Nicholson Gin Vintage Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (2YO only)
7f Good to Soft
tracked leaders, headway out wide 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right and stayed on strongly inside final furlong
2 1
2 9-3 -
steadied and switched right start, raced keenly in rear, angled out over 2f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, not reach winner
edgy and sweating, held up in last trio, headway out wide over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace and no chance with winner, no extra in 3rd towards finish
pressed leader, pushed along and every chance 2f out, weakened towards finish
tracked leaders on inside, slightly hampered inside final 2f, unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on inside final 110 yards
sweating and edgy at start, led but pressed, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up off the pace in last pair, never involved
held up in 5th, pushed along over 2f out, outpaced inside final 2f, weakened soon after
tracked leaders out wide, weakened inside final 2f
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | £3.43 |
| CSF | £9.73 (2, 3) |
| Tricast | £64.16 (2, 3, 4) |
| Win | £3.25 (2) |
| Place | £1.40 (2), £1.70 (3), £2.30 (4) |
| Swinger | £3.20 (2, 3), £5.40 (2, 4), £6.55 (3, 4) |
| Exacta | £13.60 (2, 3) |
| Trifecta | £87.00 (2, 3, 4) |
This was by no means a vintage 'Vintage', but it was competitive at a useful level and probably reasonably solid form at a second- or third-tier. The pace was reasonable enough – finishing speed of 104.4%, which is only just quicker than par for this largely downhill track – on ground that was tending towards the softer side of “good to soft”.
HAATEM (108 here, 102 previously) undoubtedly paid a compliment to City of Troy, who trounced him at Newmarket the time before, but probably showed a little improvement himself to take a position just outside the top 10 among 2-y-os. He was close up tracking the pace, angled out 3f out and was ridden to lead well over 1f out, challenged again soon after but asserting readily near the finish. He should stay 8f in due course, though that may be it.
IBERIAN (105+ here, 86+ previously) improved significantly from his debut and is about the best prospect in this field, slowly into his stride and in rear, still going well over 2f out but seeming green briefly before running on well at the death. He should stay at least 8f.
MOUNTAIN BEAR (104 here, 95 previously) ran his best race, upped to 7f, but will need to be well placed to win at this level, held up in touch before switched outside 3f out, improving to challenge 1f out then one paced.
GOLDEN MIND (103 here, 95+ previously) ran his best race, prominent/disputing at times (jockey looked down briefly at halfway) leading narrowly for a short while well over 1f out then one paced and not knocked about.
SON (101 here, 91 previously) ran his best race and could still improve further, tracking the pace, seeming to edge right and not much room 2f out then going on quite well when switched and in the clear. He was another to pay a compliment to City of Troy.
WITNESS STAND (97 here, 78+ previously) did quite well for one so inexperienced and could improve further, soon leading narrowly and over-racing a bit, headed well over 1f out and one paced.
SOLDIER’S GOLD (94 here and previously) ran to his nursery form having been steadied at the start and never threatened to get in a blow.
THUNDER BLUE (89 here, 97 previously) possibly failed to stay, short of room 2f out then no extra.
SPANISH PHOENIX (82 here, 95 previously) failed to get home again.
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