Since the all weather track was installed at Kempton Park it has been quite a lucky course for me with Cadre the latest winning tip there yesterday. He confirmed the promise shown on his solitary start last season and outclassed the opposition. He had been off the track for some while so may have had some sort of physical problem but if he keeps sound he should be up to winning at a higher level. A handicap over a mile or 10 furlongs perhaps?
John Gosden trains Cadre and he could well have another success with an unraced 2 year old at Kempton tomorrow evening in the maiden at 6.50. Alwaary is up against rivals with the benefit of a previous run but looks interesting nonetheless. His dam is an unraced sister to a 1,000 Guineas winner. Of those with previous experience Zaloof is the form pick while Hesketh may be capable of better than he has shown up to now.
I used to know a chap called Albert who backed any horse with an Italian sounding name; something to do with a romantic liaison in Tuscany I believe. Anyway, if you are a follower of names (not recommended really) you could take an interest in the 7.20. The winner of the race last season was Dream Day and tomorrow, we have Dream Date, Dream of Mine and Stylish Dream in the line up. Bit of a nightmare picking the right one!
Stylish Dream was staying on in the closing stages on her debut at Newmarket and may well start favourite. She is a half sister to the classy Echoes in Eternity who won a couple of Group races for Godolphin back in 2004. Dream of Mine is a half sister to the grey Rosa Grace and is another having their second run. She didn’t show a lot at Yarmouth last month. Dream Date was 12th of 15 at Windsor on her debut last month. She got a good write up from her trainer at the start of the season and may be open to improvement. Of the three “Dreams” Stylish Dream looks the one to be on based on their respective debut runs. I would be quite interested in Dream Date at a bigger price.
There are 3 runners from my list to follow in the last race on the Kempton card at 9.20. Ascot Lime has been improving with his races and won a handicap at Sandown last month. He stayed on well enough that day and should be OK over the extra furlong tomorrow. William Blake has form on the all weather having won at Southwell and Lingfield earlier in the year. He followed up these successes by completing his hat trick in a Beverley handicap. He has been a bit in and out since then and was tailed off when a beaten favourite on his latest appearance. I am not too sure what to make of him at present. Ajhar’s first 6 runs yielded one win and 5 seconds. The win came at the expense of Jalali who went on to hit the heights abroad. Ajhar made no show on his seasonal reappearance in the Group 3 John Porter Stakes at Newbury. That was back in April so maybe he has had some sort of a setback in the meantime. I wouldn’t rule him out here and he is likely to start at a fair price.
I made a note of a horse called Konka at the start of the season based on pedigree and trainer comments. In her 2 runs so far though she has only beaten 1 of her 28 rivals so I am not going to be pushing her claims in the Catterick 2.30!
Smarterthanuthink won a handicap at Hamilton in June and was then 2nd in a four runner handicap at Ripon. Made favourite on his last start at Doncaster he finished last of the 8 runners. He hasn’t always looked a straightforward ride and might be best watched for the time being. He represents my list to follow in the 3.30.
Charles Parnell is another qualifier from my list at Catterick and runs in the 4.00. He has proved expensive to follow of late and has been tried unsuccessfully over 7 furlongs. Back to 6 furlongs tomorrow at Catterick where he is a course and distance winner he may just be a little high in the weights at present.
My best offering at Catterick is probably Mr Crystal in the 5.00. He was runner up to Let it Be at the Yorkshire track 9 days ago but now meets that rival on better terms. He is consistent and should go close.
Film Maker has done well for my list to follow with 2 wins so far. His last success was at Great Leighs where he won well and he should have a fair chance of following up under a penalty in the 3.50 at Lingfield tomorrow.
There are a couple of runners from my list in the 4.20, Navajo Joe and Sortita. Navajo Joe won a Lingfield maiden over a mile in June, justifying favouritism to beat Visions of Johanna. He then finished last of 11 runners in a valuable Ascot handicap. Sortita has only run 3 times and is yet to finish out of the first 3. She won her last start, a Doncaster maiden and she is my selection here.
Albarouche, a Sadler’s Wells filly and sister to Derby runner up Dragon Dancer runs in the 5.20. She won over tomorrow’s trip at Kempton earlier in the season and put up a creditable display when runner up at Sandown on her most recent appearance. She looks to have a decent chance tomorrow.
That is about it for today. Just one word on a 2 year old to follow when she runs next time. I was quite impressed with Suba (pictured above), a Godolphin filly when she was 3rd behind more experienced rivals on her debut at Newbury. She is a half sister to the high class Dubawi.
My thanks to David Hebb for allowing me to use his photo of Catterick racecourse. The picture of Suba is by courtesy of British 2YO Racing.
Be lucky!
ahorse 