Watch the Glorious ‘failures’
Tuesday 7 August 2012
The experts at sportinglife.com have taken a look through the Racing UK video form at Glorious Goodwood and picked out the unluckiest horses of the week.
Aljamaaheer, RSA Thoroughbred Stakes
We'll start with the obvious one and Roger Varian's (pictured) Aljamaaheer who finished third in the RSA Thoroughbred Stakes behind dead-heaters Trumpet Major and Archbishop. Paul Hanagan's mount had a good draw in one but he couldn't make use of it and got shuffled back in the early stages. That forced Hanagan to sit and wait on the inside but he crept into the race stylishly and looked full of running with two furlongs to go. The champion jockey tried to manoeuvre himself some room on the rail but that door was quickly shut and he lost all momentum. Once seeing daylight he flew home up the inside of Trumpet Major and has to go down as an unlucky loser. Compensation surely awaits in a Group race over a mile.
Swiftly Done, Betfred Mile
Declan Carroll's charge came into the race on a hat-trick after soft-ground wins at Doncaster and Newcastle. His draw in one was considered the place to be for this race but as he's a hold-up performer the worry was it could have a negative effect on his chances and so it proved. Attempting to come through the field from the back on the inside isn't easy to say the least at Goodwood and almost inevitably Graham Gibbons ran into trouble. Despite the traffic and being squeezed for room at a vital stage he ran on well for seventh. He's still competitively handicapped despite his hike in the weights and is one to keep an eye on for the rest of the season. You could also make a case for Boom And Bust and Mister Music - who finishes like a train - being unlucky too so watch out for them in the video.
Wentworth, Nat West Ahead For Business E.B.F. Maiden Stakes
There was much hype about Dewhurst entry Wentworth ahead of his debut for illustrious connections and though he could only manage sixth it was a hugely eyecatching sixth. He ran green and was short of room as you'll see in the video but Richard Hughes went easy on him as you'd expect once the race had gone. How unlucky was he? He probably wouldn't have won but I'd wager he'd have given the second something to think about and though he'll be a short price he will be winning a maiden sometime soon.
Shamaal Nibras, Tatler Handicap
Another well-fancied Richard Hannon horse who can go down as a tad unlucky was Shamaal Nibras who was drawn out in 15 for this seven-furlong handicap. Richard Hughes bided his time on the colt but was hampered at a crucial stage when making his move up the rail two furlongs out. Once in the clear he motored home but only for fourth when it could have been much better but for the interference. The race he was second to Trade Commissioner in is working out really well and he remains a progressive handicapper who can probably gain compensation over a mile.
Willie Wag Tail, UBS Handicap
Ed Walker's lightly-raced Theatrical colt was well-fancied for this handicap after winning in good style at Kempton on his previous start. Held up in the rear by William Buick, he was hampered by the falling Last Shadow and was still going well when having nowhere to go in the closing stages in typical Goodwood fashion. Trader Jack was another short of racing room in the closing stages and was also unlucky, but it was Willie Wag Tail who looked to be inconvenienced more than any other horse in this race.
Golden Causeway, E.B.F. British Stallion Studs New Ham Maiden Fillies' Stakes
Charles Hills' well-touted newcomer Golden Causeway was sent off at 13-2 for her debut with entries like the Fillies' Mile suggesting she is thought to be above average. Michael Hills mounted his challenge on her up the inside rail and she was hampered a couple of times before she was snatched up entirely in the final furlong. Eased home after that, you'd expect her to make her mark in a maiden before perhaps going on to better things.
The original article appeared on sportinglife.com here
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