August 23 – Naas – Timeless Tale – 76
It is very rare you see a juvenile win by eight lengths on their debut but that is exactly what occurred with Willie McCreery’s filly at the Kildare venue. Allowed to go off at 14-1, presumably she hadn’t been showing that much at home, but being relatively easy to back, she produced a performance of some magnitude. The way she quickened in the closing stages to leave her rivals trailing in her wake was very impressive and unsurprisingly, she posted a smart speed figure. The other noticeable feature was she managed to overcome a draw bias which favoured the high numbers throughout the day and. therefore, her effort deserves even more praise. Reportedly, she has been subject to plenty of interest from various parties for her services (said to be in excess of a million) but wherever she ends up, she is a filly to keep on side.
August 25 – Musselburgh – Needin U – 76
A low grade nursery but it was certainly a race not lacking for pace from the outset and the winner made light work of her field. Having her third start, she had been too keen for a her own good at Beverley previously but settling much better off a sound gallop helped her cause no end and she ran out a comfortable winner. Only rated 64 heading into this contest, she will probably not be penalised too harshly for this victory and, as a result, further success can come her way.
August 26 – Newbury – Crusherman 74 and Scythe 73
Two for the price of one in the divisions of the extended 6f maiden run at the Berkshire venue and both were impressive in their own right hailing from a yard not necessarily renown for first time out winners.
The former started the ball rolling by making all the running and not only was he pleasing on the eye, the data suggested his performance contained plenty of substance. Clearly building nicely on his debut effort over five furlongs, he can continue to ply his trade at a decent level at distances at seven furlongs and beyond. Of the rest, the runner-up, Kicking Bear, deserves mentioning for the way he finished off his race and there was promise too from the third home, Flick Of An Eye, who will know more next time.
Division two was won by another Brian Meehan juvenile, but this time by a colt making his debut and he was arguably the most impressive of the pair. A gorgeous looking son of Victor Ludorum, the way he went through his race was in the style of a horse who could end up being quite useful and it would come as no surprise if he were aggressively campaigned in future. Nice type.
August 27 – Ffos Las – Winday – 80
A very useful time for a race of its kind and the trip over the Irish Sea paid off for this son of Galiway. The further he went the better he looked and it will be interesting to see what route connections pursued with him in due course. Clearly a very strong stayer, Emmet Mullins’ inmate could easily make hay in juvenile hurdles should they decide to shelve his Flat career for the time being.
August 28 – Sandown – Drymee -81
A race where the well-backed favourite, Thursday Girl, was effectively knocked out of contention two out, but whether she would have contained James Fanshawe’s inmate is open to question and it is probably wiser to concentrate on the exploits of the winner. The way powered his way to the front and strode clear of his opposition was quite impressive and further success looks sure to come his on the evidence of this display.
August 29 – Chepstow – Midgham Man – 74
This looked a good opportunity for Rod Millman’s inmate on his third start but despite the relatively straightforward nature of the task, he ran out quite an impressive winner and posting a good time. Not fully extended, he eased 10 lengths clear of his rivals and having proven himself on softer ground than he encountered in his first two starts, there now becomes plenty of options for him going forward.
August 29 – Curragh – Miss Scott – 81
A competitive Group 3 fillies contest that produced a really stylish winner in the shape of a John & Thady Gosden filly going places in a rush. The way she picked up the front running Faiyum before striding clear was very impressive to say the least and her winning time was the icing on the cake. Handling the rain-softened ground well, there are plenty more races to be won before the season ends for a filly making her way through the ranks at a fair rate.
August 29 – Goodwood – Silverella – 77
A big field assembled for this fillies maiden but there was only one horse who counted and it was a welcome winner for a trainer who hasn’t had a decent juvenile in his care for some time. Taking a big step forward from her opening gambit, the daughter of Frontiersman seemingly relished the softer ground and this half-sister to Derby sixth, Rebel Rocker, could end up being similarly quite useful.
August 29 – Goodwood – Forty Years On – 83
There was only one punters wanted in this competitive handicap and the smart money proved spot on with George Scott’s filly running out an easy winner. Once the rain came, the confidence in her adding to her previous Newbury success grew and in the end, she made light work of her opposition. At the same time, she will come on for the run and her ambitious trainer will have left something to work on with regards to her future targets, namely the Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster and The Prix Foret at Longchamp.
August 29 – Goodwood – Zavareti – 81
Eve Johnson Houghton’s gelding was the pick on form and he duly delivered the goods, quickening well in the conditions to pull readily clear late on. He’d never encountered ground this soft but looked to relish it, which bodes well for the rest of the year, and he’ll fully deserve his place in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October – his odds now ranging from 8-1 to 12s. If facing similar conditions in October, he could well turn out to be a good each-way value for that Group 1.
August 29 – Sandown – Kokbastau – 83
Very easy to back beforehand, Roger Varian’s gelding defied his unease in the market with some aplomb and he remains an exciting horse moving forward. Indeed, if he obtained a clearer passage sooner he would have ended up winning by a much wider margin and he could easily make the grade into pattern level on the evidence of this display.
August 29 – Windsor – Maximising – 81
They went a good gallop in this mile handicap for the conditions and it produced one of the most taking winners of the day. Noted going well approaching the intersection, the son of Circus Maximus eased into the lead inside the final furlong and without being subjected to a vigorous ride, he readily pulled clear. Considering this was just his third start on turf, there are plenty of positives to glean from this performance going forward and she should also end up staying further than a mile.
August 30 – Beverley – Pivotal Voyage – 75
A well run two-year-old that paid to be ridden off the pace and the winner proved the money in his direction beforehand was well placed. Sat just off the gallop in the early stages, Kevin Ryan’s inmate was asked to make his move approaching the final furlong and once assuming command, he held the late thrust of Floral Maid. To add ballast to the form, the pair pulled well clear of the solid form guide, Cheeky Chesca, and it could well be the first two home end up being quite smart.
August 30 – Beverley – Harb – 83
J M Jungle landed the feature race, The Beverley Bullet, in gritty fashion, and while he ended up clocking a very good time, the performance by Tristan Davidson’s gelding at a much lower level is worth highlighting. Not only did the seven-year-old post a smart overall figure for the grade, his closing sectional of 39.5 was 0.7 seconds quicker than a horse rated 47lb his superior and he deserves to be followed accordingly.
August 30 – Cork – Magny Cours – 82
A open-looking Group 3 fillies contest on paper beforehand but it was blown apart by a horse returning from a disappointing run in the Irish 1000 Guineas. The trainer felt there were mitigating circumstances that day due to a number of veterinary checks beforehand, and the filly showed what she can do with this performance. She had previously run well in this grade but will have to step up in class now, with the Prix de la Foret on the cards in a month’s time.
August 30 – Goodwood – Light Of Dawn – 77
A lot of unanswered questions beforehand on account of the soft ground but the winner, proven under such conditions, once again showed she is a very useful juvenile with ease underfoot. The way she cruised to the front before quickening clear was quite impressive and she will be dangerous in many similar events during the remainder of the season. Of those beaten, Siena Storm got wiped out at a crucial stage and she deserves another chance to back up the view she belongs at this level.