Thursday 14th September 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to my preview for the 2023 St Leger Festival that is set to take place at Doncaster over the next few days, running from Thursday to Saturday. I’ll be previewing all three days of the meeting, so, as ever, if you are having a punt, make sure to do so in a responsible manner.
1.50: British Stallion Studs EBF “Carrie Red” Fillies’ Nursery Handicap: My first fancy of the week at Doncaster comes in the 1.50 which is a Nursery Handicap for fillies over six and a half furlongs. I like the chances of Granny Budgie here for the team of George Scott and Darragh Keenan team, she arrives here having won three of her four starts to date and won’t have any issues with the likely soft going either as her most recent success came on a soft surface at Hamilton last month. She looks highly progressive and could have more to offer. Granny Budgie – 13/2 (Each-Way)
2.25: Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes: Next up it’s the 2:25 which is the Weatherbys two-year-old race also over six and a half furlongs with this race having £300,000 in the pot for those who make the placings. I think that this valuable affair can go to Johannes Brahms who represents Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He’s got the best form on offer here having finished second in the Gimcrack Stakes and third in the Windsor Castle Stakes on his last two outings, and it’s very likely that he’s got more progression in him. He sets the standard here and will be the one they all have to beat for his powerhouse connections. Johannes Brahms – 2/1 (Win)
3.00: May Hill Stakes: It’s Group 3 action at 3:00 in the May Hill Stakes which is another contest for fillies and this time contested over the straight mile here at at Town Moor. We’ve got a competitive-looking renewal of the race this year which I think can go to Darnation for Karl Burke and Clifford Lee, who currently sits at the top of the market at a best price of 11/4. She’s looked very impressive on her last two outings, winning at Thrisk within novice company by ten lengths before following up with Group 3 success at Goodwood in Group 3 company in the Prestige Stakes. Both of those victories also came on soft ground and she looks a serious player here. Darnation – 11/4 (Win)
3.35: Park Hill Filles’ Stakes: The feature race of the day is the Group 2 Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes over a mile and six and a half furlongs. We’ve not got a vintage crop for this year’s race but the race is certainly competitive if nothing else. I’ve come down on Golden Lyra for William Haggas and Tom Marquand, She’s not been seen to the best effect so far this season but has progressed with each run, with her most recent effort coming in a French Group 2 finishing fourth of ten and just a length and a half behind the winner. She seems to really appreciate cut in the ground and this is far from the strongest of Group 2s, If anywhere near her best she could play a serious role. Golden Lyra – 11/2 (Each-Way)
