August 9 – Curragh – Sun Goddess – 78
Aidan O’Brien’s filly cemented her stature as being one of the best of her generation so far with a display of some dominance and the frightening aspect for many of her peers is she only just appears to getting her act together. Several times this season she has looked far from the finished article and there was even times in this event when she appeared to be slightly vulnerable. However, she has got an amazing engine and her ability to see out strongly run races stands her apart, which bodes well for next year when it comes to the classics.
August 9 – Leicester – Robusto – 84
A race that developed into a proper war of attrition thanks to the exploits of Sahm Naif and Eve Johnston Houghton’s gelding proved the one equal to the task. Held up towards the rear, he came through strongly at the business to win going away and the time figure he posted was easily a career high. Rated in the 80’s not so long ago, it took a drop to 65 and class 5 company for him to switch his lights back on but now he has got his head back in front again, he could easily go on a climb back up the grades.
August 11 – Carlisle – Asia Force – 83
Karl Burke’s inmate had proved to be quite expensive to follow so far this season, but gelded since finishing fourth of five at Thirsk when last seen, he finally gave his set of connections something to cling on to. Setting out to make all at the Cumbrian venue, the son of Frankel soon had his rivals at full stretch and when asked for more in the latter stages, he found the necessary requirements to pull even further clear. Likely to gain a shot across the bows by the handicapper for this romp – a track record to boot – the three-year-old has the level of improvement to keep the assessor quiet for the time being.
August 12 – Salisbury – On Message – 83
Just seven to post for this listed fillies contest but there was no hanging around and the end product was a time figure which suggests the form needs to be noted. The winner was bouncing back after a couple of below par efforts, albeit at a high level, and this was more like the filly we saw on her opening gambit this term. Whether she can take her game up another notch remains to be seen but there is a similar race to this awaiting her presence at Yarmouth upcoming and she is well worth noting if she heads in that direction. As for the runner-up, Miss Scott, she kept on stoically to the task at hand trying to chase down the winner and she deserves an equal amount of credit for her performance.
August 14 – Cork – Alwaysanangel – 76
Joseph O’Brien’s filly was noted as being slightly unlucky not to defeat the likes of Senorita Bonita and Libertango at Newmarket previously, so it was somewhat of a surprise she wasn’t favourite to capture this weaker event on paper. Either way, she made light work of her opponents, coming through strongly through from the rear to lead late on, and her time figure elevates her to one of the best 2yo fillies we have seen out so far this season.
August 14 – Newbury – Angels Lane – 77
Just outrun in the Super Sprint over the C&D previously, Henry Candy’s filly had the right credentials to be competitive up in grade back at the Berkshire venue and she duly made no mistake, winning in the style of a progressive filly. Right from her debut at Chepstow (74 speed figure), she looked very fast and that view was backed up again with another big number here (77 in Super Sprint). The way she sees out her races over five furlongs, she comes across as being the type to stay further and that will open up options going forward – albeit she isn’t entered in anything flash just yet.
August 15 – Newbury – Wine Dark Sea – 86
Flagged up on this column as being a potential group horse based on his time figure at Carlisle, Harry Charlton’s inmate was on a bit of a recovery mission after bombed out in handicap company at Newmarket previously. Setting off to make it a decent test at the Berkshire venue, the son of Ulysees put his foot down at the three furlong pole and maintained a strong gallop all the way to the line, seeing off his rivals in ready fashion. You could make an argument that several of the main players didn’t turn up for one reason or another but the speed figure rather cast that theory to one side and he remains a progressive stayer that his current owners should have plenty of fun with down under.
August 15 – Newmarket – Bin Jahwar – 77
Godolphin have had by their standards, a pretty mediocre season so far but they have plenty to look forward to with this son of Ghaiyyath, who could not have been any more impressive on debut. Well touted beforehand, his odds suggested he probably had very little to beat and while that did turn out to be the case, the data suggested this performance was far from a mandatory one. Not only was his overall time good, the fact he was heavily eased in the closing stages suggests his figure could have been even better and he looks for all the world a group horse in waiting. Additionally, his max stride of 8.20 combined with a min cadence of 2.05 point towards a colt who is going to stay behind a mile next season and even now, his odds for next year’s Derby around 40-1 look extremely generous. Top class prospect.
August 15 – Ripon – Murashah – 82
We could have easily flagged up the Great St Wilfred time figure of 84 to conclude last week’s best performances but instead we decided to go with Ed Bethell’s progressive miler in the proceeding handicap. A comfortable winner on his first outing since leaving Charlie Hills, the son of Night Of Thunder was even more impressive at the Yorkshire circuit and considering he wasn’t fully extended, there should be plenty more to come.