Thoughts on Sunday’s Runners
Two runners at Haydock Park tomorrow afternoon (Sunday 12th September). First up its worth pointing out that this is part of the Sky Bet Sunday Series, a fantastic initiative with great prize money on offer, all the races have good sized fields and look extremely competitive. The series really demonstrates the importance of offering good prize money in terms of creating attractive races. We just hope that the horses we send out from Sarsen Farm can capture some of it!
First up is Outgate in the 5.30. Nicola Currie is on board for the seven furlong nursery handicap. They are drawn in stall 8. Outgate ran a solid in race in the most valuable nursery of the season to finish seventh. Whilst the prize tomorrow is still a good one as part of the Sunday Series, a great initiative it does look an easier type of race being a Class 4 rather than a Class 2. Outgate has trained nicely since and is a horse with a bit of quality. He has a bit of scope and will improve further next season.
This looks an open race, with quite a few tackling handicap company for the first time. Flaming Lord finished ahead of Outgate at Yarmouth when they met previously, although he perhaps benefitted to an extent from Outgate challenging the well fancied winner. Sir Min & St Andrew’s Castle should appreciate the extra distance.
Outgate is by Outstrip, out of the Invincible Spirit mare, Penny Drops. He is owned and was bred by Gary and Lesley Middlebrook. Outgate will be led up James Pulley.
Our second runner is Zulu Girl in the 6.00. Nicola Currie is in the irons for the one mile fillies’ handicap and they are drawn in stall 6. Zulu Girl has developed in leaps and bounds since joining the yard, improving by 19lbs in the handicap and winning three races in the process. Nicola has ridden to two of those wins and gets on well with the filly. She has thrown in a couple of flat runs but has always bounced back from them, so despite being a bit disappointing last time we thought it was worth having a go at what is a very valuable prize for the grade.
Again this looks a competitive race, albeit it most of the winning form is at a slightly lower level, Arabian Romance put up a good display in a good fillies handicap over 7 furlongs last time out, having won a fillies class 4 on her previous start and does stay a mile, so probably sets the standard, Turandot is a course and distance winner and although not always entirely consistent definitely is to be feared. The lightly raced New Exceed is an intriguing runner, who may well find this drop in trip to her liking.
Zulu Girl is by Lethal Force, out of the Diktat mare, Upskittled. She is owned by Colin and Trish Fletcher-Hall and was bred by Whatton Manor Stud. She will be led up by Ilse Belien, who also looks after the filly at home.