Our shouts this week are rather Godolphin heavy, but such is their dominance of racing in various territories these days.
The Boys in Blue have some outstanding chances across the world this weekend, and we’re going for a number of theirs to score alongside a Cheveley Park filly who could finally come of age.
Friday 6th August 2021
6.08 Newmarket (Newcomers’ Maiden Stakes) – HAFIT
The market is bound to be informative here, as you’d expect so keep that in mind, but one horse very much stands out on paper.
Based on breeding, relations and price tag allied with what is usually expected of one of Charlie Appleby’s better juveniles on debut, Hafit is the most obvious winner.
One of the most expensive buys anywhere in Europe last year, Hafit is related to Attraction, Thibaan, Brundtland, Hukum and Baaed. Money for Just Wonder, Laasudood or Millennial Moon would be of interest.
10.39 Saratoga (Troy Stakes – Grade 3) – LAZULI
Lazuli is a sprinter I’ve followed for some time, one that is a Listed and dual Group 3 winner yet has been handled patiently by Charlie Appleby.
He hasn’t been thrown in at the top level yet, indeed even this $200,000 event is run at Grade 3 standard, but he has terrific ability and has been sent to the States to take part in this fantastic Saratoga summer meet in order to get his preferred fast ground.
The turf is firm at Saratoga currently which will be ideal, and this chap definitely has the pace to see off the locals, with the only slight negative being his draw in gate 10. He would have been a more confident shout from an inside berth, but with a local morning line price of 8/1 we can afford to take a chance.
Saturday 7th August 2021
2.25 Haydock (Handicap) – ROYAL MEWS
Rain is expected before racing at Haydock on Saturday, but as long as there is no Goodwood-style deluge then it shouldn’t bother Royal Mews who can score for the Gosdens.
Dubai Mirage, Fantastic Fox and Thibaan all have solid credentials, but none are any significant way ahead of the handicapper and so this selection is all about potential.
Sandwiched between two poor runs was a rather nice win at Lingfield on a fast surface for Royal Mews, an easy 6½-length success and one that even without improvement makes him potentially well in here off 91.
He’s ready to go again, and it’s noted that the top three rated offspring of Siyouni; St Marks Basilica, Sottsass and Le Brivido, all went very well on rain-softened ground so if the clouds do open up it should play into his hands.
3.35 Haydock (Dick Hern Stakes – Listed Race) – POTAPOVA
Assuming good to soft ground or better, we should finally see the sort of performance we’ve been waiting for from Sir Michael Stoute’s Potapova.
There is some quality around in this line-up, Maamora is especially expected to go well in a first-time visor, but Cheveley Park have far from given up on this filly being a Group 1 horse and she can win en route to bigger and better things.
Potapova hated the ground went thrown into top company at Royal Ascot, but other than that she’s two for two after winning very easily on debut and in a novice at Redcar and now she is ready for new heights under a jockey, Richard Kingscote, who could ride a winner at Haydock with his goggles blacked out.
4.00 Newmarket (Handicap) – KOMACHI
This is just a small race, only four go to post, but it’s full of quality as a Class 2 event and all of the quartet have a chance on the book.
Far Hope is perhaps the worst handicapped, Zagato after him, while Storm Damage is likely to be fancied to carry on Saeed bin Suroor’s terrific run. That horse’s Godolphin team mate, Komachi, is the one taken to score however.
Charlie Appleby’s runner has been in some good company, chasing home Oo De Lally on debut and Baeed last time with a win thrown in between, and looks capable of running to mark some 7lbs or more above his first handicap mark.
4.30 Newmarket (Handicap) – QUINTILLUS
I liked Quintillus at a big price at Ascot where he was third, and again for his intended run last weekend before he was pulled out on account of the ground.
He’s ready to win alright, and can prove it over a seven-furlong track which is likely to suit under William Buick with Fame And Acclaim and Lexington Dash next on the list.
10.10 Saratoga (Saratoga Derby Invitational – Grade 1) – SECRET PROTECTOR
Saratoga’s meet continues and there could be more success in New York for Charlie Appleby after Althiqa’s pair of Grade 1 wins recently.
There is a strong European challenge, Jessica Harrington’s Cadillac looking good and last-time-out American winner Bolshoi Ballet being likely to go off favourite for Aidan O’Brien.
Bolshoi Ballet was a strong fancy for the Derby and has now scored at the top level, but his actual form isn’t as strong as you might imagine and he was suited by the wider turns at Belmont last time.
Secret Protector however is ready to step up and may improve past him now. His form with Highland Avenue and Mohaafeth reads well, he’s getting better all the time and has the speed for this contest at a potentially very juicy price. Mike Smith takes the ride.
10.48 Saratoga (Whitney Stakes – Grade 1) – MAXFIELD
The feature race on ‘Whitney Day’, this 1m1f contest is worth a cool $1 million and the bulk of that can go the way of Maxfield.
Coming out top on my private ratings, Maxfield has also consistently been voted among top American handicappers as the no.1 contender for the Breeders’ Cup Classic this year, yet comes into this race as second favourite despite receiving 2lbs in weight from Knicks Go.
His main market rival, as well as Swiss Skydiver, can make him work for sure but Maxfield is the real deal and can finally land his second Grade 1 win after a taking success in the Stephen Foster last time out.
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