Expert Column for International Stakes Day (S1)
S1-1 3yo+ Handicap by Ben Cleminson
After one of the driest summers on record, there are thunderstorms forecasts over the days leading up to York’s opening day which could have a huge impact on the ground.
One runner who won’t be concerned about whether the rain arrives is DAKOTA GOLD who look sure to be suited by this intermediate 1,081m trip. Michael Dods’ 8YO is already a six-time course winner, including twice at this unusual distance including this very contest two years ago. He warmed up for this with a decent second over 1,200m at Ripon earlier in the month and he looks sure to put up another bold showing.
There looks to be plenty of pace in this race with Swedish raider GOOD EYE likely to be amongst the pace setters with James Doyle an excellent booking. He showed real speed when finishing a close-up fourth over 1,200m at Goodwood last time and the slight drop in trip and return to a conventional track may just help a little too.
Another likely to attempt to lead from the barriers to the line is KING OF STARS who is owned by Bill Esdaile and that’s the reason he has stood down from giving his expert opinion on this race. His best runs this season have come when he has encountered fast ground and a flat conventional track. He was an excellent second to LOVELY MANA at Sandown last month and bettered that run with another second behind CALL ME GINGER three weeks ago. If the rain stays away, he must surely go well with Silvestre de Sousa booked to ride despite the step up in distance. The pair seem to connect well with Silvestre de Sousa finishing second twice and winning on the only other occasion he has ridden the horse.
DUSKY LORD is another who must enter calculations on the back of a good second to LORD RIDDIFORD over 1,000m at Goodwood. The return to a more conventional track will suit and with the Roger Varian yard in good form he is certainly one for the exotics from his current mark. Another positive is the application of first-time blinkers which may just sharpen him up a little.
The final vote goes to the in-form ZARZYNI who ran another cracker over 1,000m behind MOUNTAIN PEAK at Ascot last month. That followed an arguably even better run when fourth to KHAADEM over the same 1,000m trip at Newmarket back in April. The step up in distance will be no bother as he has form over 1,200m, and he looks sure to run another decent race.
SELECTIONS: 4. DAKOTA GOLD, 22. DUSKY LORD, 8. KING OF STARS, 10. GOOD EYE & 2. ZARZYNI
S1-2 Acomb Stakes by Bill Esdaile
COROEBUS might have run a bit flat in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville, but the rest of the Charlie Appleby-trained raiders all delivered over the weekend.
The Newmarket yard seems to be in fine form and LOCAL DYNASTY must have a great chance to extend his winning record to two when he makes his first appearance at Group level. Although he got loose before the race, the son of DUBAWI was very impressive when he lifted a 1,400m maiden contest on the July course at Newmarket, which has the steepest rise in Britain. When asked, he quickened beautifully and quickly put the race to bed to win by three and half lengths.
MILL STREAM also comes from a yard in form. Trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, the son of GLENEAGLES, who was bought for a six-figure sum as a yearling, enjoyed a successful start to his career when he won a 1,202m maiden at Doncaster last month. He then ran again on the July course at Newmarket over 1,200m where he was again very competitive, even if he ultimately had to accept a half-length defeat behind the Charlie Appleby trained NOBLE STYLE, who is being aimed at the G2 Gimcrack Stakes on Friday. There is room for improvement and he’ll surely be there or thereabouts.
INDESTRUCTIBLE showed he had improved leaps and bounds when he won a 1,211m race at Windsor on his second start. Trained by Michael O’Callaghan in Ireland, he wasn’t in love with the tight track and also looked like he might have preferred a bit of cut in the ground. With a bit of rain forecast for York and over a slightly longer trip, he could be key contender in this field.
Ryan Moore has been booked to partner the Andrew Balding-trained CHALDEAN, which suggests that connections have high hopes for this son of FRANKEL. He certainly learnt a lot on his debut over 1,200m and looked much more professional on his next start at Newbury over 1,400m where he beat SEEKING GOLD, who went on to win on his next start. The form has worked out and it would be no surprise if asserted himself in this race.
HECTIC virtually made all when he won a 1,200m Novice contest at Newbury. Although he was challenged in the final stages of the race, he ran to the finish line with his ears pricked and could once more reveal himself a key player.
SELECTIONS: 6. LOCAL DYNASTY, 7. MILL STREAM, 5. INDESTRUCTIBLE, 1. CHALDEAN & 4. HECTIC
1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (18 unit bets):
S1-2:
Banker – 6. LOCAL DYNASTY
Selections – 7. MILL STREAM, 5. INDESTRUCTIBLE, 1. CHALDEAN & 4. HECTIC
S1-3:
Banker – 5. SECRET STATE
Selections – 1. AIKHAL, 2. DEAUVILLE LEGEND & 6. WALK OF STARS
S1-3 Great Voltigeur Stakes by Bill Esdaile
Godolphin-owned horses have won two of the last four runnings of the G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes and they hold solid claims of winning it again this year. Their main hope looks to be SECRET STATE, who comes into this having won his last four. He’s won competitive 2,392m King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and 2,398m handicap at Goodwood most recently and now tackles Group company for the first time. This is obviously a step up in class but he’s improving all the time and very much looks the one to beat.
His stablemate WALK OF STARS perhaps hasn’t quite done what was hoped in 2022. Good enough to go off a relatively short price for this year’s 2,405m G1 Derby Stakes at Epsom, he disappointed there. He was gelded subsequently and ran better in the G3 Bahrain Trophy over 2,600m next time where he finished a close third to DEAUVILLE LEGEND. That was more like it and a return to slower ground could help, but he still has a bit to prove.
Aidan O’Brien’s AIKHAL looks an interesting contender over this 2,371m trip. Bar winning a Listowel maiden, the son of GALILEO hasn’t done an awful lot in his career so far. However, he put in a career best by some way last time when winning the G3 ARM Holding International Stakes at the Curragh by over four lengths when stepped up to 2,000m for the first time. He looked to relish the extra distance there and he has untapped potential over another extra trip.
As mentioned, DEAUVILLE LEGEND finished ahead of WALK OF STARS at Newmarket last time. Prior to that he put in a huge performance to just be denied by SECRET STATE in a 2,392m handicap at Royal Ascot. James Ferguson’s 3YO was last seen running a cracker behind another Godolphin horse in NEW LONDON – a performance that can be marked up as DEAUVILLE LEGEND had to shoulder a penalty for his Newmarket victory. NEW LONDON is well-fancied for the G1 St. Leger Stakes, so DEAUVILLE LEGEND’s form looks solid.
If the rain does arrive, it will be music to the ears of EL BODEGON’s connections. Also trained by James Ferguson, the son of KODIAC has some very solid form when the mud is flying. He won the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud over 2,000m last season and was second in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club over 2,100m this season, so is a real force on soft ground.
SELECTIONS: 5. SECRET STATE, 1. AIKHAL, 2. DEAUVILLE LEGEND & 6. WALK OF STARS
S1-4 International Stakes by Bill Esdaile
There is no more obvious place to start in the G1 International Stakes over 2,051m than with racing’s current superstar, BAAEED. The highest rated horse in the world looks to make it a perfect 9 wins from 9 starts, which will likely be his penultimate visit to a racecourse before a career at stud beckons. There can be few questions about his ability having won five G1s in succession, and in all likelihood, this should be just another fairly straightforward day for the son of SEA THE STARS. However, there is one interesting plotline in the story and that is the step up in trip and going beyond 1,600m for the first time. It certainly asks another question, but his breeding suggests he should take it in his stride.
Standing in his way will be MISHRIFF who will have no concerns regarding the distance. John and Thady Gosden’s 5YO won this race last year and was an unlucky second in the G1 Eclipse Stakes over 1,990m on his reappearance early last month when running into trouble in the final 200m. He then went on to the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2,392m later in the month which he lost in the stalls when breaking late. Better can be expected from the son of MAKE BELIEVE in this.
NATIVE TRAIL is another that could shake things up for Godolphin, and he is in receipt of a healthy weight allowance for being the only 3YO in the field. The G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner over 1,600m didn’t look out of his depth when stepping up to 1,990m in the aforementioned G1 Eclipse Stakes and was part of the bunched finish only half of a length behind the winner. Given his age he could improve for that experience.
If Aidan O’Brien were to win this, he would become the winning most trainer in its history and he could do that with HIGH DEFINITION. Although he hasn’t won since his 2YO campaign, he has put in some solid performances, notably in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, and clearly has a big race in him. The son of GALILEO ran ALENQUER to within a neck there, his last start over this distance, and could certainly reverse a chance.
SELECTIONS: 2. BAAEED, 5. MISHRIFF, 7. NATIVE TRAIL & 4. HIGH DEFINITION
S1-5 3yo+ Handicap by Bill Esdaile
Perhaps the most interesting runner in this competitive 3,251m handicap is John Quinn’s 5YO mare FRANKENSTELLA. She won a strong 3,241m handicap at Haydock in May last year, but only ran one other race last season. After a break of nearly a year she returned with a good third over this course and distance in May, when just behind MASTER MILLINER and remains on the same handicap mark. That should have brought her forward and she looks well-handicapped, especially given she is now far better off at the weights with Emma Lavelle’s gelding.
HAVEYOUMISSEDME looks to be another potentially well-handicapped runner. Iain Jardine’s 4YO has performed excellently on his last three starts, finishing a close fourth at Haydock over 3,241m, before finishing runner-up at Newcastle over 3,251m and then again in the frame at the same track over 2,489m most recently. As usual, he travelled well into that contest but seemed to get a bit outpaced towards the finish, so a return to this trip should be ideal. The form of that Newcastle race was given a boost when the winner followed up at Ascot recently, so there could be more to come from HAVEYOUMISSEDME from an unchanged mark.
Mark Johnston has won this race twice in the last 10 years and looks to hold good claims again with SOAPY STEVENS. This son of HARZAND has been running consistently all season, winning twice and only finishing out of the frame twice in seven starts. Last time out he was again involved in the finish at Goodwood over 2,800m, but just found a few rivals finishing faster. After only one previous start over 3,200m he still has untapped potential over this trip and should go well again.
The aforementioned MASTER MILLINER was impressive when winning last time out at Goodwood over 4,088m and now returns to a track where he has an excellent record – two wins and a place from three starts. However, this looks a stronger race than last time and he will have to be better than ever to defy a career high mark.
Behind MASTER MILLINER at Goodwood was ZOFFEE, who was attempting the 4,088m trip for the first time and didn’t look to see out the extra distance. Now back to this trip he has won over in the past, he should be capable of an improved effort.
SELECTIONS: 11. FRANKENSTELLA, 13. HAVEYOUMISSEDME, 8. SOAPY STEVENS, 10. ZOFFEE & 4. MASTER MILLINER
2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-5:
Banker – 11. FRANKENSTELLA
Selections – 13. HAVEYOUMISSEDME, 8. SOAPY STEVENS, 10. ZOFFEE & 4. MASTER MILLINER
S1-6:
Banker – 6. SANDBECK
Selections – 14. PINK CRYSTAL, 5. CUBAN BREEZE, 4. ATTAGIRL & 1. VERTIGINOUS
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 11. FRANKENSTELLA, 13. HAVEYOUMISSEDME & 8. SOAPY STEVENS
S1-6: Multiple – 6. SANDBECK, 14. PINK CRYSTAL & 5. CUBAN BREEZE
S1-7: Multiple – 16. MRS U S A, 5. STREETS OF GOLD & 3. CATHY COME HOME
S1-6 3yo+ Fillies & Mares 0-105 Handicap by Bill Esdaile
Speed is the key ingredient for this 1,000m dash down the York straight.
SANDBECK has a really high cruising speed. Her only defeat in four races this season came when tried over 1,200m and she has looked very good since returning to 1,000m. She showed a good attitude to win over that distance at Haydock in June and her Doncaster victory over 1,003m two weeks later was even better. The way she travelled through that handicap was very impressive and she has all the tools needed for this sharp track.
PINK CRYSTAL has also won her last two starts. She drops to 1,000m for the first time having won at Thirsk and Brighton over 1,200m and 1,195m. Racing towards the rear in the early stages of both of those races masked her superiority as she only got on top close to the finish. The faster pace they are sure to go over this shorter distance will be ideal. She is improving fast and she still looks really well-handicapped.
CUBAN BREEZE is another runner with winning form over 1,200m. She has thrived since joining in-form trainer David Evans earlier in the year and she is tactically versatile. Her Haydock win over 1,000m in June came when ridden patiently and she had no problem with frontrunning tactics when successful over 1,000m at Ascot the following month. Her victory at Windsor two weeks ago came over 1,211m but there’s little doubt she has the speed to be a threat returned to this shorter distance.
ATTAGIRL has done all her racing in Listed and Group contests since landing a 1,200m maiden at Haydock last season. She has found life tough in three runs over 1,000m to 1,100m this season but there have been excuses. The demands of this handicap should suit her better and she won over this course and distance at this meeting 12 months ago.
VERTIGINOUS made all the running to land a Listed race over 1,000m at Ayr last September. The form of that race is very good and Brian Meehan’s speedy filly has done her racing in G2 prizes this season. She ran better than her finishing position in the G2 King George Stakes over 1,000m at Goodwood last month as she was hampered in the closing stages. The undulating track didn’t look ideal, either.
SELECTIONS: 6. SANDBECK, 14. PINK CRYSTAL, 5. CUBAN BREEZE, 4. ATTAGIRL & 1. VERTIGINOUS
S1-7 2yo Handicap by Bill Esdaile
MRS U S A looks to have been handed a lenient weight for her handicap debut in this 1,200m nursery. She was twice runner-up behind subsequent Listed winner LADY HOLLYWOOD over 1,000m before landing a 1,009m fillies’ maiden at Sandown last month. The form of that race has worked out really well and she still looked inexperienced up the stiff climb to the finishing line. She should appreciate the step up to 1,200m for the first time.
STREETS OF GOLD is unbeaten after two races. A slow start didn’t stop him winning by four lengths on his debut over 1,215m at Chepstow and he had no problem following up in a much stronger 1,200m novice race at Newmarket (July Course) last month. Irish Derby winner TREASURE BEACH features in his pedigree, so he is bred to be good. He has the potential to be better than a handicapper and his trainer Eve Johnson Houghton has her team in good form.
It was disappointing CATHY COME HOME could only finish in midfield in the G3 Albany Stakes over 1,200m at Royal Ascot after her impressive debut success over 1,001m at Musselburgh. Her finishing position doesn’t tell the whole story as her high draw meant she raced away from the main action. There’s little doubt she is better than the bare form. She has had a nice break since that run in June and she is completely unexposed after just two races.
ROGUE SPIRIT won over 1,000m and 1,019m earlier in the season before finishing third in the 1,031m Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury. He looked ready for the step up to 1,200m in that race but not much went his way when tried over the longer distance at Chester last month. A stumble on the home turn didn’t help and he was done no favours by the winner drifting across him in the closing stages. He is certainly better than his third in that conditions race.
SILENCER is still a maiden after five races but he has shown some useful form. His seventh in the 1,000m Listed Windsor Castle Stakes was an excellent effort and the form of that Royal Ascot contest could not have worked out much better. He showed plenty of pace on his nursery debut when runner-up behind RUMSTAR over 1,200m at Goodwood last month. There’s more to come from him over this distance.
SELECTIONS: 16. MRS U S A, 5. STREETS OF GOLD, 3. CATHY COME HOME, 7. ROGUE SPIRIT & 4. SILENCER
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