Queen's Grace - Newmarket winner.
SAFINA SET FOR BIG THINGS
By Peter Naughton
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Tuesday 3rd November
Tamasou landed some monster bets for my followers (12-1 from 25-1) in the seven-furlong handicap at Catterick (their only bet). Alan McCabe's four-year-old was drawn on the inside at Lingfield last time but the rail seems to ride slower there these days, so that defeat was easily forgiven. He was drawn wide back on turf today but the runners were always going to come stands' side, which turned his stalls position into a positive. Shane Kelly hadn't ridden the selection on any of his previous 22 starts, so the jockey booking looked highly significant. A rating of 73 proved lenient and I was told to back the son of Tamarisk with confidence. Tamasou showed good battling qualities after travelling well in a handy position and he can defy the handicapper after this one-length victory.
Monday 2nd November
Mureb was very unlucky when third in the seven-furlong maiden at Wolverhampton. Godolphin's $500,000 purchase was very green and missed the break, which sealed his fate on this tight track. His problems were exacerbated running up the back of horses when trying to make ground. In addition, the notebook horse raced wide off the final bend but ran on without being knocked about when his chance had gone. Tesslam finished upsides in fourth had achieved a rating of 81 following a promising debut behind Premier List horse Al Zir, so we know this is good form. I'm convinced Mureb will win races after this experience.
Saturday 31st October
Collateral Damage confirmed himself one of my favourite notebook horses when providing the final leg of three Tipping Line winners (from four bets). Tim Easterby's Orpen gelding needed a career-best off 88 in Ayr's one-mile handicap, but the combination of testing conditions and lack of strong opposition made him look outstanding value at 11-4. However, I'm not sure we'll gain many more successes from Easterby's consistent gelding until he comes back down the weights.
Tipperary Boutique bolted up in the seven-furlong maiden on this card. Barry Hills' Danehill Dancer filly was always going to revel in these testing conditions and her debut fifth to high-profile Seta was easily the best form on offer. I was encouraged to hear connections insisting afterwards that the winner can "only improve" next season. Remember the name.
Safina was a major eye-catcher when third in the second division of the fillies' maiden at Newmarket. Sir Michael Stoute and Kieren Fallon won the first division with Revered but Safina had been the subject of glowing reports on the Newmarket gallops and is bred to improve. She ran well for a long way and Fallon pushed her out hands-and-heels in the final furlong. This impeccably bred daughter of Pivotal is out of the stable's 1000 Guineas winner Russian Rhythm and must progress significantly for this experience.
The most interesting eye-catcher in the first division was undoubtedly Countenance Divine who was backed into 13-2 from 9-1 and travelled sweetly before staying on into a close seventh. Oaks winner Sariska won this race last year and Countenance Divine runs in the same Lady Bamford colours. There is plenty to look forward to next season.
Friday 30th October
Queen's Grace landed some good bets for the readers of the notebook when winning the Listed Bosra Sham Fillies' Stakes at 16-1 at Newmarket.
I stated: Queen's Grace landed some magnificent bets for the notebook with a 50-1 success at Newbury in August. Hughie Morrison's daughter of Bahamian Bounty caught the eye under a beautiful ride when last of eight in a hot maiden over course and distance on her only previous outing. The filly's subsequent close third to Shamandar looks particularly strong following the winner's success in the valuable Watership Down Stud sales race and fifth in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes. Queen's Grace must be worth another bet in the Boshra Sham Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.
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