Four Sold On At Horses In Training Sales And A New Addition

We said goodbye to four of our older horses at Tattersalls Horses In Training Sales at Newmarket last week. Shahdaroba was top lot of the draft, making 65,000gns and has joined Micky Hammond's stable. He was generally pretty consistent, although he struggled with the handicapper after winning at Newmarket's Craven meeting, putting in creditable efforts throughout the season. He has done extremely well for his owners, purchased for 25,000gns as a yearling, winning two races and £36,127 in prize money, plus a £10,000 bonus for his maiden win and will do well for new connections in similar handicaps next year.

The Links also sold the three-years-olds Astrum and Poetic Verse, both having done extremely well this season but both probably held by the handicapper at present and it's the right time to sale them on. Homebred Poetic Verse did particularly well, winning four times this season and was placed a further tweleve times in her career from twenty-three starts. She rose 23lbs in the handicap before her winning run came to an end, mainly due to her excellent attitude but found life harder against some classy sorts in Class 4 company. She has joined John Quinn's yard for 16,500gns and her excellent attitude is sure to stand her in good stead. Astrum was very disappointing at two but he came into his own stepped up in trip as a three-year-old, winning twice and placed six times, he probably should have won three or four but didn't get much luck on occasions. He also went up 22lbs in the handicap and has joined Neil King's yard for 36,000gns and will be sent hurdling in the winter, if his antics when jumping over the road at Salisbury as a two-year-old are anything to go by, he will make a super jumper!

Finally, tough two-year-old Urban Dreamer was also sold on, frustratingly still a maiden but he gave his owners plenty of fun this year. In a busy season, he had seventeen starts, finished runner-up on seven occasions as well as four thirds, a fourth and two solid efforts just outside the prize money in valuable sales races. He still picked up over £13,000 in place prize money and was generally progressive at the end of the season, ending up rated 78. We felt he was the type that may struggle in the UK at three, so although winning a maiden should be a formality (we also thought that throughout the season but UD had other ideas!), life in handicaps could be hard. He made 17,000gns and is now enjoying the sunnier climate of Qatar.

While we also have a new addition to the yard as Triple Chief was purchased for 10,000gns from the Luca Cumani yard. The High Chaparral colt out of Trebles is an unraced two-year-old and he's been gelded and put away for the winter. He's a half-brother to a German Group 2 winner in Sherezad and he could be a nice progressive type for next season.

Another Placing For Dreamer

Once again Urban Dreamer has continued to run well without winning in the last two weeks. He stayed on well for tenth in the £150,000 Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy and we were confident of another big effort at Haydock on Friday. He didn't disappoint with a solid third in a £14,000 Nursery, the rain softened ground probably wasn't ideal but it was still a cracking run off a five pound higher mark than his second over the same course and distance three weeks previously. He's now had sixteen runs, seven seconds, four thirds and two solid tenths in big Sales races. Despite no win, he's picked up £13,000 in place money and we have one more chance before he goes to the sales at end of the month.

Two Year Old Trophy Task For Dreamer

Consistent two-year-old Urban Dreamer goes to Redcar for the £150,000 Totepool Two Year Old Trophy and has outside chances of picking up some minor prize money. He's an incredibly tough two-year-old, from his fourteen starts he's racked up seven seconds and three thirds and has run consistently well throughout the year. Blinkers seemed to bring about some improvement when second to Deeds Not Words last time and he wasn't stopping at the line, so six furlongs could help. He ran very well in the Super Sprint, showing good speed before getting badly hampered and in a better race, it would be no surprise if he ran a career best and nicked fifth or sixth prize.

It was another solid effort from Shahdaroba when finishing fourth at Ascot yesterday. He again stayed on well enough to suggest that he has enough stamina for a mile but also confirmed that he's a tad high in the handicap.

Yet Another Second For The Dreamer!

In his third handicap, Urban Dreamer maintained his hundred per cent strike rate of filling the runners-up spot with a career best effort at Haydock on Friday, taking his career record to seven seconds and three thirds from fourteen starts this year! First time blinkers certainly helped the Intense Focus colt as he showed plenty of speed up the stands rail before being collared by the improving Deeds Not Words, himself on a hat-trick, inside the final furlong. With three lengths back to the third, the race run in a Juvenile Course record, it has to represent a cracking effort from Urban Dreamer, who takes his career earning to £11,666 despite no success. If he gets in, he could go to Redcar for their valuable Sales race and you certainly couldn't rule out more minor prize money if he repeats Friday's effort. We just hope we can get a win out of him before he goes to the Sales next month.

At Newmarket, both of the Link's Partnership horses ran solid races in the Silver Cambridgeshire. Despite the big field, there wasn't much pace which didn't suit either horse. Icebuster was ridden much more prominently and led the field three out before getting outpaced. He rallied coming out of the dip but got checked by the winner which probably cost him fourth but he still picked up around £700. The slow pace certainly didn't help Shavansky but he also rallied in the closing stages and wasn't beaten far in eighth.

Silver Cambrigeshire Duo

After a quiet week on the runners front, it's a busy Friday with both Icebuster and Shavansky in the Silver Cambridgeshire at Newmarket and Urban Dreamer bidding to lose his maiden tag in the nursery at Haydock.

Yard veteran Shavansky has a good record in the Cambridgeshire itself, finishing fifth in 2009 and seventh in 2011 (beaten 3.5L off 94, now 87 without including Pat's 7lb claim) and the straight nine furlongs in a big field really suits him. You normally get a strong pace and even if he misses the break and sits at the rear, the fact that the field is so spread out means you are not that far off the pace. He certainly isn't getting any younger but he's still capable of making an impression in such events. Icebuster also has a similar profile, his slow starts and keen going nature means he also requires a strong pace, although he ideally he prefers ten furlongs or more. However, it wasn't a bad effort when fourth over CD at the Guineas meeting and they didn't go fast enough that day so he too has each-way chances. Both are well overpriced at 40-1 and with one drawn on either side, we hope that at least one of them can bring some prize money back down to Devon.

While at Haydock, the consistent if slightly luckless Urban Dreamer has each way chances in the £15,000 Nursery. The Intense Focus colt has six seconds and three thirds to his name this year but that elusive win eludes him. He has blinkers on for the first time today, which certainly helped his sire find some improvement and while it's a competitive event, we feel he certainly has the ability to win such a race off 73. Stall twelve should suit as with stalls in the centre, he shouldn't get crowded up the stands rail, he is also cracking each-way value at 14/1.

Fifth Second For Urban Dreamer

It was a successful day at Ffos Las, no winner but all four ran with credit and offered hope for future. Once again Urban Dreamer notched up another second in the nursery, he probably found the going on the soft side but he certainly deserves to win one soon. Madame Kintyre looked the likely winner entering the final furlong in the finale but got headed inside the final hundred yards. She clearly enjoyed the heavy ground and off a mark of 50 she is definitely capable of winning something similar.

On his debut, Modem shaped encouragingly, despite racing green in the early stages, he soon made up ground in the home straight before weakening in the final furlong to finish a very creditable third. Eugenic was also pretty green in the early stages and he too made up ground mid-race before getting very tired in the heavy ground.

Four At Ffos Las On Sunday

It's a busy Sunday at Ffos Las with four runners and two of them are newcomers making their first steps on the racecourse and it will be very interesting to see how they get on.

Eugenic is a Piccolo gelding that makes his debut in the opening mile maiden and this nice big sort will need time to be seen at his best. His dam Craic Sa Ceili won over a mile at two and as he isn't the sharpest sort in the world, we have decided to start him off at a mile. With experience, we expect him to want a shorter trip, more in keeping with his siblings but it's a nice starting point.

In the older horse maiden, John Deer's Modem makes his debut over a mile and he should go quite nicely on his debut and he looks to be running in a suitable race, with just five runners and three of his rivals have been seen under NH rules. He is by Motivator and does share some of his sire's quirks but he certainly has ability and should be capable of third prize at least.

Urban Dreamer has been very consistent this season, with five seconds and three thirds to his name from twelve starts but we still seek that elusive win. He ran very well when second on his nursery debut at Sandown and was chinned on the line in a CD maiden so he should be in the frame once again and represents our best chance of a winner.

It's a shame there are so many runners in Madame Kintyre's race as she has been running well in small field events at Ffos Las this year and off a career low mark of 50, she should run ok, especially as soft ground will suit but she has gone a while since her last success which is a concern as she still works well at home.

Have to make a quick mention about Dovils Duel who was a disappointing favourite at Chepstow under his six pound penalty on Thursday. With few options to run four pounds well in, raised ten for his Lingfield success, we had to go even though five could have been on the sharp side. Unfortunately, more of a problem was the soft ground, which combined with the drop back to five and Chepstow's unique undulations could have contributed to a below par effort. We're sure he will be back under more suitable conditions, although life will be harder under his new mark.

Plenty More Places!

A busy week and lots of solid performances from the horses meant we picked up plenty of place money. At Nottingham, Dovils Duel certainly enjoyed the slight drop in grade and he was the closest we got to a winner as he stayed on strongly to claim second in the nursery. It was a career best effort from the Clodovil gelding and with the penny starting to drop, it shouldn't be long before he's in the winners enclosure.

It was a case of 'thirditus' for the rest of the week. Madame Kintyre broke on terms and ran her best race of the season when third at Ffos Las, enjoying the soft ground and hopefully we can find a small race for her in the coming weeks. Meanwhile at Salisbury, Ivor's Princess ran her best race for over a year when finishing third in the apprentice race. She went up 18lbs (21 if you take in Sean Levey's claim) for winning twice early last year and struggled thereafter. She is back to a winning mark and will appreciate some easy ground in the autumn.

Tough two-year-old Urban Dreamer has been racking up more place money as we bid for that elusive £10,000 Racing Post Bonus and finished third at both Chepstow on Thursday and Pontefract Sunday. He's running up to his mark of 72 and it may be that we try for a nursery next time, he certainly deserves to win a race.

Drop In Grade To Help Dovils?

After posting a career best when finishing third at Lingfield three weeks ago, we were hoping Dovils Duel had turned the corner as he looked a slightly unlucky loser as he flashed home inside the final furlong. Unfortunately he ran too keen stepped up to seven furlongs at Newbury and he still isn't producing his homework on the track. However, he drops back to six furlongs at Nottingham, down in grade and has a stronger jockey with Andrea able to do the weight. Let's hope this helps as he definitely has the ability to win races and a bold show certainly wouldn't surprise.

There is a valuable two day meeting at Salisbury on Wednesday and Thursday and we're represented on both days. On Wednesday, Ivor's Princess returns to the track where she won twice last season and has first-time cheekpieces on in a bid to rediscover some form. It's a weak apprentice race and although the ground will be quicker than ideal, she's capable of going close. On Thursday, Seaham also bids to return to form having disappointed at Chepstow last time. The undulations probably didn't suit and he has useful form at Salisbury, the best on offer in fact and although he gives weight to some unexposed fillies, it's a race in which he should go close.

We also cross the bridge into Wales on Wednesday and Thursday with runners at both Ffos Las and Chepstow. Madame Kintyre makes a quick return to Ffos Las having blown a winnable chance when trying to break through the stalls last week. Her earlier effort when only beaten three lengths at the track gives her every chance if she's on best behaviour. On Thursday, the luckless Urban Dreamer bids to land a bonus maiden, having finished runner-up four times already in his short career. He hasn't done much wrong, he was nailed on the line at Ffos Las two weeks ago and proven experience of Chepstow's unique undulations will stand him in good stead.

Dovils Unlucky In Third?

Dovils Duel was by far our best two-year-old in March and we were confident of a big run on his debut in the Brocklesby at Doncaster and while fifth of twelve wasn't a disaster, he showed signs of temperament. He didn't progress when beaten at Kempton next time and was quickly gelded. Although this didn't see an instant change on the track, his behaviour at home has been much improved in recent weeks and first-time cheekpieces seemed to inspire an improved effort when flying at the finish to take third at Lingfield on Saturday evening. Drawn in stall one, well away from the favoured stands rail, he was dropped in and had plenty of ground to make up with two furlongs to run. He wasn't helped by having to be switched for his run inside the final furlong but he stayed on impressively and in another fifty yards he would have been in front. Hopefully he improves from this better run as off a mark of 60, he could well progress up the nursery ranks.

We had a big outsider in the Super Sprint as Urban Dreamer was sent off at 100/1 and we weren't that hopeful as he had been disappointing on his most recent starts. However, he travelled extremely well in one of the fastest five furlong races run for two-year-olds and was staying on for minor prize money when hampered inside the final furlong, extremely frustrating for his owners. However, twelfth of twenty four was a pretty good effort and hopefully we can find a suitable race for him before long.

Chance Of A Friday Winner?

It's a relatively busy weekend with four runners and our best chance of getting a winner is Friday, with both Shavansky and Icebuster having good chances in handicaps. Although he was only eleventh in the Old Newton Cup at Haydock, it wasn't a bad effort from Icebuster considering he was stuck wide off a very slow pace and was only beaten six and a half lengths. That was an extremely competitive eighteen runner £100,000 handicap and dropped in grade at Newbury, he should go very close. The drop back to ten furlongs should enable a stronger pace and with only nine runners, he shouldn't have too much ground to make if he makes his customary slow start. He's ten pounds higher since the start of the season but his most recent efforts show he's still capable of winning off his current mark. Veteran Shavansky has had excuses on his last three outings, no clear run at Haydock and slowly-run races were no good to him the last twice. He's dropped to a mark of 85, allowing him to drop back into a 0-85 handicap and with only six runners, some potential front runners in opposition, he should go very well as long as he lets himself down on the firm ground.

On Saturday Urban Dreamer goes in the £250,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint, a race we won with Lord Kintyre back in 1997. Urban Dreamer isn't in that class and did disappoint last Saturday at Chester. However, if he returns to his best form, he could sneak some minor prize money. While Dovils Duel bids to take advantage off bottom weight in the nursery at Lingfield. He has been very disappointing so far and hung across the track last time out at Haydock but he seemed to work quite well in cheekpieces at home, perhaps this could be the key as he certainly has the ability to win races off his current mark.

Gladiatrix Bids To Get Back On Track

After a week of no runners, it's nice to be back on the racecourse at Sandown this evening with two runners, both have chances but high draws on the sprint course makes life hard.

Gladiatrix made a surprise winning return at Southwell, showing enough speed to avoid the kickback at Southwell and we hoped for big things this season. However, she hasn't progressed as hoped, been intimidated in a competitive sprint at Windsor before a disappointing third on the polytrack at Kempton a month ago. She was always a bit hesitant last season and blinkers were going to be used before the penny dropped in the autumn. However, now she is running in more competitive events, we feel the blinkers could help her concentrate on the job in hand and hopefully it will see a return to form. Unfortunately a wide draw in thirteen (now ten of twelve with non-runners) against such experienced sprinters makes life hard, although at least she should get a clear run on the outside and we would be happy if she was in the prize money.

Urban Dreamer runs in the opener and once again he has a bad draw, something that probably denied him victory when he had to come across from a wide draw to grab the favoured stands rail at Lingfield. He only got caught yards from the line and holds the Mick Channon trained Sartori on that form. We then stepped him up to the National Stakes at Sandown last week and although last of five, he wasn't disgraced and ran up to form and should enjoy dropping back in grade tonight. He has the form in the book to win but there are some interesting newcomers from the Hannon/Jarvis yards and stall nine won't be easy to overcome. Hopefully he won't need to but may make a quick reappearance at Bath on Friday.

Unlucky Defeats For Two-Year-Olds

It was a slightly frustrating Saturday as both our two-year-old representatives were unlucky as Urban Dreamer and Seaham were second and third respectively. After his no show at Bath, Urban Dreamer showed much improved form when runner-up at Chepstow and probably improved again when second in a Bonus Maiden at Lingfield. He looked set to win entering the final furlong before been collared by Cool Bahamian, an Eve-Johnson Houghton newcomer, well inside the final furlong. Stall two, with the stands side rail such a big advantage and the ease in the ground, probably cost him victory and it shouldn't be long before he's off the mark.

Like Urban Dreamer, Seaham was very disappointing on his debut at Newbury, although in his defence that race was extremely competitive and he ended up racing on the much slower ground on the stands side. He was still green in the early stages at Warwick, which meant Andrea wasn't able to take the gap up the favoured stands rail as they entered the home straight. Unfortunately that gap had closed by the time Seaham had reached top gear and he had to be switched around his rivals. He was only beaten three quarters of a length in third and he should improve again for that experience and he's certainly capable of winning some nice races this season.

Dreamer Shows Homework On The Track

It was a busy Thursday evening at Chepstow with three runners and we nearly had another two-year-old winner as Urban Dreamer was narrowly denied by a neck. He was extremely disappointing when last on his debut at Bath, especially as his homework had been pretty promising beforehand. He was much better behaved last night and looked like winning before he was collared by the Hannon trained Hedge End in the final furlong. He was still a bit green and he should have no trouble in winning a maiden in the next few weeks. Ice Tres was a bit too keen in the early stages when fourth in the twelve furlong handicap and her run petered out inside the final furlong but wasn't disgraced. Wyndham Wave was disappointing on his return and will probably drop back to a mile next time.

Hat-Trick For Poetic Verse?

As usual on a Monday, especially now Windsor is back up and running, we're very busy and have three runners tomorrow. The best chance would be Poetic Verse who runs in the finale at Windsor and this tough filly is going for three victories in a row. Having looked exposed off marks in the low sixties this winter, a step up to twelve furlongs has seen has seen plenty of improvement and she was impressive when winning at Kempton a fortnight ago. She is six pounds higher and eventually the handicapper will get hold of her but is extremely well in herself at the moment and certainly full of confidence. Small fields suit and her turf form over shorter distances was comparable to AW efforts over similar trips so that shouldn't be a problem and she has to go well again.


Meanwhile, if Gladiatrix hadn't gone over the top when third at Bath in October, she could be bidding for a six-timer, having won on her return at Southwell. We were slightly surprised that she won there, as the fibresand surface wouldn't have been ideal and it certainly augurs well for her this season. She is in a sixteen runner sprint at Windsor and it is by far her hardest test yet so it won't be an easy task. Some have suggested that she may be better at five furlongs but her first two wins were over Bath's extended five which is pretty stiff and she's normally doing her best work at the end of her races, so we don't think stepping back up to six will be a problem. She only went up two pounds for that Southwell success and we still feel she's well handicapped so we're hopeful she will go close, especially as we hope she can compete for black-type in Listed company this season.

Our third runner is Isis Blue at Kempton and unlike Gladiatrix, he failed to handle fibresand when a disappointing third nearly three weeks ago. He was slightly unlucky when runner-up on his handicap debut over course and distance in March and off a one pound higher mark, he is another with a solid chance tomorrow. He's a horse we really liked last year but was on the weak side and picked up a few minor problems but still showed some solid form on his first two starts. He has strengthened up nicely over the winter and we feel he's capable of exploiting a mark of 70 and progressing through the handicap ranks. It's a competitive handicap tomorrow and he needs to bounce back from a below par effort but he too shouldn't be far away, hopefully it will be a good day!

However, we didn't have much success on Friday and Saturday with the two-year-olds running well below expectations. Seaham was in a very competitive maiden at Newbury and probably ended up on the slower ground but he didn't look very comfortable at halfway and perhaps he will prefer a sounder surface. Meanwhile, Urban Dreamer got very upset in the stalls at Bath and while he showed plenty of speed, dropped away tamely from halfway. Hopefully both will leave these efforts behind next time. At Nottingham on Saturday, Astrum stayed on well for third and was slightly unlucky, getting shuffled back early on a track which favoured those racing prominently. He showed more resolution than when winning at Warwick and he should keep progressing off his low handicap mark.

Sharper Two Year Olds Make The Track

We already have one decent two-year-old in Master Carpenter and we have two more two-year-olds making their debuts today. Both Seaham and Urban Dreamer would be among our sharper sorts and have showed enough speed and potential at home for us to target them at the £10,000 Racing Post Bonus maidens. However, these races tend to be much more competitive than non-bonus versions and with few of these races so far in 2013, both races are strong on paper.

Seaham is a half-brother to two winners over five and six furlongs

and is Myboycharlie's, a very useful Group 1 sprinting two-year-old, first UK runner (has had winners in Southern Hemisphere and only Irish runner third). This Newbury maiden is traditionally very strong and this year's event has representatives from all the top yards and some expensive purchases so looks no exception. The only runner with experience is Paul Cole's Meritocracy and he finished third in a very competitive maiden at Kempton on Saturday (fourth Vodka Time won at Newmarket Wednesday) so sets a high standard. It certainly won't be an easy task and a mid-division performance is normally good enough to win an ordinary maiden but we're hopeful Seaham will put up a positive performance.

Urban Dreamer faces a field of fifteen rivals at Bath but his race doesn't look quite as strong. Obviously Beau Nash showed a useful level of form on his debut when second to Master Carpenter on his debut and with that form working out so well, he will be hard to beat with the benefit of experience. Urban Dreamer is also by a first season sire in Intense Focus and he is already off the mark with two winners from seven runners, while his dam was a very useful sprint handicapper in Ireland.

 

He shows plenty of speed at home and we're slightly concerned he might not stay a stiff five furlong on soft ground so might prefer it to dry out, although drawn out in stall fifteen, he might be better off if the ground is soft as they will come stands side, giving him a good draw. All in all, it will be very interesting to see how both two-year-olds get on and hopefully they put up a good show and show promise for the future.

 We also have Burnt Fingers in the sprint maiden at Bath and she made a very promising return when third at Leicester two weeks ago. That was over seven furlongs and we're not sure if dropping back in trip is the right thing to do, as there is a mix of speed and stamina in her pedigree. However, the form she showed at Leicester gives her each-way claims in a big field and this filly is likely to progress throughout the season and sure to be winning at some point.

At Wolverhampton last night, Ice Tres ran well on her handicap debut, finishing third in a 56-70 Fillies Handicap. She seemed to prefer a return to more patient tactics, although the slow pace meant it wasn't easy to come from behind. She's handicapped to win if things go her way this summer.