Racing Live - Goodwood 20th May 2009
18:03 Well that’s it from Goodwood, not quite a glorious afternoon, but it is harder to think of a better way to spend a nice summers afternoon. Meanwhile from Goodwood, a very good afternoon.
18:00 The finale, a 5f apprentices handicap proved to be an absolute nightmare for punters. Step It Up and Brandywell Boy, who took minor honours, were also running on late.
17:20 Another tricky maiden fillies’ stakes, this time over seven furlongs, for our sixth contest. Visite Royale did try to close the gap but failed by a neck on the line.
16:49 A 1m 1f maiden stakes in which thirteen went to post, four of whom were debutants, including one of the joint favourites Sabotage. The other joint favourite Kris Kin Line, from the Stoute yard had one previous run. This could be a good maiden in the weeks and months to come and there is a feeling several winners could emerge from this contest.
16:16 A 2m handicap for our next and an odds-on favourite in the shape of Kayf Aramis. Also running on were Cleaver and Ned Ludd and they filled the minor places, with Takafu denying the jolly fourth spot. 15:48 The bookies are not over impressed with the winner, who is 25/1 for the Investec Derby, from 50's 15:42 Our feature race of the afternoon was the listed Cocked Hat Stakes, a Derby Trial, over 1m 3f. Only five went to post and the form of the race will probably be very questionable as the early pace (if it can be called that) was painfully slow, effectively turning the race into a four furlong sprint. What pace there was had been set by Frankie Dettori on Chock A Block, with the others in Indian File behind – led by The Queen’s Free Agent, then Sight Unseen, Alwaary and Beauchamp Xerxes. There was little change in the order until they were in the home straight and the pace began to increase. Approaching three out Free Agent came upsides the leader but within a matter of yards the whole field were line abreast and the entire complexion of the race changed. By two out, Chock A Block was out of it and Alwaary had joined Free Agent in the lead. In the final furlong Richard Hills pushed Alwaary into the lead and Beauchamp Xerxes came with a late run under Ryan Moore but, Alwaary had flown, coming home three lengths clear. Sight Unseen came with a late rally to deny the royal runner third place on the line. 15:04 Well they say experience counts for a great deal and it proved to be the case in this contest as Richard Hannon’s favourite La Pantera won the race in convincing style. The other runner with experience, Anjomarba, helped set the pace along with Falling Angel and Flyinflyout , with the grey Velvet Band tracking the trio. Richard Hughes settled the favourite mid-division. Of the front runners Anjomarba dropped out of contention but the others stayed on well. However two out Hughes had moved into fourth place and at the furlong pole presses the turbo button and the race was effectively over as the filly finished 2¼ lengths clear of her rivals. Falling Angel took the runners-up spot, with Velvet Band third. Unusually, apart from the winner, there were no running on horses in the race and the second to fifth places went to the front runners. 14:42 The second race a 6f maiden fillies’ contest, is something of a punters nightmare with ten of the twelve making their racecourse debut. I have to say for a parade ring full of debutant fillies they were remarkably calm and well behaved. 14:33 We had starting games at Yarmouth yesterday and the sequence seems to be continuing here at Goodwood this afternoon in our opening 1m 1f handicap. Mark Johnston’s Becausewecan went into the stalls but was then taken out and then withdrawn on the advice of the vet. In the race itself the remaining ten runners were headed by Star Links, although it has to be said it was not a breakneck pace. As often happens here the race developed in the home straight and the favourite December Draw began to run on three out, however the run came to nothing. Sandor, who had been tracking the leader, took up the running two out, whilst Tony Culhane launched Silver Games with a blistering run against the far rail. Meanwhile William Buick was keeping Forte Dei Marmi well covered, in fact too well coverer as he ended up seemingly having nowhere to go. Eventually the gap appeared and Buick asked for and effort, to which the colt responded. A thrilling finish then ensued and Forte Dei Marmi just got his head in front on the line – perhaps a fortunate win – but a win nonetheless. Sandor took second with Silver Games coming home third. The favourite finished fifth. 14:07 The runners are in the ring for our opener. Nothing really stands out although a couple of negatives. Lady Rusty is slightly on her toes, Sandor is attempting to pull his handlers arms out whilst Star Links is a tail swisher. December Draw has two handlers. The favourite Forte Dei Marmi looked good as did Becausewecan. 13:16 Good afternoon from Goodwood, where the weather is bright but overcast. we have several non-runners, details on the right. 07:20 It has been a dry night on the Sussex Downs and a dry day is forecast, the official going is Good. Our selections today are:-
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Non-RunnersThe time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner. SC - Self Certificate 2:15 3:25 4:00 4:35 5:10 17:45 Results 2:15 Handicap 1m 1f 1st 10 Forte Dei Marmi 4/1 2:50 Maiden Fillies' 6f 1st 10 La Pantera 11/4 fav 3:25 Listed Stakes 1m 3f 1st 2 Alwaary 5/1 1st 3 Elliptical 12/1 5:10 Maiden Fillies 7f 1st 8 So Blissful 33/1 5:45 Handicap 5f 1st 9 Peopleton Brook 16/1 |
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