William Haggas made it public knowledge last summer that he intended to keep more of his horses in training as 4yo’s and older and it is a strategy that potentially offers a rich source of profit.
Although, we may miss a few winners, I think the patience of the Somerville Lodge master is key to backing these horses at the right time and day when they are in the best place to win.
Already we have collected with First Principle, who won on its second outing this season, and I think it is wise to take the same approach with Power Fizz who kicks off an intriguing 24 hours for Somerville Lodge when he reappears for the first time in over 300 days in the 6f Class 3 handicap at 7.00 pm – Newcastle on Friday.
Gelded following his last run in a Class 2 at Goodwood where he finished 4th after a highly productive Spring campaign when he won 3 out of 4 starts. He has been dropped 1lb for that run and I am very confident that he will win races off this mark and higher, as the season progresses.
The Tapeta AW surface will hold no fears as a course winner and the opposition looks relatively weak for a Class 3. He is well drawn in stall 14 to sit off the pace in a race which features a number of trailblazers. Front running is also the usual style of Power Fizz but I suspect he won’t have the pace to lead against these 6f speedsters. He has top weight to shoulder but as usual with Haggas horses in handicaps, bookmakers will not be generous, and he is unlikely to be an each way price in the early markets.
Significantly, he is dropped to 6f for the first time and again whilst it is entirely possible this will not hamper him, the general profile of Haggas horses first time out, suggests this is not the main target for him this spring and he will improve for the outing.
Normally, horses that win first time out for the yard in early season handicaps have been prepared for the Lincoln, the AW championships on Good Friday or have winning form on the AW after 1st January in the calendar year. That rule will only apply to First Principle at present this year as currently there are no other AW winners in training at the yard.
Last Season Power Fizz landed two nice touches for us at the Newmarket Craven meeting and then at Ascot winning a couple of 7f handicap’s following on from an AW win at Newcastle.
As an Ascot Course winner over 7f – the Victoria Cup in May could well be his main target – his current mark of 90 is good enough to get him into the race.
That race means a lot to Haggas as he won it back in 1996 with Yeast who provided him with one of first big handicap wins and then followed up in the Hunt Cup in June. He last won it 2017 with Fastnet Tempest who won off a mark of 89.
He has not had a runner in the race since that win – Power Fizz has all the right credentials and will be of interest if an entry is given to him.
I must reiterate that we are going to miss some pay days in this new era for the yard , however the stable has had few winners on the AW this Winter and the fact that Power Fizz is returning after nearly a year’s absence is reason me to wait for another day. If you are wanting to bet in the race, watch the market and if he is supported close to the off he could easily be good enough to win.
William Haggas Q&A: ‘I want to have 40 or 50 four-year-olds next year – I’m going to be like a jumps trainer’
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