Week 1 - Racing Preview

So it’s finally here the first week of the new racing season and let’s start by having a look at what entries we have made this week.  These are in race order with the horse name, age, sex, race grade, race name, distance, surface, eligibility, track and race number. 

Carlisle Cullen (3yr old colt) G3 Tropical Park Derby 9f Turf Calder (3yr old only) (#11799)

OleGunnarSolskjaer (4yr filly) UG Truly Bound Handicap 1m ½f Dirt Fair Grounds (4yr + F&M)(#11802)

Emm You Eff Cee (4yr old colt) G3 Broward Handicap 1m ½f Dirt Gulfstream Park (3yr + open) (#11807)

Twilight (3yr old filly) G3 Santa Ysabel Stakes 1m ½f Dirt Santa Anita (3yr old fillies) (#11810)

Forever Eighteen (3yr old filly) G3 Santa Ysabel Stakes 1m ½f Dirt Santa Anita (3yr old fillies) (#11810)

Decode (3yr old colt) UG Second Chance Stakes 5f Turf Calder  (3yr old only) (#11811)

Midnight Sun (3yr old filly) UG Starter Allowance 1m 1½f Turf Shenandoah Downs (3yr old fillies) (#11821)

You will note that there are no 2yr olds entered - this is because a) the majority of our 2yr olds will not mature until they are 3 and running them now will not prove anything, b) the 2yr old races this early in the season are too short (ie under 5f) and c) will have full fields which at that age doesn’t give a true reflection of their ability.  

Taking their chances race by race here are our predications:

Carlisle Cullen - 3rd lifetime start but due to mature this season and the indications are that he will appreciate this distance.  Predication - top 4

OleGunnarSolskjaer - has form over distance/surface but was inconsistent last season although she has been training well off season and has strengthened up.  Predication - top 6

Emm You Eff Cee - has run well in similar races but threw in the odd bad race last season and there is a chance that he will be needing further now he has matured fully.  Predication - top 6

Twilight - only her 4th lifetime start and her previous three were pretty disappointing given her breeding (Barbaro x Zenyatta). However as the great Z didn’t run until she turned 3, there is hope yet for her daughter! Prediction - to beat Forever Eighteen home!

Forever Eighteen - In the same race as Twilight and again only having her 4th lifetime start.  The indications are that she may struggle to see out the whole distance but her pedigree says that she should be fine.  However, this is her make or break run and if she doesn’t show what we need on the track it’s off to the sales.  Predication - not to finish last!

Decode - Making his racecourse debut, this colt has had a busy life before racing and we are the 4th stable to own him (not counting two stays at Endless Vista!) but his training and pedigree says that he could enjoy the soft turf over the short distance so that’s where he is trying!  Prediction - top half of field.

Midnight Sun - her 2nd racecourse start following her debut on yielding ground at the back end of her 2yr old season.  However, she is still maturing and will only see the racecourse a few times this year and this is just to keep her interested during training. Prediction - top half.

Check back on Monday to see our Post Race Analysis!