Prize money looks headed for Godolphin coffers after the four-runner, £40000 listed ‘Cocked Hat’ Stakes over eleven furlongs of ‘good to firm’ Goodwood today; this twice-raced Authorized colt is entered for the Irish Derby next month.
A scintillating effort on this occasion might persuade ‘the boys in blue’ to supplement Prize Money for the main event at Epsom a fortnight tomorrow!
None of the first four favourites has achieved a decent time-handicap mark, Massaat may well be scratched by owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, on account of a ludicrous, unjustified, stamina doubt and so it’s not inconceivable a late springer could enter the arena on the famous Downs.
There was a lot to like about his winning debut on the Newmarket Rowley Mile last October, when Prize Money blitzed a quality field unchallenged under James Doyle but, in a handicap over two furlongs further earlier this month, he improved MORE THAN A STONE in defeat!
At a difference of 8lbs Prize Money was beaten only half a length by heavily-backed, John Gosden-trained, favourite, Taqdeer; others were well beaten and that’s usually a sign of strong form. The time-handicap analysis was conclusive.
Call me old-fashioned but I’ve always preferred the handicap route for young thoroughbreds as they ‘grow up’ and get an edge from such fiercely-competitive races; it will be interesting to see what Prize Money achieves on this occasion.
We might well bet good odds against because betting forecasts suggest Algometer will head the market, that close second to Mid Term at Sandown last month still reads well; the winner was, apparently, injured on firm York ground last week in the ‘Dante’ and so was So Mi Dar, impressive winner of the ‘Musidora!’
No one listened to yours truly when one mentioned that the Knavesmire was riding too firm!
It was obvious that few horses were ‘letting themselves down’ and I’ll bet there were plenty of sore legs in stables subsequently.
Wolverhampton stages a seven-race Tapeta programme on which once-raced Rebel Cause is fancied to go one better in an ‘aged’ Maiden Stakes over an extended mile. William Twiston-Davies rides again, he’s a plus!
Tonight Haydock, on good to firm’ ground, is the selected venue for the seasonal debut of Nodachi, one of six ‘decs’ in an intriguing 3-y-o Maiden Stakes over twelve furlongs; what beats Ian Balding’s charge will win!
Selections:
10.40 Rebel Cause
11.30 Prize Money
6.30 Nodachi