Feature race of the day at Goodwood, at least in terms of pattern classifications, is the weight-for-age cavalry charge down the undulating straight. Casting an eye over the crack field is blog regular Jon da Silva, @creamontop.
----------------------
Betfred King George Stakes
Now this is a race that could use a name change. Seriously if I said what do you fancy in the King George people would say whatever the Germans are sending or whatever that Henderson fella is preparing.
This though is a five furlong race with a downhill section.... Whoosh... Goodwood specialist track maybe but hardly narrows this down with seven course winners. Racing Post standard is 57 seconds so quick but not Epsom 54.9.
Only two carry penalties for Group wins, Spirit Quartz and Kingsgate Native. Incidentally if you want a dictionary definition of mercurial, Kingsgate Native is the answer.
Kingsgate Native
Hard to tell what he has left but did win at this level this year and won this in 09. Most of his best recent form has been in the sharper 5F races albeit I would not put a trend on him. Has a chance if you like him decide your odds.
Spirit Quartz
Like a younger version of Kingsgate Native. Has actually put in a couple of wins this year against lesser horses and in France against likely lesser horses. He is one I have looked to back over sharp 5s but can only say it's an impression. A more conservative view would be he has a penalty for winning an easier race. Not forlorn.
Borderlescott
11 year old. Won a listed race from the useful Masamah last year but that was a four-runner race. Love to see the old guy do it but unlikely to. Won in 2010 so more recently than Kingsgate Native.
Definightly
Been run a lot on soft and has seven wins from 30 starts. Even on soft found out in the L'Abbaye over 5F. Long break since April and does not have his ground I would imagine this is a sharpener.
Duke of Firenze
Dream trip as everything came back to him at Epsom in the dash so not out of the question on this sharp 5f especially with a little juice. Handicapper looking to step into group company. With Ryan Moore could be the one to benefit from a pace melt down.
Elusivity
Last in this last year and record in big races beginning to match his name or more accurately futility. Seems exposed and a bit behind the best of these.
Justineo
Won a Class 3 last time which told us little. Only had one other win in 19 starts. Recently cut back to 5F having tried 6F or 7F mostly.
Masamah
Seven of eight wins at five furlongs. Won at Ascot last time and won this in 2011. Ascot win off a 100 whereas rated 113 at peak. Suspicion he is not as competitive as when he won it and won last time due to a favourable mark. Eighth last year.
Medicean Man
Two wins fresh this year and with 34 days off freshened up to a degree for this. Most wins on good or better but has run well on Good to Soft. Late runner who will need some luck. Not far off on adjusted official ratings. Habitually over priced as form figures can be deceptive but I do wonder if last four wins in 11 to 12 runner races - balance of pace and gaps could be important.
Swiss Spirit
Best in on official ratings with no penalty. In the last year bumped twice with Kingsgate Native winning one and narrowly headed the other. Despite beating Lethal Force over 6F form suggests to me this sharpish 5 ideal. Fairly priced at around 6s. Faint suggestion in form 18 runners not ideal.
Bettolle
Italian sprinter with an official mark of 102. Now with Botti and given a prep run last week. Likely any price you like and one for Frankie fanciers.
Bungleinthejungle
Three year old not forlorn but has so far found himself over matched by older horses. Has won course and distance. Could step up here and place but no reason to suspect more for me.
Glass Office
Looks like a horse in search of a trip. Been tried over 8f and 6f, never 5f. Official rating 108 which is not out of this. All three wins on Kempton's Poly.
Jawla
Collared by Medicean Man at Haydock. Done by My Propeller at Ayr before beating useful Heeraat at York 5F. Course and distance winner in a class 3. Fast mare.
Ladies are Forever
High earning mare. Even better on synths (AW). Won at 5F off 99 Lingfield Poly and as a two year old strikes as more of a 6F horse but would not be an uber shock if she won.
Moviesta
Progressive three year old sprinter up to 104 now. Tries pattern company for the first time.
Smoothtalkinrascal
Beaten in the Dash by Duke of Firenze and off since. Needs a step forward but not a huge one and clearly has real zip.
Tickled Pink
Won Coral Dash from four of these with Kingsgate Native closest. Had the rail and was headed and rallied up that stiff 5f. Favoured but some suggestion soft ground not ideal and winning a seven-runner race at Sandown with the far rail maybe flattered. Draws barrier one here so maybe might repeat the trick.
Conclusion.
18 all with a chance. However I think a couple of older horses have solid claims at decent odds and I just favour Kingsgate Native [12s] under a penalty over Medicean Man [18/1].
----------------------
Betfred King George Stakes
Now this is a race that could use a name change. Seriously if I said what do you fancy in the King George people would say whatever the Germans are sending or whatever that Henderson fella is preparing.
This though is a five furlong race with a downhill section.... Whoosh... Goodwood specialist track maybe but hardly narrows this down with seven course winners. Racing Post standard is 57 seconds so quick but not Epsom 54.9.
Only two carry penalties for Group wins, Spirit Quartz and Kingsgate Native. Incidentally if you want a dictionary definition of mercurial, Kingsgate Native is the answer.
Kingsgate Native
Hard to tell what he has left but did win at this level this year and won this in 09. Most of his best recent form has been in the sharper 5F races albeit I would not put a trend on him. Has a chance if you like him decide your odds.
Spirit Quartz
Like a younger version of Kingsgate Native. Has actually put in a couple of wins this year against lesser horses and in France against likely lesser horses. He is one I have looked to back over sharp 5s but can only say it's an impression. A more conservative view would be he has a penalty for winning an easier race. Not forlorn.
Borderlescott
11 year old. Won a listed race from the useful Masamah last year but that was a four-runner race. Love to see the old guy do it but unlikely to. Won in 2010 so more recently than Kingsgate Native.
Definightly
Been run a lot on soft and has seven wins from 30 starts. Even on soft found out in the L'Abbaye over 5F. Long break since April and does not have his ground I would imagine this is a sharpener.
Duke of Firenze
Dream trip as everything came back to him at Epsom in the dash so not out of the question on this sharp 5f especially with a little juice. Handicapper looking to step into group company. With Ryan Moore could be the one to benefit from a pace melt down.
Elusivity
Last in this last year and record in big races beginning to match his name or more accurately futility. Seems exposed and a bit behind the best of these.
Justineo
Won a Class 3 last time which told us little. Only had one other win in 19 starts. Recently cut back to 5F having tried 6F or 7F mostly.
Masamah
Seven of eight wins at five furlongs. Won at Ascot last time and won this in 2011. Ascot win off a 100 whereas rated 113 at peak. Suspicion he is not as competitive as when he won it and won last time due to a favourable mark. Eighth last year.
Medicean Man
Two wins fresh this year and with 34 days off freshened up to a degree for this. Most wins on good or better but has run well on Good to Soft. Late runner who will need some luck. Not far off on adjusted official ratings. Habitually over priced as form figures can be deceptive but I do wonder if last four wins in 11 to 12 runner races - balance of pace and gaps could be important.
Swiss Spirit
Best in on official ratings with no penalty. In the last year bumped twice with Kingsgate Native winning one and narrowly headed the other. Despite beating Lethal Force over 6F form suggests to me this sharpish 5 ideal. Fairly priced at around 6s. Faint suggestion in form 18 runners not ideal.
Bettolle
Italian sprinter with an official mark of 102. Now with Botti and given a prep run last week. Likely any price you like and one for Frankie fanciers.
Bungleinthejungle
Three year old not forlorn but has so far found himself over matched by older horses. Has won course and distance. Could step up here and place but no reason to suspect more for me.
Glass Office
Looks like a horse in search of a trip. Been tried over 8f and 6f, never 5f. Official rating 108 which is not out of this. All three wins on Kempton's Poly.
Jawla
Collared by Medicean Man at Haydock. Done by My Propeller at Ayr before beating useful Heeraat at York 5F. Course and distance winner in a class 3. Fast mare.
Ladies are Forever
High earning mare. Even better on synths (AW). Won at 5F off 99 Lingfield Poly and as a two year old strikes as more of a 6F horse but would not be an uber shock if she won.
Moviesta
Progressive three year old sprinter up to 104 now. Tries pattern company for the first time.
Smoothtalkinrascal
Beaten in the Dash by Duke of Firenze and off since. Needs a step forward but not a huge one and clearly has real zip.
Tickled Pink
Won Coral Dash from four of these with Kingsgate Native closest. Had the rail and was headed and rallied up that stiff 5f. Favoured but some suggestion soft ground not ideal and winning a seven-runner race at Sandown with the far rail maybe flattered. Draws barrier one here so maybe might repeat the trick.
Conclusion.
18 all with a chance. However I think a couple of older horses have solid claims at decent odds and I just favour Kingsgate Native [12s] under a penalty over Medicean Man [18/1].
Comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for your comments, but if you're a spammer, you've just wasted your time - it won't get posted.