August 28 – Newbury – Into The Sky – 82
A bit of a quiet week in terms of top class action but we did have several notable two-year-old performances along the way, with this guy the standout by a mile. Right from the start, Jim Boyle’s inmate looked like he was going to make a mockery of his 80-1 starting price and that view was maintained throughout the six-and-a-half furlong journey with him eventually winning by a long-looking seven lengths. Quite how he went off the price he did is a bit of mystery and then when you take on board the speed figure we awarded him, it becomes even more of a head scratcher. A big, powerfully-built colt who tanked his way through the rain-softened ground, it will be interesting to see whether he remains with his small stable or some other big fish comes along and tows him away. Either way, he will remain one we urge you to keep on side whatever his fate and it will come a surprise if he isn’t tackling pattern race company before too long.
August 27 – Catterick – The Lost Sock – 75
Roger Varian’s inmate completed the old Ted Rogers trademark hand gesture (3-2-1) and in doing so, he posted a speed figure way above the expected average for the track standards. Breaking well to settle in behind the decent pace set by Mossdale Diva, the son of Cotai Glory loomed up going easily a furlong out and from that juncture, he only needed to be nudged out hands and heels to record a cosy success. Handed an opening mark of 84, there is a decent chance he will prove to be a good deal better than that initial assessment.
August 29 – Thirsk – Be The Standard – 79
The next cab off the rank was Hugo Palmer’s colt who put his experienced to good use in what should turn out to be an informative affair. On the sharp end of a solid gallop throughout, the son of Galiway had to dig into his resources to fend off the challenge of Accidental Bid in the latter stages and in doing so, he ended up posting a very smart set of numbers. Not only was his overall time good, the final three furlongs were comparable to the older horse handicap over the same C&D and he looks one to bare in mind for nurseries in the coming weeks. As for the runner-up, he has to go down as a colt of significant promise and an ordinary maiden up the north looks his for the taking on the evidence of his opening gambit.
August 29 – Salisbury – Pilu – 75
Roger Teal’s inmate made it 2-2 with a commanding performance from the front and it looks as though his handler has found another useful juvenile. Unlike his debut when he came from well off the pace, the son of Coulsty bounced out to make all at the Wiltshire venue and he soon established a big advantage over his rivals, a position he never looked likely to relinquish. A horse with plenty of natural pace, one would imagine connections will keep him over sprinting trips for the near future and although not entered in anything flash at present, it would come as no surprise if he next appeared in pattern company.
August 29 – Sandown – Sticktoyourguns – 76
Owen Burrows’ colt is worth noting on two counts, firstly, his speed figure and secondly, he managed to break the recent trend of winners coming from the back of the field at the Esher venue. On the basis he is one of the few horses to achieved this feat and given the way he hit the line, he must be a very smart colt in the making – one which should be tackling pattern race company in due course.