Richard Fahey: A Touch at Redcar? Trainer's guide to Saturday's runners
Friday 28 August 2015 15:57, UK
Top trainer Richard Fahey found it tough going at the sales this week - but is hoping for plenty of winners on Saturday to advertise his talents.
It's been a very, very tough week at the DBS Sales at Doncaster. There were plenty of really nice horses on offer but trying to buy them proved another matter.
Happily we did manage to make some additions to the team for next year though, including a Mayson half-brother to Penitent and Supplicant who was bought by David Armstrong.
I really liked the Mayson yearlings at the sale and they were very well received. I think he has a big chance of making an impact as a stallion his progeny look sharp and sound. It's going to be very exciting to see how they get on next season.
Moving onto our Saturday team now and Alben Star is first up in the totescoop6 Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes. I'm very worried that he might be going to need the run back after a break here. The Ayr Gold Cup is his big target and I wanted to get him to the track before then and this looked a good opportunity. He's going well at home but I am concerned the race might come a little too soon for him.
El Viento is drawn 10 of 11 for division one of the totequadpot Handicap which isn't ideal. It was nice to see him win at Sandown last time and if he's back to his very best form of a couple of years ago he'd win off this mark. We'll have to see if that's the case though.
Perardua has fared even worse in division two and is 11 of 11. She's been running well this season without any excuses. She should be competitive again as she seems in good form at home.
Arcano Gold is another to return from a little bit of a break in the Play The New scoop6soccer Today Handicap. We're very happy with him and while he needs to be at his best here, it would be no surprise to see him bounce back.
Chiswick Bey has had a fantastic season. He's amazed me with how well he's done. He'd have a chance again in the Play scoop6soccer At totesport.com Handicap and while any rain would help, he's gone on any ground this season.
Zaina Rizeena is a filly we like. We were delighted with her first run at Ayr and she'll have improved a lot for the experience. She looks to have the Godolphin filly, Langlauf, to beat in the European Breeders' Fund Maiden Fillies' Stakes and goes into the race in very good form.
On to Goodwood now and we have four runners in the 888sport Handicap. Rene Mathis is as high as he wants to be in the handicap but is in good form and won't mind either the ground or the track.
Tatlisu has been just a fraction disappointing for all that he ran all right in the Great St Wilfrid at Ripon last time. He just hasn't been travelling as well as he used to in the sprints and maybe the step up to seven furlongs will suit him. That's what we're hoping.
Farlow continues to go very well at home and he'll like the ground. He is up to 101 now, a career-high mark, but has produced lifetime-best performances on his last two starts. He needs another here but I wouldn't rule it out.
Withernsea has had a good enough season without winning and will love the ground in a race that could play to his strengths. It's a valuable contest and it'd be great to win it. I just wouldn't like to split my quartet and hope they all go there with a chance.
Gabrial ran the race of his life to finish third in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood two starts ago. I hope returning there will bring him back to form in the Doom Bar Celebration Mile.
Imshivalla would have finished closer behind Balmoral Castle here last time with a clear run and won't mind the ground in the Whiteley Clinic Handicap. She'll run her race.
We've six runners at Newmarket, starting with Our Gabrial in the Fly easyJet From London Southend Airport Handicap. Nothing went right for him in the Shergar Cup last time and he's a horse capable of winning a race like this. He just needs a bit of luck as he's been knocking on the door all season.
The Fly Flybe From London Southend Airport Nursery cut up a little at the final declaration stage which surprised me a bit. We know Drifting Spirit is going to get every yard of the trip and we'll see what happens.
My Dad Syd won on debut at Doncaster and runs in the Fly Thomson From London Southend Airport Handicap. He's still learning and is immature mentally; he's just not streetwise yet. We do like the horse an awful lot though and are looking forward to running him.
We've two in the Fly Adria Airways From London Southend Airport Handicap. Abbey Angel has been disappointing this year. She definitely didn't stay in the Shergar Cup last time but at least travelled well that day and showed a little more through the race. Dropping in trip will suit her.
Latenightrequest just didn't come to hand at all this year. She's just started looking and eating well now, I don't know why. We're more pleased with her by the day but she's entitled to need her first run back from a break of 144 days.
Ballesteros returned to winning ways at Chester last week, beating a well fancied horse in Deauville Prince. He should go well again in the Fly Skywork Airlines From London Southend Airport Handicap and any rain would be in his favour.
Our final runners are at Redcar. Inaam is a horse we like and it will be interesting to see how he goes in the Bakers Tailoring And Formal Hire Maiden Auction Stakes. There are a lot of runners which is always a worry but we think our colt is better than he's shown so far as he's been a tad disappointing in his two starts.
The Market Cross Jewellers Novice Median Auction Stakes looks a three-horse race between Time Waro, Continental Lady and our runner Another Touch. He is progressing with his racing and we don't think he's stopped improving yet.
Our Boy Jack bounced back to his best to win at Thirsk last time. We're very happy with him going into the Pinnacle Racing Syndicate Shares Available Now Handicap and he seems in great order.
Simply Shining has had a wonderful season and ran really well at Haydock two starts ago. She'll run her race again but is always vulnerable to an improving sort.
Cosmic Statesman just can't get his head in front. He's been running well all season and we're trying cheekpieces in the 100% RacingUK Profits Returned To Racing Handicap. It's a poor race and he has top weight to carry but he's big enough to do it and I'd love to see him win for the owners.
