Well, the tides have certainly turned on the Sussex Downs, and by tides, I actually mean a monsoon of rain over the last 24 hours.
The official going touched heavy on the round course following consistent rain all day, something that caused a few horses to bounce on the conditions.
However, all of the rain has passed through – until at least Saturday anyway – so let’s try and find a few soft-ground lovers.
1:50 Goodwood – Promoter @ 17/2 with William Hill – 1pt EW
The opening contest is for three-year-olds over the 1m2f test of Goodwood and in a field full of horses that could be anything, the Ralph Beckett-trained PROMOTER is an interesting each-way angle at 17/2.
Having raced five times so far in his career, he broke his maiden tag on his second start on soft ground over seven furlongs at Chepstow when he gave seven pounds away to Racingbreaks Ryder and won eased down at the finish; the runner-up that day has since won four races on the trot and officially improved 18 pounds, so that race looks like good form.
Double for @Rossaryan15 over at @Chepstow_Racing – Promoter much the best on his second start for @RalphBeckett! pic.twitter.com/nRdmJmBKrl
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 8, 2022
Following two more runs at seven furlongs, he stepped up to 1m2f on Derby day at Epsom and was a big eyecatcher in the Lestor Piggott Handicap to finish a staying-on fifth on good-to-firm ground, a surface that wouldn’t have been preferable.
This week’s run is his first since that day at Epsom, suggesting that connections have kept one eye on this race for a while, and out of the Dubawi mare Hereawi, a two-time winner on soft ground, he should power through the heavy conditions on Glorious Goodwood Day 3.
Plenty here will find the softer surface to their dislike based on their pedigree, so siding with one who should be okay with conditions is a safe play.
2:25 Goodwood – Vandeek @ 7/4 with William Hill – 3pt Win
In the proceeding race, the Group 2 Richmond Stakes, there will need to be a good animal in the field to beat VANDEEK at the top of the market.
Trained by Simon & Ed Crisford, who could have a good day if Chesspiece runs as well as I think he can in the Gordon Stakes, the Havana Grey colt was very impressive last time out at Nottingham to win by just under a length.
👀 Taking debut
625,000gns buy Vandeek makes a smart start to life for @gainsboroughHQ with victory at @NottsRacecourse under @Atzenijockey pic.twitter.com/Lf9TWZa8yp
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 21, 2023
That may not sound world-class, however, he blew the start under Andrea Atzeni, who retains the ride, made a lot of ground up through the pack and won going away in good-to-soft ground.
Although he is by Havana Grey, a sire who wouldn’t be known for his soft ground progeny, his damsire is Exceed And Excel who isn’t averse to adding soft ground ability to any pedigree and his dam is siblings with the 113-rated Sirocco Breeze, a soft ground winner on debut as a three-year-old.
This year’s renewal of the Richmond Stakes looks an average one at best and this could be easy pickings for Vandeek.
5:55 Goodwood – Rogue Spirit @ 12/1 with BetVictor – 1pt EW
Finally, I’m taking a swing on one returning to form in the lucky last with ROGUE SPIRIT at 12/1 with William Hill.
Although he has been beaten a collective 38 lengths on his last four starts, this three-year-old last visited the winners’ enclosure at Haydock in September 2022 when beating Al Dasim on good-to-soft ground.
Impressive!
Two-year-old gelding Rogue Spirit powers clear of his rivals in the Old Bootleians Nursery Handicap @haydockraces, his third win of the season from seven starts for the @tomcloverracing team 👏@ConnorPlanas pic.twitter.com/TCupjFTggE
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 23, 2022
Including the seven-pound claim of Connor Planas on that day, Tom Clover’s contender received nine pounds from the runner-up who has gone on to improve 19 pounds thanks to a Group 3 victory in Meydan earlier this year.
Since then, Rogue Spirit has yet to race on softer conditions, something that is beneficial to his chances as a Dark Angel gelding out of a New Approach mare.
Hopefully, the heavy going, first-time blinkers, and booking of Tom Marquand will spark improvement as he looks well-handicapped off 87.
