Newcastle - Ladies Day Card

NEWCASTLE – Saturday July 27^th

 

Going- Good To Firm

Newcastle had so far missed the rain which we had in Scotland.The ground remained on the fast for this card and the later races in particular suffered a few non-runners.

1.55 7f Collingwood Insurance Maiden Auction Stakes 2yo (Class 4)

XANTHOS built on an encouraging Windsor debut, quickening away in the final furlong to win in decent style.  The stiffer test did him no harm and he should build on this given a similar trip or perhaps even up at a mile.

MISS ACCLAIMED travelled well and kept on to finish a clear second. This was significantly better than her first effort at Wolverhampton, though that outing over a sharp five furlongs on Polytrack was distinctly different from this stiff seven.  She looks capable of picking up a minor event in the north.

EL BEAU stayed on steadily in the last two furlongs. Green on his debut over five, this longer trip allowed him time to get into the race. He will be an interesting sort once gaining a handicap mark.

MAXIE T travelled well for a long way but was outpaced in the final furlong or so. An easing in the going may assist her.

2.30 6f Collingwood Fleet Insurance 3yo Handicap (80-88)

A gelding racing against three fillies, NOBLE DEED had to be rousted from two out but gradually asserted from his main challenger in the closing stages. He failed in this class over seven furlongs last time but the drop back to six will have helped.

NARDIN laid it down to the winner from two out but was held in the final half furlong. She’s been running consistently and could be a sound bet if her trainer finds a similar contest for fillies only.

Dropped in class having contested Group 3 and Listed events, DREAM MAKER didn’t settle early and was held from over a furlong out. Her previous outings looked optimistic, perhaps chasing black type. On this evidence, given that conditions suited, she looks a bit high in the handicap on a mark of 88.

BONDESIRE led early but was put in her place from two out. She may just be suited by a little cut in the ground.

3.05 7f Collingwood Learner Driver Insurance Beeswing Handicap (78-95)

The Beeswing Stakes used to be a pattern race, and one that was one of the better contests in Newcastle’s flat calendar. It’s not a bad handicap, the top rated here being 95, but it’s sad that the race is not what it was.

PACIFIC HEIGHTS has been a consistent performer this season and added to earlier his Carlisle victory, pulling clear in the final furlong. He stays a mile very well but the drop back to seven was well within his compass. He dealt with a step up in class here and is a progressive sort.

ABLE MASTER set the pace and responded well enough once challenged if unable to hold the winner.  He ran well behind the progressive Sennockian Star (a winner at Ascot on the Friday) and remains very much competitive in decent seven furlong and mile handicaps.

LAFFAN was outpaced two out but stayed on again in the latter stages to take third. A bit of rain would help as he seems to find himself stretched for pace on fast ground, though this effort does offer encouragement should the promised precipitation arrive.

ORTAC ROCK ran creditably, raised in class after winning an Epsom claimer, keeping on in the final furlong if just pipped for third close home.

VICTOIRE DE LYPHAR couldn’t follow up his Doncaster effort and folded disappointingly once asked for extra two out.

3.40 2m 19yds Collingwood Annual Learner Driver Handicap (58-75)

A field full of exposed plodders here, with MAJOR DOMO just outstaying PETELLA in a battle to the line. Both can get competitive in similar events but wouldn’t necessarily appeal as future betting material.

Stepped up significantly in trip, MOHEEBB kept on into third without ever getting to the leaders. He was kidded into the race by Jack Garrity and didn’t look totally co-operative when asked for an effort though gaining at the line. He’s got a lot of miles on the clock but has never won beyond ten furlongs.

KEEP IT COOL raced prominently but weakened a furlong out.

4.15 Collingwood Taxi Insurance EBF Fillies’ Handicap (51-82)

LIVIA’S DREAM stretched on over two out having tracked the leader. She was in no danger afterwards but won’t find many easier opportunities at this level.

BYGONES FOR COINS set the pace and kept on honestly enough for second. She had a tough task here from 13lbs out of the handicap and her presence in second sums up the lack of quality.

MAYBEAGREY made and effort three out but never got near the winner and was comfortably held for second in the final furlong.

ACT YOUR SHOE SIZE looked to have a decent opportunity based on class here but she was beaten two out and very disappointing. However, her wins have been up to 1m 1f and it’s likely she didn’t see out thee trip.

4.50 5f Collingwood Short Term Learner Driver Insurance Handicap (Division 1) (46-62)

This was arguably the weaker of the two heats of this contest.

CAPTAIN ROYALE, a win in his turn eight-year-old, did enough to hold last itme out winner INGENTI who is running most consistently. The latter might take another contest despite having been bumped up a few pounds.

BUSY BIMBO is a maiden after thirty-odd starts but has at least started getting the hang of things recently. She stayed on in the closing stages and might find a poor contest before long.

ARCH WALKER is a frustrating sort who is more than capable but wins seldom. It was intimated to me last season that he’d be laid out for a gamble, but I wouldn’t risk more than loose change on this one who regularly finds ways of getting beaten. More fool me for including him in my tipping competition selections… The more I learn the more I forget apparently!

There’s a sprinkling of past wins amongst the remainder, but I suspect most of them resulted from ‘someone has to win’ syndrome.

5.25 Collingwood Short Term Learner Driver Insurance Handicap (Division 2) (28-60)

A novelty at this level on first analysis here that a couple of these might be progressive. Unfortunately analysis proved wrong as NICEONEMYSON and GRAND CANARIA QUEEN were held in the closing stages.

TUIBAMA  ( 2 from 23 previously) challenged from two out and got his head in front close home. 

SEE VERMONT, still a maiden though less previous than some, stuck to his guns to finish second and isn’t a total lost cause at this stage. He’s been in the mix in four out of five efforts this season and seems committed enough to suggest a race will fall his way.

WICKED WILMA had every chance inside the final furlong but was held close home. She runs some good races but it’s August 2011 since she won and there have been a large number of races since.

NICEONEMYSON west the pace until inside the final furlong but could find no more once driven.

GRAN CANARIA QUEEN missed the break and was struggling early she stayed on late and might conceivably do better if breaking with the rest. Her current mark doesn’t look over harsh if she puts her best hoof forward.

6.00 1m 2f 32yds Collingwood.gi Apprentice Handicap (46-60)

OUTLAW TORN is a fair performer at this level on his day. He stretched no in front entering the straight and nothing got near him after that. It should be noted that he had a class edge on the ratings and was allowed to dictate.

DEAN IARRACHT chased vainly in the final two furlongs, staying on after the winner. He was dropped down in trip here, though recent form hasn’t been inspiring.

MADAME BLAVATSKY is a maiden from 14 starts and was never looking like dropping the tag. She was held from three out if well clear of the remaining three runners MA KELLYS, JOE LUKE and MANY LEVELS who have mustered but one place between them in a total of 23 attempts.