Richard Hannon's stable had an amazing last season which eventually led it to the trainer's championship title. While the successes of Canford Cliffs, Dick Turpin and Paco Boy contributed a large part to their accumulated prize money, the bulk of their wins came from their strong juvenile string. This year, the stable has started strong again, which seems to indicate that wins will continue to flow this season for the stable from Everleigh.
Retainer was one of the many 2-year olds that caught the eye for the stable last year, easily winning its only start, before breaking a leg bone to be cast off for the rest of the season. He makes his comeback at Leicester in the 6 furlong condition race at 16:20. If he is back near his best, he should take all the beating. Given that he's been away for nearly a year, will be carrying top-weight, and the opposition is decent, he might need the run. Still, he should be in the first 2, and a Place recommendation on the Hannon charge looks safe.
Place: Retainer
Showing posts with label Paco Boy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paco Boy. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Start of the Flat season
As Dubai racing fades away, the start of Flat season is upon us for hopefully a great season ahead. Lots to look forward to;
- the re-appearance of St Nicholas Abbey, the Ballydoyle prodigy who went missing last year. Has he overcome the problems that plagued his last campaign, and get back his best form to confirm the high expectations of his trainer and fans?
- the confirmation of Frankel, whose potential of being a wonder horse will be the most scrutinized after his stellar 2-year old season, and utmost praises from his trainer Henry Cecil.
- the return of superstar Goldikova for one more crack at the Breeders Cup Mile, Can she yet again put away any new pretender to her crown at a Mile? Or will Canford Cliffs avenge ex-stablemate Paco Boy for all the whipping he got at the hands of the super mare?
- the coming of So You Think, the Australasian superstar, who in my opinion, has no equal in the world in the middle-distance division. He's got he most beautiful action I've seen in a horse.
- maybe, the clash of super sprinters at Royal Ascot? Rocket Man, Black Caviar, Overdose, JJ the Jet Plane... hopefully all these sprint kings can make it on the British shores and give a world-class spectacle on the grandest scene, in lieu of the miserable showing of local sprinters.
Finally, hopefully new stars will emerge from the Godolphin, Ballydoyle and Juddmonte camps. The epic finish between Khawlah and Master of the Hounds in the UAE Derby on Saturday, is hopefully a harbinger of the renewal of hostilities between the 2 racing super powers. Racing has been missing this rivalry. Add a rejuvenated Henry Cecil yard to the mix, and we could have some spectacular racing ahead of us.
- the re-appearance of St Nicholas Abbey, the Ballydoyle prodigy who went missing last year. Has he overcome the problems that plagued his last campaign, and get back his best form to confirm the high expectations of his trainer and fans?
- the confirmation of Frankel, whose potential of being a wonder horse will be the most scrutinized after his stellar 2-year old season, and utmost praises from his trainer Henry Cecil.
- the return of superstar Goldikova for one more crack at the Breeders Cup Mile, Can she yet again put away any new pretender to her crown at a Mile? Or will Canford Cliffs avenge ex-stablemate Paco Boy for all the whipping he got at the hands of the super mare?
- the coming of So You Think, the Australasian superstar, who in my opinion, has no equal in the world in the middle-distance division. He's got he most beautiful action I've seen in a horse.
- maybe, the clash of super sprinters at Royal Ascot? Rocket Man, Black Caviar, Overdose, JJ the Jet Plane... hopefully all these sprint kings can make it on the British shores and give a world-class spectacle on the grandest scene, in lieu of the miserable showing of local sprinters.
Finally, hopefully new stars will emerge from the Godolphin, Ballydoyle and Juddmonte camps. The epic finish between Khawlah and Master of the Hounds in the UAE Derby on Saturday, is hopefully a harbinger of the renewal of hostilities between the 2 racing super powers. Racing has been missing this rivalry. Add a rejuvenated Henry Cecil yard to the mix, and we could have some spectacular racing ahead of us.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Zenyatta's final race and week-end football.
A great 100% strike as both of our last recommendations for Place won; Colour Scheme won his race, and Midday came out second in the Mare/Filly Turf at Churchill Downs.
Tomorrow's Breeders' Cup day is all about Zenyatta. Will she win and retire undefeated? I think so. However, she hasn't faced such quality horses before. She will have to be on her A game, and not be too far off the pace, as she will not be able to pick up the front-runners as easily as she did with other fillies and mares. It will be up to the jockey to ensure that she's positioned well enough to avoid traffic problems in order to launch her usual final assault. I think it's safe to say that she will be in the top 3, so a Place should bring returns.
If Workforce goes to post, I think he's got a great chance to win in the Turf. I am not sure why the connections are being reticent on the current ground, but he should be able to go on good/firm. I hope he runs on his true form, unlike Dancing Brave. I have him as Place as well.
Goldikova, the other queen of the meeting. Her wide post is obviously an issue. It might not have mattered last year, but this year there are some serious genuine Group 1 winners in this race; Proviso, Paco Boy, Gio Ponti. If Peslier can get Goldikova tucked in a nice stalking position from stall 10, then she will be very hard to overcome. If she's far back at the final bend, and has got too much traffic to overcome, then I can see shades of Rock of Gibraltar, who had to turn wide but gallantly finished second. Golidikova should be in the frame.
Football Saturday. In the Premier League, Birmingham, Blackburn and Sunderland should earn at least 1 point at home tomorrow. So they are good draw-no-bets.
In Italy, Inter should beat Brescia, but with their midweek Champions League exertions, it's safer to have them as Draw-no-bet.
In Germany, Bayern should not lose to last-place Monchengladbach, so they are another safe Draw-no-bet.
Place: Zenyatta, Workforce, Goldikova
Draw-no-bet: Birmingham, Blackburn, Sunderland, Inter, Bayern
Tomorrow's Breeders' Cup day is all about Zenyatta. Will she win and retire undefeated? I think so. However, she hasn't faced such quality horses before. She will have to be on her A game, and not be too far off the pace, as she will not be able to pick up the front-runners as easily as she did with other fillies and mares. It will be up to the jockey to ensure that she's positioned well enough to avoid traffic problems in order to launch her usual final assault. I think it's safe to say that she will be in the top 3, so a Place should bring returns.
If Workforce goes to post, I think he's got a great chance to win in the Turf. I am not sure why the connections are being reticent on the current ground, but he should be able to go on good/firm. I hope he runs on his true form, unlike Dancing Brave. I have him as Place as well.
Goldikova, the other queen of the meeting. Her wide post is obviously an issue. It might not have mattered last year, but this year there are some serious genuine Group 1 winners in this race; Proviso, Paco Boy, Gio Ponti. If Peslier can get Goldikova tucked in a nice stalking position from stall 10, then she will be very hard to overcome. If she's far back at the final bend, and has got too much traffic to overcome, then I can see shades of Rock of Gibraltar, who had to turn wide but gallantly finished second. Golidikova should be in the frame.
Football Saturday. In the Premier League, Birmingham, Blackburn and Sunderland should earn at least 1 point at home tomorrow. So they are good draw-no-bets.
In Italy, Inter should beat Brescia, but with their midweek Champions League exertions, it's safer to have them as Draw-no-bet.
In Germany, Bayern should not lose to last-place Monchengladbach, so they are another safe Draw-no-bet.
Place: Zenyatta, Workforce, Goldikova
Draw-no-bet: Birmingham, Blackburn, Sunderland, Inter, Bayern
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