Saturday's Previews
Five smart-looking maiden fillies line up for the day's most valuable contest, on what promises to be another cracking afternoon of competitive racing at Hastings
JUST MISTY lines-up here on a hat-trick following two wins in quick succession and, while this represents another step up in class, he landed both races well enough and may have more improvement to come. INDYETTA justified her short odds to win comfortably last time under leading rider Amadeo Perez and the pair reunite here knowing a repeat of that effort could put the close to the winner’s circle. TAM TRICKY had NO PEOPLE behind her when winning gate-to-wire last time and she’s another for the shortlist, while TOBESUNNY did nothing wrong at all on her season debut and can’t be ignored.
While possibly not the deepest field of runners, there was still much to like about the way SELF SERVING put daylight between himself and his rivals to win on his racecourse debut last month. This is an altogether tougher assignment, but he’s definitely one to keep onside. DEPUTY’S DANCER did well enough last time on what was his Hastings’ debut to show the unique track holds no fear for the 4yo import and, if he comes on even a little from that effort, he should be thereabouts again. EARS TO US, meanwhile, drops noticeably in class following two fourth-place finishes in deeper waters and he is the one they have to beat.
HARLAN’S ANGEL has hit the board on each of her three efforts at this distance, has run well over shorter on all three of her starts this term and it’s hard to not see her playing a role here. ANIMA finished ahead of Harlan’s Angel last time, when both saw only the backside of Koala, but has never won over the 8½-furlong track. BAKZONE was third behind Koala and Anima last time and has no such distance concerns, although there’s not much between her and CERTIFIABLE, who is another who relishes the longer trip.
This looks tailor-made for ARUNDEL CASTLE, whose come-from-behind style should be better suited to the 8½-furlong course. She’s had both ELLAMEISTER and CHI CHI’S SONG behind her this season and is the only runner with previous experience at this distance – when she was a rallying fifth behind the smart Neighneigh in last season’s Fantasy Stakes.
BROKE AN BROKEN should be spot-on after being out-nodded on his season and track debut last month. The former Woodbine resident should also be much more effective over this mile-and-sixteenth course. SLOOP JOHN B’s only win in 12 starts came at this distance and he’s another who should be ready to roll after two runs over shorter. BETTER TONE drops in class and is a serious threat after two rallying efforts over shorter, while TRAPALIS had some bad luck last time but beat two subsequent winners on his season debut and is better judged on that.
JUST MAKE BELIEVE hit the board in six of his seven outings last term and lines up here after an acceptable first outing of the year over the less-than-ideal 6½ furlongs. He also drops a rung on the class ladder and it’s hard not to see him involved in the finish. In contrast, APPELLANT takes a step up after comfortable win last time. This is a tougher assignment but he’s definitely one for the shortlist. GOOD BYE PUTIN had MR QUALITY just behind last time, but there’s little between them and the longer distance shouldn’t inconvenience either.
Few of us will get rich following 4yo maidens, but HE’S A SAINT drops in class here, looking for his first win after hitting the board three times last season. He’s entitled to need the race having been off since last September, but is a 4yo against 3yos and sets the bar in what looks a wide-open ‘nightcap’. Fellow Mendez inmate GROOVIN’ IS BACK had BRIAN’S DELIGHT behind when just a length fourth to Accordingly last month and a repeat of that effort puts him in the frame. Well-backed PURSUE ran well enough when second to Force to Rekn With on his first run since last September and the lightly-raced 3yo may still be improving.
Saturday’s Picks
Statistics
Breakfast With the Horses!
Hastings’ Raiders Make Their Mark
Hastings’ trainers Rob Gilker and Rob Anderson flew the flag at Emerald Downs and Century Mile respectively on Friday evening, with both their charges finishing in second place with huge late runs.
Apologies for the quality of the screen grabs, but at least we have some photographic evidence!
Frankie Dettori: A Royal Ascot Love Affair
Next Tuesday sees the opening day of Royal Ascot which, this year, holds special poignancy as legendary jockey Frankie Dettori takes his bow after a truly extraordinary riding career. Dettori, whose name is synonymous with Ascot, is set to retire at the end of the season. Here, Frankie regales friend and former weighing-room colleague Jason Weaver with his memories of the famous meeting. Well worth 20 minutes of your time - NR