Monday 29 May 2017

12:45 Redcar (28th May) Novice Auction Stakes (Class 5) (2yo)


Novice Auction Stakes over 5f on good to firm going. A sizeable field. 

Bengali Boys sets a decent standard, almost two wins from two bar a head defeat to a talented juvenile. This grey colt isn't stifled by a crazy penalty and looks a tough nut to crack. 

Wahoo was a length behind Bengali Boys on debut at Beverley and weighted to be pretty similar today. This faster track may be to this colt's advantage.

Star Of Zaam was well backed on debut at Ripon. Karl Burke's son of Elzaam was very unlucky not to have won. A slow start didn't help proceedings and then the jockey dropping his reins in the closing few yards must have tested the patience of those who bet. It may not have been the strongest of races but this horse should have won well. Jordan Vaughan keeps the ride and let us hope he repays that faith with a professional display. 

Chatburn was relatively fancied on debut over five furlongs but could never land a blow looking slightly outpaced. This son of Dream Ahead was the bigger price of two for the stable so it could be the case he was in need of the race. He showed much better form when stepping up to 6f and a narrow loser to Luis Fernandez.  That was a fair effort for this grade. I wonder if it was due to needing the race or appreciating the step up in distance? This point is of particular interest when you see he is back to the minimum distance.  

Conclusion:  Interesting race. Bengali Boys and Wahoo are similarly treated and there shouldn't be a great deal between them unless the former improved a good deal on that second start. That was a bold effort to lose by a head to Richard Hannon's horse and he may be a tough nut to crack. Star Of Zaam was unlucky not to win on debut and from a statistical point of view alone hold respectable each-way claims. It is difficult to quantify this horse but I would expect a decent show. Chatburn is difficult to assess. It gives the impression he was slightly in need of the run on debut because he ran well second start. This drop back in distance wouldn't make much sense if they thought he would be struggling for pace today. I can see all four horses running to a respectable level.