Saturday, 30th July 2022
Despite being 7 years of age and despite being a 50+ race veteran heading into the 2022 turf season, John Quinn’s Mr Wagyu has enjoyed a cracking campaign….
He won the Tokyo Trophy Handicap at Epsom in June and then hit the frame in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot before landing the Scurry Handicap over in Ireland….
In other words he’s had a really productive June and July. But that’s always been the case with him. All of his 15 career wins have come in one of those two months….
If his career had been confined to runs in June and July then his stats would read 15 wins from 29 runs – with another 8 finishes in the first 3. That’s quite some record….
It might be July 30th today – but the spell could hold. Last year he won the consolation for the Stewards’ Cup on July 31st – his first and only run at the track….
I won’t begrudge him if he wins this Stewards’ Cup this afternoon off a career-high mark of 104. But I won’t be backing him….
He’s too short in a race of this nature. As it stands this morning he’s the race favourite at 8s….
I reckon Mick Appleby’s ANNAF could be underrated at the general 20s….
He ran a cracker last time in the G3 Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle where he found just Sense of Duty – a potential G1 horse – too good….
That was on a synthetic track, of course. And he’ll need to translate that form back to the turf – but the omens are good….
Back in May he was 5th of 19 and not beaten far in a hot handicap at York which has produced multiple subsequent winners and placers in top-level decent big-field handicaps….
He’s a better chance than his price suggests from stall 5 with Jim Crowley up. Crowley rode the horse on his one visit to Goodwood to date – back in May….
The pair were 3rd of 10 that day – trying 7f for the first time. But – whatever the trip – the horse proved he handles the track’s undulations….
And that’s an edge on opponents in today’s field – and there are plenty of them – who have never been to Goodwood….
Not too many observes would have been thinking Stewards’ Cup that day back in May. But – concealed plan or not – that race might prove to have been a useful intelligence gathering mission….
Each-way backers take note: William Hill & Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 8. bet365, Betfair Sportsbook & Paddy Power are 1/5 the first 7. It’s 1/5 the first 6 generally….
Lethal Levi is 9lb well in for the Stewards’ Sprint Handicap (1.40) and is clearly the one to beat….
If he reproduces his last time out performance at Newmarket then the rest are in trouble….
But he’s been a busy horse this term and sooner or later the edge will blunt. If that’s today then it might well be MANY A STAR who picks up the pieces….
He’s been freshened up since his last run at Newmarket, goes well fresh and has a bit of form in the book at Goodwood. The 10s & 9s about him is fair with Tom Marquand booked for the ride….
Each-way backers take note: William Hill & Sky Bet are 1/5 the first 5. It’s 1/5 the first 4 generally….
I’m backing RED FLYER at 14s….
He nearly sprang a shock at Newmarket last time from out of the handicap when sent off at 100s – getting beaten by Soapy Stevens a short head….
I don’t think it was a fluke. He’s been going well all season for John Best & Karen Jewell….
…. and I’m not sure he should be almost three times the price of the horse that beat him that day and who reopposes this afternoon….
Each-way backers take note: William Hill, Sky Bet & Paddy Power are 1/5 the first 5. It’s 1/5 the first 4 generally….
Nick’s Dark Horses….To recap on my idea of the dark horses capable of running big races at tasty prices in the big handicaps this afternoon…. In the Stewards’ Cup (3.20 @ Goodwood)….
In the Stewards’ Sprint Handicap (1.40 @ Goodwood)….
In the Summer Handicap (2.10 @ Goodwood)….
Advised prices are correct at the time my column is submitted for publication. But prices are subject to fluctuation. There’s nothing I can do about that. Be sure to consult Oddschecker – you may find a quote better than advised…. |
That’s all for today. Back next time….
Meanwhile – enjoy the racing. It’s not life and death – it’s a game we play for fun. It’s good sometimes to remind ourselves of that fact….
Stay tuned.
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