tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened inside final furlong
held up, outpaced halfway, never dangerous
led, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
always behind
held up in mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead close home
chased leaders, keen hold, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, hampered and lost place over 4f out, no danger after
with leader, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong
held up, driven and headway well over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish
A larger-than-usual field for the Mill Reef, with the vote going to Ajigolo ahead of mainly Sir Xaar, Cool Creek and Racer Forever. Ajigolo has always been well-regarded by his trainer and he put a slightly disappointing effort at York behind him when scoring at Group 2 level in Germany. Despite his penalty, he can run a big race. The Group 3 Sirenia Stakes third, Art Market, the Gimcrack Stakes sixth, Balthazaar's Gift, the Champagne Stakes fourth, Cool Creek, the Ripon Listed winner, Sir Xaar, and the Flying Childers third, River Thames, all rate as dangers. Another to consider is Calypso King, who was running on well at the finish last time at Doncaster on his first try at today's trip, while Misu Bond is well-regarded by his trainer and is respected. Finally, another to consider is Racer Forever, who debut second has worked out very well, and he won his maiden well last time. He looks well worthy of consideration but we will just side with Ajigolo.
Ajigolo (8-11) won at Baden-Baden 6f 2yo Grp 2 beating Electric Beat (9-0) by 2l, 6 ran.
Art Market (CAN) 16-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, hung left and stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Prince of Light (8-11) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf.
Ba Foxtrot 7-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 14l behind Red Clubs (8-12) at York 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden and one pace from 2f out, 6th of 13, 5l behind Amadeus Wolf (8-11) at York 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Calypso King 28-1 (8-11) Held up, headway 2f out, ran on final furlong, 6th of 22, 2 1/2l behind Johnny The Fish (8-11) at Doncaster 6f 2yo aut (2) gf.
Cool Creek (IRE) 10-3 (8-10) Dwelt, held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, not much room inside final furlong, soon switched left, kept on, 4th of 7, 2l behind dhtrs Silent Times (8-10) & Close To You (8-10) at Doncaster 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs.
Escape Plan (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Prominent, led stand's side group to 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, 10th of 26, 11l behind Wake Up Maggie (8-7) at Curragh 6f 2yo stk gd in Aug.
Hot (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 9th of 22, 4l behind Johnny The Fish (8-11) at Doncaster 6f 2yo aut (2) gf.
Misu Bond (IRE) 5-2 (8-11) Trackled leader, led over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, won at Doncaster 6f Cond Stakes (4) hvy beating Charles Darwin (8-11) by 2l, 5 ran.
Racer Forever (USA) 6-4fav (9-0) Tracked leader, led 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, soon clear, ridden out, won at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Aug beating Live Fast (9-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
River Thames 8-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, driven halfway, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Godfrey Street (8-12) at Doncaster 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) hvy.
Sir Xaar (IRE) 2-1fav (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led final 100 yards, stayed on, won at Ripon 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Aug beating Johannes (8-11) by a nk, 9 ran.
Nantyglo 4-1fav (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 17, 2l behind Violette (9-3) at Doncaster 6f 2yo fll hcp (2) gf.
