This weekend sees favourites Stradivarius, Trueshan, Spanish Mission, Zeyaadah and plenty more looking for success, while the admirable Malathaat looks to get back on track at Grade 1 level in the States.
For us, it’s all about York, Sandown and even California over Friday and Saturday with these little beauties:
Friday 20th August 2021
3.00 York (Gimcrack Stakes – Group 2) – ORAZIO
The Gimcrack is always a high-quality juvenile race, though this time around it could be one of the outsiders which proves to be the best of the bunch.
The outsider in question is Orazio, trained by Charlie Hills and ridden by the excellent William Buick. His winning debut at Windsor in June was as good as anything else in this field managed first time up, while his defeat in third place at Newbury last time can be easily forgiven.
He was bumped at the start that day and was found to have a wound near his knee, with a fully fit son of Caravaggio now expected to reach the level we all know he’s capable of. Coventry winner Berkshire Shadow is next best ahead of Fearby and Lusail.
3.35 York (Nunthorpe Stakes – Group 1) – SUESA
There’s plenty of talk about Coolmore’s American-trained runner Golden Pal, and while he will have been wound up for this superb five-furlong contest his form so far does not back up his position at the head of the market.
Favourite really should be the French filly Suesa. I was as guilty as anyone in naively believing that she needed six furlongs and/or softer ground before she went to Goodwood. There, she destroyed her King George Stakes field over the minimum distance and looks as though she’ll relish this particular speed test even more.
She could be simply too hot for them on the day under that man Buick, with young filly Winter Power perhaps her biggest danger alongside fellow three-year-old Dragon Symbol.
The latter seems to be consistent in various conditions, while the former is two from two over the course and distance this year and will no doubt have had her best form held back for this very race by the wily Tim Easterby.
There’s quality in behind of course, with Chil Chil, Emaraaty Ana and Moss Gill not ruled out for places.
5.10 York (Handicap) – ROYAL FLEET
Completing our trio of Knavesmire bets on Friday is Godolphin’s Royal Fleet in this classy one-mile handicap.
As coincidence would have it, we’re relying on William Buick once again in the saddle, but this is really all about an improving three-year-old son of Dubawi.
Three from three in his career now, Royal Fleet took a Newmarket handicap last time producing some good sectionals despite having to race all on his own for large parts. He’ll appreciate being in behind a more competitive field around the bend here and can now reach a new level.
Wishaah and Dejame Paso are also getting better, while Rifleman should prove to be popular in the ring. Aldaary remains very capable, but doesn’t look the best handicapped horse in the line-up this time.
Saturday 21st August 2021
2.25 York (Melrose Handicap) – MARSHALL PLAN
This is a hugely competitive race over the Ebor course and distance. Dhushan remains on an upward curve and can go well yet again, while old rivals Valley Forge and Moshaawer have plenty more to give.
King Of The Castle is interesting at the top of the weights for Aidan O’Brien, but the overpriced one in the field is definitely Marshall Plan.
John & Thady Gosden’s young colt has close form with some smart types on the all-weather, not least Mandoob who could yet make the top level.
He’s only run once on the turf when finishing 4½ lengths back in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot having endured a bad trip, and now this step up in trip to 1¾ miles looks ideal.
2.40 Sandown (Atalanta Stakes – Group 3) – POTAPOVA
Potapova has been ready to go for some time but her chances have been limited because of the unseasonably soft ground.
Assuming there is no deluge at Sandown Park, Sir Michael Stoute’s classy three-year-old filly can finally take her chance again and can prove to be too good at this level.
An easy and impressive winner of a novice race at Redcar in May, she was thought of as a Group 1 filly and contested the Coronation Stakes at the royal meeting. It didn’t go well there, mainly because of the going, but she’s overpriced to gain compensation in a lower grade.
Indigo Girl is an obvious danger, while the likes of Saffron Beach, Maamora, Auria and Waliyak may also attract some support.
3.00 York (City of York Stakes – Group 2) – SPACE BLUES
The unusual schedule means that many trainers had to decide on whether to go for the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes last weekend over seven furlongs, or wait for this one at York.
This race was always Charlie Appleby’s plan for Space Blues and he should really prove to be simply too good in faster racing conditions.
Next on the list is stablemate Glorious Journey, while Safe Voyage and Primo Bacio may also contest the places.
2.30 Del Mar (Pacific Classic – Grade 1) – ROYAL SHIP
There is yet more fantastic Grade 1 action on both coasts in the States this weekend, but while I very much hope to see Malathaat get back to winning ways in the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga en route to the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, she’s not a betting proposition.
The Pacific Classic however, a major mile-and-a-quarter event leading towards the Breeders’ Cup Classic, provides a little bit of betting value.
Express Train managed to beat Royal Ship last time they met, but it seems the shorter distance was very much in Express Train’s favour at Del Mar and so a turnaround is expected over this trip with Richard Mandella’s Royal Ship now favoured.
Two runs ago Royal Ship was beaten only a head in the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup over 1m2f giving away 2lbs, Express Train some 4¼ lengths behind on that occasion. Tripoli and Independence Hall are also worth considering.
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