Nothing overly exciting to report from the World of racing this week as far as I am concerned, though it does intrigue me to see Ladbrokes stepping in to sponsor the King George on Boxing Day when all I ever seem to hear about them lately is shutting or restricting any account that looks as if it has the remotest chance of turning a profit, though that is not to knock any company who wants to sponsor and highlight one of the biggest and most eagerly anticipated chases of each and every season.
The sales appear to have been ticking over nicely with Kingman the sire of the moment but there will always be people with enough money to buy at the top end of the market and it will be interesting to see the views of the “bread and butter” stud farms when the sales are over as I see them as a far better barometer of the overall market.
Meanwhile, I wasn’t really sure whether to mention the Labour Party and their new “PC” line on banning the whip, but I suppose I have to. Everyone keeps asking me for my views so I will put them here for future reference, though whether they have any value is a different question. Firstly, I have never ridden a horse in a race (I wonder if Jeremy Corbyn has, or Dianne Abbott for example – there’s a vision for you all), and therefore my opinion is as valuable as, well, theirs! Banning the use of the whip basically to win votes is surely not the best way forward, and I am told quite clearly by people who know that horses are not hurt by a smack or two, though surely a select committee of the racing industry plus the RSPCA may be the answer to an age old problem.
On to the weekend racing now (as is oft the case), and it’s been a struggle to find a horse worthy of a bet or at a decent enough price. Brassica intrigues at a huge price for Sir Mark Prescott on her return for the season in the Atalanta Stakes and is certainly one to watch on Saturday, but it would be a surprise if she were good enough to beat Jubiloso. Only beaten a length last time out after all sorts of trouble in running at Goodwood she has room to keep on improving and ought to prove hard to beat with a clear run here.
In the Sweet Solario that follows we have a decent looking field of two-year-olds and every chance the winner will move dramatically up the antepost betting for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket next season. Positive is held in very high regard at the Clive Cox yard and looks the one to beat but I can’t resist a little each-way on Kameko who looks overpriced at 12/1 or so. Andrew Balding is hardly well-known for winning debutants yet the son of Kitten’s Joy did exactly that here over course and distance when staying on well up the hill despite idling once he hit the front. Sure to improve considerably for that experience he is interesting at the very least and should hopefully hit a place at least with Oisin Murphy in the saddle.
Sean’s Suggestions:
Jubiloso 3.00pm Sandown Saturday
Kameko 3.35pm Sandown Saturday
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