Sageness
After another bright and dry morn at HQ, the contenders from La Grange today will all be working something of an evening shift. I send out four runners with the first of these going to post at 5.35, and the last at 8.30.
My first runner is Sageness at Redcar over 10f in the ‘Watch Race Replays At racinguk.com Handicap’ (5.35). As has been the pattern with many of my recent runners, this is Sageness ‘s first run in handicap company on her 4th racecourse appearance. She has been slow to come to hand and after two back-end maiden runs as a 2yr old at Nottingham and Doncaster last October, I gave her some time before returning in a filly’s novice race at Chelmsford in March. On the day, she was a step slowly into stride and after racing keenly, she failed to make an impact on the protagonists. Today I am hoping will be calmer waters for Sageness and am expecting an improved performance from her handicap mark of 61.
Next to the starting gates is Muraadef in the 7f ‘British Stallion Studs Ebf Maiden Stakes’ (7.30) at Leicester. He made a promising debut in a novice stakes at Doncaster last July and had a stiff task on his comeback run at Yarmouth in April. While today’s race looks equally tough I hope Muraadef is progressing and can put up an improved performance today under Joe Fanning.
Faay takes her chance in the 7f ‘Longcliffe Calcium Carbonates Fillies' Handicap’ (8.00) at Leicester. This again looks a typically competitive 3yr old handicap and with a field of 17 going to post, track position and luck in running is likely to play an important role in the outcome. Faay needs to improve on her handicap debut over 6f at Lingfield in April to take a hand in this off a mark of 69.
Sparte Quercus is my final runner of the day at Leicester in the 10f ‘Fernie Hunt Handicap’ (8.30). Sparte disappointed a little on his last run at Ripon where his rider felt he may not have handled the unique undulations of the track, with this in mind I am hoping for a better performance tonight.
All the best
Ed