Alaska to freeze out eight rivals in the Novice Auction Stakes over six furlongs of ‘good’ ground Brighton today which features five meetings; Mondays aren’t ‘quiet’anymore!
We’re approaching mid-summer officially and so we can expect a plethora of fixtures but last Saturday was a shocker; eight programmes were nigh impossible to digest but, there again, such volume is the reason why I’m always keen to promote the daily patent which involves three selections and seven bets at the most.
Streamlining any operation is key to successful business strategy, concentrating on only three tips per day has made good economic sense and, hopefully, will continue to, kicking off with twice-raced Alaska.
Sylvester Kirk’s charge confirmed the impression of a promising Doncaster debut under talented stable apprentice, Mitch Godwin, last month when a close third to odds-on Roussel at Leicester ten days later; this Kodiac colt stayed on strongly, beaten only a length.
Both races were over the minimum trip and, apparently, Oisin Murphy, advised Kirk to go further; Godwin is back on board and claims 5lbs allowance.
Given Alaska is ‘best-in’ on my time-handicap and Godwin is as good as it gets offsetting the burden must surely make a difference.
So often we have mentioned that ‘Auction’ races are wonderful betting mediums for two-year-old aficionados because they represent an opportunity to scrutinise juveniles which aren’t super-breds; for instance this particular race is confined to yearlings purchased for less than £20000!
Newcomer Expecting is a tip for a Novice Stakes over six furlongs of ‘good to firm’ Windsor tonight but preference is for twice-raced TH choice, Katy Marlowe, from the in-form yard of Mark Johnston; it’s a long way from Middleham!
Over the same course and distance half an hour later well-bred Think Fashion is good enough to finally gain ‘winning brackets’ in the seven-runner ‘aged’ Maiden Stakes and, hopefully, will recover my recent losses!
On-fire Bowen eclipses first landmark
AUBURN, Washington—Barbadian Rocco Bowen topped 50 wins at Emerald Downs on Friday, riding an impressive triple to keep up his frenetic start to the new campaign at the Pacific Northwest American racetrack.
The reigning champion stormed to victories in race two with favourite Nice Guys Finish, in race three with another odds-on bet Citizen Sam and in race six with top choice Mike Man’s Gold, to reach his landmark from a mere 183 wins for an outstanding win rate of 27 per cent. On his current pace, Bowen is poised to better his tally of 99 from last season, with three months still left in the current campaign.
He is already 25 clear of nearest challenger Kevin Orozco with Eswan Flores four back in third on 21.
Bowen kicked off his success in a 5-1/2 furlong sprint when he made most of the running with three-year-old bay gelding Nice Guys Finish to beat the three-year-old and upwards.
The pair duelled with Laney’s Gold, Coastal Roar and Vaquero Gold in a heated opening quarter before grabbing sole possession of the lead with the stretch approaching, and running on strongly to win by 5-3/4 lengths.
The 28-year-old Bowen then paired with four-year-old gelding Citizen Sam to get the better of the three-year-old and upward by three-quarters of a length.
Going 6-1/2 furlongs, Bowen settled the gelding off the pace set by the warring trio of Defend Libery, Jordan’s Quest and Private Boss before moving into firm contention with a furlong left and getting away from Private Boss.
Bowen’s final win came in a narrow score when he barely held off Trick Or Retreat to win by a nose with seven-year-old gelding Mike Man’s Gold, in 6-1/2 furlong trip for the three-year-old and upwards.
(CMC)
Brighton, 11.15 Alaska (nap)
Windsor, 3.00 Kit Marlowe (e.w); 3.30 Think Fashion