The meeting at York this week traditionally gives pointers to the Derby and Oaks. The Musidora Stakes at 2.40 tomorrow sees several of the leading Oaks fancies in competition. Dar Re Mi (pictured below) won a decent looking maiden at Sandown and sets the Standard. She blitzed her rivals at Sandown winning by 7 lengths and looks potentially high class.
Cape Amber won a 7 furlong maiden at Newmarket last season before an injury prevented her from running again. She is not guaranteed to get this trip but I think the likelihood is that she will. The form of the Newmarket maiden has not worked out particularly well but Amber Queen is clearly well thought of by connections and is respected. Sovereign’s Honour ran behind both Dar Re Mi and Cape Amber beaten by just over 8 lengths and 7.25 lengths respectively. Sir Michael Stoute’s filly looks to have scope but there seems no reason why she should turn the tables on her two conquerors. At 25/1 Cruel Sea is no forlorn hope. A winner at Doncaster on her only start as a juvenile she did well to finish 2nd in a listed contest at HQ despite racing keenly. She clearly gets this trip, acts on the ground and should improve. The unknown factor is the Ballydoyle runner Moonstone, runner up on her only start at Leopardstown last month. She is very well bred and as they say could be anything. I am going to be boring here and select Dar Re Mi.
The 3.10 looks a hot sprint. I am going to throw in a potentially key stat here in that the last 10 winners have been drawn in single figures. This would rule out some otherwise likely contenders such as US Ranger, Soldiers Tale and Utmost Respect. So let’s have a look at some of those drawn low. Prime Defender (2) likes fast ground but has never won a race with more than 8 runners. Hoh Mike (3) is probably better over the minimum trip and possibly with some ease in the ground. Haatef (4) could be a leading light in the sprint division this season but is yet to win with an F in the going description. Beaver Patrol (5) likes fast ground but has never won outside of handicap company. Assertive (6) handles the ground and comes here on the back of a good run at Newmarket where he was just touched off by Zidane. He has only won once in his last 20 starts though and never at this level. Beckermet (7) is probably not good enough at this level and he is best in small fields.
My problem now is that I have ruled out the entire field! Well something has to win and I am going to go with Haatef – not too many miles on the clock and 3 from 3 at this trip.
I don’t have a strong view on the 3.45. Pontefract winner Ella will appreciate the step up in trip but her win came in heavy ground. Birkside has some good form on the all weather and ran creditably the other day when 4th at Doncaster. We know he stays. Sin City hasn’t had a lot of racing but was 2nd on both his starts last season. He is a talented horse who has a decent prize in him. He may well stay further than this later in the season.
I would be inclined to try and find something each way at a reasonable price in the 4.55. Tarkheena Prince won a mile maiden at Nottingham and looks a nice type with a decent attitude. Fujin Dancer at the bottom of the handicap won at Wolverhampton last month and like Tarkheena Prince is lightly raced. Collection looks on a handy mark. He was 6th behind Perks at Doncaster and with only 3 runs behind him should have come on for that run.
I wondered about Diminuto in the 8.30 at Bath as he has run well at the track in the past.
Good luck.
Photograph of Dar Re Mi by kind permission of British 2YO racing
ahorse 