August 31 – Roscommon – South Dakota – 77
They went a right old gallop in this two-year-old and unsurprisingly, the result was a very fast speed figure. The well-backed Joga Bonito was the one who laid his cards on the table first, but he got taken on by Lars Soldier (won since) and that set the race up nicely for Aidan O’Brien’s colt to come through and claim the spoils late on. Clearly a strong stayer, the son of St Mark’s Basilica appreciated this trip more than the six-furlong journey he had encountered previously and one would imagine he will be kept to a mile or even further in due course. As for the runner-up, it was a fair effort given he was softened up throughout the opening half a mile and he can gain compensation next time. The third home, Wunderschon is also worth noting given the way she finished off her race from the rear.
September 2 – Hamilton – Sod Hall Lane – 80
Furlong-per-furlong, the best time on the card and that usually suggests we are dealing with a very good juvenile affair. The winner was easy to back, which was strange considering he brought the most promising debut run to the party, and despite racing very keenly early on, he had the sufficient qualities to pull readily clear in the closing stages. Evidently more at home on the rain-softened surface than he was on his opening gambit, the son of Blue Point looks a nice prospect going forward and he is likely to be campaigned accordingly.
September 2 – Kempton – Joseph – 83
The 81 posted by Fortitudine (81) would have normally been the standout time figure on a card like this but the bragging rights went the way of the final race over the same C&D. The fact this low-grade handicap was marginally quicker than a progressive three-year-old likely to be plying his trade in better races in due course says a lot for the performance of John Butler’s gelding and the way he powered his way clear of the well-backed favourite suggested there was no fluke about the result. The four-year-old is likely to get a shot across the bows by the handicapper but he deserves his punishment and he can easily brush aside his new perch when he returns to the Sunbury venue.
September 4 – Ascot – Hickory – 83
Another masterclass by Saffie Osbourne who, apart from Billy Loughnane, has done more for her reputation than any other jockey in the weighing room. Similar to Hayley Turner in many ways, she simply knows how to ride the Berkshire venue as well as anyone in the game and to drop her mounts head in front where it matters most, is easier said than done. Her dads horse has plenty of ability but he often is the master of his own downfall but due to the brilliance of his pilot, the six-year-old managed to score for the fourth time at the track. Whether he can repeat the dose is another matter but he will get one more chance to add to his tally in the Balmoral Handicap at the final fixture in October.
September 4 – Kempton – Shiplake – 83
An authoritative performance by Kevin Philippart De Foy’s gelding who took his all-weather record to four wins from seven starts and on this evidence, he is likely to add to that tally. Always travelling well in behind the strong pace, the son of Lope De Vega came through to lead inside the final furlong with a well-timed challenge and he ended up winning with plenty in hand. A fruitful autumn and winter looks well on the cards.
September 5 – Ascot – Turty Tree – 81
A shock result based on the betting but Andrew Balding’s inmate was top on our figures, so this was a far more plausible result than it first appeared. Once it was clear Heyzoom was going to blow out, the race became up for grabs and the son of New Bay needed no second invitation to strike, staying strongly to lead close home. A talented individual who, at the same time comes with his quirks, he will likely end up in The Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket next month and he looks the type to thrive in such an environment. The other to take out of the race was the third, Archers Bay, who spent the entirety of the contest struck out in lane eight, which ultimately proved to be his demise. A big, strapping type with tons of scope, he comes across as a horse who remains well short of his true worth in terms of pure handicapping and he too can continue to progress through the ranks.
September 5 – Kempton – Primo Lara – 80
Pride Of Arras (83) took centre stage timewise on what was an intriguing card, but the figure of this lower-graded race is also well worth noting. They went similar fractions to the Group 3 throughout this 1m4f affair and the overall time ended up only 0.4 slower than their more exulted counterparts. Although the winner remains one to keep on side, the big eyecatcher was runner-up, Tiernan, who came from a long way back to push his main market rival all the way to the line. Considering this was his first effort on an all-weather surface, future options have been drawn up by Iain Jardine’s inmate and he will be of interest if staying more local to his home base at Newcastle during the coming months. .