Sporting Times
A sunny and breezy morning at HQ has also been an extremely busy one. The regular Thursday morning tasks today come with the added preparation of having 7 runners this evening (6 at Newmarket and 1 at Salisbury). The drying ground at Yarmouth yesterday was a little too firm for Sanam, and rather than take the risk, I took the decision to withdraw him and wait for another day.
The first of my runners is Qaaraat in the ‘Penang Turf Club Malaysia Handicap’ over 6f (5.25) Mr. Hamden Al Maktoum’s 3yr old has built a consistent profile as a sprinter and I am hopeful he can continue this progression. The forecast good to firm ground should suit better than the softer conditions he encountered on seasonal debut at Nottingham in April. I am hopeful this, allied with a step up to 6f will aid his cause in a very open- looking contest.
Next to the stalls from La Grange is Artic Spirit in the 6f ‘County Broadband Novice Auction Stakes’ at Newmarket (5.45). It is first day of school for Edwin and Margaret Lee’s 2yr old Intello filly, and this always comes with some trepidation. However, she has been working nicely and is ready to take the next step forward. I am hoping for a nice debut for Artic Spirit, and today’s performance will inform future plans.
Next up is Teenage Gal in the 7f ‘Newmarket Journal Racing Ahead Maiden Fillies' Stakes’ (6.20). Windflower Holdings 3yr old filly progressed well from her Kempton debut in September to finish a neck second to Caiya at Salisbury in October. It looks to be a field of potentially decent fillies, but I think she may improve again for the better ground and give her an EW chance in a very open contest.
Sporting Times runs in the 1m4f ‘Saeed Suhail Saeed Handicap’ (6.55). Mrs. Stewart-Brown & M. J. Meacock’s 4yr old gelding returns after a minor wind-op, and I am hoping this will bring some improvement on his 3yr old form. He has been pleasing me at home, and while tackling some unexposed rivals here, I am optimistic of a good run and give him a solid EW chance.
My second debutant of the evening is Moasher in the 1m2f ‘Heath Court Hotel Employee Awards British EBF Maiden Stakes’ (7.30). Mr. Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah’s 3yr old gelding has been given time to mature, and I feel he is ready to begin his racing career. Again, I am hoping for a good experience for Moasher, and that he will learn plenty from the outing.
Our sixth runner of the day is Grandscape in the 1m2f ‘ BestWestern.co.uk Handicap’ (8.05). Mr. Mohammed Jaber’s 3yr old gelding steps up in trip after showing distinct promise in his 3 maiden runs. I am hopeful he can progress further for better ground. His pedigree and homework suggests he will enjoy the further emphasis on stamina, and while I am expecting a good showing, he should improve plenty for the outing.
Finally, for today I run Amplification in the 1m ‘Heath Court Hotel Dining Club Handicap’ (8.35). Mr. Hui’s 3yr old gelding won his maiden at Doncaster last October, and after a slightly disappointing run at Newcastle in March, he returns to turf at HQ this evening to tackle handicap company for the first time. I hope he can be competitive from his mark of 80 and give Amplification a decent EW chance tonight.
All the best,
Ed.