Workforce – another Sea The Stars?

Can lightening strike twice? Can we be lucky enough to have a Derby winner as good as Sea The Stars again with Workforce this summer? Well, it happened with Nijinsky in 1970 and Mill Reef in 1971 (and don’t forget the greatest racehorse of the 20th Century – Brigadier Gerard – born in the same year as Mill Reef); so it is possible. It is all dependent on whether this performance can be repeated against older horses – that is the true measure of greatness. What is unfortunate is that Sea The Stars is not around this season to provide the ultimate yardstick – however, Fame And Glory would have been a worthy 3yo champion colt in any other year and he could prove an able opponent to Workforce.

However, what about Extreme Impact? The 4yo half-brother Workforce now a gelding and in training with Evan Williams, having been sold out of Dermot Weld’s yard last October for just 10,000 guineas after 2 poor runs as a 3yo. Could this horse be destined for future jumping glory – the 1st half-brother to a Derby winner to take the Gold Cup? It cannot be out of the question for connections to reconsider a return to the flat with him.

Review of last blog (Thursday 3rd June)
From a shortlist of 7 qualifiers, which was narrowed down to just 3 - there being 2 qualifiers in 1 race; another was outclassed (I provided the name of the winner); and the other was in a very competitive race – the blog provided 2 winners @ ‘evens’ and 4/9 and a 2nd @ 9/1 (opened at 14’s) in DYLANESQUE that was beaten just a head having led to about 10 yards before the line.

Today’s Selections
Apologies for the late posting of today’s blog – I try and publish my blog before noon – but there’s nothing at the afternoon meetings at Folkstone or Newton Abbot that take my fancy today. Trainer, Neil Mulholland has an interesting one at Newton Abbot in the last race at 5:00pm in YOU CAN OF COURSE who ran very consistently and well last autumn. Off for the worst of the winter, he returned with a lacklustre display 5-weeks ago and should strip fitter today. He has a decent claimer in Mark Quinlan who gets a valuable 8lb, but for me the value has gone already as YCOC is now 13/2 (Corals) from 8’s.

There’s better racing at Pontefract and Windsor on the flat tonight.

At Pontefract in the 8:15 there is Brian Smart’s only runner today BESTY who ran met the improving sprinter Kelly’s Eye LTO (has won again since). BESTY has the best of the draw tonight and his half-brother Brunelleschi prefers 6f over 5f. Could be a good value each-way punt at 11/1 (generally).

Paul D’Arcy can do no wrong and his only runner today NIGHT LILY still looks well-treated despite a 6lb hike for beating subsequent winner Johnny Lesters Hair; the current 11/2 available generally looks good value.

Blog Of The Week
From last week it has to be The NHC run by Dan Kelly (http://thenhc.blogspot.com).
This young man is very selective with his wagers and leaves no stone unturned in his form-study. I must admit to being a follower of his blog and so far he’s done me proud.

Visitor stats
Thursday 3rd June was my best day for site visits so far when 20 regulars visited the blog. It may not be many, but I presume that you are all racing enthusiasts with an eye for a wager and looking for an angle to put you ahead of the crowd and on the value side of punting. Feel free to tell those who you think may find my blog of interest and value and, if you are a regular visitor, please add my blog to your list of favourite. Thanks from Wayward Lad.