Babe can Sprint to Super victory
I did mention that Archipenko was a real threat to Ramonti at Ascot last weekend, but I just thought that Ramonti’s class would win the day.
As it was, he was in dire need of the run and never looked a danger; the Godolphin team continue in very poor form.
Mike de Kock is such a good trainer and Archipenko is clearly a very good horse. He was one of the few horses that has left Aidan O’Brien and seemingly improved his form dramatically
The accent will be on speed at Newbury tomorrow when the programme features the Weatherbys Super Sprint, a hugely competitive five furlongs event with an increase prize money offer of £140,000.
A pioneering concept when it was first run in 1991, the race is for two-year-olds only sold or bought in as yearlings by public auction at specified sales for 45,000 guineas or less before July 1 last year.
One of the highlights of the season of summer racing, it provides the sport’s minor league players with an opportunity to pitch for a big prize without having to take on those at the top end of the market.
Sponsored since 1994 by Weatherbys, the Northampton based group of companies which provides British racing with its central administration, it has become a ticket to ride for every small owner.
Richard Hannon has won three of the last five running’s and any of his runners demand plenty of respect as a result.
He has won the races six times in total. Michael Bell has maintained his stable form well this season and Bahamian Babe should run well at a decent price with the delightful Hayley Turner booked to ride.
Hayley Turner is, in my opinion, the best female jockey ever in the UK. She has fantastic balance, good tactical awareness and also shows real strength in a tight finish.
Newbury is a fantastic racecourse and like Kempton Park the train station is literally 100 yards from the entrance to the racecourse so access is so easy by train with regular trains from London Paddington taking just an hour. Gates open two hours before the first race and tickets are £27 for the Premier Enclosure and £18 for the Grandstand.
Newbury racecourse in Berkshire is situated in the centre of southern England, just minutes from Junction 13 of the M4 and easily accessible from the M3 as well.
When you arrive, there is ample free parking. My nap of the day tomorrow is Bahamian Babe each way in the Weatherbys Super Sprint.