UK- Sandown 4/22

[tenfurlongs]

Nominal feature is the Gordon Richards Stakes (GIII) for 4up, but the race drew a disappointing field of three. In fact, nearly the whole card has short fields. Co-feature is the Classic Trial (GIII) for 3yo at 10F. Maybe it can produce an entrant for the Derby.


SAN R1 (8:20am EDT)- 5f Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-100)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/54/sandown/2022-04-22/807580


SAN R2 (8:50am EDT)- 1m Esher Cup Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-100)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/54/sandown/2022-04-22/807579


SAN R3 (9:25am EDT)- 1m2f Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (4yo+)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/54/sandown/2022-04-22/807577


SAN R4 (10:00am EDT)- 1m Mile (Group 2) (Class 1) (4yo+)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/54/sandown/2022-04-22/807576


SAN R5 (10:35am EDT)- 1m2f Classic Trial (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/54/sandown/2022-04-22/807578


SAN R7 (11:40am EDT)- 1m2f Handicap (Class 3) (3yo 0-90)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/54/sandown/2022-04-22/807581




TW

[tenfurlongs]

R1- #1- Korker (7-1) gives weight to all, had three wins last year and only failed when pitched in against Group-company rivals. #2- Auditor (3-1) was progressive in his three 2yo starts, figures to improve again today. Wide- open underneath.

EX- 1,2/1,2,3,6,8,10  Result: 8,2,7  Auditor made good progress through the field but was no match for Live In The Dream ($12.80) which made all the pace and was well clear at the finish. Korker had a difficult trip mid-race but kept on thereafter, could be a bet back.


R2- Hard to dismiss many of these. #2- Blue Trail (4-1) has run well in four AW starts this term, must prove his turf credentials. #3- Find (6-1) has tussled with Blue Trail last twice, expecting a rebound returning to grass.

EX- 2,3/1,2,3,4,5,6,8  Result: 8,10,2  Blue Trail may just be better on the AW, finishing a non-threatening third on turf debut. Wanees ($8.40) was well-backed and ran like it, sitting in behind the leaders and moving to the front when called upon. Find tired badly, the Gosden horses just have not run up to par so far this season for the most part.


R3- No bets in a three runner race, but thinking #2- Fox Tales (9-2) might have an advantage, getting 3lbs and having proven 10F form.

Result: 1,2,3  Mostahdaf ($2.40) ran his record to six victories in seven starts with an easy win over Fox Tales. Maybe the Gosdens yard is heating up.  


R4- Race of the day for me. #2- Mutasaabeq (7-2) must prove he can see out a mile trip, while #5- Alcohol Free (4-5) would like to use thus as a steppingstone to future GI events.

EX- 2,5/2,3,5,6  Result: 6,2,5  Mutasaabeq ran as well as he could without winning. The winner, Lights On ($18.60), was well ridden by Ryan Moore and made the front right when he needed to, holding off the runner-up on the line. 5yo mare occasionally runs huge races, she may be one to follow this season from the Stoute yard. Alcohol Free seemed flat, will give her another more chance.


R5- #4- Goldspur (9-5) is proven over course and at distance, GIII winner stands tall against this group. #7- Westover (10-1) was progressive in three starts as a 2 yo, offers best chance for upset in Godolphin/Juddmonte battle.

EX- 4,7/1,2,3,4,7  Result: 7,1,4  Exacta $105.40  Progressive horse strikes again as Westover ($12.20) raced forwardly, dueled with Goldspur and put that one away inside the final furlong, then fought hard to just hold off Cash which sat in behind the field and made a solid late run.


R6- Just a note that Gosden/Dettori took the 3yo Novice race too, with Emily Upjohn ($4.20) destroying the field by 9+ lengths and looking like a filly with a future. Adding to watchlist.


R7- #2- Al Qareem (3-1) looks like a standout with two races and a win already this year, wouldn’t take less than 8-5 though.

WIN- 2  Result: 6,2,3  Red Vineyard ($39.80) was completely dismissed in the wagering, but in hindsight he had won his debut in fine fashion over a big field on good ground, then was up the track against GIII foes on soft ground. There were no future stakes types in here, so considering the yard (Muir/Grassick), jockey (Marquand), and six horse field, this was a missed opportunity for bettors. Al Qareem did run pretty well, staying on and reclaiming second just before the finish, but he's on a pretty high mark now so not sure how bettable he is going forward. 


Wagered: $77.00  Returned: $105.40  Profit: $28.40




TW