Get all of Friday 5 May’s UK racing tips from day one of the Newmarket Guineas Festival as well as the best of the rest from Goodwood!
NEWMARKET GUINEAS FESTIVAL – DAY 1
Race 1 – WAIPIRO – 10/1
WAIPIRO was a shock 25/1 winner at the Craven meeting and he can notch a quickfire double Headquarters double in the Newmarket Stakes.
A half-brother to the classy Hong Kong performer Waikuku, he pulled three and a half lengths clear in taking fashion in a 10-furlong novice heat – albeit in receipt of 7lb from the second. He set out to make all that day and there was much to like about the way he engaged an extra gear once headed to come home well on top.
Race 2 – NATIVE TRAIL 1/1
NATIVE TRAIL was sent off favourite for the 2000 Guineas last year, but ran second to ill-fated stablemate Coroebus by three-quarters of a length before going on to gain compensation with his own Classic victory in the Irish version at the Curragh.
Charlie Appleby then opted to switch up in distance to 10 furlongs with the son of Oasis Dream, a move which nearly paid rich dividends as he was beaten just half a length into third behind Vadeni and Mishriff in the Eclipse at Sandown.
That race developed into a bit of a sprint and given NATIVE TRAIL made little impact behind the brilliant Baaeed in the Juddmonte International on his only other start, his ability to see out a true-run 10 furlongs remains something of a question mark, so perhaps dropping back in trip on his reappearance is a smart move. He is closely matched with Light Infantry on the ratings in the rearranged bet365 Mile, but Native Trail is preferred on the Rowley Mile course.
Race 3 – MAJESTIC PRIDE 15/8
MAJESTIC PRIDE makes the leap to Listed company for the same team in the King Charles II Stakes after triumphing over course and distance in a conditions heat last month. This son of Shamardal only just did enough in beating Holguin by a neck but looks a runner who can now make rapid strides.
Race 4 – THE GATEKEEPER 15/4
THE GATEKEEPER finished a fair fourth over this trip at Musselburgh and a 1lb lower mark can see him build on that. He is now rated 6lb above his last winning all-weather mark but remains relatively unexposed and could have a big say in proceedings.
FINAL WATCH made a promising return to action, when also finishing fourth, over C&D last month and is feared most. DARKNESS completes the shortlist dropping in trip from his latest outing.
Race 5 – WEST WIND BLOWS 6/4
Appleby is double-handed in the Jockey Club Stakes, but with HURRICANE LANE having disappointed on his return and GLOBAL STORM outclassed in the Dubai Gold Cup, it could pay to side with WEST WIND BLOWS instead.
He was a progressive performer for the Crisford team last term, rounding off with a decent third in a ParisLongchamp Group Two on very deep ground.
GOODWOOD
Race 2 – TIME LOCK 4/5
TIME LOCK can kick off her campaign with victory in the Daisy Warwick Fillies’ Stakes at Goodwood. A six-and-a-half-length maiden winner at Newmarket last May, she went on to finish a neck second behind subsequent Group Two victor Mimikyu before being beaten the same distance by Haskoy in the Galtres Stakes at York on her final start.
With a Classic Juddmonte pedigree that includes the likes of Time Test and Passage Of Time, it is easy to see why connections have opted to race on as a four-year-old, with Listed glory here only further enhancing this filly’s value.
