Equinties - John Hunt

Gm Equinauts

The racing world came to an immediate standstill yesterday as news broke that John Hunt’s wife and two daughters had been brutally murdered.

Truly horrifying new. News that, you wouldn’t even imagine placing in this country, let alone hearing it’s happened so close to home and to a racing great in John Hunt.

Naturally, his colleagues expressed their sadness:

For those of you unfamiliar with Hunt, he is the BBC horse racing commentator for all the big meetings and he hosted last year’s HWPA awards.

But all of that trivial knowledge is irrelevant. What is in all the hearts of racing fans up and down the county is sadness.

Our thoughts are with you, John.

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

INTERESTING PURCHASES

Day two of the Newmarket July Sale took place yesterday and two horses went for 300,000gns in consecutive lots.

The first of which was ANACAPA, the three-year-old unraced filly by FRANKEL, who is out of the four-time Grade 1 winner VENTURA.

She never made it to the track despite her stunning pedigree as she is a full-sister to FOUNT (Group 3 winner) and a half-sister to the dam of the Group 1 winner EMBLEM ROAD.

As for the other 300,000gns purchase, CALABRIA, she is by KINGMAN out of the Group 1 winner ROMANTICA, so her pedigree is also smart.

She is likely to go onto broodmare duties after the purchase as Mark McStay (the buyer) said: “I bought two very nice fillies from Juddmonte and they were both bought for an existing client.

“They’re both very good physicals and Juddmonte blood is very hard to come by because they’re the best breeders in the world. These two stood out here and we had to dig deep, particularly for Calabria, but Banks Hill’s pedigree is probably the best pedigree in the book.

“When you see Banks Hill, Dansili, Champs Elysees on the page, it doesn’t need much explanation as to why there was so much competition for her. I fancy Kingman as a broodmare sire, he could easily make it.

“They were both beautifully presented by Juddmonte, as you’d expect. Mating plans are fluid but they’ll go to some of the best stallions and be given the best chance. I’m absolutely thrilled to get them, let’s just hope they’re lucky for their new owners.” 

More: https://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/sales-reports/juddmonte-blood-is-very-hard-to-come-by-regally-bred-fillies-bring-300000gns-as-bidders-battle-it-out-at-tattersalls-aXX4B0g9uPzp/

13.50 GROUP 3 BAHRAIN TROPHY STAKES

Day one of the July meeting at Newmarket is upon us and the card kicks off with a four runner contest. Amazing!

The betting is headed by ANCIENT WISDOM, last year’s Futurity winner. He was smashed up by ECONOMICS on seasonal reappearance and then failed to land a blow in the Derby. This is a lesser race, but his profile is yet to be established. The Futurity:

SPACE LEGEND, a horse we backed at Royal Ascot, is next in the market for William Haggas and Wathnan Racing. He ran into one at Ascot, but Haggas’ three-year-old still finished second and although he has won on soft ground before, we think he’s of a fast ground pedigree so might struggle to run to the same form.

ROYAL SUPREMACY finished behind SPACE LEGEND at Ascot but is nearly six times the price due to one-and-three-quarter lengths. His pedigree isn’t standout, but his form is solid on softer ground and he could well have a part to play. He could reverse the form with SPACE LEGEND if the ground is slow enough.

As for the final horse in the race, PORTLAND is the only Aidan O’Brien runner having had TOWEROF LONDON chinned in the race last year. PORTLAND also has good form with SUNWAY, the subsequent Group 1 Irish Derby second (we tipped), and ALCANTOR, third to ROSALLION in the St James’s Palace, from his third in the Group 1 Criterium International.

He has some proper pieces of form, so let’s hope for a competitive race overall.

Verdict: ANCIENT WISDOM should be odds in this race. ROYAL SUPREMACY to follow him home.

14.25 CLASS 1 JULY STAKES

WHISTLEJACKET was a shortie at Royal Ascot in the Norfolk over 5f but supposedly wasn’t sharp enough for the test. Back to 6 furlongs with a stiff finish is interesting, but there are loads of stamina on his dams side. Worth noting that his brother LITTLE BIG BEAR was pulled out due to fast ground here two years ago, so will cope with any cut in the ground.

ELECTROLYTE was runner up in the Coventry, ‘winning’ his side but Rashabar and Billy thought differently screaming home far rail. Interesting that Electrolyte’s maiden form hasn’t worked out that well and possibly wants it faster today.

Windsor Castle winner AIN’T NOBODY comes here undefeated, the son of SANDS OF MALI moves up in trip but his dam side of his pedigree suggests he’ll cope well. Has won on g/s.

Once raced juveniles RAJEKO for Oisin and AOMORI CITY (city in Japan) for the boys in blue. The latter won at Nottingham but that win hasn’t worked out. No doubt improvement is in the locker but there a re a couple in here that have better credentials.

BILLBOARD STAR for Eve is of interest, his sire ADVERTISE won the July Stakes in 2018. 4 of the last 10 winners of this race hadn’t ran at Ascot. Course form will help but it didn’t look the strongest race, not like the Norfolk or Coventry for instance.

Verdict: WHISTLEJACKET has shown that he handles soft ground. He was beaten at Ascot but had previously beaten the 3rd that day by 3 lengths in his previous race. Beautifully bred, todays for redemption!

15.35 GROUP 2 PRINCESS OF WALES’S STAKES

HAMISH is a huge yard favourite for the Haggas team having been a group stalwart for so many years. 8 Gr3 wins, 2 Gr1 placed efforts and at the age of 8 he doesn’t look like he last lost any zest for the sport.

HAMISH’s second in the Coronation Cup:

ARREST is one of two for Juddmonte and both by Frankel, he hasn’t returned this year with the same ability as last year. He’s on the cusp of being disappointing but this slower surface should suit him better today.

GIAVELLOTTO normally runs over further like his Yorkshire Cup win lto, that group 2 success means he carries a penalty today. I’d prefer to play him each way but there’s not enough runners.

TIME LOCK is the second Frankel/Juddmonte combo, trained by Harry Charlton she was second on her seasonal return to OUTBOX and 5th (behind HAMISH) in the Gr1 Coronation but it’s likely that course didn’t suit her. The straight today might well suit and she’s of interest.

MAXI KING on current form isn’t up to this standard. And OUTBOX has been disappointing since his seasonal Group 2 return.

Verdict: TIME LOCK is tempting at a juicy price but HAMISH has shown the best form this year and is very consistent. The morning price isn’t appealing but bookies may push him out before the off.

RISK ON

Of the preview horses we’re quite strong on WHISTLEJACKET and will play him. We’ve bet HAMISH so many times before he owes us nothing, chucking him in the perm.

15.00 TWO TRIBES

Swing at a nice price here. Lovely form at HQ, Royal Ascot didn’t go his way. Back to 6f, ground in favour. EW play of the day. 11/1.

17.50 GEO

Eve’s yard coming back into form after a brief bad spell. This girl was green as grass last time but has learned a lot and improve. 7/2 a bet.

Small fun 18/1 four fold on 13.50 ANCIENT WISDOM, 14.25 WHISTLEJACKET, 18.05 ALLONSY and 18.25 BRIAN. This has to be the NAP of any acca’s you’re going to place today.

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