stewards room. Bit below form of previous two runs, a busy couple of months may just have taken the edge off here.

Aloha Star took a marked step up in class when a shock 33/1 winner of the Airlie Stud Stakes last time out. Easy to back in the market again she reproduced that form to finish in the runners up spot only to have been adjudged to have interfered with The Lir Jet when wandering off a true line in the closing stages. Interference looked minimal but was officially placed third following stewards inquiry.

Laws Of Indices tardy start meant he was always playing catch up in such a strong field. Put in some good late work, stayed on inside final furlong to be nearest at finish. Likely to stay 7F, Futurity or National Stakes likely if connections elect to step him up in trip.

St Mark's Basilica was the most inexperienced with just a single maiden run to his name yet strong market support saw him go off the fav here. Slowly into stride, in rear, headway 2F out, no extra inside last, took a step forward here markedly stepped up in class but just all proved a little too much at this stage of his career. Should be seen in better light when tackling 7F+.

Admiral Nelson folded tamely in this company, needs 7F imo.

Ventura Tormenta failed to reproduce anything like his Robert Papin form. No obvious excuses for why he ran so poorly here.

[sammy]

Novice event over 6F at Salisbury on Sun.
Ordinary maiden.

Minzaal was given too much to do on debut but fulfilled promise with a facile win here. Headway on bridle 2F out, led over 1F out, drew clear. Won't have learnt a great deal here though impressive nonetheless, looks an exciting prospect.

[sammy]

Novice event over 1M 53yds at Leicester on Mon.
Lacked depth.

Stunning Beauty confirmed promise of debut to land this comfortably at restrictive odds under 7lb penalty. Only needed to be shaken up 2F out before drawing clear to win this with plenty in hand, should progress further and will be interesting to see where connections aim her at next.

[sammy]

Enable to bypass Yorkshire Oaks in favour of September Stakes.

https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ ... run/446036

[sammy]

Novice event over 7F at Kempton on Weds.
Ordinary novice.

Lucid Dreamer, made all, quickened clear 2F out, always in command. Nice introduction, albeit in receipt of 7lb from runner up, beautifully bred filly, open to improvement.

[sammy]

Novice event over 6F 213yd at Salisbury on Thurs.

Sycamore showed some promise on debut and improved as expected here. Carried his head a little awkwardly when shaken up 2F out, kept on but no chance with the winner who was allowed to dictate the pace before kicking on. Will stay 1M, likely some more improvement to come, possibly handicap bound.

https://www.racingtv.com/results/uk/287 ... -2020/1315

[sammy]

Looks a decent renewal of the Prix Jacques le Marois on Sunday. With the introduction of quarantine for those returning to Britain from France it will be interesting to see if Dettori makes the trip over to ride Palace Pier.

[sammy]

Didn't have to wait long for an answer

"This morning I spoke at length with John and I decided to go to France. With Enable and Stradivarius not running at York, it made my decision a lot easier. Obviously Lord North is a good horse and I'll be missing him, but the prize-money in France is unbelievable. I had to make a decision – they are two very good horses and I've decided to go to France instead. Of course I'm gutted to be missing York, but I can't stop the government doing what they want to do."

https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ ... nce/446484

[sammy]

Action from the weekend

Handicap C2 (0-105) over 7F 6yds at Doncaster on Sat.
Steady pace resulting in blanket finish.

Tinker Toy saw strong market support on handicap debut off a mark of 90. Raced freely before asked for effort around 2F mark, every chance final 100yds, ran on. Beaten a neck & a head, a stronger gallop would have been beneficial, good run despite showing signs of greeness and will have learnt plenty from first competitive handicap. Remains with potential.

[sammy]

Denford Stakes Listed over 7F at Newbury on Sat.
Average renewal

Francesco Guardi took a step forward from debut upped significantly in class, shaken up over 3F out, ran green but kept on inside final furlong to take third place. Still learning and extra furlong should suit on this evidence, more improvement to come.

Jumby also stepped up significantly in class only ran to level of debut here to take fourth. Held up, shaken up over 2F out, not quicken inside last, first time on softer going may have had a bearing on promising effort petering out.

[sammy]

Novice event over 1M at HQ on Sat.
Ordinary novice.

Megallan made a pleasing debut in a race that Gosden has used to introduce some decent types, Roaring Lion the most recent example. Didn't settle fully early on, made smooth progress from 3F out, quickened to lead over 1F out, drew clear to land this impressively under hands & heels. Holds a Derby entry for next year, interesting to see where he goes from here, may have a another spin in minor company before stepping up in class, sure to progress from this.