Dream Ride!
Weekend Rides
Haydock Saturday
Dream of Dreams – Sprint Cup 3.25
Dream of Dreams goes for his first Group One victory in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday and I’m convinced he has the tools for the job.
He’s had five goes at the top level before and has been close a couple of times, but has yet to get the job done so it would be lovely if we could rectify that on Saturday.
Second in two Diamond Jubilees, he’s obviously top class and he gave me a great feel over seven furlongs last time when he bolted up in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury.
I don’t think it was the trip that sparked that performance, though, I just think he’s really well in himself and he’ll be even better over six in my opinion.
Sir Michael Stoute has been good to me, this is an important ride for me and I just hope the horse is in the same form as he was at Newbury as he’ll take all the beating.
I’ve won this race before on The Tin Man and if I can’t win I hope my old pal can. His run at Newbury was very good and he obviously loves Haydock, while Andrea Atzeni is a great jockey booking – I’m sure they’ll get on well together.
Diocletian – 2.50
He’s been waiting for dig in the ground and he’ll get it in the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup earlier on the card at Haydock.
He stays very well, the handicapper has given him a little bit of a chance, I’ve got an okay draw in stall eight, hopefully I’ll travel around and go well.
The one to beat is Rhythmic Intent as he’s a high-class horse going the right way. Future Investment could be well treated, too, they would be the two I’d fear the most.
Came From The Dark – 4.00
He’ll love the ground in the Betfair Each Way Edge Be Friendly Handicap over five furlongs.
Soft conditions are exactly what he wants and he’ll have come on for his comeback run which is absolutely key to his chance here.
This is his bag, so hopefully he’ll go well. He’s won at Haydock before so there’s plenty in his favour but he does need to improve plenty from York.
Imperial Command – 4.35
He’s a lovely ride to pick up for Jonjo O’Neill in the closing handicap, he’ll appreciate going a mile.
I don’t think I was aggressive enough on him at Goodwood over seven furlongs last time, I have a high draw in 17 which is a bit of a pain, but at least I won’t be in amongst them.
It’s a real cavalry charge around that turn, it can be very rough, so it’s probably not a bad place to be drawn in that respect.
York Sunday
Dark Spectre – 1.30
He won very well last time out at Lingfield, he’s got a fair bit of upside to him.
The Judith Marshall Memorial Stakes looks a competitive race, he’s still quite babyish, still learning, but this is the right time for a three-year-old to be taking on their elders, he gets 6lb on the weight-for-age allowance, and I think 84 is fair.
He’s by Declaration Of War, so I don’t think he’d mind any rain in Yorkshire.
Starman – 2.00
He’s unbeaten in two starts and he bolted up at Doncaster last time in what I thought was a pretty deep field.
He goes in the Listed Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Garrowby Stakes and the handicapper has given him a mark of 97 after just two runs which tells you all about his potential.
I think this fellow might be a pretty good horse and while it’s not easy for a twice-raced three-year-old to take on older horses at this level, I think he’s capable.
Frankenstella – 3.05
I’m also on Frankenstella in the Little Green Rascals Children’s Nurseries Handicap.
She’s a big galloper and has taken her time to get going but she’s improved for tackling two miles and bolted up at Pontefract before winning again at Redcar last time out.
I rode her at Wolverhampton back in July and I’m looking forward to getting back on her as she’s improved since then.
She’ll love the ground, again she gets the three-year-old allowance which is 11lb in this race, an invaluable concession at this time of year.
Great to get Goodwood winners
I love going to Goodwood for whatever reason, it’s a fantastic track, but I just struggle at the Glorious meeting which is so competitive, although I did have three winners there this year.
I had six winners at last week’s three-day meeting and really enjoyed it.
Quickstep Lady, she deserved to win, she’d been knocking on the door and she bolted up, she clearly didn’t mind the soft ground and she’s always worked like she could achieve a decent level.
Lone Eagle is a son of Galileo for Martyn Meade and he dug in well to see off Oman with the pair clear, it was good for him to get his head in front after a promising debut.
Classic Lord, I was very pleased with him, he was very green at Lingfield on his first start but he’s improved a fair bit and he’ll be a nice handicapper going a mile and a half next year.
Urban Artist was super, she’s obviously improving quickly and enjoyed the soft ground, doing her own thing, getting into a rhythm, she’s going to stay well.
It’s not out of the question that she’s a black type filly, she’s won a Listed bumper already, but I see no reason why she can’t progress further on the Flat.
Sir Busker ran a cracker in second in the Celebration Mile, a career best, and although he’s hit the crossbar a few times he’s still improving.
I don’t see any reason why he can’t go well off what will be a big weight in the Balmoral Handicap at Ascot on Champions Day.
Some good horses have won the race off high ratings in the past and Sir Busker fits into that category now.
Kameko amongst Champions Day entries
The entries for QIPCO British Champions Day came out this week and Kameko has been put in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
He’s come out of York very well, although he hasn’t done any work, but Andrew’s pleased with him and I imagine he won’t do any serious work now for a few weeks.
Hopefully we can build him up for Champions Day and hopefully we’ll get some luck with the weather as the ground will be the deciding factor in whether he runs or not.
If it was really soft he wouldn’t run, with the Breeders’ Cup then possibly coming into the equation. The QEII will hopefully be the plan, though.
Hollie can be Champion one day
For Hollie Doyle to ride a five-timer at Windsor on Saturday for five different connections without riding one for her principal trainer, Archie Watson, is phenomenal.
She was on BBC News, Sky News, making all of the headlines and it was absolutely fantastic. She’s a real hard worker and deserves all of her success.
Her career is going to go right to the top and I see no reason why she won’t be Champion Jockey one day.
She’s talented enough and rides for a variety of owners and trainers, picking up good rides everywhere, so good luck to her.