Sparte Quercus
You often see stalls handlers in dangerous situations where a horse is rearing and striking out and they jump in to calm them down. Sometimes a horse goes down in the stalls or gets its legs over the top of them and the brave stalls handlers free them without any hesitation. Stalls handlers are very brave and admired and do a fantastic job and it was terrible to find out that Stephen Yarborough lost his life in a tragic accident when the stalls were being moved at Haydock yesterday. Our condolences are with Stephen’s family and friends at this terrible time.
We ran five horses yesterday. Global Exceed was a little disappointing in fourth but he was slowly away and then saw plenty of daylight and with the ground a little softer than ideal, he did not quite finish his race off. Sileel was unsuited by a messy race whilst Sir Gnet was a close up fifth but was undone by his wide draw and will appreciate a flatter track. Ruysch ran well when third in the 7f fillies’ Novice at Newmarket and Chocolate Account found it difficult in the Maiden but is now qualified for handicaps.
We run six horses today at three different meetings. Capricious Cantor runs in the Listed Aphrodite Stakes at Newmarket. The rain we have had this morning should not inconvenience her and she comes here on the back of a solid second in Listed company over in France. There are a number of lightly raced improvers in the field and we are vulnerable to a three year old that will be receiving plenty of weight. Serenada was not beaten too far at York in soft ground by Shutter Speed and she could come back to form. High Hopes is an improving four year old and she will love the ground and is one of a number of threats.
Michael’s Mount drops back in trip to 1m2f tonight at Lingfield. 1m4f may be his optimum trip but the soft ground has come for him here and it looks a weak race, so we are hoping that as he travels strongly and will love the ground, we might get away with the 1m2f. Titan makes his handicap debut, we think he wants some ease but I’m not sure how he will cope with soft ground. He shapes as though the step up in trip will suit and in another weak affair he has a chance.
I have sent three horses up to Haydock after they had 11mm of rain overnight but I would like them to get the 2-3mm more that they are forecast. The going is now good/good to firm in places and if a little more rain moves it close to good all over then we should be fine. If there looks to be jar in the ground then we won’t run. Warrior Prince ran ok on seasonal debut where he needed it a little after a long time off the track. He has ability and I would be hopeful he can acquit himself well here, he may need further in the future but he shows us speed at home. It’s a competitive race despite the non runners and La Celebs Ville is one to fear given the trainer/jockey combination even though he failed in his hat-trick bid last time.
Sparte Quercus won pleasingly on his handicap debut last time. He shaped as though he will improve again for this step up in trip and if he steps forward on his last run he would have a great chance. Stamford Raffles is to be feared and never runs a bad race whilst Kashmiri Sunset could be dangerously handicapped. Oud Metha Bridge is our final runner in the 8:30. He has ability and we gelded him after two disappointing runs in a row. He goes nicely at home and I hope that the operation does the trick and we can get him back on track this evening.