Thursday 13th June 2019

Newbury

Author: Jordan Yates

Image: Jordan Yates

Graphics: Logopit Plus

There’s a decent card to be had at Newbury this Thursday as the Johnnie Lewis Memorial Stakes, formerly known as the Abingdon, takes centre stage. It all kicks off at 2.00 though with the ‘Be Wiser Insurance Novice Stakes’ which is a Class 4 event that’s contested over six furlongs. Baadirr sets the standard at the minute on the back of his seventh placed effort in a maiden here last month, he looks an obvious improver for top connections. Gold Souk is an interesting newcomer for Mark Johnston, related to several winners including the yards smart stayer Dee Ex Bee. I’ve taken a chance on MOTTRIB (7/2) for Roger Varian, he’s an Invincible Spirit colt that cost 150,000 as a yearling and is related to some smart sorts. He’s looks like he could well be another potentially useful recruit to this top stable, David Egan takes the ride.

The second race on the card is the 2.30 which is another event for novices, however this time for fillies and it’s the ‘Crossland British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes. Really rolls off the tongue doesn’t it? Also a Class 4 but this time over a mile and I can see this contest once again going to Roger Varian with market leader QAMKA (11/10). This three year old by Mastercraftsman carries the colours of Mr Nurlan Bizakov who we’ve seen have several smart sorts with this yard. She made a promising start to her racing career when third the last day in a Nottingham maiden and she should progress from that here. The likely main danger comes in the form of John Gosden’s To The Moon, she was underwhelming last time when finishing sixth at Windsor despite being odds on. It’s likely she’s a lot better than that though and will be a popular selection once again here with Frankie on board.

Next up is the 3.00 which is the feature race on the card the ‘Johnnie Lewis Memorial British EBF Stakes’. A Listed contest for fillies and a race that has seen many smart types take the spoils in recent years with last year’s renewal being won by none other than Sea Of Class for William Haggas. Antonio De Vega sets a pretty solid standard when winning a Group 3 at Goodwood last season in impressive style, she was reported to of finished lame in her final outing when finishing down the field in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket and she certainly remains with a lot of potential for Ralph Beckett. I think TEREBELLUM (4/5) will be very tough to beat here though for Gosden & Dettori. Sporting the famous Princess Haya of Jordan colours she was mightily impressive when demolishing a field of potentially decent fillies on debut, the runner up that day has also since gone on to win. She was a 400,000 yearling and could well be another very smart sort for her powerhouse stable and it’s likely this three year old by Sea The Stars will put on another bold showing here. Another to note in the contest looks to be Richard Hannon’s Star Terms, she couldn’t land a blow when tried in the 1000 Guineas however this is more of her level. She won her maiden here and also ran a solid enough race when fourth in a listed event over track and trip last month. She also has the services of Ryan Moore.

The final race I’m going to take a look at Newbury is the 3.35 which is the ‘Comax Handicap’ a Class 4 event for four year olds and which is contested over a mile. Leader Writer looks to set the standard here for David Elsworth and Ryan Moore. He seemed to regain a bit of form on his first run since leaving Henry Spiller with a solid third placed effort the last day at Beverly and it would be no surprise to see him build on that here. In a real competitive looking contest I’ve taken a slightly tentative chance on SOD’S LAW (4/1) for Hughie Morrison. He built on his reappearance run when fourth of nine the last day in a Leicester handicap and could well continue progression here, he often runs his race at this kind of level and hit the frame several times last term. He also has the services of Oisin Murphy. Time For A Toot and Vixen are others to note.