The season kick starts into action this weekend and whilst we advisably kept our powder relatively dry in March and April we still secured a nice profit and we are playing with the bookmakers money as the season gets into full swing.
We didn’t back a couple of really good winners on Friday with Santorini Star and Saber Strike but I could not be more pleased as their victories proved beyond doubt this is going to be memorable season.
For those of you that like Ante Post the 16/1 about My Ophelia for the Epsom Oaks and 16/1 about Saber Strike for the Commonwealth Cup if all goes to plan, will represent outstanding value at post time.
The sheer class of Sober Strike got him home despite needing the run and continuing to drift from 9/4 to 11/2 and Santorini Star simply out toughed her rivals to land a gamble. which gathered pace after the withdrawal of the favorite Bay City Roller.
The win of Earth Shot in the opener was impressive and huge boost to My Ophelia who I believe is rated a fair bet better then today’s winning filly who looked every inch group class herself.
Division was also an eye catcher in the Commonwealth Cup trial at Ascot and probably would have Won but for a slow start with the two market leaders Wise Approach and Brussels disappointing. Again I believe Saber Strike is considered the better horse.
The other 3yo’s ran as expected all needing their initial races and are horses to look out for next time out.The past week, as we predicted has seen the Haggas team hitting the normal expected strike rates, and there is no reason now to hold back with a large number of fancied horses going to post this weekend and throughout the month. 10 horses are due to line up on Saturday and there are 4 of special interest.
Saturday Newmarket 5 Runners
Firstly, hopefully some of you have got the 100/1 about Needle Match in the 2000 Guineas, which we advised after his promising run in the Greenham.
He has drawn stall 1 which although on the wing shouldn’t be an issue as low numbers look to be favoured with the pace in the race looking very likely to be set from those on the far side. Correbus in 2022 Galileo Gold in 2016 and the great Frankel in 2011 were all successful from this draw. There is also a low draw dominance with over 60% of winners in the last 16 years drawn in stalls 1 to 6
Marquand will get cover and hopefully have sufficient class to make an impact in the race up the Rowley Mile Hill.
The draw has not be kind to the favourite Bow Echo in 15 as along with Needle Match the other fancied horse Gstaad (7), and Distant Storm (2) are drawn low alongside the likely pace setters Alparsian (4) Into the Sky (3) and Thesecretadvisory(5).
As a result of the draw Bow Echo has drifted to 7/2 and Needle Match is into 16/1.
Let’s hope we get a good run for our money.
The low numbers hopefully prove to be an advantage throughout the day as our first bet is on Sky Majesty in the 6f listed race that opens the card at 1.10
Things didn’t really go her way last season but she ran with credit in several Group 1 races and is more than up to winning this listed contest. She was drawn in the car park in the Prix de l’abbaye, and was badly hampered in the Betfair Sprint. However she had been very impressive when winning over this trip in listed company at Naas on good ground and she remains a filly with genuine Group 1 potential.
She has also drawn Stall 1 but that looks advantageous with the pacesetters in 2 and 3.
Recommended Bet 1pt EW Sky Majesty 1.10 Newmarket.
Bullett Point is the stable selected from six or seven entries in the 1m Heritage handicap at 2.20 He won first time out last season at Newmarket over a 1m off a mark of 89 when he got an uncontested lead on the far rail. This year he is drawn in 6 alongside another front runner Botanical in 5. The favourite Mister Winston is in stall 2.
Last year he had an uninterupted preparation winning from a mark just 89. However this time around he races off 105 and has had an unsuccessful trip to Australia over the winter and I suspect he will be better for the race
No Bet Recommended.
First Instinct is a great battler and whilst she can never be written off she has been given a stiff start to her 4yo season in the Group 3 Abernant stakes at 2.55
These Group races at the 5f trip are something of a lottery and although she can never be written off, she will do well to reach the frame and get some more Group 3 black type.
No Bet Recommended
Finally at Newmarket in the Class 4 7f Handicap at 5.20 Thaluna steps into handicap company for the first time off a mark of just 82.
She has to carry top weight of 9’11 in what doesn’t look like a strong race for the track. However, as a rule the yards 3yo handicappers need their first outing of the season and that has certainly been the case historically at this meeting.
I will watch her with an eye to the future.
No Bet Recommended
Saturday Goodwood 3 Runners
In the restricted maiden that starts the card at 1.55 Adalo makes his debut fitted with a tongue tie having all ready been gelded. The 8f trip looks to be short of what he will need and is a horse to watch and see how he progresses.
No Bet Recommended
Our second bet is another potential Group class filly in the shape of Zooming who heads for the 6f Listed Fillies stakes due off at 1.30.
Back on the track just 14 days after an excellent first run in the Fred Darling at Newbury the drop to 6f looks sure to suit this daughter of Mohatheer who looks to have inherited plenty of speed from her sire. Although her dam stayed 12f she was by Exceed and Excel who gets plenty of high quality sprinters.
On ratings he favourite Fitzella is a big danger she also started her season off over 7f in the Nell Gwynn. I thought the Fred Darling looked the stronger of the two trials and Zooming with further scope for improvement at 3 rates a good value bet at 4/1.
Fitzella looks sure to go from the front but I am confident Zooming has the necessary speed to track the favorite and then go by her inside the final furlong.
Recommended Bet 1pt EW Zooming 4/1.
In the 10f handicap at 4.00 Yabher sets out to climb the handicap ranks when he tackles Class 2 opposition from a career mark of 92. He was impressive over 12f on his last start of 2025 and on this sharp track down in trip 2F this has the look of a pipe opener in readiness for a campaign over longer distances, at some of the major summer festivals.
No Bet Recommended
Saturday Thirsk 2 runners.
Oisin Orr has been booked for the rides on the two Somerville Lodge contenders.
The beautifully bred Night of Thunder filly Perfect Ruler makes her seasonal reappearence in the 7f maiden at 2.10. With the yards 3yo’s now firing she will every chance of winning. This is a race where all five a good chance and with no real idea of how the race will be run – we will stick to our No bet in noise or maiden rule.
No Bet Recommended
In the Thirsk Hunt Cup at 2.40, Sea Force is on a recovery mission having been disappointing at Musselburgh when at the time he was advised as the strongest bet of the season.
I don’t as a rule like to give second chances to horses that disappoint but such was the confidence behind this 4yo that it looks wise to make an exception.
At the time nearly all the stables runners were very fresh and needing the run. In the Musselburgh race he pulled very hard for the first 4f and then was in the heart of a very strong cross wind and became unbalanced. He did though stay on well in the final furlong.
Haggas had stated that the horse needs a strong pace to aim at and he is guaranteed to get this drawn in Stall 3 with last years winner Flight Plan drawn in 2 certain to set an end to end gallop which was successful in this race last season.
Recommended Bet 1pt EW Sea Force 5/1 – 1-4 places
Summary
Although recommending all 3 bets EW it is ultra competitive racing and it makes sense to give ourselves the insurance of the places with each not quite strong enough to merit our next 3pt Win Bets which should be just around the corner.
Needle Match advised at 100/1 heads for Saturdays 2000 Guineas
Chrysalis Consortium 
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