Kempton Park | Horse Racing Free Tips

Half-Sister To Almanzor Powers To TDN Rising Stardom at Kempton

Green when runner-up in her Aug. 2 unveiling tackling one mile at Kempton, George Strawbridge's homebred 2-year-old filly Natasha (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a half-sister to Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), returned to the scene of that defeat to earn 'TDN Rising Star' status with an imperious performance in Friday's Try Our New Price Boosts At Unibet Fillies' Novice S. over the same one-mile strip. Sent forward to gain an early lead after breaking fourth from the outside gate, the 8-11 favourite was untroubled on the front end throughout and powered clear of toiling rivals inside the final quarter mile to easily outclass Moon Island (GB) (Oasis Dream) by an impressive five lengths.

“She had a real good blow last time and come on a fair bit for that first run,” said winning rider Rab Havlin. “She was green when I put her in daylight the last day and was like a rabbit caught in the headlights when I took her into space. She had a wide draw here, but is a quick learner. She was getting a little bit lonely in front and I was mindful to make her work to the line. I think she will improve again and will be a nice middle-distance filly for next year.”

Natasha is the seventh of eight foals and fifth scorer from as many runners produced by an unraced daughter of Listed Prix des Tourelles victrix Darkara (Ire) (Halling). The March-foaled homebred chestnut is a half-sister to G1 Prix du Jockey Club, G1 Champion S. and G1 Irish Champion S. hero Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), G3 Prix de Guiche placegetter Another Sky (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Listed Derby du Midi runner-up Troarn (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and a yearling colt by Dubawi {Ire}). Descendants of her third dam Daralbayda (Ire) (Doyoun {Ire}) include MG1SW European champion Darjina (Fr) (Zamindar) and G3 Prix de Lutece victor Darbuzan (Fr) (Zamindar).

2nd-Kempton, £6,500, Nov, 8-20, 2yo, f, 8f (AWT), 1:40.01, st/sl.
NATASHA (GB), f, 2, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Darkova, by Maria's Mon
2nd Dam: Darkara (Ire), by Halling
3rd Dam: Daralbayda (Ire), by Doyoun (Ire)
Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $8,312. O/B-George Strawbridge (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Half to State of Rest Debuts at Gowran

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a half-sister to GI Saratoga Derby hero State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}).

6.05 Gowran Park, Mdn, €25,000, 2yo, 7fT
TRANQUIL LADY (IRE) (Australia {GB}) makes her debut for Teme Valley Racing and Joseph O'Brien, who combined to win Saturday's GI Saratoga Derby with her half-brother State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). She will need to be smart to deal with some experienced rivals including Juddmonte's Galway third Golden Beach (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a Dermot Weld-trained full-brother to the Group 1 performer Imaging (GB).

6.25 Kempton, Novice, £7,000, 2yo, f, 7f (AWT)
SILK ROMANCE (IRE) (Shamardal) is the fifth foal out of the G1 Fillies' Mile and G2 May Hills S. winner Lyric of Light (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), whose sole black-type performer so far is the useful Bright Melody (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Like that 4-year-old trained by Charlie Appleby, Godolphin's May-foaled bay faces 11 on debut including Saif Ali and Saeed Al Tayer's fellow newcomer Amzaan (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a William Knight-trained daughter of the G2 Park Hill S. winner Meeznah (Dynaformer) who was disqualified having finished second in the 2010 G1 Epsom Oaks.

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Wednesday UK Evening Fixtures Moved Up

Bath and Kempton have both had their Wednesday evening cards moved to earlier in the day to avoid a timing clash with England's Euro 2020 semi-final against Denmark, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Sunday. Bath was due to end at 8:35 p.m. and Kempton's final race was slated for 8:50 p.m. The semi-final match begins at 8 p.m.

“Having received applications from both The Jockey Club and Arena Racing Company, the BHA has approved the alternation of race times at both Kempton Park and Bath on Wednesday evening to avoid a clash with England's Euro 2020 semi-final match against Denmark,” the British Horseracing Authority said in a statement. “We wish Gareth Southgate and the England team the best of luck.”

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Godolphin Homebred Highland Avenue Takes Kempton’s Road To The Kentucky Derby Stakes

Highland Avenue, a 3-year-old son of Dubawi, captured Wednesday's Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions Stakes at Kempton Park in the UK to earn 20 points on the European road to the roses. The Godolphin homebred, trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden to victory by Hollie Doyle, won the one-mile contest over synthetic with a last-to-first run to score by 1 3/4 lengths.

It was one of five wins on the night for Doyle, tying her own record as the first female jockey to ride five winners on the same British card.

Reflecting on the five-timer, Doyle told track publicity: “It's great as these things don't happen very often so you have got to make the most of them.

“I seem to do quite well here but I've had some good rides here today. Charlie Appleby's horse has got a lot of potential and I thought if I get beat on that I will give up!

“I thought Archie's should go close and to be honest when I spoke to Tony he filled me full of confidence with all three of his rides. You just need a bit of luck and I have had that. My agent has done me a good job in getting a good book of rides.

“I'm never satisfied with what I have done and I always want to achieve more and when you get on these sort of runs you always want to do better.”

The victory puts the Godolphin colt atop the leaderboard with two races to go, with the top-earning colt offered a spot in the starting gate for the May 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. The March 5 Patton Stakes at Dundalk in Ireland also offers 20-8-4-2 points and the April 1 Cardinal Condition Stakes at Chelmsford City will settle matters with the awards on the 30-12-6-3 scale.

Highland Avenue is two-for-two this season, both victories coming over Kempton's synthetic course.

Appleby, speaking away from Kempton, told track publicity: “He is very much a work in progress sort of horse. He is a big raw horse and Hollie has given him a lovely ride. He was a bit slow from the gate and he just missed the beat there. They've gone a nice sensible gallop and he has picked up well. He is a horse that we hold in high regard.

“I'm pleased as well in the fact that he made all last time and he has come from behind tonight so he is learning on the job. I think he is going to be a nice horse for the season.

“He has got a few entries as everyone can see (2,000 Guineas and Irish Derby), but he is one of those horses that we will see how he comes out of it before making a forward plan for him.

“Whatever he does in the first half of the year is going to be a bonus as he is a second half of the season type of horse with very much a four-year-old career ahead of him.”