Saturday 8th June 2019
Haydock Park
Author: Jordan Yates
Image: Jordan Yates
Graphics: Logopit Plus
It’s John Of Gaunt Day at Haydock this Saturday, an afternoon of real good flat racing action which culminates with the Group 3 feature at 3.35. I’ll be previewing the John of Gaunt Stakes itself as well as sharing with you my bets for the majority of the other contests that are on the card. So as ever, enjoy!
Race Preview:
The John of Gaunt stakes is a Group 3 affair that is contested over a distance of slightly over seven furlongs. The race is named after former Duke of Lancaster and third son of King Edward III ‘John of Gaunt’ who was one of the most powerful and richest men of his time. So there you go a fun fact and onto the race itself, this year’s renewal has thrown up a fiercely looking competitive affair with a decent sized as at the moment twelve runners are said to being going to post. As ever with Haydock though the weather has been questionable to say the least and we find ourselves with soft ground which could put some runners participation in doubt.
The race is currently headed by Sir Dancelot who sets a solid standard on the back of his form from last season winning the Criterion Stakes, Lennox Stakes and also the Hungerford Stakes. He’s fairly versatile ground wise and will likely be found ridden off the pace under Gerald Mosse, you can currently find him trading at a general 7/2. Alongside him currently at the 7/2 mark in the betting is Safe Voyage, he’s a smart handicapper that has solid course form at Haydock and won a Listed race here last time. He’s also quite versatile ground wise and Jason Hart takes the ride on him for John Quinn. Mankib was just behind Safe Voyage here last time in what was testing conditions, he’s set to take his place against his old rival again here and is a general 6/1 chance with Jim Crowley on board. David Simcock and Jamie Spencer team up here with Breton Rock, a proven pattern race performer on his day who likes both racing off the pace and also soft going. He’s currently trading at around the 7/1 mark. Last year’s 2000 Guineas runner up Tip Two Win is set to make his belated reappearance in this contest for Roger Teal, he’s a Group 2 winner when in Qatar and will have the services of David Probert on his first outing on this campaign. He’s another that likes to race at the rear and is often quite slow away in his races and he’s a best priced of 11/1 currently. Mitchum Swagger and Suidois are locked together in the betting currently here at 12/1, two smart performers on their day and following those pair in the betting is Keyser Soze and Snazzy Jazzy who are also locked together currently at a general 14/1.
Race Verdict:
“I’ve actually had two bets in the race and the first of these comes in the form of SAFE VOYAGE for John Quinn. I was here for his win here in the Old Boston at the back end of April where he was impressive and where he also faced similar conditions to what he’s likely too on this occasion. He then went on to win again here last month within Listed company and he’s certainly worth his place at this grade at a track he clearly loves. The second one I’ve backed here is David Simcock’s BRETON ROCK, he hasn’t been seen to best effect for quite a while now however he’ll relish the soft going here as he has form on bottomless ground in top events. If getting a clear run in a race where there’s likely not going to be too much pace on I think he can go well here.”
WIN: SAFE VOYAGE (7/2)
EACH WAY: BRETON ROCK (7/1) (E/W)
1.45: (Betway Heed Your Hunch Handicap) (Class 3)
MIND THE CRACK (3/1)
2.25: (Pinnacle Stakes) (Group 3)
TRUE SELF (6/5) (NAP)
3.00: (Achilles Stakes) (Listed)
INTENSE ROMANCE (4/1)
3.35: (John of Gaunt Stakes) (Group 3)
SAFE VOYAGE (7/2)
BRETON ROCK (7/1) (E/W)
4.10: (Betway Dash) (Class 3)
LORD OBERON (7/1) (E/W)
4.45: (Betway Sprint) (Class 4)
THE NIGHT WATCH (6/1) (E/W)
Everything Racing 