Best bets for the horse racing this weekend around the world
There is a plethora of horse racing to get involved with again this weekend should you choose, here in the UK and abroad. Bank Holiday Monday is pretty basic stuff but there may be a bet to be had in one of the handicaps and if I am having one it will be updated on here. As mentioned earlier in the week ITV are showing racing on Sunday from Beverley and Goodwood. Saturday has six meetings here in the UK, they race at the Curragh in Ireland plus Baden-Baden in Germany and Saratoga over in America host Group/Graded action – they actually have five Grade One’s at Saratoga including the Travers Stakes.
Following all the rain of yesterday the word soft is suddenly appearing in going descriptions again here in the UK – it may seem obvious but remember to take that into account when having a punt. I fancy two in the UK, one in Ireland and a couple across the pond at Saratoga in the USA.
Best bets for the horse racing at Goodwood
They get underway at Goodwood with the Group Three William Hill Prestige Fillies' Stakes over 7f at 1.50. Fairy Cross was all over the show somewhat on debut at HQ on the Rowley Mile course back in May in a race won by subsequent G.2 winner Mawj. She settled much better when winning easily back at Newmarket on the July course over seven in June. She followed that up when a close second in 7f Listed race at Sandown in July, I tipped her; first two clear of the field and that’s the best form in the book I would argue. By Dubai out of the G.2 winning Devonshire there is every reason to believe there will be more to come from this filly yet. Buick is here to ride the Charlie Appleby trained filly and I have the 3-1 overnight about her.
The Group Three March Stakes is a bit of a farce sadly with Hoo Ya Mal long odds-on being rated at least 18lb superior to the other three runners!
The main event is at 3.35 the Group Two Celebration Mile Stakes. Mutasaabeq has won only once this year, over 7f at Thirsk in the soft back in April, but has run well in some decent contests since and was headed in the shadow of the post in the G.2 Summer Mile Stakes at Ascot last time in a prolonged fight with Chindit. It's the best form but I just wonder if he really puts it in in a battle? I can’t have him at a short price. Jadoomi won a Listed heat in France on his return from a nine-month absence it appeared with a bit up his sleeve. The gelding likes to be up the pointed end and may get his own way up front in this. Needs to improve on paper but is lightly raced and the run in Clairefontaine will have blown away the cobwebs and you would expect him to improve for the run. I have taken a chance at 7-2 overnight on the Crisford trained four-year-old – Buick rides this one as well.
Best bet for the horse racing at the Curragh
The Group Three 1m1f Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes at 3.40 might not be the best Group Three you’ll see all season and that should prove handy for a Juddmonte homebred I have talked of before. I tipped Juncture when she was second here back in May and she was perhaps a little unlucky to come up against an improver in the G.3 Desmond Stakes last time at Leopardstown when second again. The grey filly kept on well for second over the mile at Leopardstown and this slightly stiffer stamina test could well suit and I remain convinced she is better than her current mark of 102 suggests. The yard is in form and I am on at 7-4 overnight. Jospeh O’Brien trained Seisai is the clear danger.
Best bets for the horse racing at Saratoga
Jackies Warrior goes in the Grade One 7f Forego Stakes at Saratoga but will be long odds-on. He is the only racehorse ever to win a Grade 1 three years in a row at Saratoga apparently and is hoping to match the record of Fourstardave as a six-time stakes winner at the Spa in this race.
An interesting raider is Broome in the Grade One 1m4f Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer Stakes due off at 10.05. The six-year-old has put in a couple of fair efforts recently and is probably a class above anything the Americans have on turf over middle-distances. He of course won the G.2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot before running a decent fourth in the G.1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes back at the Berkshire track last month. Ryan Moore has crossed the pond to do the steering and he can sweep this field aside, I have 5-2 overnight with Coral as I expect them to get smashed for that.
As for the 1m2f Grade One Travers Stakes at 10.44 Epicenter looks the most likely winner following his recent win here over a furlong shorter in the G.2 Jim Dandy Stakes. Second in the Kentucky Derby behind shock winner Rich Strike and second again the Preakness Stakes to Early Voting, he had that rival well beat in the Jim Dandy, he is the most consistent of these and can gain a well-deserved big race victory. I have the generally available 6-4 overnight.
Be lucky