Well this is our first chance to select something at Goodwood in the Sprinting divisions so lets hope we do good.
First up the is the Group 2 Audi Stakes at 2.45 over 5f and this sees a top class field take centre stage. The race is sure to be run at a frantic pace and Glamorous Spirit will go like a rocket down the hill but in this class of race I dont expect to see her at the finish.
Starfish Bay is another that will most likely be forcing the pace, being the holder of 3 course records, Dettori is a good booking. She recorded a very fast time of 53.75 at Gulfstream Park in February of this year over 5f on firm and if she can reproduce that effort here carrying just 6lb more then she would win without a doubt. Her speciality is said to be sprinting on grass and having watched her win at Gulfstream Park I cant argue with that, to run that time in a sprint race is very good but to run it going round a bend is exceptional in my view and she could literally blitz these apart.
The 3yo's this season are showing up very well and Astrophysical Jet and Tropical Treat are 2 that will be up there. Astrophysical Jet has been mentioned by Tom Segal as a horse to follow for the season and that she will suprise a few tomorrow. She certainly showed she was progressing in the right direction when she won at Newmarket last time out but I dont think that was good enough to win this and I think Tropical Treat is a better prospect and is a good ew bet.
Of the elders Borderlescott, Group Therapy (drawn 1 and with Ryan Moore up)and Triple Aspect will all be fighting as they head towards the finish. Borderlescott has Kieren Fallon in the saddle for the first time and he ran well below expectations at Chester last time. He had previously been 3rd to Equiano btn 1 3/4 lengths in the Kings Stand at Royal Ascot and he then went on to run Starspangledbanner close in the July Cup so he must be in with a big shout with the strength of Fallon on board and he is the best of the home team.
However if Starfish Bay shows that she has not been affected by the trip over from USA and she has setlled in well then I cant see her being seen for dust and 6/1 represents good value!
The last race will give us some further clues as to the draw on the straight course in time for the 2 big field handicaps on Friday and Saturday. Traditionaly the high numbers have held sway in recent years in the Stewards Cup so it will be wise to keep an eye out for the declarations tomorrow when the draw will be known, unfortunately due to work commitments I will be unable to post anything until later in the evening, however you can click on the links to the right of this post to access the racecards.
Fallon once again is an interesting booking for Indian Trail who will be suited to this very fast run 5f. As we have seen at Epsom over the years he finishes his races well and you can visualise him coming with a strong run if the gaps emerge and he is well treated on his current rating and will go close.
Lost in Paris with Ryan Moore in the saddle is another that will be bang there come the finish and a change in headgear may bring about further improvement.
Matsunosuke returned to form for his new stable last week and he could go well once again from stall 1 as he will have the benefit of the rail, although I am waiting for him to return to the all weather as he has always been a better horse on an artificial surface.
Bajan Tryst is another who has been very consistent of late and Jamie Spencer is given the task of steering him home for Kevin Ryan after they had a big sprint winner last Sunday.
Feelin Foxy and Titus Andronicus are others to consider.
I keep mentioning the jockey bookings but they can be the key to winning these races when there is nothing much else between them. We saw last Saturday in the big handicap at York only 3 1/2 lengths separating over half the field come the finish line and it was Kieren Fallon who prevailed there with Jamie Spencer winning the other big sprint handicap on the Sunday.