Welcome to Longford Greyhounds; York's homage to Midlands design kitsch
So a bad start, but there was quickly a big plus, at last a racecard with two year old foaling dates. Well done York and in fact this is about the first racecard of the season that I thought was very good value for the £3. Great features and stats on the races, a bit of colour regarding the main jockeys , plus a report on yesterday's races. All in all the benchmark for other racecourses who in gneral should feel embarrassed by their miserable attempts to justify more than a quid. I reckon they might as well go back to the old 30p bland format of just runners and riders I grew up with in the 1970s.
York has got great facilities and there are loads of good places to watch from . There is a good view head-on from the paddock, there are plenty of stands to choose from and I like the old fashion one which is usually empty and situated close by the furlong pole. There are plenty of food and watering holes but I wasn't that hungry so didn't partake but I have to say the tea was very moderate for the money.
[b**** of the North[/b]
The going was a remarkable Good today although a strong drying wind and bright sunshine meant a change the next day to Good to Firm. The good ladies of Plumpton would have to have rifled through the old handbags in search of the spinhailers to halt the wheezing of delight when they saw several very fine old trees in the pre parade ring of all places. With the Dante being run here at York there was a good midweek crowd and taking into account the recession it would appear the game is holding up very well indeed. This leads to the question; why all this scrimping on money including purses? Surely the high interest must attract more promotional budget from industry? I think our marketeers are just bloody lazy sticking to bookies and traditional backers for sponsorship. Why not get someone like Bupa backing something or some of Ryanairs competitors, what about the utility companies who fleace the general public? Investec are a great example of how to get the most bang for your buck. They wheel out their quite eyecatching Zebra, they had the brand new Derby trophy on display and I gather this has been the norm for all the Derby trials. I saw the trophy and I really liked it's quite innovative design, symbolising the topography of the course and the three centries of competition all in silver. I could not check if it was silver or another precious metal, or even an alloy of aluminium because plebs could only view by pressing their grubby little fat faces against the window rather like schoolboys gazing at a hornby rail display in a December shop frontage. Be reasonable they might touch the relic leaving chip grease fingerprints to mar the view for the more decerning.
Pleb free zone enabling borgousie their rightful space to indulge in the customary reverential bow in its presence
The Dante has a deserved recent reputation for being the foremost Derby trial. But I want to have a look at how well runners in today's early sprint then do in the June Epsom Dash. So I have had a look at this in a bit of depth. The last fifteen winners came from a Thirsk handicap (well btn), 4th in a Redcar handicap, 2nd in a 6f hcap at Newbury, 3rd in this race coming off the pace, 5th in a chester hcap, 8th in this race with some late headway , 2nd in a Beverley conditions race, 2nd in a handicap at Epsom, 8th in Scottish sprint at Musselburgh, 14th in this race held up, Koln winner. 3rd at kempton, btn at kempton when 5th, 5th in Sandow handicap. There is in conclusion a May Beverley race once called Angel conditions over 5f race which keeps coming up as a prep often with the winner but sometimes not the preceeding outing to Epsom. Beverley plus the Musselburough Scottish Sprint as well as todsay's race are the races worth noting. Also a trend suggest that 6 furlong race runs or a late headway horse over 5 furlongs seems to be indicators to help strim down the field come June.
I first visited York for the Magnet Cup back in 1978 out in the cheap area and have always enjoyed the racing here. I also was lucky enough to be present when a great Musidora winner Diminuendo stormed home. That visit was during a so called study week at the local mining college where probability estimation, risk quantification and basic profit and loss acccounting made up that afternoon's cramming. I was also at York for one of the Royal Ascot days which was very well done and leads plenty of credit to how northern courses are able to put on a show when the southern establishment sometimes do not seem to try hard enough to compel their customers to return. Perhaps in truth the north is the home of the genuine if one paced group horse whereas the south are handicappers of the W six times (waited with will win when wanted). The big meeting for York is obviously the August Ebor meeting. I have been there a few times but few can match the 1981 version including Beldale Flyer, Pragmatist, Contessa and best of all the brilliant sprinter Sharpo who is still in my opinion the greates ever sprinter. That year he flew past the so called greats of Moorstyle and Marwell like they were pacesetting platers. I think although it is a pretty fair track it does suit front runners as they are hard to peg back. Today's racing saw many horses even when racing on the round course, opted to race stand side where the going was best giving the view that draw was favouring low numbers.
The first race was a five furlong handicap class 2 which has been a clue in the past for the winner of the Epsom Dash. First home was Ancient Cross which I had not really considered. He was always prominent and hard riden from 2 out to win decisively. Not sure he will go on from this. Falaastem has had his best runs over sharper tracks and although reasonably handicapped his entry in the Epsom Dash next month should be noted in relation to today's stiffer test. Here he showed good early speed and stayed on thoroughly to take second place not undermining any apsirations for Epsom. the 4 year old Racy was a fair juvenille but did not appear to have trained on as a 3yo. Is often favourite so must have shown something back home could be better over a stiff five or 6f. Racey finished fast from a crowded position to catch the eye in third place and may be a late maturing type so as a four year old very likley to be ahead of the handicapper at the moment. Whilst fourth home was Judge and Jury who was quick but ran out of puff and you would say a sharp 5 would have suited him better. Of the rest Johannes dwelt but made up good late ground without getting a hard time of it. Although he won this race last year off same mark his best form appears to be over 6 furlongs and as he gets older (he is now eight) he is better kept to six where I think he is very likely to go close next time out. Blue Jack slow into stride again and was out of it from early doors. Blue Jack had been made favourite last time out at Chester when I was there and he had a very rough race from a bad draw. Has yet to win off a mark above 97. Another slightly unlucky one was Swiss Franc who was squeezed for room 2 out when begining to make a move. He was not given a hard time once defeat was clear but ran far better than finishing position suggests. Swiss Franc was a very useful juvenille running in Covernty (2nd) July Stakes(3rd) Gimcrack (3rd)can be tardy out the gate over 5f and not convinced stays 6f fully or is just not as effective at that trip yet(has won over 6f though and at six I think may prefer that distance now). Secret Millionaire ran a satisfactory race to finish fifth, has won off 2lbs lower, had run well in last four turf runs before lacklustre efforts in two most recent runs on the AW suggests that he is in good heart but unsuited by sand. Fitz Flyer has dropped to a winning mark but I think may pefer a cut, ran from a good draw but lacked early and was forced to come wide which was unfavourable. Ran with merit. Barney Mcgrew never travelled and was a bit disappointing (subject of an enquiry into his running).
York's racegoers are a genteel lot relaxing as the sprint leaders meet the distance
The Middleton Stakes is a Group 2 for Mares and Fillies over 1m2. It attracted a high quality entry. This was headed by the best middle distance mare in the game at the moment which is Midday. She looked a bit backward today but raced with considerable guts and class to wear down a useful filly to record a seasonal return victory for the first time. I am sure she is even better than ever, sure to come back here and defend her Yorkshire Oaks crown and I would like to see her have a crack at the Arc. She has won the Prix Vrermille before and that is a good indicator of Arc victory, I have always thought fillies / mares came into themselves in the autumn and there is plenty of evidence in the past that the girls can turn the boys over st Longchamps in October. The second home was the edgy Sajjihaa who looks useful. However this race was a Frankie masterpeice of waiting in front and then kicking on. This left the others a bit flat footed for a while and only the ultra classy mare could reel her in. I think she may prove better over a mile myself but whilst this race hints at capability to win Group2 I doubt she can succeed any higher and will be short proced next run based on proximity to Midday. Third home was the flashy and a bit edgy Timepeice. Always disputing the lead was unable to quicken when Sajjihaa kicked on. However I think she would prefer a bit of cut as to my eye she has a bit of a round action. Music Show was a shade disappointing finishing fourth. I am sure she will revert to a mile where I am sure she is best suited. Difficult to assess the rest as they were largely anonymous as was expected before the race so they all probably ran to their mark.
The great mare Midday all set for the Arc? Hope she gets a go at it
Winner of the Middleton
The Dante Stakes for 3 year old colts over 1m2 is a clear derby trial. The winner was the ultra game Calton House who showed good speed to take advantage of a gap to steer through for a comfortable win. Clearly the best horse in the race irrespective of the fact that there was only a muddling pace for 6 furlongs. Sure to stay 1m4 based on his running stlye and pedigree. The question is is he value at evens on the day for the derby? My view is that the french challenger Pour Moi looks a better Epsom prospect as he looks the right conformation and appears very nicely balanced. Plus I wouldn't completely knock Native Kahn out. I say this on the basis that he has a nice turn of foot, ran far less green in the guineas compared to the craven and the old adage fourth in teh guineas first in the Derby (I know the form book says he was third to Frankel but let's face it The Bushes were probably second that day!). I am not conviced about Recital as I think you need an uncomplicated horse with Epsom's hills, bends and especially the camber. If Seville turns up I cannot see him reversing form and in any case I think his style better suited for the Curragh version. World Domination is a big green leggy thing. His half brother stayed 1m6 and if he were mine I would be thinking about the St Leger. Yaseer, who I had earmarked as postential group horse this year, looked well but ran very poorly suggesting that maybe something went wrong.
The blogs Yaseer ran poorly
The Hambleton Stakes is a listed mile handicap and always attracts a good field. This was a very competitive contest and difficult to see wood for trees going forward. The winner was St Moritz who was in mid division for much until produced from 2 out and under hard driving just got home. The second was bottom weight Mont Agel who looked particularly well in the paddock and followed a similar race plan to the winner but just failed in a thrilling photo finish. Third was the eyecatching Dance and Dance who dwelt after the blinds appeared to be taken offf a tad late, but made great progress to stay on well. Fourth home was Pintura a real tough genuine sort was not beaten far from a prominent position for most of the race. Of the rest last year's winner Fareer was another who dwelt badly, looked in bother throughout, had traffic problems when trying to come through but was staying on well without getting a hard time of it. He has tried group company before and most recently finished second in Dubai at Group 2 level. I think he must be worth a go at listed. Another to keep an eye on is the mare Off Chance. She has had a right hike in the weights for winning a listed race at Pontefract last year, but she can win off this 100 mark and maybe she is the right type to come back for the John Smiths.
Head on view of Hambleton finish
There was a 5 furtlong sprint condition race which is much welcomed as there are few opportunities for progressing sprinty three year olds. It was won in very impessive style by the odds on favourite Night Carnation a decent filly and she has entries in the Temple but most interestingly is a fillies race at leaopardstown in July. The Thrill Is Gone ran on well from a poor draw and not a particularly hard race and she can win over six. Whilst second favourite Margot Did yet again lacked pace over five and I am not sure she is good enouh for condition races over six. She was hampered a bit in the early stages but I think making excuses can be the quickest way to the poor house.
Margot Did looked a good shaped filly in fine knick before the conditions race
Night Carnation cruises through for a comprehensive win
The maidens race for two year olds had a good winner in the experienced Noor Zabeel who showed plenty of stamina and can progress to listed over seven. Mick Channon has done very well to get a May foal winning this early in the season and some further progress can be expected. The fancied debutante and early march colt Giorgios Dream disappointed and did look very weak in the market. Is sprint bred so unlikely to step up further in trip and will have to muscle up a lot to take closer order. Likely to prove best on a fast surface. Apostle (late March colt)made up for a lacklustre run when second today. He hung to the right a fair amount and as such is still very green. Best kept to six furlong and may have just found a good one today.Tortoni(April) is a well bred April colt who looked a bit backward in the paddock. Appeared to hold little chance due to a poor start, but gradually got the hang off things and eat into the field to end up being a respectable third. Could progress. Overpowered who is a March foal from a miler family ran green but finished a decent fourth. Of the others the other who had a previous run was the big and backward Art Dzeko, the coltish Moon Trip who you would think may be cut before long, and disappointing Feb foal Come On Blue Chip who looked well in the paddock had the experience of a very encouraging third on his debut but did not run that well today.
Noor Zabeel on his way to picking up the maiden
The final race was a 2m2 class 4 handicap. It was won by Dark Ranger who powered clear from a packed firld from two out to win by a decisive two and a half lengths. The runner up was the blogs noted runner Blackstone Vegas which rewarded each way punters witha 20/1 SP and was backed at 28/1. Given a lot to do being held up in a big field and only produced from about two out. Was flying at the end to be a clear second, although it is doubtful if an earlier run from a more prominent position would have aided him. Highly consistant and due a win as is so often second. I am sure many of these will be seen over the sticks in the near future. As a quick summary of the remainder of note was; consistant sort, third home Hawridge Star held every chance being prominent throughout but could not go the pace of the winner and was soon overhauled by the runner up in the final furlong. Descaro runs consistantly to his ability but is not a favourable mark, Lady Bluesky finished well and suits a softer ground, should be noted if back over hurdles as this was a vary rncouraging run, Hollins ran ok but probably needs to be jumping.
Runners mill around before the stalls
The Blogs Blackstone Vegas looks well and runs fine race at rewarding odds
Notebook
Racy (positive) down £30
6 5 4
Ran consistently to her mark and wasa nice 16/1 each way place when fourth but after three runs she was binned.
Swiss Franc (positive) up £50
0 1 6/1
Hampered badly next time out and then won Newmarket sprint. Upped the handicap and as such left alone from there
Carlton House (negative) up £20
3 4
Well held in both derbies.
Midday (positive)down £5
2 2 1 6/4
Ran her normal creditable self if slightly behind her great level as one of the top mares around last year. Shelved after her last victory
Sajjahaa (negative)up £11
4 1 5/6 0
Did win a listed race whe odds on but failed to shine in group class
World Domination (positive) down £10
0
Raced if something amiss on only start this year
Fareer (positive) down £30
0 0 0
Hopeless in terms of being able to win off a stubbornly high mark
Off Chance (positive) down £30
3 3 2
Good and consistent. Unlucky to be done a head at 11/2 on third effort but shelved as no respite from the assessor
The Thrill Is Gone (positive) down £30
2 0 3
I though she would have won at Beverley on next appearance, ran well when third at 16/1 so decent each way effort. Shelved