SO close to a treble on Wednesday, Graeme Johnston (@GraemeJ_83) is back with more Goodwood tips here.
14:35 Goodwood | Channel 4
The Richmond Stakes is the main two year old race of the meeting and should give us some pointers towards the end of season Group 1 races. A field of eight go to post here but there is only one I like the look of.
Shalaa won the July Stakes at Newmarket last time out and done so impressively. He was still very green that day and won despite his inexperience. He travelled strongly throughout, and despite looking raw in the final furlong he quickened well and looked a juvenile destined for the very top.
He was easy to back that day which is a concern, and he was also overlooked by the owners retained jockey Frankie Dettori. But I see these as positives as he is obviously improving and connections thought he would need more time. He strikes me as a slightly backwards colt who will improve with races, and when you think that he already has a Group 2 race to his name it gets you a little excited.
He has to concede 3lb to his rivals here which makes his task a little harder, but he was value for much more than the official winning distance last time and he is open to any amount of improvement. I make him a very confident selection for this race.
15:10 Goodwood | Channel 4
The Goodwood Cup is the big staying race of the week and sees Gold Cup winner Trip to Paris make his first start since that victory. Overall though it’s a slightly below par renewal in my opinion and it looks very open.
Trip to Paris was a surprise winner of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot but he was a decisive victor and deserved it. However I’m opposing him here for many reasons. He has to concede a penalty to his rivals here, and over a trip shorter than his best that may prove tricky. Also the Gold Cup is the most gruelling race of the season and it leaves it’s mark on most of the field. Many winners bounce afterwards and some are never the same. He’s also taken in the Chester Cup this season and I think he may be passed his best in this.
You can make a case for a lot of these, but I’m taking a chance on the Mark Johnston trained Vive Ma Fille. At the moment her form is short of her rivals here, but she is a progressive filly. She was second in the Edinburgh Cup at Musselburgh and fourth in the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot, so her form is solid if not spectacular. Vive Ma Fille is a fast improving staying filly and the conditions of this race make her appealing. She is receiving anywhere between 19lbs and 23lbs from her rivals, and if she goes off in front, like her stable likes them to then she may not be reeled in. I make her a fairly speculative each way selection at 20/1.
15:45 Goodwood | Channel 4
The Markel Insurance Fillies Stakes is run over 14 furlongs and it’s not the strongest Listed race the track has ever seen. However there are 14 runners and it’s quite an open looking race, but there is one runner I think could be a cut above these.
Kaldera comes over for this from Germany, and despite being the highest rated filly in the field, having proven Group race form this season and having stamina assured she is available to back at 7/1. I understand there are question marks over German form, and it is her UK debut, but I think she is the standout runner this race.
She has won just under half of her 13 races and won a Group 3 last season. That was over this trip on soft ground so she is turning up here with stamina assured. In her last race she came third in a Group 2 race over 10 furlongs, where the runner-up was a Group 1 winner and the winner was winning his second straight Group 2.
Her form has a real solid look to it and in this field it looks incredibly generous. I make her a solid each way bet at 7/1 as she looks certain to go very close here.
Best Bets
14:35 Goodwood – Shalaa to win (7/4 Bet365)
15:10 Goodwood – Vive Ma Fille each way (20/1 BetVictor)
15:45 Goodwood – Kaldera each way (8/1 Bet365)
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