Hamilton Park - 25th June

Going – Good To Firm

With the rail moved in, the round course distances were 30 yards shorter than advertised.

7.00 1m 4f 200yds 0-65 Lady Amateur Riders’ Handicap

A run-of-the-mill event of its type won in decent fashion by HI DANCER. A versatile sort who ran with credit over fences in the spring, Hi Dancer took up the running three out and kept up the gallop from that point. It may be that this is one performer suited by the weights in this type of event. A lifetime record in all racing of 9 out of 39 is quite impressive and under the right circumstances another flat win might be possible even with a rise in the ratings. That being said, with fair hurdle and chase form, and decent performances in soft and on fast ground there should be a few directions to go in.
BORDER TALE stuck on for second without getting to the winner. He’s well exposed now, this being his 90th race, but in moderate staying handicaps he should often make it on to the short list. Chances are he might do duty over hurdles at the likes of Perth and Cartmel.
EDAS chased from three out but the weight told close home. Another that has been hurdling, he sticks on well and normally sees his races out.
JANE OF ARC plugged on for fifth and I reckon Jim Goldie might be looking for a 0-60 or 0-55 staying event if possible.

7.30 6f Class 2yo Maiden Auction Stakes

COLONEL MAK has progressed nicely this month and quickened well to take this event. I’m not sure the opposition will prove to be up a huge amount in the long run, but it was difficult to fault the way the Makbul did his job. The future depends on how the handicapper sees this effort for nurseries, though a run under a penalty in a novice event would catch the eye.
LIVING IT LARGE kept on well for second on his debut and gave encouragement for the future.
SWEET MIRASOL briefly threatened to take the race one out only to be swamped by the winner’s speed. The fast ground here suited much better than the heavy encountered at Haydock on debut.
Mark Johnston has been dominating the Scottish maiden races but was foiled on this occasion; though it seems likely his FANTASTIC STRIKE will need farther to be seen to best advantage. He lost some ground at the start, but then picked up to be in touch before being held up the hill.

8.00 1m 35yds Class fillies’ Stakes

A small field but three very closely matched fillies plus one turning out for pocket money.
JUST LILLE put up a decent looking performance to win here. She forged clear from two out and is clearly in good heart. The second is a good measure and this looks decent form.
SILVER GAMES has been running well recently but found one too good here, though she stuck on well enough for second.
FEELING FAB was held from two out. The small field probably didn’t play to her strengths and more pace on would be better.
CASINO NIGHT, rated 21/22lbs behind the others performed creditably to at least challenge two out before being well held.

8.30 1m 1f 6yds Maiden

Normal service resumed in this event as Mark Johnston’s odds-on chance HAJAR took the event with a bit to spare. Those he beat aspire to being no more than moderate handicappers though, and Johnston’s future placement of this will reflect in what regard he is held.
RED DESIRE started slowly and was tapped for pace coming down the hill to three out. He stuck on really well from that point, passing two close home for second, and will benefit from now being eligible for handicaps. He may need further, but I’d trust his able trainer’s placement as regards distance.
KING’S COUNSEL’s handicap mark of 55 is probably a fair guide to the quality and he could only keep on at one pace alongside BLACK RIVER FALLS who now qualifies for handicaps, presumably off about the same 55 mark.
Bumper winner BORN TOPERFORM doesn’t seem to possess the speed for this sort of distance on the flat, and PICCOLO PRIDE just looks very slow.

9.00 5f 0-80 Handicap

There was a small field for this event, but it looked a decent contest with all runners showing decent form of late.
ROTHESAY DANCER recorded a lifetime best at Ayr last Saturday and, back in handicap, produced the goods once again. Kelly Harrison knows this one inside out and once again came up with the goods, settling the mare at the rear, pulling her out before the furlong marker and setting her alight. Rothesay Dancer produced a turn of foot that suggests there is still more in the locker and she seems to be getting better with age. She goes up only five pounds for her Ayr performance and I don’t think that will stop her winning, though she does need to come from the rear off a decent pace.
SPEEDY SENORITA lived up to her name and looked likely to hold on before been collared in the last 50 yards. She didn’t do much wrong and may well gain consolation off her current mark.
ARGENTINE battled hard but just couldn’t muster the extra needed here. He lost nothing in defeat here and is still one for the short list in these events.
SILVANUS pulled hard early on and this probably cost him in closely matched company. A sharper five furlongs would play to his strengths as the uphill finish here just sapped his reserves.
BO McGINTY had every chance a furlong and a half out and was held. He runs honest races but gets passed by improvers.

9.30 6f 0-65 Handicap

TANGERINE TREES repeated his previous course and distance win, forging ahead in the final furlong. He doesn’t do anything in a hurry so needs to be kept up with the pace, but seems at his best conceding weight against inferiors. He is suited by a stiff finish and fast ground.
MAGICAL SONG led until headed inside the final furlong. This looked a sound effort and he may win a race, but his strike rate is not great.
INGLEBY PRINCESS picked up well toward the finish, but was held close home. This was her best effort for a while and she may take an opportunity in a similar event.
ROYAL ACCLAMATION was held from over a furlong out and is now 1 from 24 which doesn’t make him sound betting material. HOWARD’S TIPPLE is another who is a bit frustrating, and on this occasion he flattered to deceive to a furlong out.