Haggas Treading Water Waiting for Rain…

As predicted the early part of the week has not produced any winners for Somerville Lodge. It was baffling why Perfect Strike was heavily backed to be the market leader in the 2yo Novice at Newbury. He ran as expected showing more than on debut and also that the best would not be seen of him until next season.

Thursday continues in the same vein with only Desert Treasure declared in the 5f sprint at 3.52 on the AW at Lingfield

She looked a useful prospect as a juvenile but is small and hasn’t progressed throughout this season.

The market surrounding her 3 runs in 2026 provides a good model of how the bookmakers are extremely nervous about any runner sent out from Somerville Lodge. After winning two minor races as a 2yo, she reappeared in an ultra competitive 3yo class 3 York handicap off a mark of 83. Despite being off the track for 10 months and at a time when all the yards 3yo’s needed their first outing she was sent off the 11/2 market leader, having been as short as 7/2 in the early exchanges. She showed some speed but dropped away after finding trouble in running to be well beaten by over 7L

The handicapper dropped her 2lb to a mark of 81 and there was a general opinion amongst the paddock judges that she had failed to progress and strengthen from 2 to 3. Nevertheless on her next start in a Class 4 she was still towards the head of the market at Newmarket – she was again bumped in the early stages and was well beaten finishing 7th of 8

The handicapper dropped her 3lb but it made little difference on her 3rd start the bookmakers finally decided that she may not be progressing and she was allowed to go off 12/1 and was again soundly beaten finishing 7th of 9.

On Thursday the handicapper has dropped her another 3lb to a mark of 75 which enables her to run in this Class 5 contest. This maybe her level but logic is saying she has failed to train on and I expect unless she wins or goes close she will be off to the paddocks. She is a half sister to the owner/breeders Timeform 113 rated Group 3 winner Johan and she has secured a lucrative career in the paddocks. A win as a 3yo to back up her juvenile successes would add to the value but it looks a difficult task against these race hardened sprinters.

Bet ? No