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Showing posts from August, 2017

Breeders Crown meeting preview

The premier day of harness racing in Australia tomorrow with Group 1s galore for Breeders Crown day. Complete coverage from harness racing fanatic Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke . ------------------------- Aldebaran Park Breeders Crown Series 20 (2YO Trotting Colts & Geldings) Final Group 1, $90,000 2240m Tabcorp Park Melton 0345 BST, 1245 AEST ODDS LISTED ARE TAB.COM.AU (SATURDAY AFTERNOON) 1 Kyvalley Frank  (33/1): Only run was in the heat when running gamely in 4th. From this barrier should be able to finish top half of the field. 2 Wobelee (1/25): Shortest favourite of the day and the superstar 2YO Trotter of Australasia, three times G1 winner already. Could gallop and still win, could be what the sport needs. 3 Smashthemcalder (18/1): One of the better juvenile trotters in the state that has had the misfortune of running into Wobelee. Feature race winner at Stawell last month. 4 One Muscle Hill (40/1): Went within a head of winning one of the featur

Travers Stakes preview

A big night at Saratoga with Graded races galore and a very rare occurrence - all three of the US Triple Crown race winners turning up to run in the Travers, which means it's probably quite open with some late-maturing types in the field as well. Stepping up with the preview is regular US racing contributor, Jon da Silva - @creamontop . -------------------------- The Travers Stakes Grade 1 for 3yo, 10 Furlongs, US$1.25m Dirt at Saratoga 1744 local, 2244 BST, 0744 AEST The grim set of 3 year olds with possible exception of Enable and duller older brigade may not make for much speculation but it's worth reflecting that we are getting good races even if the rating boys are not unleashing the high praise. Also it may have seemed much that way last year in the USA as Nyquist and others were shown to have feet of clay and California Chrome looked like he could run like Might Bite in the RSA Novice Chase and win on the bridle. Then came the Travers... In under 2 minutes Arroga

Strensall Stakes preview

Opening the card on the final day of the Ebor meeting is the Strensall Stakes. Taking the reins again is David from AllWeatheranalysis , @AWAnalysis . ---------------------------- Betfred Mobile Strensall Stakes Group 3, 1m1f, £85k 1355 local, 2255 AEST A race that in which it generally pays to concentrate on the younger horses with three, four and five year olds accounting for 17 of the last 19 winners. Fancied runners also look the ones to concentrate on with 17 of the last 19 winners coming from the top three in the market 6 were favourite and 7 were second favourite. There is a split in the trends for the days since last run with 22% of winners returning from an eight to 15 day break and 27% returning from 61 to 90 days absence. This looks like it could be a tactical race with no obvious early speed runners so those that like to come from off the speed could be slightly inconvenienced. Mondialiste who won this in 2015 sets the standard and looks to be edging his way back

The Ebor preview

The eponymous feature of the festival is the time-honoured Ebor Handicap, and as always, it's a tough one to decipher. Here's my attempt... ------------------------------ Betfred Ebor Handicap Heritage Handicap, almost 1m6f, £285,000 1535 local, 0035 AEST Soldier In Action - classy 4yo who is on the verge of stepping up to Group class at a rating of 109. Ran on well to win a Class 2 handicap at Glorious Goodwood, nailing it right on the line. One quirk of his form is that his last few wins on the flat have been on the undulations of Epsom & Goodwood. Does he need that to maintain concentration or is he just so well-balanced he can win anywhere? Tough task at the top of the weights but he's earned his mark and is used to the impost. Trainer Mark Johnston has overcome his York hoodoo with two winners this week and going well with 19% winners in the past fortnight. The Ebor has improved in grade so much in recent years, it's only 9lb from the top to bottom so

Lowther Stakes preview

One great day of racing at York down (how impressive were Cracksman and Ulysses?!), three to go. The juvenile feature of the day is the Lowther Stakes for the fillies, and stepping in with a preview is David from Allweatheranalysis , @AWAnalysis . ----------------------------- Sky Bet Lowther Stakes Group 2 for 2yo Fillies, 6f, £250k 1425 local, 2325 AEST No really strong trends but horses returning from a decent break have a good record here with those returning from 61-90 days absence having a profitable 26% strike rate. Last time out winners have won 15 of the last 19 races but are unprofitable to follow as are horses having their fourth run yet they have a 21% strike rate. Only one horse fits the absence criteria and that is Happy Like A Fool but the ground and step up in trip have to be a major concern with the two-year old progeny of Distorted Humour failing to win over 6 furlongs on good to soft ground in eight attempts. Actress is my Today PF Top Rated but strugg

Acomb Stakes preview

The juveniles have been my focus for most of this year so time to knock up a preview of the opening day's 2yo feature. I don't think this one is as simple as it may appear. Quirky conditions, it's only for horses who had not won a race before July 13. So at the very least, we have 11 horses in form, and few horses that can truly be ruled out. --------------------------- Tattersalls Acomb Stakes Group 3 for 2yo, 7f, £90k 1425 local, 2325 AEST Beatbox Rhythm - off the mark last start at Pontefract, beating Chief Justice by four lengths but in a horrible time on a soft track (which may have been worse than declared). Topspeed figure quite low in both runs to date. Suited by step up to 7f, does he prefer wet tracks or was that just a coincidence improving from his first run? Trainer is flying with his juveniles (1-2 in the G1 Prix Morny on Sunday) but class rise may find him wanting. Chief Justice - missed start, settled last and ran wide when running second to the a

Juddmonte International preview

Highlight of the meeting for most racing fans will be the Juddmonte International where the star 3yos take on the world at weight-for-age. It mightn't be a deep field but it does reek of quality. Even the rank outsider won a G1 just over a year ago. Taking up the challenge in international racecalling prodigy, Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke . ------------------------ Juddmonte International Stakes Group 1, £1,000,000, 1m2f56y York 1535 BST, 0035 AEST ODDS LISTED ARE BEST AVAILABLE AT TIME OF WRITING (TUESDAY AFTERNOON) 1 Decorated Knight (16/1): Much improved horse this season. Winning two G1s in the Jebel Hatta in Dubai and the Tattersall’s Gold Cup at the Curragh. Career best performance two back when only finding Highland Reel too good in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. However weakened out of the Eclipse last time out. Don’t discount him completely and whatever the result connections can be very pleased of his outstanding season. 2 My Dream Boat (40/1): Not th