Thursday’ card at HQ typified the uncompetitive nature of the sport there this season with small fields even when the prize money is good. Ironic that I was also reading about how the BHA’s latest symposium of the sport’s great and good has decided on the next radical set of changes from 2024. I can hardly say that I am waiting with bated breath for the 2024 calendar to be published as the changes made for the last 25 years were approved by the same great and good with their delusional notions of horseracing utopia.
With the Friday card packed with pattern races, there has to be more prospect of finding a bet...
The reality is that in the opening Rosemary Stakes (1:50), none of the three older fillies look good enough. A number of the field met in the Dick Hern at Haydock, where Random Harvest was second, in front of Crenelle (third), Sunset Bay (sixth) and Thundershower (eighth). Crenelle was also behind Zanbaq when they were second and third in the Sandringham and although the latter has not been seen since the end of July, the Varian yard is bang in form. Whitebeam is an improving filly and she steps up from handicap company seeking a fourth consecutive win but she will probably have her work cut out against Sir Michael Stoute’s Crystal Caprice, also looking for a four-timer but winner last time of a quality Ascot handicap with a fair amount in hand.
There look to be good reasons to reduce the Princess Royal Stakes (2:25) to a match. The Nathaniel filly Poptronic won a Group 3 on the kitty litter in June and was second in a York Listed race but she was last in the Yorkshire Oaks (out of her depth) and the Newcastle win does not look good enough to win here. Both of Royal Scandal’s wins have come on the kitty litter and she was last of three on her only turf start. Voodoo Queen is from the in form Varian barn and won a handicap before finishing fifth to Haskoy in a York Listed and that looks short of what is required. The other Varian runner, Peripatetic, would need to improve markedly on her win in a three runner handicap. So that really reduces this to the two principals in the betting. Sea Silk Road was second in the Ribblesdale at the Royal meeting but subsequently only fourth in the Prix de la Nonette over ten furlongs. Her Ribblesdale run is probably the pick of form in this race. Godolphin filly ETERNAL PEARL comes in search of a four-timer after collecting a Newmarket Listed race followed by the Prix Minerve at Deauville last time. Although that was only a Group 3 race, Charlie Appleby’s charge appears to be going the right direction and may have the race run more to suit her.
In the Rockfel Stakes (3:00), there are a number of lightly raced fillies who could be anything but only a couple of form angles. Dance In The Grass was favourite for the May Hill but ran a shocker whilst Cell Sa Beela was a respectable fourth but I would rather be on the Johnston filly dropping a furlong. Kodiac filly Olivia Maralda looks the best form on offer with her close second to Meditate in the Debutante and she won her maiden at this trip. Of the ‘could be anything’ group, Cracksman filly Rich won her only start on easy ground at Newbury in May with plenty to spare, Leitzel has won twice at Haydock most recently over a mile, Eximious (from the bang in form Varian barn) won her maiden comfortably at Salisbury and Rage Of Bamby made all in a novice event at Leicester to double her career tally. However, on Tuesday at Beverley, I received information that Commissioning will win the Rockfel Stakes. When I looked at it and saw it was a once raced novice winner in the Gosden barn, I was not surprised that it was a short-priced favourite for said event. It was on the drift Thursday night as the money came for Olivia Maralda so it might get long enough to interest me...
. Won 11/4.