Tag Archives: Chelmsford

Racing Talk

California Chrome romps home in Pacific Classic

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California Chrome

Touted as “the best  ever”, the Pacific Classic didn’t turn into the thrilling three-way-battle everyone was hoping for. A let-down?

Nope. Certainly not! Well, at least not if you love to see great horses doing great things!

It wasn’t the supposed thriller because California Chrome demolished his classy rivals –  brilliant mare Beholder and gutsy Dortmund – in quite sensational style. In fact Chrome fans were able to count their chickens early –  the race was basically done and dusted already after the first couple of furlongs.

Why? Because the one big thing that could spell trouble for the reigning Dubai World Cup champion was pushed out of the way with ease. Drawn in barrier one can be tricky. But it doesn’t have to be.

From the inside gate, jockey Espinoza pressed on right from the moment the gates crashed open. Without much hassle he manoeuvred Chrome into the lead and let thimp settle into a nice rhythm.

And that was that. Case closed. No rival wanted to take him on for the lead; Chrome was allowed to dawdle along in front to set fractions that would suit him perfectly. Then from four furlongs out Espinoza started to go through the gears.

He was winding it up without any signs of trouble whatsoever. After an easy lead for the entire race, Chrome had still plenty in the tank and finished strongly despite being hand held, whereas his main rivals faded away.

What was thought to be a highly competitive race turned into a procession by a tactically smart rider and a classy equine superstar – which California Chrome undoubtedly is.

I’m not surprised and speculated beforehand that the draw would not be as big a deal as some made out of it. I also said California Chrome should be considered an odds-on chance in this field, despite all the hype around the depth of the field in “best ever Pacific Classic”.

Yes, it would have been interesting to see if either Dortmund or Beholder would have at least tried to make a race of it, if one would have pressed Chrome for the lead or would have made at least a big move at some point to apply some heat.

But then the five year old is simply in a different league to Beholder and Dortmund. He’s a battle hardened horse but more importantly a multiple Grade 1 winner on different surfaces at different continents. Breeders Cup Classic next?

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Sunday Selections:

3.10 Chelmsford: Acclio @ 10/1 Bet365
3.40 Chelmsford: Gentlemen @ 4/1 Bet365
4.40 Chelmsford: Always Summer @ 7/2 Bet365

Photo: AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi
Betting Talk, Ireland, United Kingdom, USA

AiR Force Blue Redemption Day

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Not often you see a horse cruising hard on the bridle entering the final furlong in a Grade 1 on the dirt, particularly if they flew around the track right from the start – yet Frosted did!

He posted one of the most impressive performances of the season, following on from an equally ultra impressive victory in Metropolitan Handicap back in June.

If you didn’t see the race, staged last night at beautiful Saratoga, here’s a chance to catch up:

Hayley Turner you beauty! The multiple Group 1 winning formerly leading female rider in the UK looked healthy and happy at yesterday’s Shergar Cup – which in itself was great to see; no doubt her ride in the Shergar Cup Mile was THE highlight of the day.

Super cool, with (virtual) balls of steel, did she rode Early Morning to victory – and given she hasn’t ridden much since her retirement, she looked still quite strong in the saddle. Well done!

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4.05 Phoenix Stakes: Air Force Blue @ 11/8 Skybet

Yes, you got to be a brave man to put any amount of faith in fallen Ballydoyle star Air Force Blue. BUT he wins this – hands down!

Why? Well, it’s obvious that everything he showed as a three year old is so far below anything he showed as a juvenile – therefore it might be fair to assume he simply didn’t train on. On the other hand to my eyes it seemed more like he had some issues bugging him him early on the year plus it becomes clear he doesn’t last the mile trip.

On the positive side of things: when dropped to 6 furlongs in the July Cup you could see a glimpse of last seasons class. “What???” Some will say now. Air Force Blue beaten by feckin’ seven lengths that day!

That’s right, though look closely, as he travelled like a dream for a very long time albeit didn’t get the breaks he needed when it really mattered….. I know I’m making excuses plenty will think… but….

…..Air Force Blue drops down to Group 3 level today right in to a field he simply HAS to dominate, particularly with good ground sure to suit. He’s by far the highest rated individual in this race. Combined with his weight for age allowance he is virtually unbeatable.

So, no excuses today. None! If he fades badly today then we get an answer the question whether there is an underlying problem… potentially breathing (*think loud*). Until then I give him the benefit of the doubt and say 11/8 is monster value!

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The Best from the Rest:

2.20 Chelmsford: Migan Lily @ 3/1 Skybet
2.30 Leicester: Zeinhom @ 10/3 Skybet
4.50 Chelmsford: Stamford Raffles @ 15/2 WH
5.20 Chelmsford: Not Your Call @ 2/1 VC

United Kingdom

Saturday Tips: All-Weather UK

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2.20 Lingfield: Class 3 Handicap, 6f

I expect a brisk pace here which should suit the short priced favourite. Hold Tight should definitely go well and won’t mind the drop in trip, but bottom weight Luis Vaz De Torres looks excellent value after an impressive performance lto.

He pulled extremely hard throughout the race in a slowly run affair which doesn’t suit him well, nonetheless he quickened nicely and looked good for more. The handicapper has been lenient, so this is a big opportunity to achieve a career best.

Luis Vaz De Torres @ 8/1 Ladbrokes – 5pts Win

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2.45 Chelmsford: Conditions Stakes, 7f

No doubt, Lamar sets a very high standard and on ratings looks hard to beat. The drop to 7f isn’t a problem for the prolific mare and she is sure to run her race.

But I feel lightly raced My Call will give her plenty to think about it and might get the better thanks to receiving 3lb and further improvement very likely. She won really nicely when last seen, which was only her third start and while this is tougher, she is expected to have learned plenty and take another big step forward, particularly with the step up in trip sure to suit.

My Call @ 7/4 VC – 10pts Win

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3.20 Chelmsford: Class 2 Handicap, 10f

Quite an open race, albeit very competitive. The underestimated runner could be William Haggas inmate Our Channel. Not quite a straightforward individual, but surely talented, he impressed at his comeback run last month at Lingfield.

I expect him to come on quite a bit for that runner-up effort. He steps up to 10f now, a trip he has won at in the past – back in 2012 the Derby Trial Epsom, in fact. Off a mark off 95 he travels quite nicely into this race too.

Our Channel @ 6/1 Ladbrokes – 5pts Win

United Kingdom

Quick Witted worth a punt

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1.30 Chelmsford: Maiden Stakes, 1m 2f

This seems a rather hot affair for a maiden on a dreary Sunday at the Chelmsford All-Weather. Plenty of trainers and jockey come out here for only this one race.

So does Harry Dunlop and Pat Cosgrave. Dunlop saddles the one time raced filly Quick Witted, who was a modest seven of 13 on her debut three weeks ago at Kempton over 1m. She was seriously outpaced over three furlongs out but run on well to the line, if one wants to give her credit.

She’s quite nicely bred for a race of this type though, and clearly should enjoy the step up to 10f today, which looks more a trip suitable.

The fact that Cosgrave comes down for this one ride suggests she may not only in for another educational ride, given the jockey has been remarkably hot in the last couple of weeks. The filly is a huge price in the betting nonetheless, but for that reason worth a nibble.

Quick Witted @ 22/1 Coral – 5pts Win

United Kingdom

Chemlsford: Flighty will enjoy new trip

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Newmarket Rowley Mile Winning post

2.00 Chelmsford: Class 4 Fillies’ Handicap, 1m 5f

This looks an open contest with more than half of the field in with realistic chances. However High And Flighty went into my notebook back in November when an excellent runner-up at Wolverhampton over 12f, as she was the only one from those up with the pace able to sustain a real effort to the line, while I thought back then a step up in trip could be interesting for this filly.

She tries this slightly further distance for the first time now after a disappointing run at Lingfield in the meantime, although in a hot little race.

High And Flighty has still not too many miles on the clock and looks capable off her current mark. Now going against her own sex she could be really competitive in a race like this here.

 High And Flighty @ 8/1 VC – 5pts Win

United Kingdom

Chelmsford: Jassur deserves another chance

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Gordon Lord Byron

6.10 Chelmsford: Class 6 Nursery, 1m 2f

Competitive affair and more open than the market suggests in my mind. The favourite has a big shout of an unchanged mark after an excellent performance lto but looks a skinny price nonetheless.

Goldenfield and Jassur both ran eye-catchingly in the same race last month, which looks strong form in my mind.

Goldenfield fared better, tracking the pace and just came up short. A 2lb hike in the mark is fair and he may improve again.

Jassur is more interesting though, given his big price tag. He set a suicidal pace the last time but was still there in the home straight; it was no surprise to see him fade badly eventually. The merit of the performance looks better than the bare result suggests

He won at Chelmsford over 10f before by a street and could easily have more to offer off his current mark, particularly with a different ride.

Jassur @ 10/1 Paddy Power – 5pts Win

Global Racing

Boonga Roogeta a prime chance at Chelmsford

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Iron Major Dundalk

6.40 Chelmsford: Class 4 Handicap, 1m

This looks an uncompetitive affair where only a couple have legitimate credentials to go close. I feel Moonlight Venture is one of those, despite a long losing run. He is down to handy weight though and with blinkers fitted could be ready for a big run.

Fantasy Gladiator has been in excellent form all year long, so can’t be discounted. He hasn’t been quite as good in his last two starts but is the sort to bounce back. That says off his current mark he has not much room for error and needs to have everything fall right.

Only once out of the top three in the last ten starts, Shifting Star has to be taken seriously. He won a Windsor when last seen and now back on the the All-Weather is not an inconvenience. Only 2lb higher today he should go close but strike rate on the AW isn’t quite that exciting and he has to be at his very best to win.

Never underestimate a Richard Hannon Runner, so Steal The Scene as the only three year old in the race is an interesting contender. He has only won over the shorter 6f & 7f trips so far and that means he might be vulnerable over this additional furlong today.

No doubt Boonga Roogeta is the horse to beat here in my mind. The mare has had a fine season with two wins here at the Chelmsford All-Weather. She won a class 4 Handicap over 10f against the boys and landed a valuable class 2 Fillies Handicap over 1m in June.

She is best suited to 10f usually, so the trip is sharp enough. However given that she is a CD winner, and the fact that there is plenty of pace expected in this race, it must not be a problem. It is true that Boonga Roogeta likes to make all but she doesn’t necessarily has to. When she won here the last time she was tracking a brisk pace. The same scenario could happen here today.

With the visor back on, a good apprentice in the saddle, and the mare being on a mark 1lb below when she won here in June, I believe she has an absolute prime chance to win this contest.

Boonga Roogeta @ 5/1 Paddy Power – 10pts Win

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8.00 Dundalk: 47-75 Handicap, 1m

Plenty of question marks over most runners in this field ad the market reflects exactly that with 10 times maiden Will Excel the 4/1 favourite at the moment. The three year old has been five times placed though and that gives him a prime chance on his handicap debut off a fair mark. The new trip may bring out a bit of improvement as well.

Not a Bad Oul Day has won his last two starts, both over 7f, and hasn’t been seen for roughly half a year. Hard to know what to expect from him off a career highest mark over a trip potentially stretching his stamina.

The only other horse that really makes appeal as a win candidate is Iron Major. The veteran loves Dundalk an won here a similar handicap back in April. He’s 4lb below that winning mark now, although the young apprentice in the saddle who rode him back then and now has lost 3lb of his claim in the meantime.

Nonetheless Iron Major is obviously on a very dangerous mark now and that makes him a prime contender. The question mark is the trip. He’s certainly most effective over 7f and 1m stretches his stamina – but he has winning form over course and distance.

In this poor race I give him a good chance therefore. He certainly will be involved in the finish. If he gets there when it matters, we will find out.

Iron Major @ 6/1 Paddy Power – 5pts Win

United Kingdom

Saturday Night Selections

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Newmarket Rowley Mile Winning post

6.00 Bath: Class 4 Handicap, 10f

Baylay is a progressive 3yo who enjoys fast ground and has won here at Bath over course and distance last month. He’s only 3lb higher, which could be lenient as he won a shade cosily in the end, after appearing to be outpaced earlier on. He might well have been green, though. There is more to come and he has a good chance to follow-up in this field.

Baylay @ 5/1 William Hill – 5pts Win

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7.45 Chelmsford: Class 4 Handicap, 5f

Arctic Lynx is a multiple CD scorer which I feel is important at Chelmsford. He won off 73 and 69 in here, and is currently down to 69 again. He should be competitive from a good draw today, albeit he has to bring his A-game in this class. However with a low weight, he has a better chance than his price suggest in my mind.

Arctic Lynx @ 20/1 PP – 5pts Win

United Kingdom

Manomine can score off handy mark

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Iron Major

20.55 Chelmsford: Class 5 Handicap, 10f

The lucky last yet again? A pretty horrible race this is which leaves the chance open for either of the three generally lightly raced three year olds to improve to a level good enough to land this.

I go with proven “class” though. Manomine makes unusually big appeal in a race like this. The gelding had only two starts today and could better for those runs now. He also drops in class and has seen his handicap mark slipping to a handy enough rating off 67.

He has won off a bit higher in the past on the All-Weather and was placed off 71 in a good class 4 handicap last September. He’ll have to run to that sort of form today in order to see the three year olds and their weight advantage of, but I feel he can do it with a top jockey in the saddle. Track should suit him well.

Manomine @ 10/1 Paddy Power – 5pts Win

Global Racing

Tuesday Selections: Zhukova can win Cork feature

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Cork Racecourse

Good win for Harlequin Rock yesterday. Feels always good to get things right, as it doesn’t happen too often! Mass Rally looked to come storming home on the outside but faded away eventually. He needs more help from the handicapper these days. Katimavik was NR.

7.35 Ripon: Class 3 Handicap, 5f

This could be an excellent opportunity for the old boy Noble Storm to get back on the score sheet. The nine year old hasn’t been exactly close to winning this year but more often than not wasn’t disgraced nor far beaten.

He drops to a very handy mark now which should see him competitive in this grade, particular today with ground conditions sure to suit well.

Noble Storm @ 16/1 Paddy Power – 5pts Win

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7.50 Chelmsford: Class 3 Handicap, 10f

The two fillies at the top of the market could be hard to beat here. Talawat of bottom weight will go very close if she gets the trip against this better opposition. Martlet makes more appeal as she is proven over track and trip.

However I feel Taaqah is overpriced here. She went close over a mile at Chelmsford earlier this year, when runner-up behind Boonga Roogeta. She hasn’t been seen to best effect in her last two starts but the return to the All-Weather may help. She steps up in trip and that is the factor which may see her improving a bit again.

On pedigree she has every chance to do so as a son of Arch out of a Gone West mare who has a stake in multiple St. Leger winner Leading Light.

Taaqah has only one maiden win to her name yet, and that over 6f. It’s is not given that she appreciates the new trip. But it’s possible. There aren’t too many in this field with a realistic chance on handicapping terms and therefore I believe she is a rather big price here.

Taaqah @ 16/1 Ladbrokes – 5pts Win

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8.00 Cork: Give Thanks Stakes (Fillies’ Group 3), 1m 4f

This two times races filly Zhukova progressed nicely from her debut run when she landed a Navan maiden in fine style back in June. Trainer Dermot Weld was quite happy and was hoping she would make into a nice Stakes filly over further. Today is the chance.

She lacks experience in this field but is extremely well bred and should appreciate the step up in trip. With natural progression she can go close.

Zhukova @ 14/1 Ladbrokes – 5pts Win