I thought the only member who did a 'like' every day for Attivo's start-up thread was Smokey? I put a 'like' in now and again, although I don't always refer to it. Attivo does a first-class job though, and fully deserves the accolades.
God, I know how to talk things up. Just found out I have got a NR in the 220. Ah well, that's something back anyway.
Champers Elysees is pretty much home and hosed based on her performance last time where she came home by 7 lengths from the re-opposing Auxilia. That win saw her official mark jump from 94 to 110 and that gives her a buffer of 8 lbs and upwards on her field in the Group 3 at Gowran Park today. Not surprisingly she is short in the betting for the seven and a half furlong contest on soft ground but at a shade of odds-on I just wonder how strong that Listed race she won last time actually was? The beaten filly Auxilia was a promising type as a 2YO but she has been disappointing this season. Rated 100 coming into this season, her form has seen the official handicapper drop her to 98 and then 96. She is 16/1 today and that seems to indicate that she has no hope of reversing form. I am a little wary of Champers Elysees rating of 110 and if she wins today at short odds then fair play to her but I will go with another improving filly. Pearls Galore is an Invincible Spirit filly who was with Freddy Head originally but didn't show much for him. She was moved to Ireland and won on her first start outside of France in a modest looking contest. She was favourite and that told its own story about how moderate her opposition was that day. It is the second start for a new trainer that brought Pearls Galore forward after she won a Handicap easily from a mark of 87. The four and a half length romp saw her rating raised to 102 and although only a handicap winner she is unexposed and more improvement, allied to the Favourite's potentially generous 110 rating means it might be closer between them than first appears. Pearls Galore appealed more at 3/1 to upset the favourite. 1.35 Gowran Park Pearls Galore 3/1
Apres Le Deluge never travelled a yard today Nass, not surprised Brennan pulled him up. Hopefully they find something and it isn't too serious.
Plenty of confusion on Oddschecker regarding dates of races. I have seen a few that are listed as taking place in the year 2037 of late. Anyway, according to Oddschecker Enable is running today (2nd September) they have also ballsed up some other races as being today but they are actually on Saturday. I have been looking at the Sirenia stakes betting and based on the possibility that some would drop out of it I took a chance on Mohawk King at 5/1. He failed to confirm earlier form with Minzaal in the Gimcrack but that was quite a tough ask on just his second start and he still progressed from his debut win with a decent 5th place. He is one of the lesser exposed runners in the Sirenia and the Gimcrack was well regarded by the assessors. Time Scale was the early Fav for the Sirenia but she was also entered and jocked up for the Dick Poole at Salisbury. Mystery Smiles was a length ahead of Mowhawk King in the Gimcrack but he's more experienced and a reverse is not out of the question. More to the point could be that Andrew Balding said that Mystery Smiles next race would be in the Mill Reef, so unless he's changed his plans he might not turn the colt out this weekend. Overall, I felt Mohawk King had more to offer and that he could just end up as the favourite for the Sirenia if it all pans out. Hannon also has Ventura Tormenta entered but he was poor last time and Mohawk King looks to have more scope. The son of Siyouni drops from Group 2 to Group 3 this time and should be a player. Sirenia Stakes Kempton 5th September Mohawk King 5/1 in the hope the field cuts up. Of course, according to Oddschecker, that race is on today, so we should get a good form line for Saturday.
Well the Fav got there but it was quite hard work. Champers Elysees had to be driven quite strongly but was getting on top late on. There wasn't much in it and the pair were clear of the field. I thought the extra half furlong was perhaps testing Pearls Galore's stamina slightly and I might be tempted to try her over 6F in one of these soft ground back-end sprints, as she didn't look short of speed today. Just half a length between them, so did Pearls Galore take another step forward, or was Champers Elysees just a bit too high in the ratings? Perhaps a bit of both but Pearls Galore will get the rise and Champers Elysees will stay on 110. Good effort from Pearls Galore, not bad in a Group 3 for a filly rated 87 not so long ago.
