British 2yo Racing - 2005 Season Race Report

BRITISH 2YO RACING - 2005 Season Race Report

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059: Thirsk, April 30th : 5f (4) Novice

RACE SUMMARY

Another muddling race run on softer ground at the course and not easy to assess although the overall level of form looks moderate. Ooh Aah Camara ran to a similar level as she did here in similar conditions LTO after getting outpaced and plugging on through faders.

The possible stands' rail bias in the later stages of the race may have been in evidence with Bow Bridge going clear in the last furlong racing closest to the rail. Mr Rooney who was second closest to the rail appeared to 'rally' in the last half furlong to recover third.

The race seemed to be run at a strongish pace and it did not show the normal 'quickening' after 2f out. Instead the pacemakers seemed to be stalling by 1.5f out and then just plugging on from there. The front five were all close together before 1f out spread across the track and it turned into a 'slugging match' from there on.

The following tables gives the ratings given to the actual race performances ('Estimate') compared to the Profile ratings assigned before the race. Boxes in green indicate a runner that over-performed in the race against the pre-race profile and in pink one that notably under-performed.


	Bow Bridge	Ooh Aah Camara	Mr Rooney	Lord Jack Flash	Sands Crooner	Ace Baby
[Estimate] Post Race	69	66	66	63	58	0
Pre-race Profile	62	68	79	78	64	64

Bow Bridge Supported from 9/2 to 7/2 as third favourite having won well from newcomers in similar ground conditions 7 days before. Broke ok and taken behind the pacemakers to settle third on the stands' rail. Tracked the good pace by 1.5 lengths at halfway and travelling ok. The pacemakers stalled from inside 2f out and drifted left towards the centre of the course and the 'closers' followed leaving her alone on the rail and taking the straightest course. She made 2 lengths on the stalled runners in centre track in the last half furlong and keeping on at the finish although in a slow time. Possibly under-rated previously but has shown form on softer ground. Well held by Mr Rooney (3rd here) on firmer ground on a stiffer track on her debut.

Ooh Aah Camara 8/1. Similar performance to her win here in softer ground conditions. Got a little outpaced here with a stronger pace and driven before halfway and 3 lengths+ off the pacemaker. Drifted left hand to centre track after halfway with the stalled pacemakers. As with her win she then plugged on without showing any pace to go through the faders to take second. Another 'staying' performance by a bigger filly.

Mr Rooney Steady around 11/8f. Broke well and got into a minor duel for the pacemaking with Lord Jack Flash off the stands' rail. Set a solid pace which had Ace Baby & Ooh Aah Camara under pressure from the start. Appeared to stall along with the other pacemaker inside 2f out and they drifted left to centre track. Looked tired in the last furlong and plugging on. Looked to rally a little to retake 3rd late on but possibly because he hit some better ground as he raced second closest to the rail (the winner was closest). Ran below form and possible excuses with the ground and the strong pace. Even so he 'cracked' earlier in the race than you would like. Behind a filly he beat comfortably on better ground (on her debut). Did best of the stalled pace.

Lord Jack Flash Drifted from 9/4 to 3/1 as second favourite with a 5lb apprentice. Set an uncontested lead on better ground LTO and while easily beaten by a better type (Cool Creek) he kept on well to show 70+ form. Drawn on the outside he broke first and got into a minor duel for the lead with Mr Rooney on this softer ground. He ran slightly freely and the apprentice seemed to be trying to pull him back and settle him (even at halfway when Mr Rooney went by). Stalled inside 2f out and drifted left to centre track (as he did on debut). Tired and just plugging on from there. Ran below expectations and no strong excuse other than possibly the softer ground conditions.

Sands Crooner 28/1 outsider and ran a week after a 4th in a slow maiden race at Leicester. Tracked the ok pace for 2 lengths at halfway (two of the previous winners couldn't). Drifted left to centre track with the stalled pacemakers inside 2f out and looked to have a chance to win with the runners spread across the track. Faded in the last half furlong but probably showed his best form. Now had three runs in 14 days on softer ground and shown improvement but only to a moderate level. Hard to estimate what the next step in this 'plan' is.

Ace Baby 14/1 5th favourite of 6. Has shown moderate form and a lack of pace in a win and a second place in two slogging races on soft ground in latest runs. Broke slowly and lost 2 lengths and outpaced behind a solid pace. 6 lengths+ behind the pace group at halfway and eased in the final 1f+.