The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Wagon Wheel’s turn for success at Musselburgh
Richard Fahey’s charge can achieve first Listed victory
THE WAGON WHEEL can gain that all-important first Listed success in the EBF Musselburgh Fillies’ Sprint Stakes at the Scottish venue.
Trainer Richard Fahey must have been slightly frustrated following her recent Beverley third at this level as The Wagon Wheel was at the back and struggling at one point before finding plenty in the finish to be beaten just a length and a quarter.
Take Cover and Final Venture proved too good that day, but the merits of those two established performers are well known and there was little disgrace in The Wagon Wheel’s effort.
Having previously finished well behind stablemate Queen Kindly at Pontefract, The Wagon Wheel’s Westwood run shows she is certainly worth another try at this level and, while this appears a competitive enough heat, the daughter of Acclamation can continue on an upward curve.
GLOBAL APPLAUSE has just his second run of the year in the British Stallion Studs EBF Bathwick Tyres Conditions Stakes, but it would be dangerous to ignore him at Salisbury.
Ed Dunlop’s runner enjoyed an exceptional two-year-old campaign last year, beating top juvenile Mehmas when winning the National Stakes at Sandown before finishing a creditable fifth in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot.
He also hit the frame in Group company at Glorious Goodwood and York’s Ebor meeting before being beaten just under three lengths to leading sprinter Harry Angel in the Mill Reef on his final start of the year.
Global Applause was then off the track until August this year, when he made a decent return against older horses in a conditions heat at Doncaster.
Third of four behind Gifted Master, the Mayson colt deserved plenty of credit and the run certainly showed he has trained on again this term.
He has a handy pull in the weights based on ratings. While seven furlongs is new ground, Global Applause looks game for the challenge.
SELECTIONS:
MUSSELBURGH: 3.10 Han Solo Berger, 3.40 Pavers Pride, 4.10 Royal Icon, 4.40 Rousayan, 5.10 The Wagon Wheel, 5.40 Quiet Moment, 6.10 Harbour Patrol.
SALISBURY: 2.05 Lamb Chop, 2.35 Red Starlight, 3.05 Topmeup, 3.35 Edge, 4.05 GLOBAL APPLAUSE (NAP), 4.35 Poseidon, 5.05 Moabit.
DOUBLE: Global Applause and The Wagon Wheel.