Racecards
13:50 Newbury
Axminster Carpets E.b.f. Maiden Stakes (Class 4)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £10,000 added
Alfathaa
18- Form 3
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer W J Haggas
- Jockey M Dwyer
tracked leader, smooth progress to lead over 1f out, ridden and soon clear, readily
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer Mrs A J Perrett
- Jockey Jim Crowley
started slowly, towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran green, kept on one pace, never troubled leaders
Dusk
28- Form 5
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression and weakened from 2f out
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer H & R Charlton
- Jockey S J Drowne
started slowly, held up in rear, some late headway over 1f out, never nearer
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey Greg Fairley
soon led, raced keenly, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey D Holland
in touch, ridden along over 3f out, no headway and outpaced over 1f out
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M A Jarvis
- Jockey Michael Hills
prominent on outer, ridden and effort 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer S Kirk
- Jockey J P Spencer
slowly into stride, towards rear, going well enough over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly
Slam
20- Form 5
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer B W Hills
- Jockey Richard Hughes
steadied start, pulled very hard behind, ridden over 2f out, kept on to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong
- Age 2
- Weight 8-12
- Trainer Mark Gillard
- Jockey D Fox
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened
Verdict
An interesting maiden in which the market may prove the best guide with so many newcomers on show, and as such only a small vote goes to Slam ahead of Alfathaa, Love Galore and Opera Prince. Slam shaped well when fifth to Sharp Nephew on his debut here recently, finishing to good effect from off the pace, and with a furlong extra to travel now, the son of Beat Hollow is taken to come out on top. Entered for the the Royal Lodge and Racing Post Trophy, he looks one to follow next year. Alfathaa was as green as the Leicester grass on his debut just short of three weeks ago, but ran well to grab third, and will fare better on the faster ground. He too holds an entry in the Racing Post Trophy, and should not be long in losing his maiden tag. There are a whole host of well-bred newcomers to consider, not least Love Galore, whose stable's juveniles are flying at present. By Galileo out of a Mill Reef mare, he is pencilled in for a Group 2 at The Curragh at the end of the month, and is a top middle-distance prospect for next year. Mashrai, Mushtaaq and Opera Prince are highly-rated, while Silver Rime is already going the right way, and it all makes for a decent opener in which Slam gets a narrow vote.
Formwatch
Alfathaa 8-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden, every chance entering final 2f, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Spacious (8-12) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug.
Daddy's Boy Selkirk gelding, half-brother to winning miler Pretence.
Dusk 18-1 (9-3) Raced far side, held up in touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 20, 2l behind Tanweer (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
General Tufto Fantastic Light colt, half-brother to several winners from 5f-6f and over hurdles.
Love Galore (IRE) Galileo colt, half-brother to several winners from 7f-1m4f including useful 7f winner Lil's Jessy.
Mashrai (IRE) Dubai Destination colt out of 1m4f winner Largo.
Mushtaaq (USA) Dynaformer colt, half-brother to several winners from 1m-1m4f and over hurdles.
Opera Prince Kyllachy colt, half-brother to several winners from 5f-2m including high-class 7f winner Opera Glass and classy stayer Grey Shot.
Slam 16-1 (8-11) Steadied start, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Sharp Nephew (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Ice Choice (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Hampered start, soon tailed off, last of 16, well behind Spell Caster (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 2yo fll mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
Rock Peak (IRE) Dalakhani colt, half-brother to winning sprinter Dust Cover.
Silver Rime (FR) 11-2 (9-0) Tracked winner, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 13, 3l behind Yankadi (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Aug.
Monashee Rock (IRE) Monashee Mountain filly, half-sister to 1m2f winner It's No Problem.