Equinties - praying for Lauren

Gm Equinauts

WHY DO GROUNDS STAFF WATER!?

F*CKING IDIOTS.

Rant over, let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

LAUREN KEEN-HAWKINS

Before we delve into the newsletter, it’s worth highlighting the situation that is occurring with 22yo amateur jockey Lauren Keen-Hawkins.

On Sunday, the rider took what can only be described as one of the worst falls you will ever see at Worcester in a handicap hurdle onboard FAERIE CUTLASS and was knocked out. Soon after, the screens went up.

Before we knew even knew about the severity of her case, we watched the race back to make notes (as we do with every race at the end of day) and couldn’t believe how bad it looked. At full speed, she slammed into the turf, which must have felt as hard as the road, face first with no time to get her hands up to protect herself.

The sheer force at which she hit the ground looked utterly terrifying and it was sadly revealed yesterday that she “suffered a serious head injury and is now in critical care”.

Quite simply, this is a horrific situation, and all we can do is hope for some good news. Jockeys put their lives in danger every time they get on horseback, and an event just like this reminds us of the risks they take daily.

Our thoughts are prayers are with Lauren and her family at this time. So sad.

BALLYDOYLE UPDATES

We’ve read the hot gossip from yesterday’s media trip to Ballydoyle so you don’t have to.

You’re welcome.

Here are a few interesting bits to note from the day.

We all love young horses who are unexposed…the one’s we’re still learning about or the one’s we’re making predictions on just from their page. So, with this in mind, there is juvenile that is potentially worth keeping an eye on is LIGHT AS AIR, an unraced WOOTTON BASSETT colt out of FLUFF, making him a half-brother to CONTINUOUS.

FLUFF is a full sister to MAYBE, the champion European 2yo filly in 2011 who is also the dam of SAXON WARRIOR. Interestingly, FLUFF has a filly by WOOTTON BASSET going through the ring in Book 1 at the Goffs Orby Sale next month!

The second thing to note is that YLANG YLANG is on track for the Matron having finished seventh of eight in the Desmond Stakes lto (her first run since the Oaks).

Aidan O’Brien said: "The plan is to run Ylang Ylang in the Matron and the next day she’ll be different. We’ll ride her more positively and forward."

Interesting…

She’s probably disappointed to date, although she did win the Fillies’ Mile as a 2yo (we backed). Her career to date has been a bit weird though, so it’ll be interesting to see how it goes from here. Breeders’ Cup?

Finally, bar the obvious bigging up about his big stars, it’s interesting to see what he said about AUGUSTE RODIN ahead of his intended Irish Champion Stakes target.

O'Brien said: "Auguste Rodin loves fast ground and his last piece of work was excellent, he showed a lot of zest. He went by his lead horse very easily, where usually he wouldn’t at that stage of the work. He was very confident, and we were very happy when we saw it. It was a bit different. He’s changed into a four-year-old now, that’s what we felt. He’s all quality.

"If he runs, I’d imagine Ryan will ride him but, if the ground got soft, everything might change."

With all the hype around CITY OF TROY, it’s almost easy to forget how good this Derby winner is. He disappointed in the King George last year before winning the Irish Champ, so he’s well within his right to do the exact same this year.

HIGHCLERE’S GROUP 1s

A duo of Highclere-owned fillies have Group 1 targets in Ireland on their agenda, so let’s see what we think about them.

Starting with SOPRANO, the Matron Stakes is on her agenda after a nice Group 3 win in France lto.

She obviously won the Sandringham but then disappointed in the Valiant Stakes when fourth, though the winner from that race (FRIENDLY SOUL) has won a Group 2 since.

Her two-year-old form with FALLEN ANGEL is solid, but we aren’t convinced about her in a race like the Matron if it’s a genuine Group 1.

As for BELIEVING, she was an eye-catching third at Goodwood and then a fast-finishing second in the Nunthorpe at York.

According to George Boughey, the Flying Five at the Curragh has been her long-term plan and when Boughey shoots, he usually scores. Five furlongs at a stiff Curragh? That will work nicely for her, and that form with BRADSELL, ASFOORA and BIG EVS is very good.

RISK ON

After his big win a few weeks ago at 25/1, we have had a few messages asking after MASTER MILLINER who runs today at his beloved Goodwood.

The retards at Goodwood have watered the track AND it’s rained so the good to soft has probably scuppered his chance to win. We think he’s the best horse in the race (unbelievably still getting better) but he’s the most ground dependant horse… he needs it like the road. If it dries out to quicker than good, he’ll run a huge race ahead of his intended big target, the Cesarewitch!

As the market suggests, the horse to beat is BURDTT ROAD’s half brother EAST INDIA DOCK who will like the softer conditions and is owed a win after the last time! On quick ground he’d have no chance against the big lad but he edges it today unfortunately.

Ground watch.

Away from Goodwood…

Eye’ on the Scott horse WEST ACRE at Newcastle who is one of the yards best 2yo’s probably second best behind BAY CITY ROLLER. He is expected to win but has been smashed. Add to another bet of your choice.

We will post any other bets on X.

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