After the awful news of the Queen’s passing filtered through on Thursday evening, the decision was taken to cancel racing in Britain on Friday and Saturday.
Many within the sport as well as the vast majority of punters shared the view that, at least from the outside looking in, we think the Queen would have wanted her favourite sport to continue.
Sunday then brings a quick regathering, Doncaster putting on a nine-race card which includes the best of the action due on Friday and Saturday, including the last Classic of the season, the St Leger.
We also still get to see the Irish Champion Stakes, Flying Childers, Doncaster Cup, Champagne Stakes and Arc Trials Day over in France, though we have no bet in these races. Here’s our revised weekend betting line-up:
Saturday 10th September 2022
1.30 Leopardstown (Ingabelle Stakes – Listed Race) – ZARINSK
With more rain having fallen at Leopardstown turning the going soft, I think there is more of a chance that a hopefully more mature Zarinsk can win for the first time since her debut in May.
Ger Lyons’ Juddmonte filly is the most experienced of the leading lights and, but for stumbling badly and missing starts, could have already climbed through the levels and been racing in Group 1’s by now.
She hasn’t run for 51 days and should have been worked on, meaning she can make her experience count against Easy, Kayhana and Library. Colin Keane rides.
4.55 Leopardstown (Matron Stakes – Group 1) – LIGHTS ON (each-way)
This is a very high-quality fillies’ Group 1 over the mile.
With the rain having hit, Sir Michael Stoute’s Lights On could relish the conditions at Leopardstown and put in one of her fleeting big-hitting performances. In fact, she’s capable of better than what we’ve seen so far.
Though improvement is expected, we can’t forget that she started this season by beating Mutasaabeq and Alcohol Free on unsuitable ground before being sent to the Queen Anne.
She didn’t perform at Ascot, but she could easily have gone for the Group 2 fillies’ race instead which shows what the team think about her.
She has Christophe Soumillon on board for this race which could be a great move, and while she may or may not cause a shock up against Homeless Songs and Saffron Beach, I reckon she’s better in the conditions than Tenebrism and so at around 25/1 she’s worth an each-way bet for sure.
Sunday 11th September 2022
2.10 Doncaster (Portland Handicap) – DUSKY LORD
The Portland is always a fascinating race – a unique 5½-furlong sprint which can be won from more or less anywhere across the track.
Burning Cash was of interest along with Lord Riddiford, but at huge odds Roger Varian’s four-year-old Dusky Lord is the one backed to scoot up the stands rail and claim the prize.
2.25 Curragh (Flying Five Stakes – Group 1) – DRAGON SYMBOL
Dragon Symbol seems to have been around forever. We must remember of course that he hasn’t, and horses like him improve for time and not just for racing. Despite his vast experience then he is still not at his best but will be soon.
Dragon Symbol warmed up for the Nunthorpe Stakes with an easy soft-ground win at Hamilton and I expected him to go quite close.
As it turns out, he was out the back early on and had to fight his way into the race. He stayed on very well into fifth place and did well in the circumstances.
Highfield Princess (1st), Platinum Queen (2nd) and Khaadem (4th) were all prominent and were suited by how the race was run. Emaraaty Ana had to come from a bad place and has subsequently run a stormer in the Sprint Cup, Dragon Symbol hopefully being the next to prove that the Nunthorpe wasn’t run to suit.
Highfield Princess is excellent but arguably not as good on this ground, while Flotus is capable of more. Romantic Proposal, Mooniesta and Ladies Church can all go well, but the one most likely to show a turn of foot on slower ground is the Varian horse who gets the nod.
3.20 Doncaster (Park Stakes – Group 2) – SACRED
We really need a Group 1 race in this country over seven furlongs, this being one of many Group 2’s to attract a strong field.
The Park Stakes is high quality, close and competitive at first glance, but Sacred is getting to her best again and her turn of foot could be decisive.
Garrus can handle the trip and has recent form behind Highfield Princess and Minzaal, while Al Suhail has been there and done that at this level. Double Or Bubble and Kinross are also not far down the list.
3.55 Doncaster (St Leger – Group 1) – NEW LONDON
In the final Classic of the season the team of Godolphin, Charlie Appleby and William Buick may be set to repeat their success of twelve months ago with Hurricane Lane, this time via their New London.
It’s been a strange week for Appleby. Having lost 2000 Guineas winner Coroebus, he saw 2021 Derby winner Adayar return to the track in style on Thursday and now he may win another Classic.
New London was initially on the Derby trail himself earlier in the season and he is strong in so many areas. If this had been a better Leger then I’d be worried, but if New London’s price creeps above even-money he could be worth a bet.
In behind, the main challengers are Eldar Eldarov who won at Royal Ascot and will improve plenty, as well as Hoo Ya Mal who was second in the Derby. The filly Haskoy, tipped on this column, was a good winner at York last time and has been supplemented by Juddmonte – she is the other realistic danger.
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