July 24 – Pontefract – Can To Can – 94
Too green to do herself justice behind subsequent Goodwood winner The Platinum Queen on debut at Yarmouth, Mark Johnston’s filly proved a totally different proposition at the Yorkshire venue with that all-important experience under her belt. Breaking alertly from a tricky draw, the daughter of Kodiac soon established a lovely rhythm at the head of affairs and once straightening up for home, she gradually drew further clear. Clocking the best furlong-per-furlong time on the card, her backend sectionals also complemented her overall performance and with connections citing a Group 3 at Deauville next time as her target (August 6), this speedy juvenile is worth checking out in the morning odds when bookmakers chalk up their early prices.
July 27 – Goodwood – The Platinum Queen – 92
Staying on the two-year-old theme, and the next big performance from a juvenile last week came in the shape of Richard Fahey’s filly in a valuable conditions event. Hot on the heels of Trillium lowering the colours of some smart colts in the Molecombe Stakes, the daughter of Cotai Glory produced an even faster time figure than the Group 3 event over the same C&D and in doing so, she lowered the existing juvenile course record. Clearly very fast on the evidence of this display and the one before at York, something like the Roses Stakes at the Ebor meeting would seem the logical target for this speedy youngster.
July 28 – Goodwood – New London – 102
Charlie Appleby’s colt intimated when winning a handicap the time before, bigger and better things were just around the corner and victory in this Group 3 affair cemented that view. Very well backed beforehand, the son of Dubawi settled nicely in midfield and when brought with a steady run from three out, he stayed on best of all to win going away. Posting a smart speed figure in-keeping with the race’s status, this powerfully-built three-year-old catapulted himself towards the head of the St Leger betting and, with the distinct possibility of 1m6f around galloping track such as Doncaster suiting him down to the ground, it is hard to argue with his current 3-1 quotes for the final Classic of the season.
July 29 – Goodwood – Rebels Romance – 99
Since retuning to action following a stint out in the desert, Charlie Appleby’s gelding has really thrived and victory in this Group 3 was easily his best so far on the figures. Clearly just as well suited by turf as he is on the all-weather, the son of Dubawi has plenty of options going forward.
July 29 – Southwell – Lizzie Jean – 99
With all the top class action taking place throughout the week at both Goodwood and Galway, it’s a surprise that there was a race good enough to make this column away from the two big Festivals, but in the shape of this Class 4 handicap at the Midland venue, we felt obliged to add it to the list. Nolton Cross ensured the pace was extremely generous from the start and when his legs began to wobble at the beginning of the home straight, it was left for the daughter of Nathaniel to pick up the baton and run hard all the way to the line. Pulling seven lengths clear of the front runner, she stopped the clock in an eye-wateringly good time for the grade and if she can translate this level of form on to the turf in due course, she is going to be a formidable opponent for any horse she faces.
July 30 – Hamilton – Dragon Symbol – 100
Archie Watson’s grey hadn’t been in the sort of form this season to trouble the very best sprinters, but back down to a level where he was very much the big fish in a small pond, he duly bounced back to something like his old self. Fitted with the first-time hood and given a more patient ride than usual, the son of Cable Bay came storming through from the back of the field to win going away and with this confidence booster likely to have done him the world of good going forward, connections will no doubt be dreaming big again for this top-class sprinter.