Austrian has right Theory at Hamilton
AUSTRIAN THEORY is given another chance to prove his true worth in the Stay At Hampton By Hilton Almada Mile Handicap at Hamilton.
The Awtaad colt mixed it with the likes of Native Trail, Angel Bleu and Reach For The Moon as a juvenile and performed with credit on each occasion, offering hope for the future.
There was also significant promise in his four-length third to Eydon in Newmarket’s Feilden Stakes on his reappearance, but it is fair to say he has not replicated that level of performance since.
In three subsequent outings Mark and Charlie Johnston’s inmate has failed to beat a single rival, most recently weakening to finish last of six at Nottingham.
However, that form received a significant boost when the winner Dark Shot followed up in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot, while the runner-up Dubai Mirage went one better next time.
Austrian Theory has been dropped 3lb for that near eight-length defeat, which may well be an overreaction, with a new mark of 94 looking very workable indeed.
Dukedom must have every chance of carrying the colours of the Queen to victory at Brighton.
While clearly not one of Her Majesty’s brighter lights, the Dubawi gelding has not done much wrong in seven starts and has filled the runnerup spot on four occasions.
He came close to opening his account when beaten half a length by Western Writer at Chelsmford three weeks ago and the bet365 Maiden Stakes represents a good opportunity for him to break his duck.
A return to Chepstow can do the trick for course winner Joy Choi in the Thomas Carroll 50th Birthday Handicap.
The four-year-old won from a perch of 64 here in April of last year and returns rated 63 following eight successive defeats.
She has been placed four times during that run, though and was beaten less than three lengths on her latest outing at Kempton.
Joy Choi looked outpaced that day before staying on again at the finish, so this return to seven furlongs for the first time in the best part of two years looks the right way to go.
Jumping fare comes from Stratford, where Calva D’Auge looks the class act on show in the opening Stratford Supporting Racing Staff Week Novices’ Chase.