7f Whispering Angel Oak Tree Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) (Class 1) (3yo+)
Al Shaqab racing and French-trained runners have done well in this race over recent seasons so the challenge of the Francis Grafford entrant, SAMAHRAM, has to be taken very seriously especially with Frankie Dettori aboard.
With just three starts under her belt, it’s hard to know exactly what Samahram’s optimum conditions are, but the way she won a 1m Listed contest at Longchamp on her previous start suggested she has the pace for a race like this. That was on ground with more ease in it and she is yet to race on better than good-to-soft, but her sire Sea The Moon was fine on faster ground and she doesn’t look like she will be too inconvenienced by it. So odds of 10/1 look big given her form figures read 121 and has a nice draw in 5.
Heredia looked a pattern-level performer in the making when winning the Sandringham at Royal Ascot, but her flat run last time out and the fact the second in the Ascot race, Zanbaq was beaten at the weekend means her form has taken a few knocks. Soft Whisper needs to lead from the front which will be tough from stall 16 so we are taking a punt on BENEFIT improving materially for Clive Cox. This scopey filly has just had the one start over 7f and looks like she is capable of stepping up her form at this trip.
Benefit’s sire Acclamation was a winner over 7f and the way she picked up a Listed race at Salisbury on her penultimate start over 6f suggested that she would get this trip well. Benefit has raced a little keenly so far in her career which has probably prevented her going too much further, but settled better on her last two starts and should get a nice pace to aim at here.
If the race sets up for a winner off-the-pace then Benefit could be it as she remains unexposed and has Ryan Moore in the saddle. Her form behind Flotus and Sense Of Duty in a 6f contest back at Haydock three starts ago reads as very strong form and was entitled to do better than the bare form of her 6/12 again behind Flotus in a Group 3 at York last time out when finishing with a late charge over 1f shorter.
A draw in 14 isn’t the best, but she likes to be dropped in and shouldn’t be a victim of too much bad luck with a clear passage possible on the outside.
1pt win Samahram 10/1, 1pt win Benefit @12/1, 14:25 Goodwood, Wednesday
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