Horse racing betting: No need for Quiet Reflection before backing Burke’s filly
Trainer Hugo Palmer has had a terrific start to the campaign and his Gifted Master will be a warm order in Saturday’s Sandy Lane Stakes (3.45pm) at Haydock.
The three-year-old son of Kodiac is already vying for favouritism for next month’s Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot having won his last five on the bounce.
He was an emphatic winner at Ascot last time and continues to climb the ranks of the sprinting division.
In fact, in all probability he should take this prize in his stride and the main thing that puts me off is his price.
I’m not too keen to take 13/8 about a horse stepping up into Group Two company for the first time, particularly as the Palmer yard isn’t in quite the same red-hot form as it was a few weeks ago.
Instead, I’m keen to side each-way with Karl Burke’s flying filly QUIET REFLECTION at 10/1 with Betway.
Burke has been firing in the winners of late and has always loved this daughter of Showcasing, who has only been beaten once in five career starts.
She turned up at York in a hot renewal of the Group Two Lowther Stakes last August where she suffered a rough trip.
In fairness, that was possibly a bridge too far on only her second visit to a racecourse, but she bounced back with a commanding win in Ayr’s Listed Roseberry Stakes in September.
The Group Three Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket was another impressive success and she then landed a Group Three over six furlongs at Chantilly in April on her reappearance.
Although she was a little keen in France, that run will have blown the cobwebs away and she clearly has no problem with the trip.
Fillies won this prize three years in a row between 2009 and 2011 with the 3lb allowance an obvious bonus.
Henry Candy’s La Rioja, the only other filly in the line-up, is respected, but none of the last 10 winners were making their seasonal debut.
That is also a worry for Ajaya and Donjuan Triumphant, while I’m not convinced about Buratino after his disappointing effort in the 2,000 Guineas.
The Timeform Jury Stakes (3.10pm) features another fancied Palmer runner in the shape of Home Of The Brave who won well at Leicester last time.
His trainer is talking about a potential Breeders’ Cup Mile tilt later in the season, but I’m going to take him on with last year’s Sandy Lane winner ADAAY.
William Haggas has hit form in recent weeks and this son of Kodiac’s best efforts have come on flat tracks like Haydock and Newbury.
Don’t read too much into his disappointing run at Sandown last month, as that was a funny race and he reportedly needed it.
He has no problems with seven furlongs and can get his season back on track here. Take the 5/1 with Betway.
Earlier on the card, the Tony Martin-trained LAGANORE might be able to put it up to Journey in the Pinnacle Stakes (2.35pm).
Martin believes the four-year-old is the best filly he has ever trained and she dotted up at Navan last time out under Kieren Fallon.
The step up in trip shouldn’t be a problem and at 10/1 she looks value against favourite Journey who is undoubtedly the one to beat.
Saturday pointers
Laganore e/w 2.35pm Haydock
Adaay 3.10pm Haydock
Quiet Reflection e/w 3.45pm Haydock