Saturday 10th June 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to this Saturday Preview where I’ll be focusing my attention on the ITV races from Haydock where it’s John Of Gaunt Stakes Day. As ever, if you are having a punt make sure to do it in a responsible manner.
The first race of the day is the 1:15 which is the listed Achilles Stakes that’s contested over a distance of five furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Clarendon House here for the team of Neil Callan and Robert Cowell. He ran very well in the Dash at Epsom last weekend, travelling strongly and eventually finishing a solid third. This is a step up in grade but he’s in good form and still could have a bit more progression in him.
Next up it’s the 1:50 which is a Class 3 handicap that’s ridden over six furlongs and in this particular affair I’ve sided with Mr Wagyu for John Quinn and Jason Hart. He’s another horse that ran well at Epsom last week when finishing third of eighteen in a Class 2 handicap. He remains on what looks to be a favourable mark here and he’s also a course and distance winner. I think he’s got to be considered as a very live player.
It’s more handicap action at 2:25 with a Class 2 event over a mile and four furlongs. I’m going with the top weight here in Get Shirty for James Doyle and David O’Meara. His recent form hasn’t been up to much at all, however, he’s dropped back down into handicap company here on what looks to be a workable mark. He won the Old Newton Cup here last summer over this trip off just a two-pound higher mark, and a repeat of that level form should see him go very close in this.
The 3:00 is the penultimate race of my preview and this is Group 3 action in the form of the Lester Piggott Stakes, which is also ridden over a mile and four furlongs. I like the chances of Time Lock here for Harry & Roger Charlton who’s set to be ridden by Ryan Moore. She’s a Frankel filly who’s been narrowly denied on both of her last two outings within listed company. The most recent effort came at Goodwood last month and she gave the impression that she’d come on from that run a great deal, if that’s the case she’s a big player in this.
Moving onto the 3:35 which is the feature race of the day which is the Group 3 John Of Gaunt Stakes over seven furlongs. I’m taking a chance on the Australian raider here in The Astrologist who’s the mount of Ryan Moore. He didn’t fire last time at York within Group 2 company, however, on his penultimate outing he finished a head second in the Group 1 Al-Quoz sprint at Meydan. If he returns to that level of form he should play a very serious role within this level of opposition, as this year’s renewal of this race doesn’t look the strongest.
