Newmarket | Horse Racing Free Tips

Native Still On The Winning Trail

He was 1-4 and there were no anxious moments as Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB) simply turned up and repeated his juvenile antics in Wednesday's G3 bet365 Craven S. at Newmarket. Taking some strides to organise himself as he had on this track and the July Course at two, the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. and G1 Dewhurst S.-winning European champion juvenile got motoring out of the “dip” to brush aside the long-time leader Star of India (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and score by 3 1/2 lengths from the promising course maiden winner Claymore (Fr) (New Bay {GB}). “That was a perfect trial–they went a nice pace,” jockey William Buick said. “Everyone had been delighted with him at home and it was a proper trial.” Charlie Appleby added, “He has a big round action, but races economically and the right way round. He really comes up the rising ground and keeps finding all the way to the line. He was two kilos heavier today than he was in the Dewhurst and I'm a big believer that they should be the same weight going into the Guineas than they were then. At 540 kilos, he's the same weight as Adayar and Hurricane Lane. His racing brain has clicked in now and he saw the mile out well there.”

With Ryan Moore intent on keeping Star of India honest from the outset and Adam Kirby allowing Claymore to stride forward along with Rob Hornby on Zechariah (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), it was clear from an early stage that this was not to be in any way tactical. Students of Native Trail would have known not to allow the blood pressure to rise a fraction when he was first pushed along by Buick, who is owning the Craven meeting at present, and by the two pole as he emerged in the line of contenders it was a case of accepting the inevitable. In beating a clutch of raw if deeply promising types in straightforward manner in a solid time, this proved little more than he has retained all his ability and that he stays the mile well but neither of those would have been under question to begin with. Whether he can ward off the likes of stablemate Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Ballydoyle's Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in two Saturdays' time is a different matter, but his attitude, experience and advantageous stride length will ensure he is heavily favoured to do so.

Claymore, who had impressed when winning his sole start here in October, is due to sidestep a second encounter with the winner and wait two more weeks for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulain at ParisLongchamp. “Adam said mentally he'll come on and he is having a good blow, so there is improvement everywhere,” trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said. “I would say it'll be the French for him.”

If Native Trail is to win a Guineas, he will exceed the achievements of some prominent family members whose lights had blazed during their first season but had gone out by the month of May of their second. They include the unraced dam's full-sister Helleborine (GB) (Observatory), her asteroid-like son Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and another full-sibling's daughter Fair Eva (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Given that this Juddmonte dynasty also involves the unbeaten juvenile and ultimately-disappointing Distant Music, it would have been a relief for the team to see Native Trail come back as strong at three. One immediate family member who did go on to excel later as a 3-year-old was the dam Needleleaf's full-sister African Rose (GB), winner of the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup, and there is no indication that this winner's torch will die out any time soon.

Godolphin paid €950,000 at last year's Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale for the winner's half-sister Tranquil Rose (Fr) by the sire of the aforementioned G2 Coventry S. winner Calyx, who is set to be one of Coolmore's most exciting young sires. This the family features the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, GI Washington D.C. International and GI Suburban H.-winning champion Vanlandingham (Cox's Ridge), the GII Keeneland Turf Mile and G2 Prix Eugene Adam-winning sire Kirkwall (GB) (Selkirk) and the GI American Oaks heroine Funny Moon (Malibu Moon). Also connected to the GI Belmont S. hero and sire Temperence Hill, Needleleaf's yearling filly is by Siyouni (Fr).

Wedneesday, Newmarket, Britain
BET365 CRAVEN S.-G3, £80,000, Newmarket, 4-13, 3yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:35.91, gd.
1–NATIVE TRAIL (GB), 126, c, 3, by Oasis Dream (GB)
1st Dam: Needleleaf (GB), by Observatory
2nd Dam: New Orchid, by Quest for Fame (GB)
3rd Dam: Musicanti, by Nijinsky II
(€50,000 Wlg '19 ARQDE; 67,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT; 210,000gns 2yo '21 TATBRE). O-Godolphin; B-Le Haras d'Haspel (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £45,368. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng & Ire, 5-5-0-0, $751,551. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Claymore (Fr), 126, c, 3, New Bay (GB)–Brit Wit (GB), by High Chaparral (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP TYPE. (€5,000 Ylg '20 ARQDOY; £10,000 2yo '21 TATGOR). O-Mrs Mary Slack; B-Guenther Schmidt (FR); T-Jane Chapple-Hyam. £17,200.
3–Hoo Ya Mal (GB), 126, c, 3, Territories (Ire)–Sensationally (GB), by Montjeu (Ire).
1ST GROUP TYPE. (40,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Ahmad Al Shaikh; B-Meon Valley Stud (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £8,608.
Margins: 3HF, 1HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 0.25, 12.00, 0.00.
Also Ran: Kingmax (Ire), Star of India (Ire), Zechariah (Ire). Scratched: Al Mubhir (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

The post Native Still On The Winning Trail appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Half To Sacred Debuts At Newmarket

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 dual group winner Sacred (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}).

1.15 Newmarket, Mdn, £10,000, 3yo, f, 7fT
ENSHRINE (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) is a half-sister to Sacred (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), whose three runs for Cheveley Park Stud and William Haggas last term resulted in wins in the G3 Nell Gwyn S. here and the G2 Hungerford S. Representing the same connections, the April-foaled bay meets eight rivals in this introduction.

2.25 Newmarket, Debutantes, £15,000, 3yo, 8fT
SECRET STATE (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the latest progeny out of the disqualified 1000 Guineas winner Jacqueline Quest (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), making him a half-brother to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Line of Duty (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and a full-brother to the dual listed scorer Onassis (Ire). Charlie Appleby introduces the 525,000gns Book 1 graduate alongside the Godolphin homebred State Event (GB) (Shamardal), a son of the G1 1000 Guineas, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks heroine Blue Bunting (Dynaformer).

7.15 Chantilly, Cond, €28,000, 3yo, f, 10fT
LIFE IN MOTION (IRE) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) is another Godolphin notable on an intriguing day, being the Andre Fabre-trained 'TDN Rising Star' who scored with such promise by five lengths on debut at Saint-Cloud in October. Subsequently disappointing when sixth in the G3 Prix des Reservoirs, the daughter of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Wavering (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}) starts with a clean slate taking on The Aga Khan's Fontainebleau scorer Ebba (Fr) (Medaglia d'Oro), the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained half-sister to the multiple group winner Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor) and the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational winner Edisa (Kitten's Joy).

The post Half To Sacred Debuts At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

On The Trail Again

Charlie Appleby has two strong hands to play in the upcoming 2000 Guineas and one of them, the European champion juvenile Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB), enjoys a surprise if welcome prep in Wednesday's G3 bet365 Craven S. at Newmarket. It's the age-old question, can the one who was at the apex the previous year maintain his dominion after the winter sojourn? It is necessary to go back to the mid-nineties and the likes of Alhaarth (Ire) (Unfuwain) and Xaar (GB) (Zafonic) to recall reigning champions taking in this trial en route to the first Classic and Godolphin's chief sophomore provides the race with a shot in the arm. There is nothing in his trainer's recent emissions to suggest that he has any concerns about the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. and G1 Dewhurst S. hero, with this being more of a wake-up call than anything else.

“We are very confident at the moment and the team is in good form,” he said. “He has wintered very well and we have been pleased with his preparation, so we don't have any negatives going into this. It's only two and a half weeks until the 2000 Guineas, so we feel he is not going to need the run in the Craven, but it will help click his racing brain back into gear. It's of more benefit mentally rather than physically.”

TDN Rising Stars Assembling

Taking on Native Trail are two TDN Rising Stars in Star of India (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Al Mubhir (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who represent Ballydoyle and William Haggas respectively. The former took the eye when scoring on debut over seven furlongs at Leopardstown in October, while Al Mubhir beat a clutch of subsequent winners in a maiden over that trip on this course earlier that month.

Tom Marquand takes the mount on Al Mubhir and said, “He is a beautiful model, but he has done well for having that break. It is a stiff task second time out to try and win a Craven, but there is a reason he is in there and that is because William likes him and the team likes him. Our lad will be learning on the job a little bit and hopefully we will learn a bit more about him at the same time and what will be will be with Native Trail.”

A River Runs Through It

In the six-furlong G3 Connaught Access Flooring Abernant S., Al Shaqab Racing's Ebro River (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) is the main player following his success in the G1 Phoenix S. at The Curragh in August. With no stand-out older sprinter in attendance, Hugo Palmer's stable star will be a warm order to get his campaign off to a flyer.

“We've decided to put a line through trying to make him stay, but I'm just really looking forward to running him at Newmarket. It wouldn't surprise me if we ended up going back to five for the King's Stand if he's good enough.”

Click here for the group fields.

The post On The Trail Again appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Guineas Hopefuls Out In Force At HQ

Classic aspirants were in action prior to racing at Newmarket on Tuesday, and G1 Darley Dewhurst second Dubawi Legend (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is pleasing trainer Hugo Palmer ahead of the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Apr. 30. The Dr. Ali Ridha colourbearer galloped a mile alongside stablemates Power Of States (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Battered (GB) (Foxwedge {Aus}), before edging away from them and crossing the wire five lengths to the good of the twosome, with Tom Marquand in the irons. The colt was last seen running off the board in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November.

Palmer, who moved to Michael Owen's Manor House Stables recently, said, “That was just what we wanted. It was a really solid piece of work. Michael Hills who rode Power Of States said he was flat out from the three which is what we wanted him to do and really draw the 3-year-old into the work which he did.

“Tom said he was beautifully relaxed and that he was switched off in behind and finished really well. Tom said he would have no qualms about him staying the mile and that he felt great.

“Tom came and rode him at Wolverhampton a couple of weeks ago. We were happy with him a couple of weeks ago and we were happy with him that day, but he has stepped forward massively from that day to here–which is what you want them to do.

“We are 18/19 days out now and we are bang on track. He is not there yet but today is not Guineas day. Tom was happy with him, and I couldn't be happier as a result.

Palmer saddled 2016 Guineas victor Galileo Gold (Ire) (Paco Boy {Ire}) and added, “I think Tom would love to ride him in the Guineas the way he was talking there but he has got commitments elsewhere. Equally, if for whatever reason Charlie Appleby only ran one in the Guineas and James Doyle became available then he is James's ride first and foremost. James has sat on him lots and it was good for Tom to sit on him today and have another feel. It could be an opportunity if we are looking for someone else.”

Another out for a spin over the Newmarket turf was Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's listed winner Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). The Kevin Ryan trainee was last seen in action winning Haydock's Listed Ascendant S. on Sept. 4 over the 1600-metre Guineas trip. He galloped solo under Andrea Atzeni.

Ryan said, “He has been away from home at Redcar and I felt it was good to give him a feel of the track down here. He has come from the seven and really quickened into the dip and out of it. He took a fair bit of pulling up. Everything has gone to plan and Andrea was delighted with him. He is well on target for the big day.

“He is a quick horse and doesn't need a lead horse. We are not particularly worried about ground conditions with him. The Haydock race was always the plan for him. He was an immature horse and we finished him after that.”

Also under consideration for the first colts' Classic of the season is Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's dual group winner Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Victorious in the G3 Acomb S. and G2 Royal Lodge S. in succession last August and September, respectively, the dark bay faded to last in the G1 Trophy S. at Doncaster after making the running in soft going on Oct. 23. He pleased father-son trainers Charlie and Mark Johnston when seen in action with stablemates I'm A Gambler (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Highland Premier (GB) (Highland Reel {Ire}) over seven furlongs on Tuesday.

Johnston said, “Whether he is going to the Guineas or straight to the [G2] Dante [S.] it is still good to have had a racecourse gallop. There was some question to see how much speed he has got.

“They've not hung about there and we wanted to see if he could travel comfortably at that pace and Jason [Hart] said he travelled very easily. It was great to have the outing.”

The post Guineas Hopefuls Out In Force At HQ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post