DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY AUGUST 28
7.00 NEWBURY
GOLDEN REDEMPTION (NAP) (best price 2-1) finally got off the mark at the eighth time of asking in a six-furlong maiden here last time out and now returning to handicap company off what still appears to be a workable mark, Andrew Balding’s inmate looks set to continue his rise through the ranks.
Having run well on his first two starts in competitive handicaps for new connections, one of which came over today’s track, the son of Megdalia D’Oro looked to have been found a golden opportunity to shed his maiden tag on his return to the Berkshire venue and as the market predicted beforehand, he made light work of his nine opponents.
That said, he did post the sort of speed figure which grabbed the attention of form aficionados, and it has come as no surprise to see the second and third enhance the credentials of the race in question since – both winning.
Although the drop back in trip certainly didn’t do him any harm 23 days ago, the way he hit the line suggested a return to seven-furlongs wouldn’t pose too many issues and hailing from a yard who continue to churn out the winners like a Jannik Sinner forehand, the improving three-year-old rates a confident choice to keep the general theme ticking along.
GOLDEN REDEMPTION – 2-points sin@2-1
7.15 SOUTHWELL
Ian Williams has been a decent contributor to the Wales & The West’s cause in the racing league so far to date and the Worcestershire handler looks to have another potential high points scorer in this staying contest courtesy of ZEALANDIA (best price 9-2).
It’s no coincidence that Williams’ two winners in this competitive have been in middle distance races (Silent Age and Beylerbeyi) and this son of Sea The Moon went close to adding himself to the list when a close-up third in a competitive two-mile affair at Newcastle in Round 5.
Chillhi ensured the pace was an honest one from the outset at the Gosforth Park circuit and having broken well to race handy early, the eight-year-old lost his position to find himself towards the rear turning for home.
However, he stayed on extremely well in the final three furlongs to put himself in with a chance of pulling off an unlikely success and even though he just missed out in the end, his speed figure in defeat was by some way a career high.
Looking at tonight’s race, it very much lacks the strength in depth in comparison to last week’s assignment and providing he can run to a similar level, he seems likely to feature in his bid to go two places better.
ZEALANDIA – 1-point each-way@9-2