Equinties - race planning

Gm Equinauts

Not many thoroughbred racehorses can claim they have a film about their life and career, however, just like SEABISCUIT and SECRETARIAT, Australian wonder mare WINX can now claim that accolade.

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

DEIRA MILE (and six furlongs)

We are now in the aftermath of the Derby and Oaks, so plenty of connections will be revealing where their horses are heading next including those behind DEIRA MILE - fourth home in the Derby - who revealed the St Leger over 1m6f is his intended target.

Jockey Jim Crowley stated that he finished his race out strongly despite a slightly sluggish start, so the extra distance of the Leger will help him when it matters.

Interestingly, looking into the sectional data, he didn’t exactly gain any time on the front two and even DANCING GEMINI (6th) posted a faster final furlong.

Despite this, the Leger looks like the obvious target if he if he stays with Owen Burrows (with the Irish Derby second choice). We say ‘if’ because owner Ahmed Al Shaikh is prone to selling his horses if a good bid comes in (HOO YA MAL - 2nd in the 2022 Derby - sold for 1.2 million Guineas at the Goffs London Sale).

T(R)OYING WITH IDEAS

As for the winner of the Derby, CITY OF TROY, connections have set their eyes on two races for him this season in this part of the world before a potential tilt on the dirt in America.

Those two races are the Irish Derby (June 30th) and the Coral-Eclipse (July 6th), the latter of which could see him face up against DANCING GEMINI again.

As for his potential trip onto the dirt, the Travers Stakes (August 24th) is in the minds of connections - something we posted way before the Guineas.

The latter would be a potential prep for the potential assignment of a trip to the Breeders’ Cup. There’s a lot of uncertainty about this plan, though O’Brien has been banging the dirt drum for a while in regards to CITY OF TROY. If he was to head to the Breeders’ Cup, the Classic (which WHITE ABARRIO and FLIGHTLINE have won in the last two years) would be the race for him.

With the fact that he’s won at Epsom and that Ballydoyle have their own ‘Tattenham Corner’ gallop, one can assume the left-handed bend of Del Mar would be no issue.

WINDSOR MUSINGS

Fair play to Matt Chapman as last night he was on-fire in the paddock.

With his cameraman and microphone, he swooped around the Windsor parade ring and tried to get updates on as many horses as possible, and he even tried to chase down William Haggas!

So, what did Chappers get from the big connections?

From top to bottom, Haggas confirmed that ECONOMICS - his mightily impressive Dante winner - would run at 1m2f on his next start, though the specifics on what race was not confirmed.

After that, we got confirmation that the Lockinge 1-2 AUDIENCE and CHARYN would head to the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

And that ELMALKA, Roger Varian’s KINGMAN filly who won the 1000 Guineas on just her third start, is being considered for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot as they don’t want to go to the Irish 1000 Guineas.

Not all of that information is revolutionary, but it helps to keep us in the loop.

WINX ON THE BIG SCREEN

From turf to tape, Australias wonder mare WINX has a film made after her and it will premiere on June 7th at The Ritz Cinema in Randwick, Sydney Australia… a stones throw from where she won an astonishing 13 Group 1 victories.

Director Janine Hosking said, “The primary objective was for Winx fans to see her in her glory, up on the big screen. I thought, we know what the public sees, but what’s the story behind the scenes?”

Trainer Chris Waller, jockey Hugh Bowman and Coolmore Australia boss Tom Magnier who sold her as a yearling on behalf of her Breeders all make prominent appearances and reflect on the great mares life so far. Janine Hosking added, “We go back to when she was a foal, when she had her first ride, and what she was like as a young horse. It’s her personality that comes through. Obviously, the races are her legacy, but we concentrated on Winx as the character. She’s quirky and doesn’t like people, and we wanted to bring that to life.”

The Director also added, “The owners of Winx were keen to use the film to educate the wider population about the industry. Screen Australia and Screen New South Wales provided a grant to create study guides for Australian teachers of media. Once the film finishes screening in cinemas, it will be available as an educational tool and will go into the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.

“Educating the general population about the racing industry through a story like Winx is important. It’s much more effective to portray positive messaging using such a popular horse. The film clearly communicates that the safety of the horse is paramount, which is going to be so beneficial for the industry’s perception.”

RISK ON

We should have swerved the Fellowes horses yesterday on the account of him being so out of form but all three horses in yesterdays Risk On section will win very soon.

Four bets today including two doubles:

15.45 LETTERSTON LILY

Market pricing in general a little off putting but sticking with gut. Summer ground specialist Peter Bowen runs LETTERSON LILY who has had two runs. Scratch her first - listed company in soft ground, her second one was more promising and standard setting.

She’s a full sister to their good horse LETTERSON LADY who won two bumpers for the yard. She was twice raced before her wins, her second run being at Haydock where she placed. Today, her sister LETTERSON LILY races her third bumper, having just recorded a good score, placing at, yes you guessed it, Haydock. 5/2 single and small ew double with 15.15 ROCKOLA VOGUE for a double bumper spesh. Ew as can’t see them out top 3 but ROCKOLA VOGUE doesn’t set great standard.

17.20 LIPA K & 20.45 CAMACHO MAN

Single on LIPA K and 6/1 double w/ CAMACHO MAN. Both well in.

Speccy lunch money four fold on LETTERSON LILY, LIPA K, Norm’s horse to watch SOLDIERS HEART and CAMACHO MAN. 101/1 with Will Hills, 80/1 every where else.