Horse Racing Betting Tips: Warrior can battle his way to shock victory
WITH the word ‘heavy’ already featuring in the going description at Newbury and plenty of rain on the way, conditions are set to be tough for tomorrow’s Group Three Cancom Stakes (2.50pm).
That won’t be music to the ears of trainer Ralph Beckett who has declared the very exciting Kinross.
The son of Kingman created a huge impression on his debut at Newmarket earlier in the month, quickening past his more experienced rivals in devastating fashion to run out an eight-length winner of what looked a smart novice event.
In fact, the runner-up came out and won easily at Kempton earlier this week adding more substance to the form.
If conditions had been better then Kinross would be a confident selection at around 6/5 with Coral, but this seven-furlong prize now looks to be more about stamina and mental toughness than raw speed.
For those reasons I simply have to take him on and as much as I respect Aidan O’Brien’s Year Of The Tiger, I’m going to take a chance with KENZAI WARRIOR at around 11/1.
Trainer Roger Teal showed what he can do with a good horse when saddling Tip Two Win to finish second in the 2000 Guineas last year and he may have just unearthed another good one here.
The son of Karakontie won a nice race at Salisbury on his debut last month and showed a really good attitude to hold off Max Vega in a tight finish.
That horse has franked the form by winning both his last two starts including the Group Three Zetland Stakes at Newmarket last time.
There will be a question mark over the ground for all of these, but there’s reason to believe Kenzai Warrior will handle it as his sire thrived in such conditions.
If he was trained by the likes of John Gosden or O’Brien he would be a fraction of the price and for that reason I am prepared to take a chance on him.
Only the six runners have stood their ground for the Group Three St Simon Stakes (2.20pm) with last year’s two dead-heaters Morando and Young Rascal back for more.
Morando looks the most obvious on paper with such bad underfoot conditions forecast as he is a tough nut to crack when the mud flies.
He defied a penalty to win at Ascot earlier in the month and looks sure to put up another bold bid here.
Young Rascal has been gelded since putting up two underwhelming performances earlier in the campaign and would be a danger to all if bouncing back to his best.
However, I am going to take them both on with ROYAL LINE who surprisingly reappears so quickly after finishing third to Kew Gardens in last weekend’s Long Distance Cup.
Obviously it’s a worry that he has only had a week to get over those exertions, but he has had a light campaign and relishes these conditions.
He showed a really impressive turn of foot at Kempton over this trip last month and he may just have too much speed for his rivals here.
Frankie Dettori travels all the way to Newbury for just one ride which is a tip in itself and I expect him to take all the beating at a best-priced 4/1.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Royal Line 2.00pm Newbury
Kenzai Warrior e/w 2.50pm Newbury