In this regular Monday segment, racing expert Scott Armstrong rounds up all the action of note from this weekend’s racing for SBC Blog readers.
This week, Scott unpacks all the action from Paris on Sunday, where the German 3 year old Danedream showed a fine turn of pace to take l’Arc de Triomphe in glorious sunshine. It was also a great weekend for those of you following his horses to follow list, which highlighted a 17/2 winner, Pastoral Player, who romped home at Ascot on Saturday. Check out Scott’s latest list and the two new inclusions from the weekend to watch out for.
German filly Danedream continued the tremendous run of form of three-year old’s this season by winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Danedream had been granted a generous draw from box two and used her advantage well, winning in a course record time. She had five comfortable lengths to spare at the line over outsider Shareta, with Snow Fairy and So You Think third and fourth. It was a shock result as despite winning the Italian Oaks her form suggested she had to improve significantly to take the Arc. Displaying a super-charged burst of acceleration, Danedream won the race in authoritative fashion to provide a massive boost for German racing.
Notable winners in the UK were Bogart and Quest For Peace. Bogart landed Redcar’s valuable totepool Two Year Old Trophy with something to spare and he heads to France next time out and the Group Two Criterium de Maisons Laffitte. Quest For Peace made a winning debut for Luca Cumani in the Grosvenor Casinos Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot beating Arctic Cosmos by two lengths and looks a horse to keep onside next season.
My horses to follow list got off with a bang as the only weekend runner from the list – Pastoral Player (17-2) ran a blinder to win the totescoop6 Challenge Cup at Ascot. Pastoral Player is talented but when you support him you must accept he is a moody type and your taking a leap of faith on him being in the right frame of mind. Thankfully it all fell into place on Saturday as he stormed to success. Group company beckons for him next year.
Two horses from the weekend who can be backed next time out are Rex Imperator and Jo’Burg. Rex Imperator could only finish fifth in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes but was staying on well over the five furlong sprint trip. This was the two-year old gelding’s first run over the minimum distance and despite missing the break Rex Imperator covered a lot of ground to finish with a rattle. Jo’Burg endured a winless campaign last term but now looks to be on a good handicap mark. In a class 3 handicap at Redcar on Saturday Jo’Burg was similar to Rex Imperator in being slow to find his stride before making up a lot of ground and he was pipped only by a head by winner Kiwi Bay. Jo’Burg shouldn’t have to wait too long before gaining compensation.
Horses To Follow
Aiken
Balducci
Bronterre
Deacon Blues
Fencing
Jo’Burg
Nawwaar
Rave
Rex Imperator
Saigon
Scott’s service is one of the many racing and sporting tipsters that we monitor and recommend at the Smart Betting Club. You can read more from Scott via his racing blog at the Smart Betting Club every Monday and Friday. (https://smartbettingclub.com/blog)