Turf Talk Newsletter – 23 May, 2025

Eight On Eighteen is full of class and likely has more improvement to come so will be hard to beat in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000. (Picture: Wayne Marks). 

The Gr1 Daily News 2000 is the headliner at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday and Eight On Eighteen should be too strong.

The progressive Lancaster Bomber colt has aleady won two Gr 1s over this trip despite only having had nine career starts. One of his wins was against most of the best middle distance horses in the country in the Gr 1 wfa WSB Met and he has not only likely improved since then but this represents an easier task. He does have a tough draw of seven out of seven but is relaxed in the running and has a fine turn of foot and stays through the line. It could be a third Daily News for Justin Snaith and a second for owner Nick Jonsson, although it is not going to be a doddle as he faces some class runners.

Confederate might give Eight On Eighteen a go as an impressive long-strider who led from pillar to post to win he Gr 1 TAB SA Classic. He jumps from a nice draw of three and does not necessarily have to lead becaue he as a good turn of foot from off the pace too.

Spumante Dolce has hinted at having loads of ability and, as a Vercingetorix three parts sister to Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Sparkling Water, a line can probably be drawn through her disappointing run in the Gr 1 TAB SA Fillies Classic. Her form other than that run can hardly be faulted.

Parisian Walkway is a front-running sort who might bounce back to his best on the coast, although he does have to prove he stays the trip.

Native Ruler did not have things go his way in the WSB 1900 last tme and looks held by Eight On Eighteen on Splashout Cape Derby form too.  He could improve but has a bit to prove.

Okavango stayed on well for fourth in the WSB 1900 but this is a different ball game and he also has a bit to prove.

Makazole looks outclassed but can enure a good pace.

They are selected in the order mentioned.

In the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000, the Frank Robinson-trained Ideal World filly Mocha Blend has a lot of class and would have needed her last start when running a good third over this course and distance in a Listed event on May 3. She is carrying just 53kg with JP van der Merwe aboard and is improving all the time. She has a fine turn of foot and plenty of stamina and has a manageable draw of seven out of thirteen.

They are selected in the order mentioned.

Shoot THe Rapids and Holding Thumbs could fight out the Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m.

Holding Thumbs will enjoy the step up in trip and has been tipped to win the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (Picture: Wayne Marks).

Hollywoodbets Greyville Saturday Formguides And Selections

R1 Summary: Many first timers. Of those that have run, DARK MATTER (4) has gone close at both starts and was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. Drawn well and should go close. WINTER BLESSING (6) has come on nicely at recent outings and should be competitive. CASSANDRA (7) got a cautious thumbs-up from her in form stable and is one to watch in the betting. MS SAKURA (2) has a blue-blood pedigree but may need further. (Andrew Harrison: 4-6-7-2).

R2 Summary: Mostly first timers. Of those that have run, HAWKSDALE (9) found some market support on debut and finished close-up. She takes on males but looks forward enough to take this race. VANAKKAM (8) was a modest second at her second start but has been entered for the Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship. GOLDEN OPERATOR (1) has the best of the draw and comes from a strong stable. ZIYAN’S PRIDE (13) has the widest draw but does have some experience. (Andrew Harrison: 9-8-1-13).

R3 Summary: RUN FOREST RUN (2) made good improvement at his second start, running on strongly. The extra furlong will suit and from a good draw he should put in another strong showing. Visiting XENOPHON (6) found market support on debut and showed up well. That experience will count in his favour and he will be a big runner. BRUH (4) was a distant fourth on debut but should come on from that effort and should enjoy the extra. GOOD OMEN (9) raced green on debut and should come on from that effort. (Andrew Harrison: 2-6-4-9).

R4 Summary: Open. DESTINY OF FIRE (6) takes on males but has good form in useful female company of late. She goes well this trip and should be in the shake-up. WORLD OF OUR OWN (2) is back over a more suitable trip and with only 52.5kg to shoulder he should be a big runner. ARVERNI KING (3) was a smart second behind the promising Regulation last time out. Richard Fourie replaces the apprentice rider. Stable companion JOHNNY THE THIEF (14) has the worst of the draw but has been in good form of late and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 6-2-3-14).

R5 Summary: HOLDING THUMBS (7) was making steady progress up the handicap before putting in a below par effort in the Gr3 WSB 1900. However, he did not get the best of passages and this step up in trip will be more to his liking. MARAUDING HORDE (8) Has consistent Highveld form over the trip and is a borderline case for a place in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. A win here will help his cause. SHOOT THE RAPIDS (2) was making late progress in the 1900 and will much prefer this trip. He has a big weight but looks capable. FUTURE SWING (4) was probably in need of his last effort. He shoulders top weight but is not out of it. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-2-4).

R6 Summary: GIVE ME EVERYTHING (9) caught the eye when closing fast from a wide draw and the back of the field when a two-length 4th in the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas. It snapped a four-race winning streak but the extra could see her back on track. BEATING WINGS (6) carries top weight but has been in good form on the Highveld and finished third in this race last year. REGENERATION (8) is lightly raced and was a close-up fifth in the recent Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas. The step up in trip should suit and she has a handy galloping weight. MOCHA BLEND (7) was possibly just in need of her last start when beaten by MASCHERINA (10). She found good market support that day and is better off at the weights. (Andrew Harrison: 9-6-8-7)

R7 Summary: EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (7) is sure to start deep in the red given his record winning the Gr1 WSB Cape Met and the Gr1 Splashout Cape Derby and his fast-finishing effort in the recent Gr2 WSB Guineas. He is ideally suited to this trip and is the horse to beat. Mike and Mathew de Kock have avoided the Gr2 Tote Woolavington 2000 looking for a Gr1 win with the filly SPUMANTE DOLCE (4). She has shown her best form at recent outings and this trip will suit. OKAVANGO (1) was running on late in the Gr3 WSB 1900. He looks to be up against it in this company but is still improving. CONFEDERATE (3) has not finished further back than second in his eight starts. He won his last two including the Gr1 SA Classic and if not short of a run after a three month break he should be right there. (Andrew Harrison: 7-4-1-3).

R8 Summary: South vs North. SOHOT SOWHAT (10) was narrowly beaten by the useful Bevies Delight on this course last time out. Title-chasing Gavin Lerena has jumped ship to ride BOSUM BUDDY (1) but weight could have been the decider. Bosum Buddy has the best of the draw backed up by some solid Highveld form. MALCOLM’S DREAM (2) is always dangerous and has dropped in the handicap. WINGS WHITHIN ME (4) has not been far back at recent starts and should be competitive off this rating. (Andrew Harrison: 10-1-2-4).

R9 Summary: DAPPER (5) is a recent addition to the Duncan Howells yard. He was a well beaten third over a mile last run but does appear to be more at home over this shorter trip. PHUTULICIOUS (7) returns from a disappointing Cape trip and has a change of stable. His best recent form has been at Hollywoodbets Greyville and that past form with a drop in trip could see him make big improvement. HONOR OF KINGS (8) is better than his last effort and shows some promise. REAL WAR (9) backed up on his maiden win with another narrow victory. He has been around the turn and can feature again. (Andrew Harrison: 5-7-9-8).

R10 Summary: VIRGIN RIVER (2) has only once been out of the money in 13 starts but has been restricted to 1000m. Hollywoodbets Greyville favours quick horses and she could handle the extra furlong. GOLDEN MOMENT (7) has consistent Highveld form and stays the trip. She should put in a good showing. GETOFFOFMYCLOUD (11) was a little disappointing on the poly last run and can do better on the grass. THERE SHE GOES (8) has her 55th start but has been in good form of late and with a 4kg apprentice up she only has 50kg on her back. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-11-8).

Garrix will be out to land the Winter Series Triple Crown (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Graeme Hawkins (Gold Circle)

Garrix stands on the threshold of completing a clean sweep in the Winter Series when he lines up against six rivals in the R350 000 Pocket Power Stakes (Listed) over 1950m on the winter course at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Sunday. The talented Piet Steyn-trained 3yo son of Vercingetorix won the first leg, the Variety Club Mile over 1600m on 14 April carrying just 52,5kgs and followed that up with a narrow heart-stopping victory over Otto Luyken and Mucho Dinero in the second leg, the Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m three weeks ago.

Garrix carried 55,5kgs when scraping home in the Legal Eagle Stakes and is now set to carry 57kgs in the Pocket Power Stakes on Sunday, 1,5kgs worse off with both Otto Luyken and Mucho Dinero who re-oppose here. Pure mathematics suggest that Garrix will be hard pressed to confirm the form with Otto Luyken and Mucho Dinero, but Garrix now has his third run after being gelded and there is every reason to believe that he will strip even fitter on Sunday and appreciate the slight step up in trip.

Otto Luyken came oh so close to scoring a major 75/1 upset in the Legal Eagle Stakes but the 5yo son of Flower Alley is not the most reliable around and the 64-million-dollar question is; can he string two high class performances together? I harbour reservations in that regard and therefore believe that the Justin Snaith-trained Mucho Dinero may prove a bigger threat than Otto Luyken. Mucho Dinero is a very useful and versatile 5yo son of Twice Over. He won the 2024 Premier’s Trophy (Gr2) over 1800m and more recently the Western Cape Stayers Championship (Gr3) over 2800m back in January, proving he has the class, the speed and the stamina to be taken very seriously.

Magic Verse cannot be lightly dismissed. He is also 1,5kgs better off with Garrix for a two-length beating in the Legal Eagle Stakes, but he need only recapture the form that saw him finish a short head second behind Rascallion in this year’s Premier’s Trophy (Gr2) in January to have a bright chance of adding the Pocket Power Stakes title to his resume. Being a 4yo, Magic Verse bridges the age gap between Garrix and the 5yo’s Mucho Dinero and Otto Luyken and there is a distinct possibility that he is possibly not yet the finished article.

The Futurist would be a shock winner, but he has delivered major surprises in the past and is in fact the defending champion, having won this race last year by an astonishing nine lengths. In six of his seven subsequent starts he finished well down the field but sandwiched in between, he was a 66/1 winner of the Peninsula Handicap (Gr3) in December when beating Otto Luyken by half-a-length. The Futurist is now better off at the weights with Otto Luyken which suggests that this enigmatic 6yo son of Futura comes into Sunday’s race with winning claims. It’s impossible to predict what to expect from The Futurist but, on the positive side, he appears to have a strong affinity for the Winter course, having registered a victory and two seconds from only three starts on the “old” track.

Call To Unite and Billy Bowlegs make up the seven-horse party but victory for either appears unlikely on current form. In summary, victory for Garrix is not a foregone conclusion, particularly as he is untried on the tighter Winter course, but he has plenty of scope for further improvement and is given the benefit of the doubt to rise to the occasion and remain unbeaten since being gelded.

The R200 000 Stormsvlei Stakes (Listed) for Fillies and Mares over 1800m is the supporting Feature and Time For Love can build on her excellent victory over Callmegetrix in the Ladies Mile (Listed) earlier this month. The 5yo daughter of Time Thief is equally adept over this extended trip and the Harold Crawford/Michelle Rix training partnership has been in fine form recording a nice double at the midweek meeting on Wednesday, both of which were ridden by Championship-chasing Gavin Lerena. He also steered Time For Love to her hard-fought Ladies Mile success and will be optimistic of a repeat performance here.

Gold Poker Game and the relatively unexposed Beware The Bomb could prove her main dangers and warrant a fair measure of respect, particularly if the latter settles better in running that she did when over-racing in the Ladies Mile. That was Beware The Bomb’s first run since December and the imposing 3yo daughter of Lancaster Bomber appears to have plenty of upside.

The first of ten races on Sunday, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1200m, is due off at 11:55 and an interesting newcomer is the Andre Nel-trained Chance Encounter. He is a full brother to Champagne Kisses who won the final race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday and Nel reports that the son of Vercingetorix has “had a gallop and should run well”.

Picture: Time For Love has been selected  win the Listed Stormsvlei Stake (Picture: Wayne Marks)

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Sunday Formguides And Selections

R1 10 SARDINIA BAY ran a lovely race on debut behind Churchillian, he showed some great speed early, and only got tired very late to finish just over three lengths behind the winner, he is a lovely looking colt, there is absolutely no doubt that he will improve tremendously, include him into all bets. 8 GETUPANDGO has been rested and gelded, he is much better than his last run on the 16th of March, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Sunday, he should bounce back to his best form. 7 WORLD CHOICE ran against winners on debut, he was very green early, and then stayed on to finish just under ten lengths behind North Point, he has a great action, watch for big improvement here. 1 CASINO KING ran a much better race last time with the blinkers fitted, if he can build on that performance, he might be able to sneak into the places. Watch the first timers, they are well-bred, watch the market and watch them move down to the start. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 8 – 7 – 1)

R2 2 INSIDE VOICE has run two great races in succession, she travelled really well in her race last time behind Match That, she moved up well enough and then got very tired late, she is a young filly with lots of ability, she will be right there in the finish. 15 DU MAURIER showed good speed on debut, she drifted quite badly in the market, but she stayed on nicely for second behind She’s My World, she can only improve from that performance, include her into all bets. 9 MARKETA was a lot more settled in her race last time, she sat just off the speed early and then stayed on for third in the same race as Du Maurier, if she can build on that run, she will be competitive. Again, watch the first timers and watch the betting closely. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 15 – 9 – 7)

R3 2 TUNGUSKA has shown good improvement in his last two races, he was drawn deep last time, and still managed to catch the eye late for second behind Show Off, he is getting better and stronger with more racing, from a good draw here, he should get the perfect run in transit, he will go very close to winning this race. 6 SIGNOR DANTE will be a huge threat for them all in the finish, he absolutely took-off late to run third behind Father Christmas on the 6th of May, he will love the step up in trip, include him into all bets. 4 MAGNUS THE GOOD improved nicely last time behind his stable companion, he tried to lead the field from start to finish, if he can build on that last run, he should be amongst the places from a good draw. 1 EXALTED LOVE was only beaten just over three lengths in his last start, he was green early and then tried to run on very late behind Thomas Jenkins, he could be some nice place value from a neat draw. (Brandon Bailey: 2 – 6 – 4 – 1)

R4 5 PLEASE BE TRUE was definitely the eye catcher late last time behind Dumbledore, it was his first run back from a small break, he was just off the speed early, and then flew home to finish just over one length behind the winner, this is a much better trip for him on Sunday, he will be very hard to beat. 3 AIR RAID looks to be the nearest danger to Please Be True, he went a bit flat in his second start from a small break last time, even though he finished second, he didn’t quite finish as strongly as he did on the 14th of April when he won going away at the line, he should be cherry ripe for this, and he will enjoy the 1400m trip, include him. 2 WORLD OF PLEASURE has been rested for 64 days, he is in good form, and he gets a nice draw for this competitive race, he must have a good place chance. 6 GREEN GARNET won really well on the 28th of April, he was given four points for that victory, if he gets to the front, he will be quite dangerous. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 3 – 2 – 6)

R5 5 HAPPY VERSE quickened up like a really smart horse on debut, he was terribly green early, and then motored home to beat Bugle Boy, there is no doubt that he will love the step up in trip to 1400m, it’s never easy for a two-year old to beat older horses, but he looks the part and he looks to have serious ability, he will be right there in the finish from a good draw. 14 SUN DAZED had no luck in running up the straight last time, he was taken up for a number of strides at the 300m mark, and then finished strongly to run third behind Trippi’s Silk, unfortunately the bad draw here will make life tough for him, but he will be doing good work late. 4 FIRINGONALLENGINES is much better than his recent form, he can be a tricky customer, but the step up in trip should help him improve. 13 ISCHYRO made up lots of ground to win a good race on the 28th of April, he likes to be switched off early, and then he comes with a storming run late, watch him closely here. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 14 – 4 – 13)

R6 5 BATON ROUGE ran a much better race behind Dubbelosix on the 28th of April, he likes to race up on speed, Jockey Richard Fourie has been booked to ride him on Sunday afternoon, if he can build on that last performance, he will have a nice each way chance in this tough race. 4 COUNT WILLIAM improved in a big way to win a good race last time, he went to the front and pretty much lead the field from start to finish, Brevan Plaatjies the apprentice knows him well, he could certainly win again. 12 TOTHEMOONANDBACK drops in trip significantly for this D stakes, he has been in good form of late, despite the negatives of a wide draw and a big weight, he could be some serious value here, include him into all bets. 11 SPECTACULAR improved to run a fair race behind Jet A One on the 4th of May, he clearly enjoyed the step up in trip, if he can beat the draw, he will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 4 – 12 – 11)

R7 3 TIME FOR LOVE returned from a break to win the Listed Ladies Mile exceptionally well on the 4th of May, she has been super consistent at a high level through her entire career, she will love the 1800m trip, and she will definitely improve a few lengths from her last start, she can easily win again. 5 GOLD POKER GAME ran a terrific race behind Time For Love last time, she was dropped out early, and then finished like a train late, she should be cherry ripe for this race on Sunday, include her into all bets. 1 BEWARE THE BOMB needed her last run badly, she was quite strong early in her race last time, and then stayed on to be beaten just over one length behind Time For Love, she is classy, watch for major improvement from her. 7 FUN ZONE ran the race of her life in the Listed Ladies Mile on the 4th of May, she needs a particular ride, if she gets the right run, she could be amongst the places at a decent price. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 5 – 1 – 7)

R8 4 MUCHO DINERO ran a terrific race in the Grade 3 Legal Eagle Stakes on the 4th of May at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, it was his first run back from a break, he was a long way back in running, and then quickened smartly to run third behind Garrix, he will love the step up in trip for this Listed event, and he will improve lengths from his last run, he could be hard to beat. 2 OTTO LUYKEN ran a great race with the blinkers on last time, he went to the front, and he fought really hard all the way to the line, he looks to be in a good space at the moment, include him into all bets. 7 GARRIX had to dig deep to win the Grade 3 on the 4th of May, he is still very immature, the only concern would be the trip of 1950m, he is classy, and he can definitely win a race like this. 6 BILLY BOWLEGS might be able to sneak into the Quartet on his best form. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 2 – 7 – 6)

R9 8 THE US OF A won in great fashion on the 4th of May, he sat just off the speed early, and then flew past them all to win going away at the line, he was given five points for that win, even though he carries a big weight on his back for this C Stakes, he is progressive, and he will be very hard to beat again. 1 TOUGH TERRAIN is as honest as they come, he ran a great race behind The US Of A last time, he can be a tricky ride, but jockey Muzi Yeni knows him well, he should run a good race. 7 COUNTER ATTACK ran a much better race on the 4th of May, he finished third and was beaten just over three lengths by the winner, on his best form, he can earn for the connections. 2 BLUFF ON BLUFF never runs a bad race, he has been quite busy over the last few weeks, if this race hasn’t come too soon for him, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 1 – 7 – 2)

R10 5 WAR CHARIOT finished second behind Green Garnet on the 28th of April at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he looked to have the race in the bag going past the 200m board, unfortunately he got nailed on the line in a driving finish, this looks to be the perfect race for him, he will go very close to winning the lucky last. 7 HAPPY DAYS made up good ground from a long way back last time, that was up the straight at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, and it was his first run after a gelding, he should really enjoy the 1400m trip on Sunday, include him into all bets. 11 TOUT A FAIT disappointed terribly in his last start, he never travelled well and just battled to get into the race, he has now dropped in the ratings, watch for major improvement at a decent price. 3 ICONIC DESTINATION has been rested for 81 days, ignore his last run on the 5th of March, he is much better than that, if he doesn’t need the run badly, he will go close. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 7 – 11 – 3)

Stallone Naidoo produced a fine front-running ride to win the Listed Milkwood Stakes over 1000m on the poly on the Gavin Smith-trained Visionaire filly Paris Lass, who was allowed to go off at 20/1 odds despite winning this same race last year. She beat her stablemate Gimmie’s Lassie by half-a-length. (Pauline Herman Photography).

Richard Fourie rode a treble for Alan Greeff on the Fairview poly on Friday and in the process he set a new East Cape record for wins in a season, breaking his own record set last season, and he also closed within three of the lead in the National Jockeys Championship.

Meanwhile, Hollywood Racing reached 99 for the season and could challenge their best in a season of 124 with over two months of the season still remaining.

Fourie set a record of 119 last season, breaking Greg Cheyne’s record of 116, and today he set a new mark with hs fist ride and ended the day on 122 achieved at a strike rate of 33.06%.

Gavin Lerena had just one win at the meeting and he retains the lead in the national championship with 213 wins achieved at a strike rate of 26.59%.

Fourie is on 210 wins overall for the season at 25.80% and Craig Zackey is on 209 wins at 17.80%.

Alan Greeff is on 145 wins for the season at 18.06%, with 143 of them having been scored in the East Cape, so he still has a chance of breaking his own East Cape record of 176 wins in a season.

Gavin Smith is on 99 wins for the season at 12.09%.

Field Of Gold can make amends for his 2000 Guineas loss by winning the Irish equivalent race. (Picture: Sky Sports Racing).

At The Races

Juddmonte have three hopes for Classic glory as they hold a particularly strong hand in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.

The leading chance for the late Khalid Abdullah’s operation, according to the betting at least, is the John and Thady Gosden-trained Field Of Gold, a grey son of Kingman who fell just short in his bid for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Beaten just half a length by Ruling Court, the colt will now look to emulate his sire as he was also defeated by the same margin in the Rowley Mile Classic before going on to land the Irish equivalent.

“He’s in good form, he’s trained nicely since Newmarket the last day and John and Thady are both really happy with him,” said Juddmonte’s Barry Mahon.

“We’re very much looking forward to seeing him again, it’s a strong race but he’s in good form and he’ll hopefully travel over well.

“It would be great if he would go one better than last time, if history can repeat itself we’ll be very happy!”

Also anticipated to run a big race is Cosmic Year, another Juddmonte-owned son of Kingman who has been trained by Harry Charlton to three successes from three runs so far.

His most recent outing came in the Listed King Charles II Stakes at the Newmarket Guineas meeting, where he was a smart winner over seven furlongs.

“He’ll have learned a bundle the last day, he’s a very talented colt,” said Mahon.

“He’s still very unexposed in terms of the quality of the fields he’s been running in, but he has the potential to be a very good horse.

“I think we’ll learn a lot more about him and we’ll glean whether he’s a miler or a seven-furlong horse and whether he’s a Group One horse or not.

“He’s got huge potential and Harry’s very happy with him, hopefully he can acquit himself well.”

Juddmonte’s third contender is Windlord, a son of Dubawi whose form includes a third-placed run in the Beresford Stakes over course and distance and a runner-up finish in the Sandown Classic Trial when beating subsequent Dante runner-up Damysus.

“He does have some very good form, he was behind two Group One winners at the Curragh last year in the Beresford Stakes,” Mahon said of the Andrew Balding-trained runner.

“Even his comeback run at Sandown, where Oisin (Murphy) felt he didn’t stay the 10 furlongs, was well franked by the Wathnan horse that came second in the Dante.

“He has been training well and we’d be hopeful that he’ll run a respectable race.”

Hollie Doyle (At The Races)

Our ambassador is back on the Classic trail in Ireland on Sunday aboard Duty First and has seven rides at Goodwood on Saturday.

DUTY ON REVIVAL MISSION IN IRISH GUINEAS

It’s a busy start to the weekend for me with seven rides at Goodwood but the highlight of my weekend is flying out to the Curragh to ride DUTY FIRST in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas on Sunday.

It looks like we’re on a revival mission after her disappointing performance in the Newmarket equivalent at the start of the month but Archie Watson and the team have been really happy with her at home.

Victorious Racing’s filly just didn’t handle the track at headquarters, getting very unbalanced in the dip, but the stiffer test on Sunday should suit her better. She’d be in the first four in the betting on her impressive Fred Darling win at Newbury in April so hopefully she can show that kind of sparkle again.

BEST RATES HIGHLY IN GOODWOOD BOOK
BEST RATE is among my best chances of a winner at Goodwood in the £100,000 BetGoodwin Harroways Handicap (1.30) on Saturday.

It’s always good to team up with my old boss Richard Hannon whose three-year-old brings strong form to the race following his agonising defeat at York’s Dante Festival.

It’s annoying that he’s been nudged up 2lb for that but he gets into this off a light weight and we seem well enough placed in stall seven to run another big race.

STAMINA TEST SHOULD SUIT BASALT
BASALT looks set to be sent off at a big price in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes (2.05) at Goodwood but we’re expecting a good run from this lovely son of Pinatubo on his seasonal return.

We think he’s trained on as his work has been pleasing at Archie Watson’s Saxon Gate Stables in Lambourn and he’s bred to appreciate this step up in distance.

Basalt got stuck in heavy ground at Pontefract on his final start last autumn but still did well to finish third in that Listed race so he’s definitely worth his place in this despite having something to find at the weights.

BLACK TYPE ACHIEVABLE FOR WALKER FILLY
NEVER LET GO steps up in class in pursuit of some valuable black type in the BetGoodwin Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes (3.15) at Goodwood.

Ed Walker’s filly, who is out of an ex-Richard Hannon mare I knew well, has been placed in two handicaps this year but this is a much more demanding test. That said, it doesn’t look the strongest race for the grade so it could be a good opportunity to secure some stakes form.

OCEAN READY FOR STEP UP IN TRIP
OCEAN OF DREAMS is definitely beginning to get the hang of things so I’m expecting big things from him in the BetGoodwin Download The App Handicap (3.45) at Goodwood.

This is another step up in trip for Archie Watson’s ex-Aidan O’Brien gelding, who ran a super race for me at Ascot earlier this month on his first try at 12f. He promises to relish the extra quarter-mile and gets weight from his key rivals.

The cheekpieces go on stablemate CARRADOS for the first time when he re-appears in the 5f Goodwood Horseracing Club Membership Handicap (4.55).

Archie found Wathnan Racing’s gelding a winning opportunity at Wolverhampton a few weeks ago and this speed track should be just what he needs to make an impact on this handicap debut.

BIRD READY TO FLY HIGH
I rode Hughie Morrison’s MYTHICAL BIRD on her first two starts and really liked her, particularly at Kempton when she finished third in a 1m maiden last August.

I’m back on board in the Darley British EBF Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes (4.20) at Goodwood when she sets out to build on a promising return at Wolverhampton last month.

I’m also looking forward to BLUE NGURU ’s first day at school in the James Reid 60th Birthday EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (2.35). Archie Watson’s filly is a big girl but has been going nicely at home and though she will be better in time I think she can acquit herself well.

STRONG PACE THE KEY TO GOLD
The race of the weekend is the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday when a strong gallop over a stiffer mile can see FIELD OF GOLD go one better than he did at Newmarket.

With a good pace to aim at I do believe John and Thady Gosden’s grey can make himself a Classic winner but I’m also expecting big things from Jessica Harrington’s Hotazhell.

Bred by my boss Imad Alsagar’s Blue Diamond Stud, he showed his class by winning the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last back-end and looks the one Field Of Gold has to fear the most.

Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.

Which trainer has won the most Irish 2000 Guineas?

Picture: The picture gves away the answer.