Horseracing Selections - Newmarket 22 July 2006
Newmarket, 22 July 2006
2:10 Lettergold Plastics Maiden Stakes
An interesting curtain raiser at racing headquarters, with Lawyer To The World forwarded as a sporting option to make a winning debut. Gentleman Pirate and College Scholar are also fancied to be on the premises, while any support for the Henry Cecil-trained Cavalry Guard would be noteworthy. The last named was an expensive purchase and, like many of the field, holds an entry in the Gimcrack at York next month. Cecil has been struggling for winners this term, though, and there is the suspicion this son of Officer will be all the better for a run. College Scholar is from a yard that has enjoyed a steady stream of winners and it will be interesting to see how the market speaks about him today. His breeding leans towards a slightly longer trip and again he may be one to take notes on this time around. Gentleman Pirate, having caught the eye on debut at Sandown, sets the standard in terms of experience. He was given a satisfactory introduction and looks capable of paying his way before too long. However, the strength of the Sandown form remains to be seen and he is not one to take too short a price about in a wide open contest like this. Therefore, it may be worth taking a chance with Lawyer To The World, who is a half-brother to smart sprinter Stormont. Along with a Gimcrack entry, this fellow is also a possible for the Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh; so has obviously been showing plenty at home. Steve Drowne has a 40% strike-rate with Neville Callaghan's juveniles and it will come as no surprise to see the statistics given another boost after this.
2:40 Vc Bet Aphrodite Stakes (fillies' Listed)
A solid looking renewal of this Listed contest can go to the unexposed Quenched, who is the preferred betting proposition over Pictava and Sindiranna, while Gower Song is another tough individual that appears to be going from the strength to strength. The last named does need to keep improving and David Elsworth's charge, who take a big step up in grade, faces her stiffest test to date. Sindiranna is open to improvement and is probably better than she consented to show in the Ribblesdale last time. However, she has a bit to find with the selection on the Ascot form and now has something to prove. Pictava had some useful form in Ireland before making a successful debut for Godolphin at Newcastle last month. The daughter of Sinndar comfortably accounted for Reem Two on that occasion and should make a bold bid to uphold the form. However, like Power Girl (also carries a Listed race penalty) she faces a stiff test on these terms and needs to be at the very top of her game. Especially if Quenched, whose yard have won this three times in the last ten years, has thrived since she was last seen out. John Gosden's filly was worried out of things at Royal Ascot and could only keep on at the one pace near the finish. However, this may be more her grade and Quenched, who was most impressive when she won at Lingfield, will be hard to peg back if she is allowed an easy lead today.
3:15 Chris Blackwell Memorial Handicap
Multidimensional has bags of scope for improvement and is selected ahead of Paraguay and Orpsie Boy, who make the most appeal out of the rest of the field. Orpsie Boy is unexposed at the trip and comes here on the back of a solid effort in a valuable handicap here earlier in the month. He should stay on breeding and a market move will be dangerous to ignore. Paraguay has done his connections proud lately and another bold attempt looks assured while the ground remains on the fast side. He is on a 6lb higher mark than for his course and distance win last month and now has to take on stiffer company. Watch the market carefully where he is concerned. Multidimensional holds the edge in terms of anticipated improvement though and this son of Danehill is very much one to keep on the right side as he continues to learn his trade.
3:50 Invesco Perpetual E.b.f. Fillies' Handicap
A chance is taken with Lipizza, who edges a narrow verdict over Folga, while Daniella is also worth monitoring in the betting market. Daniella won well at Goodwood last time and comes here on an upwards curve. The drop back in trip is not expected to be a problem and Rae Guest's charge has a reasonable each-way chance on these terms. Folga is a tough individual and stands her racing well. However, top weight does the mount of Frankie Dettori very few favours and she needs to be at the top of her game. Secret Night is also worth a mention, as this Dansili filly is a model of consistency. She has been found a little short in a finish on occasions though and has become something of a bookies darling during her rise up the ratings. Her supporters need to hope the drop to six furlongs helps her get home today. However, there may also be a bit more to come from Lipizza, who has dropped a couple of significant hints that her turn is not too far away recently. Neville Callaghan is obviously keen to keep the daughter of Spinning World on the boil and it will come as no surprise to see her visit Windsor on Monday evening if all goes to plan this afternoon.
4:25 Dodson And Horrell Maiden Stakes
The booking of Frankie Dettori virtually assures support for Grand Entrance but he ran encouragingly enough at Warwick on his reappearance to suggest he can play the leading role here. Mambonow and Pertemps Green are others to bear in mind, while Another Gladiator is also worth taking note on for future reference and is an interesting debutante for Kevin Ryan to be going to war with. The last named is a half-brother to El Rey Del Mambo and, having offered at fancy prices at the sales, he has obviously taken the eye on a number of occasions already. The betting market will tell us how well he is respected today. Pertemps Green was also an above average price when first purchased at the Tattersals Sales in October 2005. But the fact that he was resold at a �92,000 loss a year later underlines the precarious nature of racing. He showed inexperience on his debut and now has something to prove. Mambonow is a taking individual that has a race within him at some juncture. He will be very interesting in handicap company in due course. However, Grand Entrance gets the nod after showing he retains enthusiasm at Warwick a fortnight ago and is expected to be hard to beat if he posts a similar display here.
4:55 Join Racing Uk Club Handicap
Taxman gets the nod, while Mersey Sound and Maystock are fancied to provide stern challenges. Maystock is consistent and, having won off higher marks on the All Weather, has to be respected. He stays well and can do his bit to make sure there is no let up in the tempo near the finish. Mersey Sound has been a good servant to his yard and can be relied upon to pick up at least one race a season. However, he has already had his quota for the campaign and now he needs to have everything unfold to suit him. Therefore, we take our chances with Taxman, who is a good battler and, as he is holding his form really well at present, he is fancied to be hard to beat now that he has proved himself as a capable stayer.
5:30 Plantation Stud Handicap
A nightmare of a race to round off the card and Tony The Tap, who goes well here, is tentatively preferred to High Reach and Pic Up Sticks. It will also be noteworthy to see if any money arrives to support the three-year-old Woodnook, as he has an each-way chance on these terms and is no back number in the finale. Pic Up Sticks came good at Sandown earlier in the month and should be capable of going close this company. He races off just a 4lb higher mark this afternoon and a bold bid is expected. High Reach has not really shone this season and is better than he showed in the Wokingham at Ascot. Willie Muir's charge ran a more respectable race at York last time and, with the ground in his favour, he may be on the way back. High Reach holds an entry in the Stewards Cup and a penalty would do his chances of a run no harm. However, Tony The Tap has also dropped a few hints that his turn is not too far away and , with Tolley Dean easing his burden with his 7lb claim, this looks a fair opportunity for Bryn Palling's charge to gain an elusive first Newmarket success after a series of near misses here over the years.
