24th May 2015
A winner on Friday, another good Saturday winner, and would love one today.
Royal Silk did the business at Goodwood in a competitive filles handicap on Friday afternoon, under the Goodwood maestro R Hughes. I am always happy when he is on top, and we have had some great successes over the years starting with Cap Juluca who picked up the Cambridgeshire as a 3yo, carrying 9-10, to complete a 5 timer in 1995, and many decent Juddmonte winners following that and Tante Rose in the Haydock Sprint (G1). He will be missed next year no doubt. Having won over 6f last year, I thought that she may want 7f, but Richard was happy that a mile is the correct trip for now.
On the same day Master Zephyr and Oriental Grace ran good races to be second at Bath, whilst Major Jack was not particularly suited by his track position and the fact that he had to come around the field to be only beaten a couple of noses for 2nd. There is a good one in him. Star Fire didn't have the race exactly run to suit, and I am assuming the handicapper will undo his over reaction to her last win.
Saturday came and we sent one runner out to maintain our Saturday big handicap run, after Temptress and Time Test in previous weekends. Quest for More had run a blinder at Newmarket over 1m 4f on the Sunday of the Guineas to be just beaten, and was duly given 6lbs for his troubles which is a lot for a stayer. He defied that to win at Goodwood yesterday, under a good ride from Jimmy Fortune. He was well positioned the whole way round in second place, and picked up when asked to take the race. He may miss Royal Ascot where he would only be able to run over 1m 4f, or 2m 4f +. At this stage preference may be to head to Newcastle for the very valuable Northumberland Plate over 2m at Newcastle.
Today, the indomitable enthusiasm of Al Kazeem goes on show again. He heads back to Ireland aged 7 to contest the race he won 2 years ago, the Tattersalls Gold Cup. Its a competitive race, with two young guns from England joining him, in The Grey Gatsby and Postponed. The course is his favoured right handed shape, the ground is just on the soft side of good and there can be no complaints on that front. He is in great nick but The Grey Gatsby is rated to beat him, after the good season he had last year. Al Kazeem is a professional traveller, eats everything put in front of him when there, and we go there hoping he runs a good race. Any flaws in the favourite and he will find them.
James Doyle is back in the plate. He has won this race for the last two years, and obviously knows the horse very well.