Best bets for the horse racing across the globe Saturday 12th August 2023

I mentioned in Friday's post it was a weekend of action across the globe, and I have another bet out in the good old U S of A on Saturday, one in Ireland and a couple here in the UK; possibly bets in France and Germany on Sunday!

It is Shergar Cup day at Ascot, it makes up most of ITV Racing coverage on the day. It’s a bit of fun but pretty basic racing with strange results every year and I once again will be ignoring the meeting as a betting proposition. Dirty Dozen member La Yakel runs in the 2.45 and I could fancy him if it wasn't for it being the Shergar Cup. Joao Moreira rides, and he's no mug but this aint Sha Tin!  One of the Raceshare horses, Scampi, also goes in the race. I have also decided to leave the Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock alone; Al Aasy should win but is too short for my liking. I am on a bit of a losing run this week but believe I have a few for Saturday to turn the tide. 

Best bets for the horse racing at Newmarket

As yesterday with the two two-year-olds at HQ I tipped the fact William Buick stays here in the UK to ride for his boss Charlie Appleby, rather than making a trip across the pond (more on that later), I see as a positive for the two's chances -  not that it worked out last night! First up for Charlie Appleby and Buick is Beautiful Love who makes her racecourse debut in the opener the 7f Tiber Tiger British EBF 'Newcomers' Maiden Fillies' Stakes at 1.55. By Siyouni, who was no slouch as a juvenile himself, she is out of Listed winner Powder Snow making her a half-sister to two winners. It’s a good family with a number of 100+ rated winners down the years. She's a two-year-old debutant from Moulton Paddocks at Newmarket so I am on at 15-8.

Wild Goddess steps up to Group Three company for the 7f Sweet Solera Stakes at 3.40. Fourth on debut at Haydock she literally walked out of the stalls there and ran-on nicely over the six-furlongs. She subsequently quickened away from her rivals to score by four lengths in a Novice race here in July over track and trip (tipped on here) in eye-catching style. It’s difficult to know what she beat that day but I really liked the way she did it. This looks quite an open affair with Fallen Angel and Soprano also considered but I have a feeling this filly might turn out to be very good. Her trainer Charlie Appleby said “Wild Goddess improved significantly from her debut at Haydock to win her novice stylishly, and we feel that she has come forward again since. Like most of the field, we are trying to establish our level for the season but we are hopeful she can be very competitive.” I think she might be the one Buick is most looking forward to riding and I have the 100-30.

Best bet for the horse racing at the Curragh

Race of the day in the Emerald Isle is the 6f Phoenix Stakes, the first Group One for Two-Year-olds of the season. Earlier in the week Aidan O'Brien looked to hold all the aces with the likes of City Of Troy, River Tiber, Matrika and Ylang Ylang all entered but none of them are actually going to run. Ryan Moore is on Unquestionable in the colours of a rather formidable partnership of Al Shaqab Racing,Coolmore,Westerberg! By Wootton Bassett out of Strawberry Lace, a Sea The Stars mare that raced just twice never troubling the judge on first look he doesn’t really catch the eye. That said she is from a fairly decent family with some good Juddmonte broodmares in her lineage and Coolmore would dearly love Wootton Bassett to become a top drawer sire. He was beaten on the line by the re-opposing Bucanero Fuerte in the 6f G.2 Railway Stakes over track and trip last month, His Majesty in third. I have a bit of the 2-1 about the O’Brien trained colt gaining revenge here.

Best bet for the horse racing at Colonial Downs

At 10.14 our time they have the mile Grade Two Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs New Kent County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia. One has been sent from Moulton Paddocks in the shape of Silver Knott, Jamie Spencer is booked to ride. I backed the colt each-way in the 2,000 Guineas early this season and he has run twice at Belmont Park since then over 1m1f in June and 1m2f in July. He found plenty of trouble in running in June and appeared not to see out the 1m2f in July (surprised me as I thought that might be his trip this year). It shouldn’t be forgotten he was beaten just a nose in the G.1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last year so he has plenty of form the other side of the pond. Back down to eight-furlongs he will get the fast going he wants and stall one certainly hasn’t hurt his chances. I am on at 4-1. Charlie Appleby told the Godolphin website “This has been the plan for Silver Knott for a while and we feel dropping back in trip is going to suit. His preparation has gone well and, while it looks a competitive race, he should be bang there on the pick of his form.” I have no great opinion in the G.1 Arlington Million Stakes or G.1 Beverly D Stakes

Be lucky