Equinties - test the form

Gm Equinauts

Inclement, unseasonal weather meant for a tough weekend for not just the golfers at the Open but also all the Dad’s up and down the UK desperate sip cold ones while prodding a few sausages and flipping burgers on the BBQ but unsure if it was going to hammer it down or force you to run back inside for the lather up in more sun cream.

Typical British weather which was a little worse up the North than the South and as a result that means todays going at Cartmel is soft…in July.

Let’s find the slop pedigree’s, let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

TIME TO TEST THE FORM

Well, we questioned why Ryan Moore had chosen CONTENT over PORT FAIRY for the Irish Oaks, but his mount did the best of the Coolmore contingent as she finished a luckless second.

However, the winner is the horse we should be focussing on as YOU GOT TO ME will be known as the 2024 Irish Oaks winner.

What does her win mean going forward? Well, now we want to see how good these 3yo’s really are - time to test the form we say!

Although the Oaks winner, EZELIYA, is now retired, the fourth from her race, YOU GOT TO ME, has won the Irish equivalent while simultaneously beating the Epsom Oaks third, WAR CHIMES, by over eight lengths.

That form line is either pants or vintage.

It may be too early to call, but when the three-year-olds fillies come up against their elders this season, who would you rather back over 1m4f - the 3yo or the older generation? EMILY UPJOHN while giving weight away or YOU GOT TO ME in receipt of weight?

It’s an interesting question.

Speaking of her next run, trainer Ralph Beckett said: “We have seen a difference in her over the last fortnight. She travelled over really well and got here in really good shape. She is in pretty much everything bar the St Leger. She could go for the Yorkshire Oaks and I think York will suit her well.”

UPPING THE STATUS

ELITE STATUS is off to Haydock for the Sprint Cup.

At least, that’s where Karl Burke is aiming him after his success in the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes on Saturday.

The three-year-old missed the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot but owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum has still managed to pick up a Group 1 and Group 3 with his two top sprinters. That’s not bad!

So, what about ELITE STATUS? Can he get his Group 1 win when taking on his elders?

Firstly, it goes without saying that the sprinting division is there to be taken on. Based on this, he must have a chance, especially getting weight from inferior rivals.

Furthermore, beating LAKE FOREST and REGIONAL is probably a fair level of form and he’d only need to find three or four pounds more to get in the frame at Haydock.

However, with a clearer run and potentially a handier ride, LAKE FOREST could have won the Hackwood.

If he heads to the Sprint Cup, is he the one people may miss? We think so.

WEEKEND EYE-CATCHERS

GLAMOUR SHOW - FRIDAY 15.00 NEWBURY

This girl should have won. We’re gutted but we know she’s good and we know we were right - without getting paid!

NAQEEB - SATURDAY 14.25 NEWBURY

Not only is NAQEEB a half-brother to BAAEED, but he is also one of our eye-catchers for his second to TEMPORIZE on Saturday.

Jim Crowley positioned the four-year-old well off the pace, and as he sauntered up the outside on the well-bred gelding, he probably thought he’d win easily.

However, his lack of true urgency allowed the winner to get away and by the time Crowley picked up the stick, the race was gone.

NAQEEB is getting better with his runs now he is a four-year-old, so he should start winning races soon.

PAPAGEI - SATURDAY 19.05 NEWMARKET

A previous winner for Norm. PAPAGEI ran in the finale at Newmarket and it may be worth sticking with this lad as James Ferguson’s three-year-old is improving with runs.

The half-brother to EMBESTO was one of the last horses off the bridle in the race, but he was probably caught for a bit of toe at the crucial time of the race.

Stepping up in trip may be the key to him as he’s been tried at 1m2f for a few runs and he may just need that extra two furlongs.

If so, a mark in the 60s could be very dangerous going forward.

TWEETS OF THE DAY

RISK ON

We want to check the first at Cartmel to see how soft it is, any bets will be posted to X @equinties

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