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The 2003-2004 results are at the bottom
of the page for comparison |
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JULY 4th SUMMING UP
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Not a strong group overall and with ten rated under 55 on profile the race
ought to concern those with at least some positives and potential racing
for better trainers.
Art Market sets a solid but unexciting standard after a competent
debut in a moderate Newbury maiden. His trainer has had two odds-on wins
in minor races with similar types from 5 who placed in bigger course maidens
FTO. With a solid draw and an ability to race prominently he should show
some improvement but a better newcomer could beat him.
However, the rest of the field don't contain an obviously strong candidate.
Sprouston has a lot of positives and ought to be competent on debut
but his trainer's debuts in 2005 have lacked the final edge. He's also
poorly drawn in 1 and the trainer has not been upbeat in comments about
him. If he has above average ability he ought to work through to make the
first three.
Richterhofen's trainer had 2 debut wins from his first 55 runners
this year, both in moderate races at this track. His last 5 debuts over
two days last week produced two more FTO wins but over 7f. Both of those
wins were supported at each-way prices down to single figure SPs. He's
drawn 7 here and R. Hughes is riding and he's always ready to wait for
the next run if the 2yo doesn't get into the race on natural ability (unlike
P. Dobbs who rode the two debut wins last week).
Which leaves the well drawn Celebration Song and possibly Really
Given as other contenders for the first 4. Celebration Song got rid
off D. Holland to post on his intended debut and caused the injury which
kept the jockey off for a short period. He's the first runner for trainer
W. Swinburn who has taken over his father-in-law's stable. Previously the
stable used to have the debut runners competent to place FTO if they had
ability so it will be interesting to see how this first debut runner performs.
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| RACE QUALITY: |
A variable race and the last two years have been instructive in a number
of ways.
In 2003 with two runners with good previous form the race was dominated
by two of them who were well drawn and stretched the field out. Only the
useful+ Orcadian of the debut runners was able to compete with them. The
race was an interesting example of the 'power' of the belief in pedigrees
and 'top' trainers. Sion Hill who cost 375k gns was badly drawn in 1 of
20, was badly behaved and awash with sweat, but still started 5/2f. He's
still trying to break his maiden in sellers in 2005.
In 2004 the race lacked runners with strong previous form and turned into
a free-for-all with a 20/1 winner and longer priced runners filling 4 of
the first 5 places. The subsequent performances of most of the field was
a good demonstration of why longer price winners occur - moderate race
quality. In a field of 20 only 3 won later in the season with the 3rd taking
6 goes to win a moderate race and the outpaced 12th winning over 8f late
in the season.
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SIRES:
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First season sires with runners are - Mozart (African Concerto),
Mull
Of Kintyre (Richterhofen) & Primo Valentino (Ansells
Joy).
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