Not a great weekend for racing with just the three Group races in the UK this Saturday. Persistent rain has softened the going around the country, meaning field sizes will be small and good-value big prices hard to come by.
Godolphin’s Portamento looks a good bet in the Listed Stobart Club And Shop Hopeful Stakes at Newmarket. The favourite, Lucky Kristale, has only raced once with soft in the going, finishing eighth in a fillies’ Group Three last September, so she looks vulnerable. That said, her sire, Lucky Story, won a couple on similar going, so she remains a player.
The selection is two-from-two over six furlongs on soft ground, which is a big plus despite the dry forecast, yet last won on good to firm so seems versatile. He was last seen attempting to defy a wide draw when finishing a couple of lengths behind Eastern Impact at Chester, eventually finishing fourth in a race that may have flattered the winner. Eastern Impact was just two lengths back in third behind superstar sprinter Muhaarar in the Group One July Cup, which is top-class form and reads well for this level. Whilst not as compelling, he gave Estidhkaar a good beating on his maiden, a horse that went on to win a couple of Group Twos and finish a neck-second to Muhaarar in the Greenham this season, so there’s plenty to like. At 5/1 he seems good value in an open race.
1pt win Portamento @5/1, Newmarket [15:25, Aug 29th]
Leave a comment