Ian Heitman counts down to Lingfield Finals Day
Ian Heitman counts down to Lingfield finals day on March 25
With just a few weeks to go before the culmination of the All-Weather season at Lingfield Park on March 25, there are still a number of Fast Track Qualifier races to be held which guarantee the winner a place on Finals Day. Over the past few weeks, six horses have won Fast Track Qualifiers across six of the seven categories (the four Fillies And Mares Qualifiers have already been run).
THREE-YEAR-OLDS
In a bid to encourage French and Irish representation in the three-year-old category, they each stage a Fast Track Qualifier, the Listed Prix Californie at Cagnes-sur-Mer and a conditions race at Dundalk.The Prix Californie over a mile took place at Cagnes-sur-Mer on February 14 with six going to post. HURRICANE was sent off the odds on favourite to maintain his unbeaten record and he landed the odds in impressive style. Held up off the pace, he was always going strongly for Ioritz Mendizabal and made progress from the turn into the straight, taking the lead with a furlong and a half to go and only having to be pushed out to record an easy three length win. He looked a decent prospect winning here and will be a danger to all in the final if his trainer Jean-Claude Rouget decides to bring him over. HOMBRE ROJO, who had created a good impression winning two races at Lingfield in January, had his next start in Dubai in the UAE 2000 Guineas on February 11. His opposition included LAZZAM who he had beaten comfortably on his previous start and a pair from Godolphin, STEADY PACE and ROULEAU who were only separated by a nose in the trial for this race. With a 2lb turnaround, ROULEAU was sent off the 7/4 favourite but weakened in the straight and was heavily eased by William Buick.It is doubtful whether he would have got anywhere near the impressive all the way winner MARKET READY who stayed on strongly to beat Lazzam by six lengths with Hombre Rojo never challenging in third. A return to Lingfield should be next on the cards for Hombre Rojo.
CAPE SPEED has made good progress for Mark Johnston since his maiden win at Chelmsford in December, picking up handicaps off 82 at Lingfield on January 23 when he comfortably beat TAKE THE HELM and off 88 at Kempton on February 3 when he beat NOKHADA by a length and a half in a steadily run race. His handicap mark was raised to 96 which will ensure he gets a run in the Three-Year-Old final, however he could take his chance in a handicap at Musselburgh on the same day as Final’s Day. TAKE THE HELM was raised 4lb for his second to Cape Speed and had his next race in a class 3 apprentice handicap at Lingfield on February 5.He was the second favourite behind recent course winner SEA OF FLAMES, who like on his previous start was well supported in the betting. Sea Of Flames ran out an impressive winner under Adam McLean, leading all the way and staying on strongly to record a four length victory over Take The Helm who had no answer in the final furlong. Sea Of Flames was raised 10lb for
this easy win and will next race off 87. He needs another run to qualify for the final under the three all-weather runs rule and whilst he is likely to face better opposition next time, is very much one to keep on the right side of.
THREE-YEAR-OLDS SPRINT
Despite only four runners lining up for the third Fast Track Qualifier in this category at Chelmsford on February 7, there was still plenty of interest. The first and second from the previous qualifier at Kempton, GRACIOUS JOHN and FIELD OF VISION took their chance as did recent Lingfield handicap scorer KADRIZZI, with THATSALLIMSAYING completing the line up. Gracious John was the 4/6 favourite having won well at Kempton with Field Of Vision and Kadrizzi vying for second favouritism. Gracious John couldn’t get to the front as he had done at Kempton, Field Of Vision showed the better pace away from the stalls to lead. Gracious John failed to handle the track and ran very wide into the straight. Field Of Vision couldn’t hold off the challenge of Kadrizzi in the straight and was headed inside the last furlong with Gracious John keeping on well to be beaten only a length. Kadrizzi provided Dean Ivory with a second Fast Track Qualifier winner, Lancelot Du Lac won in the sprint category, and whilst this was a decent performance and he is progressing well, the left-handed track at Lingfield should see Gracious John bounce back and he looks the one to beat in the final when he is likely to face both Kadrizzi and Field Of Vision (needs another run to qualify).
Kadrizzi beat KINGSLEY KLARION at Lingfield in a class 2 handicap prior to winning at Chelmsford and this form was boosted when Kingsley Klarion benefitted from a drop to class 4 company at Kempton on January 27 when he led all the way and beat DREAM MOVER by half a length. Dream Mover ran well on his first start since finishing down the field in Group 3 company at York in August. A good looking colt by Dream Ahead, he was a little tapped for toe when the pace increased with two and a half furlongs to go but stayed on well inside the final furlong and a step up to 7f should see him win next time. Kingsley Klarion has been consistent on the all-weather this season (rare poor run at Southwell in January) and he carried top weight in his next run in a class 3 handicap at Lingfield on February 13 where he was 4/1 behind 5/2 joint favourites DISCREET HERO and SUMMER CHORUS. Completing the field of five were GOROKAI and AGUEROOO. Kingsley Klarion was allowed the run of the race from the front with the joint favourites racing close to the pace. Aguerooo travelled best of all for 7lb apprentice Hollie Doyle, held up in the rear he made good progress over a furlong from the finish to collar Kingsley Klarion close home with Gorokai keeping on but unable to challenge in third with both joint favourites disappointing in fourth and fifth. Both Aguerooo and Kingsley Klarion should take their chance in the final however they are more like to place than to win.
SPRINT
The Listed Cleves Stakes over 6f at Lingfield on February 6 was the latest of the four Fast Track Qualifiers in the sprint category. A field of 12 lined up with 11 of the 12 rated 100 or above.Top rated COLD AS ICE was the 9/4 favourite on her first UK start over 6f with Joe Fanning taking over the reins with her regular pilot Bernard Fayd’Herbe remaining in South Africa. CHOOKIE ROYALE was next in the market at 4/1 and it looked beforehand as if he would put the pace to the race having been given a good draw in stall 2. He couldn’t get to the lead after a slightly sluggish start and chased the pace set by German raider GAMGOOM who broke well from the outside stall and crossed over to lead (the stewards weren’t too impressed with Martin Harley not staying straight for the required 100 yards and
handed him a one-day ban), with 2015 winner of the race, RIVELLINO, also racing close up. Cold As Ice was a little keen early in midfield and had plenty of ground to make up at halfway, whilst Godolphin’s MY CALL had the widest trip of all and was forced to run very wide into the straight leaving her with little chance to get involved. Harley kicked for home turning into the straight and it was only Rivellino who could go with him with very few getting involved from further back. Rivellino kept on well and grabbed the lead with 50 yards to go to deny Gamgoom by a neck with Cold As Ice finishing strongly inside the last furlong to grab third near the finish ahead of LIGHTS CAMERA C TI ON. Chookie Royale faded inside the final furlong to be seventh. Rivellino finished seventh in the 2015 Sprint final, a wide draw denying him any real chance of figuring, and providing he gets a draw similar to the one he had here, stall five, he should give a good account. Gamgoom ran a fine race especially as he was carrying a 3lb penalty and he will return to Lingfield for the last of the qualifiers, the Listed 5f Hever Stakes on February 27 before the Sprint final. Cold As Ice is now qualified to run on Final’s day and she would have outstanding claims in the Fillies And Mares category but would also have a good chance in the Sprint if she was able to be ridden closer to the pace (missed the break slightly here). Chookie Royale will no doubt head for the Listed Lady Wilfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton on March 12, a race he won in 2014 and was second in 2015.
SPRING LOADED won his third race from four starts when beating BOOMERANG BOB (fifth in the Cleves Stakes) by half a length in a class 2 handicap over 6f a Lingfield on January 22. He was always travelling well for Shane Kelly in midfield and made progress from the turn in, taking the lead with 75 yards to go and running on well. He is unlikely to make the cut for the Sprint final due to his rating of 93 but he should continue to give a good account and could progress into a candidate for the Victoria Cup at Ascot in May over 7f (finished a good second at Ascot on his only previous start there). MILEDundalk staged the latest of the Fast Track Qualifiers in the Mile category on February 12.Only four lined up with CAPTAIN JOY going off the 4/5 favourite. There wasn’t much pace in this race with GEOLOGICAL allowed an easy time in front with the other three close up. Captain Joy was always going well for Pat Smullen and he stayed on well to get his head in front inside the last 100 yards, beating Geolog- ical by half a length.He has previous experience of Lingfield, won a qualifier there in 2015 before an excellent third in the final and will have minor claims on Good Friday.
MINDUROWNBUSINESS returned to action after a 68-day layoff at Wolverhampton on February 8 in a four runner conditions race over a mile and half a furlong. He looked in good shape beforehand and was sent off 1/2favourite. He travelled well close to the pace set by BASIL BERRY and took the lead with a furlong and half left to go, only having to be pushed clear by Jim Crowley to win in course record time by three lengths from SIRIUS PROSPECT with LAT HAWILL running a fair race on his return to Marco Bot ti’ ss table. Mind ur own business looks the one to beat in the Mile final and is currently the 6/4 favourite to do so. Stuart Williams has had his team in excellent form during the all-weather season with REALIZE being his star performer winning three of his last four starts (beaten only by Cold As Ice at Chelmsford). His last two wins have both been over 7f at Lingfield worth in excess of £28,000 to the winner. His first success came on January 22 when he kept on well from midfield to take the lead with 100 yards to go and beat fast finishing SHYRON by a neck. Raised 3lb for this win to a career high mark of 101,Realize carried top weight to victory on February 6 when he beat dead heaters, SHYRON and CERTIFCATE by a neck. He stays a mile and is clearly in the form of his life but will need another career best to beat Mind ur own business in the Final( was behind Mind ur own business when the pair met at Chelmsford in November). Both Shyron and Certificate ran really well, Shyron finished strongly from the rear on a day when it was an advantage to be up with the pace. Certificate got over from the widest draw to lead and controlled the pace, only headed by Realize well inside the last furlong, joined for second on the line by Shyron. He is still unexposed on the all-weather despite being five, a win and three second places from four starts, and will continue to run well. GREY MIRAGE showed his first form in a few runs in this race, he travelled well for Adam Kirby and wasn’t given a hard time inside the last furlong having met a bit of trouble in running and he might go well
at a big price in the Mile final. LUNAR DEITY gave this form a boost (ninth behind Realize and not given a hard time by Jamie Spencer inside the last furlong) when he returned to Lingfield on February 13 and won a class 2 handicap beating SI SENOR by a neck with BRAVO ZOLO keeping on well from the rear to be third.
MARATHON
Charlie Appleby has had a much quieter all-weather campaign this season compared to the previous one when the stable had plenty of winners.He sent out two runners for the latest Fast Track Qualifier in the Marathon category at Lingfield on January 23, PINZOLO and ANGLOPHILE who were amongst a field of seven. The pair dominated the betting with Pinzolo going off the 13/8 favourite with Anglophile at 2/1. George Scott’s HAMELIN who was stepping up in trip, was next in the betting at 6/1. Pinzolo under Adam Kirby got the lead after a few furlongs and was allowed to have the run of the race chased by Hamelin who never really travelled for Stevie Donohoe. Anglophile was settled in midfield by Martin Lane but under strong pressure when Kirby kicked for home over two furlongs from the finish. Pinzolo ran a little wide into the straight which allowed Anglophile a clear run through and he took the lead inside the last furlong and stayed on well to win by half a length from BALLYNANTY who was unlucky as he was hampered when attempting to challenge a furlong and a half from the finish. Pinzolo kept on inside the last furlong to be third and this was a fair run on his first start over two miles. Anglophile will no doubt bid to go one place better than he did in the 2015 Final when beaten a head by Mymatechris, but he has four and half lengths to find with the winner of the first of the Qualifiers Moonrise Landing who comfortably beat him at Wolverhampton in December. As well as Anglophile giving Moonrise Landing a form boost, SUNBLAZER won his next two starts following his fourth in the Wolverhampton race.He made the step up from class 4 to class 2 company with a good win over two miles and half a furlong at Wolverhampton on February 8. Given a good ride by Willie Twiston-Davies, he made progress on the outside of the field with four furlongs to go, took the lead from pace setter PADDYS MOTORBIKE (didn’t stay the trip on his first run over two miles) over two furlongs from the finish and quickly had a five length lead. The margin was reduced at the finish by HAINES (another Andrew Balding runner like Ballynanty to be unlucky turning for home) to a length and a quarter with BLUE SURF (fourth to Anglophile at Lingfield) a further two and a quarter away in third. Sunblazer should make the cut for Marathon final but will need a career best to figure.
MIDDLE DISTANCE The second of the Fast Track Qualifiers for the Middle Distance category, the Listed Winter Derby Trial over a mile and a quarter, was held at Lingfield on February 6. FESTIVE FARE, who going into race was the favourite Easter Classic (Final), was the well supported even money favourite with William Buick flying in from Dubai to take the ride. He looked well beforehand, led around the paddock by two handlers, and moved well to the start. GRENDISAR, who won this race in 2015, was second favourite at 4/1 with CAPTAIN CAT next best at 6/1. LAMAR, having her final start before a career as a broodmare, was fourth choice in a field of nine. Outsider of the field, MITRE PEAK took the field along until she was headed with three and a half furlongs to go when COMPLICIT took the lead. The main players with the exception of Festive Fare, who was chased along with half a mile to go, all travelled well and Lamar took over the running at the two-furlong marker, closely followed by WATERSMEET with Grendisar, Festive Fare and Captain Cat all making progress from the turn into the straight. Lamar, who had never won over a mile and a quarter, was headed by Grendisar with a furlong to go and he kept on well to beat Festive Fare,
who stayed on well but never looked like winning, by half a length with Lamar and Captain Cat close up in third and fourth.
Grendisar will no doubt be hard to beat in the Winter Derby (beaten by Tryster in 2015) before a tilt at the Easter Classic. As for Festive Fare, he didn’t look that comfortable around Lingfield (ran very wide on his only previous start on his racecourse debut but still managed to win), however he is Godolphin’s main hope for the Winter Derby/Easter Classic with Tryster not entered for the Winter Derby and he will no doubt be aimed at both races. Lamar has been a credit to James Tate and deserves every success at stud.She is due to be covered by Frankel in the coming weeks and her first offspring should see the racecourse in 2019.
SOLAR DEITY got his head in front for the first time since November 2013 when he beat BASIL BERRY over one mile one and a half furlongs at Wolverhampton on January 25. He showed he retains plenty of ability taking the lead well inside the last half furlong to win by a neck. He deserves to take his chance in both the Winter Derby and Easter Classic and might run on to grab a place.
MAIDENS
The quality of the three-year-old maidens has been disappointing so far in 2016, however there have been a few performances of note. BARTON LODGE didn’t beat very much on his debut at Lingfield on January 22 but impressed with how easily he travelled and picked up in the straight for Jamie Spencer, going on to beat Cat Royale by three quarters of a length. He comes from a good family and is sure to make his mark in handicaps for David Simcock. STEAM AHEAD was well supported before his debut at Lingfield on January 27 and it was only inexperience that beat him, second to HE’S A DREAMER beaten a length. Supported in from 9/2 to 6/4 favouritism he raced in touch throughout and stayed on all the way to the line. He is sure to win his maiden for Ralph Beckett before going on the better things.
HIGH GROUNDS was very noisy in the paddock before his debut at Lingfield on January 29 over a mile and a quarter. Held up in touch in a messy race he finished strongly from the turn into the straight and beat CACHAO by six lengths. A tall colt trained by Charles Hills, he is going to have learnt plenty for this.