Southwell - 2:30 (7 Dec 2004)
Littlewoods Bet Direct Stakes (Handicap) (C1) (3yo+,0-107) 5f
Course Description
The All Weather fibresand surface is much slower than the polytrack used at Lingfield and Wolverhampton and places great demands on stamina. The course also favours horses that like to race prominently.
Analysis
Sprint races over the minimum distance are a nightmare! Unlike the 100 meter races where recent form can be relied on, horses in sprint events often take turns to beat each other. However, a key rule of thumb is that the outcome is often dictated by the draw position of the ‘front runners’. If the race contains many ‘pace setters’, they will often go off too fast, 'cut each other throats' and set the race up for a horse which likes to come from off the pace as the lead horses get tired.
In terms of this race, Quite Times, Magic Glade, Halamahera and Time’n’Time again are the pace setters and drawn 2, 3, 4 & 8 respectively. Another interesting factor to consider is that Quite Times, Moayed, Dancing Mystery, Magic Glade, Whitbarrow and Time’n’Time re-oppose again after contesting over 5f at Southwell recently (17/11/04)
In that race, Quite Time won and is selected to win again against the same opposition. Quite Times is a fibresand specialist and all of his wins have been over 5 furlongs at Southwell. The main danger is the ultra consistent Moayed. A winner last time out, he is noted in the form book as being a progressive type and one to keep in mind. From his profile he does like to come from off the pace but I suspect that the pacemakers will dominate things up front this time. I also have a sneaking feeling that he has a preference for polytrack and therefore will not run well enough to win this event.
In a competitive event Quite Times gets the call and I suspect that placed horses will provide plenty of winners in the winter months. The notebook will be poised and the race will be watched with interest!
posted by Slipperytoad @ 12/06/2004 10:43:00 pm
1 comments
News Feed
1 Comments:
Quite Times was placed 3rd @ 2/1
Quite times was well supported in the market with bets of £750-£300, £1125-£500, £900-£400(x3) along with Dancing Mystery (£3000-£300, £1600-£200) and Moayed (£1400-£400(x2), £1000-£300(x2), including office money)
However he did not run up to form. The winner and placed horses will go into the notebook.
Racing Post Comments
Not as competitive as some of these valuable sprint handicaps can be - there were 16 in last season's renewal - and three of the ten runners raced from out of the handicap.
DANCING MYSTERY(1) ran well when returned to this surface on his previous outing and just stepped up on that to reverse placings with Quiet Times and Moayed. Always going nicely, he came clear when asked to gain a smooth success and take his course record to four from eight.
He will always be worthy of respect round here, but is also effective on Polytrack and, set to be kept on the go, he should continue to earn some decent money this winter.
Magic Glade(2) ran a cracker from 4lb out of the handicap, finding only a very useful course specialist too good. Like the winner, he should pay his way in these decent sprints.
Quiet Times(3) could not confirm recent placings with the winner and was not quite at his best. Kevin Ryan feels he simply goes best when fresh and will bring him back here on New Year's Day for a similar race.
Post a Comment
<< Home