One of the big advantages of micro following one big yard is the knowledge we have gained to spot big market moves that simply make no sense, given the information available before the race.
One obvious example was Scoville at Thirsk on Friday. Highly talented but refusing to settle both in preliminaries and in his races, he was gelded before his seasonal debut. Jockey Cieren Fallon had stated he thought the horse would need the run.
In the race preliminaries Scoville gave every indication that his bad habits continued, he was fractious and was taken down to post early. Remarkably the morning ‘gamble’ on the horse that had started when he was 7/1 continued and accelerated as post time approached down to 2/1.
When these illogical gambles occur, it has to be questioned just how much money has been placed. Predictably in the race Scoville was too fresh, pulled too hard and finished last. It will take all the skill the Somerville Lodge have to get this talented colt to race in a way that enables him to match his potential.
Early Saturday morning UK time, Dubai Honour and Caviar Heights took on the unbeaten Aussie super mare Autumn Glow in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday morning,
Following the defeat of Notable Speech in the Maker Mile in Keenland late Friday night, it proved to be a nightmare 12 hours for odds on favourite backers as Autumn Glow was defeated by Sir Delius with Dubai Honour beaten just over 4L in 4th.
In hindsight I suspect Marquand would have ridden Dubai Honour on the pace, as the first time blinkers lit up the 8yo and he never really settled held up in rear. On ground faster than ideal he was outpaced and although staying on never looked likely to get involved.
Prize money from the 2nd and 4th placings from his two runs in Aussie this year will have covered the costs and all being he will be back in Europe to do battle again this summer.
Dubai Honour 4th in Group 1 at Royal Randwick as Aussie superstar defeated.
Chrysalis Consortium 
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