With no GC and no kids sport for me I have decided to to a big review of the day for everyone.
I’ve said it many times that my record is nowhere near as good at EF and I’m not sure how people win there (if you have the answer, please share). It’s gone from always heavy (years ago), to ripping it up and then rock hard. Now it seems to be improving with new grass there. So it is an ever changing beast that I think I just need to see where it lands once the grass has covered the track, and nothing’s being done to it.
If I back leaders, it’s a swoopers day. If i back swoopers, it’s a leaders day. So it’s impossible to bet early until you see what pattern it dishes up. (In my opinion)
I’m doing something wrong there, I’m just not sure what it is. Just being honest, I’m stumped.
Race 1:
Was no surprise to see them go handlebars down with LE PALMIER but I was surprised how easily he found the front. He’s been avg lately and they had to try something different. BOOMNOVA just slipped across to sit off the leader and got a sweet run. Peeled outside at the 300m and just run away from them. SHAMATON and TARA JASMINE were both more than good enough from the back after spotting the leaders a start. NICCI TRIX was hopeless, looked horrible in the straight.
WASH UP: Not a lot I want to take out of the race. Winner far too good. Feel TARA JASMINE has a win in her this prep for the new stable but not an easy time of year to kick off.
Race 2:
They went hard enough early to give them all a chance. DIAMIL was the one the punters settled on and Kah gave him a great ride. Sat out the back and weaved her way through at about the 250m and drove him to the line. Wouldn’t sack ALNASEEM just yet. Drifted in the market and did too much work early. Can improve off the run. SIKANDARABAD and BIGBOYROY were both pass marks down the outside.
WASH UP: Nothing really to note here as the winner likely to go for a break.
Race 3:
Didn’t mind the ride on SEAT OF POWER, I just thought he might have slowed them down from the 1000m and tried to sprint. Instead he tried to steal it from the 600m and that played into the hands of the stronger stayers who run him down. YONKERS come out of group races and I was surprised he was a small drifter in the market. Class prevailed. OUR INTRIGUE improved again and now rock hard fit. Might have a win in it shortly.
WASH UP: Class won, played a bit to the front and not getting carried away with anything here.
Race 4:
STARTANTES is such a good horse but she’s got such a bad pattern. I put the jinx on her here and she ran pretty average for her standard. Easy to say they weren’t making ground before this but the runner up MINSK MOMENT come from last on the corner, got to the outside and ran very well. RANCH HAND was one I thought would improve sharply from last run and he was just way too good for this lot. He’s a very handy horse on his day and has more wins in store. ARENTEE was outstanding again. Callow got caught wide and not much he could do but the run was that of a good horse. Has had a huge prep and should be even better in six months time.
WASH UP: RANCH HAND way too good and ARENTEE is simply a better horse than I thought.
Race 5:
First two settling were the first two home here. Surprised Byrne handed up once EXO LADY jumped a length in front. Wouldn’t have taken much to cross in my opinion. In the end, the horse he handed up to was the one who beat him (SWISS EXILE). Both horses have run really well and put a little gap in the rest of them. POLITICAL DEBATE was nearly the only horse that went past another horse in the straight. Sounds crazy but go watch the replay. He might be a good one on the way up. Also come through the inside where nobody wanted to be.
WASH UP: Thinking POLITICAL DEBATE might be the one I want to follow out of this and might be better over further.
Race 6:
These were the worst conditions of the day and really don’t know what to make of the race to be honest.
Race 7:
PATERNAL was extremely strong late but all honours with DARK DESTROYER. He was asked to go early and under these conditions the win was unbelievable. Very hard to take off early and win on this track. The trip was my little question on him but off this run he’s a genuine Derby horse. A few handy efforts behind those two but none I’m super keen on following.
WASH UP: Super runs from the quinella.
Race 8:
Handy edition of the 10,000. MAZU sat just off the hot speed and on the corner it looked as though he might have been in some trouble. He soon picked up just kept finding under pressure. He got the Everest spot through the week and he deserves to be there for sure. Still upside and he can go on all ground. PAULELE was excellent as well, just couldn’t reel in the winner. ENTRIVIERE was exceptional from the back. She made up many lengths and is another who is in for a very good carnival. I felt ROTHFIRE was better but he’s simply not the same horse we knew.
WASH UP: The trifecta were all very good and can all win soon if they stay in work.
Race 9:
Nash was caught wide on NEVER NO MORE and had to continue to roll forward and ended up outside leader. With the 61kg and ridden upside down the run was really good. ACQUITTED improved off the fresh run and was winning from a long way out. You could see him travelling before the corner and it was over from the 400m mark. He’s a nice one on the way up.
WASH UP: ACQUITTED is very good and still keen to see NEVER NO MORE in a suitable race on a big track.
